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Tennessee basketball: Media is loving Grant Williams and Admiral Schofield in the preseason

By Billy Williford

KNOXVILLE, TN - FEBRUARY 21: Admiral Schofield #5 and Grant Williams #2 of the Tennessee Volunteers go to the floor for a loose ball against Mike Okauru #0 of the Florida Gators in the first half of a game at Thompson-Boling Arena on February 21, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - FEBRUARY 21: Admiral Schofield #5 and Grant Williams #2 of the Tennessee Volunteers go to the floor for a loose ball against Mike Okauru #0 of the Florida Gators in the first half of a game at Thompson-Boling Arena on February 21, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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The 2018-19 Tennessee basketball team is getting lots of love from media members. Even Grant Williams and Admiral Schofield find their way on All-SEC teams.

The media is showing show love to the 2018-19 Tennessee basketball team, picking them to finish second in the SEC standings. This is a huge swing from last year’s 13th projection. But, we all knew this was coming, the Vols are primed to have a great season, maybe even a National Championship season.

If the Vols were picked second, who was first? Of course, the Kentucky Wildcats.

I understand it, John Calipari and crew continue to reload year after year but when does talent and experience outrank talent alone? And, doesn’t experience make talent even better?

Being projected second is certainly nothing to frown at considering where the program came from after Donnie Tyndall. It’s actually quite of an accomplishment.

However, I believe it’s a punch in the gut to the Vols. They swept Kentucky in the regular season and nearly beat them in the SEC Championship Game. Oh, and the Vols return almost every single player. Not, to mention the SEC Player of the Year Grant Williams.

Speaking of Grant Williams, he was projected as an All-SEC First Teamer and Player of the Year. The rest of the First-Team includes:

Daniel Gafford – Arkansas

Reid Travis – Kentucky

Tremont Waters – LSU

Chris Silva – South Carolina

It’s quite crazy that Williams is projected to win Player of the Year in back-to-back seasons. The last player to do so was Corliss Williamson (Arkansas) 1993-94, 1994-95. If you could win it this season that would put his name with the likes of Shaquille O’Neal, Dale Ellis, Bernard King, Pete Maravich, and a few others.

After averaging 13.9 points per game last season, Admiral Schofield appears as a Preseason All-SEC Second-Team selection. Schofield stepped up in a huge way once opposing teams started to double down on Williams.

Knocking down close to 40 percent of his three-point shots, Schofield was a big reason why the Vols had a three seed in the NCAA Tournament. The rest of the Second-Team includes:

Bryce Brown – Auburn

Jared Harper – Auburn

Jalen Hudson – Florida

PJ Washington – Kentucky

Quinndary Weatherspoon – Mississippi State

Jontay Porter – Missouri

Next. 10 keys for Vols and Crimson Tide. dark

The SEC has the potential to be the best conferences in the nation next season. It won’t be easy, but at least the media knows Tennessee is for real and should make a play at a Final Four with the leadership of Williams and Schofield. Or should I say Peanut Butter and Jelly?

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