NCAA Basketball: Preseason Top 25 teams for 2018-19

10. Tennessee Volunteers 26-9 (13-5)

2017-18 postseason result: Round of 32

Key losses: None

Key returnees: JR Grant Williams (15.2 ppg and 6.0 rpg) – SR Admiral Schofield (13.9 ppg and 6.4 rpg) – JR Jordan Bone (7.3 ppg and 3.5 apg) – Lamonte Turner (10.9 ppg)

The recruiting in the SEC has gone up several notches in the last several years. And under Rick Barnes, Tennessee has been one of them, with the 2017 class paying dividends for the program. Four of the top five scorers for the Vols will be juniors next season, with the entire rotation being upperclassmen.

Along with Barnes being named SEC Coach of the Year, Grant Williams got the nod for Conference Player of the Year. The 6’5 forward is similar to Bonzie Colson, using all of his frame to score inside.

Williams and Admiral Schofield aren’t tall, but are big, which is why they’re a solid rebounding team. It does hurt them on the defensive end, where the Vols are ranked 312th in offensive rebounds allowed.

The key to Tennessee next season is the continued development of Jordan Bone, who is now the only true point guard on the team. The staff has been in the transfer market recently to add another ball handler, which will be important in adding depth. on the perimeter.