USC’s Jio Fontan had good scouting report on Tennessee

Jio Fontan knew how to beat Tennessee well before he helped USC do it here Tuesday.

The newly eligible junior guard saw how it was done last season, watching from the Galen Center stands as USC pummeled the Volunteers by 22 points.

He was there on a visit, mulling over which school to attend while in the transfer process from Fordham.

Fontan later picked USC, in part because of that game, in which USC Coach Kevin O’Neill entrusted the offense to newly eligible guard Mike Gerrity, who led the Trojans to victory partly because Tennessee coaches didn’t see him coming.

And, like Gerrity, Fontan became eligible just before facing Tennessee, and then led USC to a win over the No. 19-ranked Volunteers, 65-64, handling the ball well against their pressure and contributing 13 points, four assists and three steals.

“It was important for me to come out and get this W, not only because of the situation last year — we kind of beat these guys pretty bad — but you always want to play good against schools that recruit you,” Fontan said.

O’Neill is pleased with Fontan’s decision, considering the 6-foot guard has dynamically changed the Trojans in only two games after having not played in more than a year.

“Nobody can underscore what Jio means to this team,” O’Neill said.

One key aspect Fontan brings is drawing perimeter defenders, which has created scoring opportunities for freshman guard Maurice Jones, who scored a game-high 15 points and had four rebounds, four assists and four steals against Tennessee.

“Jio is making Mo’s job a lot easier,” O’Neill said.

Jones shines

Bryce Jones had struggled lately, scoring only 10 total points in his last three games before Tuesday after averaging 12.8 points in USC’s first eight games.

But against the Volunteers, he had 11 points and six rebounds in a backup role, including three three-point baskets, the last one putting USC in front, 59-58, with 4 minutes 46 seconds left.

O’Neill “was telling me to stop rushing, just move forward from my bad games and improve with this one,” said Jones, who went from starter to backup when Fontan became eligible.

In his new role, Jones said he’s also learning to play multiple positions.

In USC’s two-point loss at Kansas on Saturday, Maurice Jones and Bryce Jones combined for only two points. Against Tennessee, they combined for 26.

baxter.holmes@latimes.com