NCAA Basketball: Preseason top 25 power rankings for 2024-25 season

10. Tennessee Volunteers

Dalton Knecht, who led the team with 21.7 ppg and was the SEC Player of the Year, was the Vols' significant loss this offseason. But they also lost some other notable pieces, including Josiah-Jordan James, Santiago Vescovi, Jonas Aidoo, and Tobe Awaka. 

The good news is that Tennessee should have one of the top backcourts in the country, led by Zakai Zeigler, a top perimeter defender. Jordan Gainey and Jahmai Mashack return, with the team landing North Florida transfer Chaz Lanier. He was one of the most efficient players in NCAA Basketball last season, averaging 19.7 ppg on 51% from the field, 44% from deep, and 88% from the FT line.

The frontcourt has the chance to be more potent than ever in the Coach Rick Barnes era. Darlinstone Dubar (17.8 ppg and 6.8 rpg) is a 6’6 forward from Hofstra who shot 40% from deep, while Igor Milicic is a 6’10 forward who produced 12.8 ppg and 8.5 rpg at Charlotte. Felix Okpara is a former top-50 prospect from Ohio State who could be a breakout center for the team.

Tennessee's defense should remain top-tier, and while they don’t have a single star like Knecht who can drop 30 in a given game, the collective offensive output should also be there, making them a legit Final Four contender.