WAY TOO EARLY TOP 25: WHERE DOES TENNESSEE CHECK IN AFTER LANDING THREE TRANSFERS?
The transfer portal has once again reshaped the landscape of college basketball this offseason, and it’s not even done yet. However, the window to enter the portal is now closed, meaning we’re one step closer to knowing what everyone has for the 2024-25 season.
Tennessee has been busy rebuilding following the departures of Dalton Knecht, Santiago Vescovi and Josiah-Jordan James. Jonas Aidoo and Tobe Awaka threw Rick Barnes and his staff a couple of curveballs with their decisions to enter the portal.
That created the need for a total overhaul of the roster with plenty of scholarship spots available. Barnes attacked the portal quickly, bringing in forwards Darlinstone Dubar and Igor Milicic, who are both prolific three-point shooters. He replaced Aidoo with former Ohio State center Felix Okpara.
Although the movement isn’t totally done yet — Tennessee still have three open spots on the roster — things are starting to take shape.
ESPN’s Jeff Borzello updated his way-too-early top 25 on Monday, placing Tennessee as the 18th best team in the country.
Dalton Knecht is gone, and with him goes Rick Barnes’ best offense in several years. But if the more up-tempo, 3-point-heavy offensive system remains in Knoxville, there should be plenty of optimism. Zakai Zeigler is one of the best point guards in the country, and Jordan Gainey, Jahmai Mashack and Hofstra transfer Darlinstone Dubar are plenty experienced on the perimeter. Barnes also addressed the frontcourt, adding Igor Milicic Jr. (Charlotte) and Felix Okpara (Ohio State). Jeff Borzello — ESPN
Alabama (6), Texas A&M (11), Auburn (12), Florida (15), Texas (20) and Arkansas (25) rounded out the rankings for the SEC. So that puts Tennessee in line to be the fifth best team in the SEC, which feels a touch low considering Barnes’ track record over the past several years. While there are plenty of unknowns, Tennessee still has senior point guard Zakai Zeigler running the show, along with plenty of experience, length and shooting now joining the lineup.
An x-factor here is the decision of North Florida transfer Chaz Lanier, who remains in the transfer portal and will attend the NBA G-League camp this weekend. Tennessee is in the mix, and Lanier could give the Volunteers a big boost in these early rankings. He averaged nearly 20 points per game last season for North Florida. Expect a decision from Lanier as soon as the NBA Draft process wraps up.
Kansas took the top spot in Borzello’s rankings, followed by Houston, Iowa State, Gonzaga and Baylor.
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