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NCAA Basketball: Updated 2020-21 power rankings after NBA Draft deadline

By Tristan Freeman

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 05: Head coach Jay Wright of the Villanova Wildcats walks the sidelines in the game against the Butler Bulldogs at Hinkle Fieldhouse on February 05, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 05: Head coach Jay Wright of the Villanova Wildcats walks the sidelines in the game against the Butler Bulldogs at Hinkle Fieldhouse on February 05, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /
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FAYETTEVILLE, AR – FEBRUARY 26: Tennessee Volunteers huddle together (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
FAYETTEVILLE, AR – FEBRUARY 26: Tennessee Volunteers huddle together (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

534. . . . Volunteers . 6. team

Yves Pons isn’t a nationally known player but the 6’6 forward has been the ultimate “glue guy” for the Vols in the past three years. The 6’6 versatile forward is one of the best athletes in all of college basketball and an elite defender. Him being a double-digit scorer as well last season is the cherry on top.

Pons’ decision to return for his senior season helps make the case that Tennessee should be the favorite over Kentucky to win the SEC in 2019. Not only does Pons, John Fulkerson, and grad transfer EJ Anoskie, provide a formidable veteran backcourt but the Vols bring in a pair of five-star guards of their own in Keon Johnson and Jaden Springer. Former five-star player Josiah Jordan-James is back as well, along with Santiago Vescovi. The rising sophomore guard actually was the team’s leading passer once Lamonte Turner went down with an injury, while also being a double-digit scorer himself.

This doesn’t even include now-eligible transfer from Oregon Victor Bailey, Jr., who may struggle to find a spot in the rotation if the five-star freshmen perform at a high level. That just speaks to the amount of talent that head coach Rick Barnes has brought to Knoxville in recent seasons. And with no one going pro early, it could be what’s needed to be the top team in the SEC.

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