Busting Brackets
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NCAA Basketball: Way-way-too-early 2019-20 preseason top-25 rankings

By Lukas Harkins

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 06: Head coach Tony Bennett of the Virginia Cavaliers looks on in the second half during the 2019 NCAA Final Four semifinal against the Auburn Tigers at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 6, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 06: Head coach Tony Bennett of the Virginia Cavaliers looks on in the second half during the 2019 NCAA Final Four semifinal against the Auburn Tigers at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 6, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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COLUMBUS, OHIO – MARCH 24: Turner and Bowden of the Volunteers react. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OHIO – MARCH 24: Turner and Bowden of the Volunteers react. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Head coach Rick Barnes has turned the Tennessee basketball program around in a hurry. After landing a top-three seed in the NCAA Tournament in each of the past two seasons, the Volunteers have clearly emerged as one of the top teams in the SEC. However, Coach Barnes and Co. will be dealing with plenty of roster turnover heading into next season. At least Admiral Schofield and Kyle Alexander will be graduating and there is also the possibility that Grant Williams and/or Jordan Bone elect to turn pro. If that is the case, the coaching staff will have a tough time achieving a top-25 ranking but the potential is still there.

This is due to the returns of strong backcourt options in Lamonte Turner and Jordan Bowden. These two were largely overshadowed during this past season but will be rising seniors with huge potential for breakout campaigns in 2019-20. They both averaged in double-figures for the Volunteers last year and will be ready to rock as the stars of the roster. That is, of course, unless Williams/Bone return. If those two come back, Tennessee will once again have one of the most dangerous cores in the nation.

Furthermore, the Volunteers are also adding one of the top freshmen in the country to the roster. Josiah James, who is ranked at No. 16 in the country by 247Sports, is an absolute stud. A 6-foot-6 wing with a college-ready body and elite finishing around the rim, James should fit in nicely due to his ability to play multiple positions. When in doubt, James can play anywhere from 1-to-4 on the court. That kind of versatility should make Coach Barnes salivate.

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