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NCAA Basketball: Way-too-early top 25 power rankings for 2023-24 season

By Tristan Freeman

Apr 3, 2023; Houston, TX, USA; Connecticut Huskies players celebrate after defeating the San Diego State Aztecs in the national championship game of the 2023 NCAA Tournament at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 3, 2023; Houston, TX, USA; Connecticut Huskies players celebrate after defeating the San Diego State Aztecs in the national championship game of the 2023 NCAA Tournament at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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NCAA Basketball
NCAA Basketball Zakai Zeigler #5 of the Tennessee Volunteers (Photo by Eakin Howard/Getty Images) /

20. team. 534. . . . Volunteers

2022-23 season record: 25-11 (11-7 SEC)

Expected losses: Santiago Vescovi, Olivier Nkamhoua, Tyreke Key, Josiah-Jordan James, Uros Plavsic

The Vols are in an interesting situation as only Key was without eligibility. Leading scorer Vescovi could come back, along with bruising big man, Plavsic. They do know that starting forward Nkamhoua won’t be around after entering the transfer portal this past week.

The one guaranteed returning piece on the team is Zakai Zeigler, the (mostly) starting point guard. He suffered a season-ending knee injury. The sophomore should be good to go for the next season. The team also has former five-star forward Julian Phillips coming back after averaging 8.3 ppg and 4.7 rpg and should be a breakout candidate.

Look for Jahmal Mashack and Tobe Awaka to have large roles in the offense as well, joined by an incoming freshmen class that includes four-star big man JP Estrella and top-100 guard Cameron Carr. Four-star forward Cade Phillips is another frontcourt freshman to watch as well.

This team lost some key defensive pieces but could get stronger on offense next season. And if Vescovi comes back, Tennessee will have its go-to scorer to compete in the SEC.

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