NCAA Basketball: Updated WTE 2022-23 power rankings after transfer deadline

19. Tennessee Volunteers

2021-22 record: 27-8 (14-4 in SEC)

The Vols knew that leading scorer and passer Kennedy Chandler was only going to be around, so him going to the NBA Draft isn’t a surprise. But the team lost several role players to the transfer portal, including guards Justin Powell and Victor Bailey, as well as centers, Handje Tamba and Brandon Huntley-Hatfield.

That leaves double-digit scoring juniors, Santiago Vescovi and Josiah Jordan-James set to return, along with freshman guard Zakai Zeigler, who came off the bench but averaged nearly double figures and could be the new starting point guard to replace Chandler.

To add to the backcourt is Indiana State transfer guard Tyreke Key, who missed last season due to an injury but averaged nearly 17 ppg in the three seasons prior. He’s a 6’3 scoring guard that can create his own offense and is a career 37% three-point shooter, although he was very erratic if you compare his individual seasons.

The frontcourt is fairly thin right now, with Olivier Nkamhoua, Jonas Aidoo, and Uros Plavsic getting the minutes, although Jordan-James can play some power-forward to create some more space-based lineups. Tennessee likely will add another forward but look out for them to find another point guard as well, as they’re reportedly in the mix for Iowa State transfer Tyrese Hunter.