Melvin Goins

MELVIN GOINS

Class: Senior

Hometown: San Diego, California

High School: Christian Life Center Academy

HT, WT: 5'11, 195

Position: Point Guard

Number: 2 (Was #21 last year)

Twitter: @MelGo21

Tennessee is known as a school that thrives on getting kids a not so common way, by transfers. Just ask JP Prince, Bobby Maze, and Tyler Smith how their careers flourished once they became Vols. (Insert Tyler Smith joke here, even though we still love him.) Mel Goins is no different than any of those 3 just stated. Goins is one of 4 current transfers that will be eligible to play for the Baller Vols this season. Melvin started his career at Ball State where he was the starter for most of his freshman season. He averaged 8 ppg and led the team in assists and steals. After his freshman year concluded Goins decided to transfer to San Jacinto JC in California. In his one season there he averaged 17.2 ppg, 4.9 apg, and 2 spg on the way to being named the Foothill Conference MVP. After that season he decided to take his talents to Knoxville. When Mel Goins first committed to Bruce Pearl, most fans first reaction was, who? After reading up on him most fans saw his strength was defense, and we all know defense wins championships.

Last season for the Vols Goins averaged 5.3 ppg, but he had most of his impact on the defense end. Goins looks like he could step in and play strong safety for Coach Dooley and company. His strong, muscular frame helps him so much on the defensive end. I'd pay to see another point guard in the NCAA push him around, becuase I guarntee there are not any out there. Ask Evan Turner about Melvin, he'd surely remember. When JP Prince wasn't guarding ET, Melvin was. You could tell Turner was uncomfortable with how Mel was pressuring him full court relentlessly. His on ball pressure caused some panic for Turner. Normally Turner had no problem getting by his opponent on the peremiter, but not against a quicker, stronger Goins. Even though ET had a crazy stat sheet that game, JP and Melvin made it a whole lot tougher on him. If it wasn't for Melvin, the Vols would not have even advanced passed the first round of the NCAA tournament, let alone get to the Elite 8. In the first game against San Diego State, Melvin provided an offensive spark. In a defensive slugfest that ended up 62-59 in the Vols favor, Goins had a season high 15 points. He hit 4 threes in that game alone, one of which was a game winner with about 15 seconds remaining. Goins is not known as a shooter, but he stepped up when the game was on the line.

Melvin has a great "floater" once he gets in the lane. Every time you expect him to get swatted, he just floats it up there and gets it to go down. Already a lockdown defender with a good mid-range game, if he can develop his 3ball to be a little more consistent, he will be SCARY. On another note, Melvin showed in the Rocky Top League that he has sick hops as well, he threw down one of the craziest dunks I've ever seen in a game a 360 windmill. If you get a chance, check out that video.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9EtHkIdyxU . Its the last dunk on there.

Expectations 8-10 ppg, 5 apg, 1.5 spg