NCAA Basketball: 5 best value bets to make 2021-22 Final Four weekend
By Ian Mumm
4. Tennessee Volunteers +1200
The Vols were considered a potential Final Four program last season with the signings of 5-star guards Jaden Springer and Keon Johnson. A 10-1 regular-season start confirmed that possibility before SEC play threw a curveball in those plans. As a top-20 defensive team last season there was still plenty of opportunities to advance in the NCAA Tournament, however, an upstart Oregon State promptly ended those chances as well.
With Johnson, Springer, and Yves Pons moving on to the NBA, the 2021-22 Tennessee roster would be significantly downgraded heading into the season. Yet head coach Rick Barnes again worked his magic on the recruiting trail landing 5-stars Kennedy Chandler and Brandon Huntley-Hatfield in addition to 4-stars Jonas Aidoo and Jahmai Mashack. The signings instantly restore the lost talent over the offseason and even improve upon the overall talent of the team when considering Justin Powell (Auburn) transferred in as well.
While returning a significant portion of starting minutes and points scored from last season, the Vols have arguably improved across the board. They will continue to feature a top-notch defense and stand to score the ball easier than they did in 2021 helping them to overcome hurdles in the loaded SEC and the NCAA Tournament. Teams in a single-elimination format will likely have a hard time countering the physicality and versatility of this group.