NCAA Basketball: 10 teams that will exceed expectations in 2019-20

LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - MARCH 30: Mamadi Diakite #25 of the Virginia Cavaliers reacts against the Purdue Boilermakers during overtime of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament South Regional at KFC YUM! Center on March 30, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

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Photo Credit: Gregory Shamus – Getty Images /

Tennessee Volunteers

2018-19 Record: 31-6

Tennessee receiving a lot of doubt honest does not make too much sense to me. Well, I am aware that they are now short of their three leading scorers from last year’s squad in Grant Williams, Admiral Schofield, and Jordan Bone. They are also without Kyle Alexander.

On the bright side, they return a highly talented backcourt with Lamonte Turner and Jordan Bowden. Those two guys averaged 11.0 and 10.6 ppg last season. It’s crazy to think that they both averaged double digits but were 4th and 5th in scoring last season. That just goes to show how deep Tennessee really was.

Where they may lack the same depth this season, their backcourt becomes deadly yet again due to the addition of freshman Josiah-Jordan James. Per 247 Sports, James is the 22nd best player overall in the 2019 class. This is a huge pick up for the Volunteers as James will be called upon immediately to play a leading role for this squad.

I expect Rick Barnes to fully figure out how to make up from those losses from last season and lead Tennessee to being a solid team once again this year. In addition to having great coaching, it is pretty clear that the strength and conditioning within the basketball program are great as well. Tennessee was the fittest team on the floor in every game last season, and I know it will be the same this year as well.

Do not count out the Vols from competing within the top half of the SEC in 2019-20. They have the weapons to compete in league play and establish themselves as a strong NCAA Tournament team.

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