Tennessee basketball is working hard to rebuild and retool its roster through the transfer portal during the spring cycle. The Vols have to replace four of five starters and five of six key players on Tennessee's roster ahead of the 2025-26 season.
Rick Barnes and company have been working on making those additions with Maryland transfer guard Ja'Kobi Gillespie, and Vanderbilt transfer forward Jaylen Carey in recent days.
The Vols seem to be closing in on another transfer target with another guard out of Maryland. Terrapins transfer guard Rodney Rice is also looking for a new home after his head coach bolted for Villanova.
On3's Pete Nakos predicted that Tennessee would land Rice out of the portal since signing Gillespie out of the portal. Nakos mentioned that Gillespie has been recruiting Rice to Knoxville since making his commitment decision.
"Ever since Maryland transfer Ja'Kobi Gillespie committed to Tennessee last week, he's begun recruiting his former backcourt teammate to join him in Knoxville and has also been in contact with Kentucky and Michigan, but Gillespie has made the shooting guard a top priority since committing to the Vols," Nakos writes.
"A former Virginia Tech transfer, Rice averaged 13.8 points and 2.2 rebounds per game this season. With Tennessee losing, adding depth and talent to the backcourt has been Rick Barnes' No. 1 priority this offseason."
While Nakos put his confidence level at "low" on the possible commitment, Barnes is clearly targeting high-level guards with successful P4 experience.
Maryland went 27-9 this past year, including 14-6 in conference, to finish second in the Big Ten standings and make a run to the Sweet 16 before being eliminated by 1-seed Florida.
This is more good news for Tennessee's basketball program as Barnes and the Vols look to revamp the roster and prepare for another deep run next season.