We all knew it wasn't going to be easy for the Tennessee basketball team to pick up one of the top transfer targets still out there. We're of course talking about standout guard Rodney Rice, who is looking for a new place to call home after a stellar season with Maryland.
You'd think the Vols would have the upper hand after Rick Barnes and Co. were able to sign fellow Maryland sharpshooter Ja'Kobi Gillespie. However, there's still competition for the SEC side right now. Starting on Thursday, Rice is on a visit with Villanova.
However, Kevin Willard isn't the only one hoping to land Rice over UT. Per Jon Rothstein, both USC and Gonzaga have also entered the race here. Rice is set to visit Tennessee this weekend, but now potential visits to Los Angeles and Spokane could be on the way too:
Maryland transfer Rodney Rice tells me that he's recently completed a zoom with USC and will also have a zoom with Gonzaga tomorrow.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) April 9, 2025
Rice will also visit Villanova Thursday and Friday and Tennessee on Saturday and Sunday.
USC and Gonzaga are now looking to land Tennessee target Rodney Rice
Rice indeed was fantastic for Maryland last year, posting 13.8 points per game, while adding 2.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists. On paper, you'd think that Villanova would be the main threat for the Vols, as Rice could potentially reunite with Willard.
However, Gillespie is working overtime in trying to help out Barnes with the recruiting efforts here. Gillespie also said he has reached out to 5-star prospect Nate Ament. It'd be a dream to land Ament too, but it's looking like Duke is the favorite.
As for Rice, it's no surprise that he's receiving so much attention. He can knock down shots from all over the hardwood. Tennessee is coming off a brilliant season, which included a trip to the Elite Eight. Losing Zakai Zeigler, Chaz Lanier and others is going to sting, but Barnes has been making moves via the portal. Bringing in Rice would be another huge get, but getting the job done there won't be easy, especially with Villanova, USC and Gonzaga fully in the mix.