SEC Basketball: Alabama, Auburn leads way-too-early power rankings for 2024-25 season

4. Tennessee Volunteers

Life without the reigning SEC Player of the Year, Dalton Knecht, will surely be different. Knecht was instrumental to the Vols’ success, leading the SEC in scoring at 21.7 PPG. Knecht helped lead Tennessee to a 27-9 (14-4) record where the Vols reached the Elite Eight, falling one game short of the program’s first-ever Final Four appearance.

With Dalton Knecht out of the picture as well as Jonas Aidoo (Arkansas), Santiago Vescovi and Josiah-Jordan James (graduation), Tennessee will have to rely on PG Zakai Zeigler to man the backcourt, which should complement well alongside their portal pieces on the wings.

Paring Zeigler alongside Igor Milicic (Charlotte), a 6-foot-10 stretch forward who shot nearly five three-point attempts last season and Darlinstone Dubar (Hofstra), another high-volume stretch forward should open the floor tremendously in the Vols offense.

Retaining Jordan Gainey and Jahmai Mashack, who are both poised to take on a larger role in 2024-25, was key. In addition, Tennessee landed a late May portal target in G Chaz Lanier (North Florida), who averaged 19.7 PPG for the Ospreys.

The Vols replaced Tobe Awaka and Jonas Aidoo in the frontcourt by landing Ohio State transfer Felix Okpara, who averaged 6.6 PPG and 6.4 RPG last season for the Buckeyes. JP Estrella can be a solid backup big, too.

Tennessee will look different, but the Vols shouldn’t skip a beat. Expect Tennessee to be a major player in the SEC in 2024-25.