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Tennessee basketball in top 15 of analyst’s early 2020-2021 rankings

By Caleb Calhoun

Dec 12, 2020; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; General view during the second half of the game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Cincinnati Bearcats at Thompson-Boling Arena. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 12, 2020; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; General view during the second half of the game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Cincinnati Bearcats at Thompson-Boling Arena. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /
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A few weeks ago, a series of transfers and NBA departures created a ton of uncertainty surrounding Tennessee basketball on the heels of an underachieving season and disappointing exit in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. That all changed within three days.

The Vols received a commitment from four-star center Jonas Aidoo one day and five-star power forward Brandon HuntleyHatfield the next day. On a third day, John Fulkerson announced that he would be returning for a sixth year of eligibility.

All of a sudden, the hype train is back for Rick Barnes and co., and Gary Parrish of CBS Sports has them at No. 15 in his Top 25 And 1 early rankings for the 2020-2021 season. Here’s what he wrote about Tennessee basketball.

"John Fulkerson’s decision to return for another season means Tennessee should bring back five of the top eight scorers from a team that earned a No. 5 seed in the NCAA Tournament. That experienced core will pair nicely with a recruiting class highlighted by one of the best point guards in the Class of 2021 (Kennedy Chandler) and another newcomer who just averaged 11.7 points while shooting 44.2% from 3-point range at Auburn (Justin Powell)."

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It is true that the Vols have five of their eight key rotational players back. Fulkerson is one of them, and the others are Olivier Nkamhoua, Victor Bailey Jr., Santiago Vescovi and Josiah-Jordan James. All of them could have a major impact next year.

However, three of the top four producers are gone. Yves Pons was the team’s top interior defender, Jaden Springer was the team’s top scorer, and Keon Johnson was the team’s top perimeter defender. All have left for the NBA Draft. On the other hand, Bailey is an elite scorer, Vescovi is an elite shooter and James is an elite perimeter defender.

Combine that with Fulkerson’s experience, the addition of Auburn Tigers transfer guard Justin Powell and a top five recruiting class that includes five-star guard Kennedy Chandler, four-star guard Jahmai Mashack and three-star guard Quentin Diboundje Eyobo in addition to the names mentioned above, and you’ve got top 15 potential. Heck, that’s top five potential.

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There were two SEC teams ahead of Tennessee basketball in Parrish’s rankings, including the Arkansas Razorbacks at No. 9 and the Alabama Crimson Tide at No. 4. However, the Vols were ahead of the Kentucky Wildcats at No. 17. When you add the Auburn Tigers at No. 24, you can see how the league may be loaded next year.

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