Busting Brackets
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SEC Basketball: Way-too-early 2019-20 preseason power rankings

By Dakota Cox

LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY - MARCH 09: Jalen Hudson #3 of the Florida Gators handles the ball while being guarded by Keldon Johnson #3 of the Kentucky Wildcats in the first half at Rupp Arena on March 09, 2019 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY - MARCH 09: Jalen Hudson #3 of the Florida Gators handles the ball while being guarded by Keldon Johnson #3 of the Kentucky Wildcats in the first half at Rupp Arena on March 09, 2019 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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KNOXVILLE, TN – DECEMBER 29: Grant Williams #2 of the Tennessee Volunteers and Admiral Schofield #5 of the Tennessee Volunteers celebrate on the bench during the second half of the game between the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles and the Tennessee Volunteers at Thompson-Boling Arena on December 29, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee won 96-53. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN – DECEMBER 29: Grant Williams #2 of the Tennessee Volunteers and Admiral Schofield #5 of the Tennessee Volunteers celebrate on the bench during the second half of the game between the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles and the Tennessee Volunteers at Thompson-Boling Arena on December 29, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee won 96-53. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images) /

4. Tennessee Volunteers

There is so much up in the air for Tennessee right now. They knew that this was going to be the last year for Admiral Schofield. They expected it for Grant Williams, the repeat SEC Player of the Year. However, Jordan Bone declaring for the NBA Draft came as quite a shock.

To make matters worse, head coach Rick Barnes has been linked to the open UCLA job in recent days. In these situations, smoke doesn’t always mean fire. However, there is currently a lot of smoke. Barnes would be able to coach for a more historic program, in a better city, with better recruiting pipelines, in an easier conference. If the money’s there, it makes all the sense in the world. This might also be a ploy to get a better contract with Tennessee. Tennessee has reportedly offered him a raise and extension, so it appears it will just come down to who offers the most money and where he wants to reside.

*Update: Barnes will remain with Tennessee after agreeing to a new deal

This recruiting class is basically headlined by one name: Josiah-Jordan James. James is a five-star guard out of South Carolina. He will be asked to do a lot on offense without Bone there to facilitate. Volunteer fans, get ready. This is your new face of Tennessee basketball.

Assuming Lamonte’ Turner and Jordan Bowden stay with the team, there will be enough senior leadership to mentor the young recruits. The biggest X factor remaining is if Rick Barnes will be coaching this team or not. Without him, this might be a rebuilding year for the Volunteers.

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