The 2022-23 college basketball season is in the rearview as the Connecticut Huskies ascended to the mountaintop, knocking off San Diego State to win the program’s fifth National Championship Monday night.
With the 2022-23 season over, attention quickly turns to next season, the transfer portal and a day after the National Championship staple— the way-too-early top 25.
Tennessee will potentially have to replace a number of crucial players with five seniors on its roster. However, four have eligibility remaining and Olivier Nkamhoua is the only person that’s indicated a decision— entering both the NBA Draft and transfer portal.
Rosters are still a long way from being set, but let’s take a look at way-too-early 2023-24 college basketball rankings.
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ESPN
National Rank: No. 23
SEC Rank: No. 5
What they said about the Vols: “Several seniors are out the door, including program stalwarts Santiago Vescovi and Josiah-Jordan James. So are recent breakout performer Olivier Nkamhoua, starting center Uros Plavsic and transfer Tyreke Key. Where does Rick Barnes go from here? Zakai Zeigler will be back whenever he recovers from his torn ACL, and the Vols should have an elite defense again. But the likes of Jahmai Mashack and Jonas Aidoo will have to step up.”
247sports
National Rank: No. 18
SEC Rank: No. 3
What they said about the Vols: “The Volunteers’ roster is in a state of flux with several key players left to make decisions on their extra years of eligibility: Josiah-Jordan James, Uros Plavsic and Santiago Vescovi. Zakai Zeigler should be back from a torn ACL, and players like Jahmai Mashack, Tobe Awaka and Jonas Aidoo can boost this team by upgrading their games this offseason.”
Sports Illustrated
National Rank: No. 25
SEC Rank: No. 5
What they said about the Vols: “Seniors Santiago Vescovi and Josiah-Jordan James have questionable statuses as potential fifth-year returners, but the Vols can be expected to be competitive regardless of what that duo decides. A healthy Zakai Zeigler would give Tennessee one of the better point guards in the SEC, and talented young bigs Jonas Aidoo and Tobe Awaka each showed promise this season. Freshman center JP Estrella could also help the frontcourt from a skill standpoint.”
The Athletic
National Rank: No. 19
SEC Rank: No. 4
What they said about the Vols: “The Volunteers are ranked in anticipation of Julian Phillips coming back, but that is far from definite. He will almost certainly test the NBA Draft waters, and though he’s projected as a late second-round pick, he could play his way into stronger consideration. Beyond that, the big question is how long it takes Zeigler to recover from the torn ACL he suffered at the end of February. He likely won’t be available until after the SEC season starts. Dillone was a top-30 recruit who reclassified and enrolled in January and redshirted. Nkamhoua entered the transfer portal, but Estrella and Carr are both top 75 recruits, so that should help plug the gap.”
Fox Sports
National Rank: N/R
SEC Rank: N/R
Sporting News
National Rank: No. 18
SEC Rank: No. 4
What they said about the Vols: N/A
