The 2023-24 season for Tennessee basketball was truly memorable. The Vols won the outright Regular-Season Championship and advanced to only their second Elite Eight in program history. Of course, the challenge for Rick Barnes is to sustain that high level of achievement and take another step forward. That won’t be easy by any stretch given how the bar has been raised. Even though there is a lot to enjoy about this past season, let’s take a glance at the state of the program heading into the 2024-25 season.
Who’s Leaving?
Dalton Knecht, Josiah-Jordan James, Santiago Vescovi, and walk-on Colin Coyne have all reached the end of their eligibility. Their departures represent significant losses for Tennessee; that group has combined to start 303 games during their time in Knoxville. This past season, those players accounted for 51% of Tennessee’s points, 43% of the team’s rebounds, and 41% of the Vols’ assists.
Unfortunately, losing an All-American like Knecht and veteran players like James and Vescovi may not be the end of Tennessee’s departures. It’s worth noting that the Volunteers have lost at least one player to the transfer portal in recent years, and this trend is likely to continue.
D.J. Jefferson, who redshirted as a freshman and had limited playing time last season, appears likely headed for the portal. Another possibility is redshirt freshman Freddie Dilione, who is known for his scoring abilities but could have a hard time getting significant minutes with point guard Zakai Zeigler set to be a key figure next season. There is also the possibility that the lure of more NIL money elsewhere could steal away another player who isn’t expected to transfer.
Who’s Joining the Program?
At the moment, shooting guard Bishop Boswell is the only recruit Tennessee has committed for next season. Boswell is a four-star player from North Carolina. According to composite rankings, he’s among the top-10 combo guards and top-75 players in the country.
The 6’4’’ Boswell looks like he could contribute to the Tennessee backcourt right away. The Vols are also in pursuit of a few other uncommitted recruits. However, it looks like it’ll be a small freshmen class for Tennessee in 2024.
Who’s Ready to Grow Up?
With a limited impact from their recruiting class, the Vols will be relying on their returning players taking a step forward. As mentioned, Zeigler will be leading the way as the team’s point guard. But who else is going to step up and fill the void left by Knecht, James, and Vescovi?
Fortunately, Tennessee’s freshmen class this past season was a good one. JP Estrella showcased his capabilities in the Purdue game, indicating that he could be ready for an expanded role next season.
Cam Carr is another freshman who could take a step forward as a sophomore. While his numbers don’t show it, Carr is known for his offensive mindset and fearlessness on the court.. If Dilione returns, his offensive tools could bolster the team’s perimeter game.
In Barnes’ system, the junior year often marks a pivotal period for big men. Tobe Awaka’s ability to avoid fouls and ascend to an All-SEC level is a key question. Similarly, Jordan Gainey displayed improvements towards the end of the season, raising hopes for a significant leap in his second year in the SEC.
Transfer Portal Plans
Even if a few younger players take a step forward, the departure of Knecht, James, and Vescovi opens up a few scholarships that Tennessee could use on players in the transfer portal. If one or two players transfer out of the program, it would open up even more scholarship spots for transfers.
The primary need in the transfer portal is a scoring guard. With the loss of Knecht’s offensive prowess, Tennessee requires more perimeter scoring and shooting. While securing a point guard may be challenging due to Zakai Zeigler’s presence, finding a high-scoring guard who can share ball-handling duties with Zeigler would be ideal.
The second priority is a power forward or stretch four who can provide court spacing and defensive versatility. In other words, someone who can fill the void left by James. Tennessee benefited from James’ ability to defend the four while stretching the floor offensively. Whether it’s a 6’8’’ power forward with outside shooting skills or a 6’6’’ small forward capable of playing the small-ball four, filling this role is crucial. While Jahmai Mashack can contribute in this capacity to some extent, relying solely on him diminishes his strength as a defender against elite scoring guards.
Beyond these positions, Tennessee has the flexibility to pursue some of the best available players in the transfer portal. While a backup point guard and additional center depth could be beneficial, finding players willing to accept backup roles or adding depth to an already deep center position may prove challenging in the portal.
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How Bright is Tennessee’s Future?
Just how good will the Volunteers be next season? Can Tennessee repeat as SEC champs or will the Vols take a step backward? These are important questions for fans who partake in Tennessee sports betting. The Volunteer State has over 10 sportsbooks in operation, giving bettors in Tennessee plenty of great options for sports betting.
Unfortunately, it’ll be hard for the Vols to match or exceed their success from this past season. Knecht, in particular, leaves such a huge void that will be hard to fill no matter who Tennessee adds in the transfer portal. The team’s guard play will be strong behind Zeigler, which should make the Volunteers competitive inside the SEC. But barring multiple impact transfers, it’s a stretch to think Tennessee can repeat as conference champs or mount a serious Final Four push in 2025.