The offseason has been nothing short of amazing for Rick Barnes, who is working to build a Final Four-caliber team in Knoxville.
When ESPN’s early top-25 rankings were first released, they didn’t even include the Tennessee Vols and Rick Barnes. They were listed in the “next in line” category, but things have changed significantly since then. Tennessee has now moved up to No. 11 in the most recent ESPN college basketball rankings, as the Vols have added plenty of firepower to their roster.
With Nate Ament going to the NBA draft Rick Barnes has an obvious move to make
The biggest additions include VCU guard Terrence Hill Jr., Notre Dame’s Jalen Haralson, and Cal’s Dai Dai Ames. They also picked up Belmont sharpshooter Tyler Lundblade, who hit 42% from deep and won the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year. On top of that, Tennessee added defensive bigs, Miles Rubin and Braedan Lue. The roster is coming together nicely, but it could get even better very soon.
Tennessee basketball could get ranked even higher
Tennesse has been firmly in the mix for Wake Forest transfer Juke Harris, who is considered the No. 1 player in the portal by some sources. If Rick Barne scan alnd Harris then Tennessee could shoot into the top five or even No. 1. Last year, Harris posted over 20 points a game in the ACC and was an efficient scorer at 44.4%.
This move would actually push either Ames or Lundblade to the bench, which is insane. The depth on this roster could make them one of the deepest teams in the entire country next season. I don't think it would be enough to put them at No. 1 over Florida, which is bringing back much of an already stacked roster from last year, including Alex Condon and Thomas Haugh. Either way, the Vols will firmly be in th mix with Florida for an SEC title next season.
I cannot wait to see the Vols take the floor next November. This looks like a top-tier team with a real chance to make history and bring Tennessee its first-ever Final Four.
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