It's Christmas Day, and Santa Claus has made his way around the world. Tennessee basketball had a long list of presents they wanted, and one can only hope they got them. Rick Barnes was surely on the nice list, so hopefully, all their gift ideas come true. Let's take a look.
4 things on the Tennessee football's wish list this Christmas
Back to back SEC titles
Tennessee won the regular-season SEC championship last year, and they would love to do it once again. It will not come easy, though, as the SEC is once again brutal.
Tennessee will have to go up against Kentucky, Arkansas, Vanderbilt, Alabama, and more to win the conference once again. It will be a bloodbath, but if Rick Barnes can pull it off, this team can do something special.
Better free throw shooting
On the year, the Vols are shooting 71.5% from the charity stripe whic is average. But as of late, the free throw shooting has been atrocious. The vols have been shooting in the 60s and below percenatge wise.
If Tennessee has any sort of deep March Madness aspirations, they need to clean this up. Missing free ones in March can end a Final Four run just like that.
Ja'Kobi Gillespie makes an All-American team
When Tennessee got Gillespie from Maryland, we all knew he was good, but did we know he was this good? Gillespie has even stepped up his game recently.
Gillespie checks all of the boxes for a point guard, he can score off the dribble and shoot. He is a leader and plays a full 94-foot game. Gillespie deserves to be an All-American when the teams come out later this year if he keeps up the pace he's on.
A National Championship
This one is something Tennessee fans have never seen from their men's program. Rick Barnes is a legendary coach, and he deserves a title. He has done so much for the game of basketball and the city of Knoxville.
Tennessee has never even made a Final Four, but this team is more than capable of that. They have the talent to win it all. They're an elite rebounding and defensive team, and if the ball can fall through the hoop on offense, the Vols can do something very special in 2026.