NCAA Basketball: 2022-23 Christmas wishlist for each top 25 team

8. Tennessee Volunteers – Fewer offensive droughts going forward

Like Alabama, Tennessee under head coach Rick Barnes has had a specific identity in the past few years. For them, it’s having a very strong defense (5th nationally with 52.8 ppg allowed) and an offense that can struggle at times. This is a team that has five double-digit scorers but no one has more than 11.8 ppg. In some of the biggest games to this point, the Vols have struggled to score 70 points, including just 56 in a near loss to Maryland.

One thing that would help is a fully healthy Santiago Vescovi, who leads them in scoring but has dealt with injuries and is shooting just 34% from the field. If he gets going, Tennessee’s offense will automatically be boosted. And they’ll need more from freshman forward Julian Phillips, who is shooting just 35% from the field overall. The defense can make a Final Four run but the offense could have them in danger of going out early.

7. Texas Longhorns – The quality shooting of Marcus Carr to continue

Texas added Iowa State transfer, Tyrese Hunter, to the roster to pair with 5th-year senior Marcus Carr. Turns out, the extra ball-handler has allowed Carr to excel, currently leading the team with 15.7 ppg and 4.3 apg. And his shooting numbers have been excellent as well, making 39% from three-point range on 5.4 attempts per game.

The Longhorns still aren’t very good from deep as a team, making just 7.5 a game. That could come back to haunt them once Big 12 play comes and Carr, who along with Sir’Jabari Rice are the top shooters on the team, is the lone true threat. Any slump from him could be detrimental to the top-10 Longhorns. As long as Carr continues to play well, Texas should remain a contender.