Busting Brackets
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Tennessee Basketball: 2017-18 season preview for the Volunteers

By Richard Gnann

NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 11: Rick Barnes the head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers gives instructions to his team during the game against the LSU Tigers during the quarterfinals of the SEC Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 11, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 11: Rick Barnes the head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers gives instructions to his team during the game against the LSU Tigers during the quarterfinals of the SEC Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 11, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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NASHVILLE, TN – MARCH 11: Rick Barnes the head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers gives instructions to his team during the game against the LSU Tigers during the quarterfinals of the SEC Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 11, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN – MARCH 11: Rick Barnes the head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers gives instructions to his team during the game against the LSU Tigers during the quarterfinals of the SEC Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 11, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Incoming Transfers

James Daniel

Incoming guard James Daniel III averaged 27 points a game for Howard in 2015-16 to lead all Division-I scorers. He played just two games last season due to an ankle injury, though.

Sports Illustrated predicts Daniel to be among this season’s top ten scoring transfers nationally. However, Daniel spent the summer rehabbing the ankle injury that ended his 2017 season at Howard, so he might be a tad behind in learning the Tennessee offense.

Barnes spoke extensively about Daniel at the SEC Tipoff:

"“I asked him the other day if anyone has ever taught him how to run an offense, and he said only instant offense. I told him we were not going to need that unless the shot clock is running down. He is working hard. He has a wonderful attitude. He is learning how to play with better players. This is his first time working with post players who can truly play. He has showed that he can defend but not for long periods of time.”"

Chris Darrington

Junior college transfer guard Chris Darrington averaged 21 points last season for Vincennes (Indiana). The point production earned Darrington first-team NJCAA Division-I All-America honors. Along with his 21 points a night, he dished out 5 assists per game for the Trailblazers. Darrington ended the season with a 2.2 assist-to-turnover ratio while shooting 43% from the beyond the 3-point arc.

Daniel and Darrington join sophomore guards Jordan Bone, Jordan Bowden, and redshirt sophomore Lamonte Turner in a now-crowded Volunteer backcourt.

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