Tennessee basketball fell short of reaching the Final Four for the second straight year after its disappointing loss to Houston.
Now the Vols and college basketball look to the 2025-26 season as Florida defeated Houston in the national championship to claim its third title.
Tennessee's future looks bleak based on way-too-early rankings. 247Sports has Tennessee ranked as the No. 10 team in the country, but everywhere else, the Vols are outside the top 15 and even outside the top 20.
ESPN, The Athletic, and Sports Illustrated have the Vols ranked outside the top 20, predicting that they will take a big step back after back-to-back Elite Eight runs.
"Tennessee seems to be busy in the transfer portal early, and for good reason," ESPN writes about Tennessee's future. "Program stalwart Zakai Zeigler is gone, as are starters Chaz Lanier, Jahmai Mashack, Igor Milicic Jr., and reserves Jordan Gainey and Darlinstone Dubar.
"Rick Barnes already landed Maryland transfer Ja'Kobi Gillespie, one of the best point guards available, and big man Jaylen Carey from Vanderbilt. But the Vols desperately need a boost on the wings."
ESPN also projects Tennessee's starting five as the following: Ja'Kobi Gillespie (14.7 PPG at Maryland), Bishop Boswell (0.3 PPG), Amari Evans (No. 75 in ESPN 100), Jaylen Carey (8.0 PPG), Felix Okpara (7.1 PPG).
Tennessee is losing most of its production, to be fair. Four of five starters and five of six key players are graduating this spring, leaving Barnes with a couple of bigs and freshman guard Bishop Boswell with limited playing experience to man the backcourt.
That's why Barnes' efforts in the transfer portal are so important. Only a few players were signed in this class prior to Tennessee's transfer portal signings.
Rick Barnes' aggressive run in the transfer portal has led to the Vols signing Maryland transfer guard Ja'Kobi Gillespie and Vanderbilt forward Jaylen Carey, who has already boldly stated he bleeds orange since announcing his transfer decision.
247Sports was a bit more positive about the Vols' future, especially since it ranked Tennessee No. 10 in the country.
"Ja'Kobi Gillespie is one of the best point guards in the country, 247Sports' Isaac Trotter writes. "Big man Felix Okpara should be a SEC Defensive Player of the Year frontrunner. That duo alone gives Tennessee real staying power. Tennessee will skyrocket if it aces the portal again like the last two years."
The Vols must add a few more guards to its backcourt if they hope to make another deep postseason run. Gillespie seems to be recruiting former Maryland teammate and transfer guard Rodney Rice to join him in Knoxville.
This would be another vital addition to Tennessee's roster, adding three experienced, high-level power four players out of the portal to retool and revamp the roster after a large graduating class.