The college basketball season is three weeks away and the Preseason AP Top 25 is officially out. Tennessee comes in at No. 12 in the preseason poll and is the third highest ranked SEC team.
It’s the fifth straight season that Tennessee’s landed in the preseason AP Top 25 but is the Vols’ lowest preseason ranking since opening at No. 18 nationally ahead of the 2021-22 season.
The Vols are one of nine SEC teams in top 25 coming in behind No. 2 Alabama and No. 11 Auburn and ahead of No. 13 Texas A&M, No. 16 Arkansas, No. 19 Texas, No. 21 Kentucky, No. 23 Kentucky and No. 24 Ole Miss.
Tennessee has become a constant in the AP Top 25 under veteran head coach Rick Barnes. The Vols have now been ranked in 60 straight AP polls dating back to the final AP Top 25 of the 2020-21 season. Tennessee has been a constant competitor in both the SEC and nationally under Barnes’ guidance and that’s expected to continue again this season.
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The Vols lost four of their five starters off of last season’s Elite Eight team including SEC Player of the Year Dalton Knecht, All-SEC center Jonas Aidoo and experienced veterans Josiah-Jordan James and Santiago Vescovi.
But despite losing key players Tennessee has a blend of key contributors, potential second year standouts and a talented transfer class that provides an abundance of optimism.
All-SEC point guard Zakai Zeigler is back as well as guards Jahmai Mashack and Jordan Gainey. Sophomores Cam Carr, JP Estrella and Cade Phillips are all looking to take significant steps forward. Tennessee also added Ohio State center Felix Okpara, Charlotte forward Igor Milicic, Hofstra forward Darlinstone Dubar and North Florida guard Chaz Lanier to the roster.
Tennessee opens up its 2024-25 regular season on Nov. 4 against Gardner Webb. But the Vols will first play a charity exhibition against Indiana on Oct. 27 in Knoxville. The Vols also have non conference matchups scheduled against Louisville, Virginia, either St. John’s or Baylor, Syracuse, Miami and Illinois.
