While most of the transfer portal movement is over this offseason, the NBA Draft combine is underway this week in Chicago as a number of top college players go through the draft process before deciding whether to remain in the draft or to return to college for another season.
That’s particularly the case in the SEC where the draft decisions of Arkansas’ Meleek Thomas, Vanderbilt’s Tyler Tanner, Alabama’s Amari Allen and Kentucky’s Malachi Moreno will have major ramifications on the SEC outlook next season.
With the combine ongoing, On3 released the sixth version of its way-too-early top 25 rankings ahead of the 2026-27 college basketball season.
Tennessee basketball came in at No. 15 in the updated rankings. The Vols were one of seven SEC teams in the top 25, coming in behind No. 1 Florida, No. 7 Arkansas and No. 13 Texas while coming in ahead of No. 16 Vanderbilt, No. 18 Alabama and No. 25 Missouri.
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The Vols have over gone a major roster overhaul this offseason. They lost six players to the transfer portal while adding seven players out of the transfer portal and four from the prep ranks.
Rick Barnes and his staff rebuilt Tennessee’s roster with one of the nation’s best transfer hauls landing Cal combo guard Dai Dai Ames, VCU combo guard Terrence Hill Jr, Wake Forest shooting guard Juke Harris, Belmont shooting guard Tyler Lundblade, Kennesaw State forward Braedan Lue and Loyola (Chicago) center Miles Rubin.
That talented transfer class combined with returnees DeWayne Brown and Troy Henderson and Tennessee’s four-play prep recruiting class makes the Vols a legit contender next season.
Tennessee currently has one scholarship to work with as it fills out is roster for next season. The Vols are looking to add a depth big man with their final roster spot.
