Tennessee basketball appears to be in 2-team race for coveted transfer G Rodney Rice

The Tennessee basketball team has been working hard to acquire playmakers via the portal, as losing Chaz Lanier, Zakai Zeigler, Jahmai Mashack and others is tough. However, Rick Barnes has already landed Maryland point guard Ja'Kobi Gillespie and Vanderbilt forward Jaylen Carey.

Might Rodney Rice be the next one to pick the Vols? Come this weekend, the Maryland transfer is all set to take an official visit to Knoxville, with Gillespie joining him in town. However, Rice is also taking a visit to Villanova to meet with new head coach Kevin Willard and his staff. A decision is expected sooner rather than later too. Will Barnes be able to beat out Willard for the stud playmaker?

Maryland transfer Rodney Rice will visit Villanova and Tennessee this week

According to reporter Sam Kayser, Rice will be at Villanova on Thursday and Friday this week, immediately followed by a two-day trip with the Vols on Saturday and Sunday. Rice is considered one of the top available guard transfers right now.

This past season for Maryland, the standout averaged 13.8 points per game, burying shots from all over the hardwood. From our chair, you'd think Tennessee would have a bit of an edge over Villanova with Gillespie already UT-bound for next season.

Gillespie already admitted that he's recruiting his former teammate to join him, which is no question going to help Barnes in his efforts to try and sign Rice as well. Having the two work their magic together next year in the SEC would surely be a lot of fun to watch.

However, Willard and his coaches are working to prevent that from happening. Villanova will have the first chance to turn Rice's head this week, but then Tennessee will roll out the red carpet for him afterwards. This one could go either way, but Vols fans are feeling optimistic that Rice will end up picking Tennessee.