Tennessee Basketball: 2024-25 season preview for the Volunteers
By Joey Loose
Projected Starters
Guard – Zakai Zeigler (Senior)
The lone returning starter from last season, Zeigler returns as Tennessee’s point guard and will be an even more focal point for this version of the Volunteers. Named last year’s SEC Defensive Player of the Year, Zeigler averaged 11.8 points, 6.1 assists, and 1.7 steals per game and should be an even more important factor on both sides of the ball as a senior, with his leadership immensely important with the new pieces around him.
Guard – Chaz Lanier (Senior)
Time will tell how Lanier adjusts to life in the SEC after four years at North Florida, but this transfer guard could fit well into the Tennessee system. He averaged 19.7 points and 4.8 rebounds per game in a breakout season for the Ospreys last year, making 44% of his 3-pointers. The Volunteers hope he can have a similar impact as other transfers in the past, specifically like Dalton Knecht did last season, especially with those impressive shooting figures.
Guard – Darlinstone Dubar (Senior)
After spending his freshman season with limited action at Iowa State, Dubar turned into a very solid wing across the last three years at Hofstra. Another transfer added to the lineup, Dubar averaged 17.8 points and 6.8 rebounds per game as a senior while knocking down just under 40% of his 3-pointers. Not only is he another major addition on offense, but his defensive game should fit well into Barnes’ defensive system.
Forward – Igor Milicic (Senior)
Another two-time transfer with rising upside, Milicic began his career with brief play at Virginia before a pair of productive years in Charlotte. As a junior he became an All-AAC guard for the 49ers, putting up 12.8 points and 8.5 rebounds in a breakout campaign. He’s another new piece that can hit the outside shot, hitting 38% of his 3-pointers, while possessing legit rebounding ability, finishing 4th in the AAC in that mark.
Forward – Felix Okpara (Junior)
The new center for the Volunteers comes from Ohio State as Okpara is yet another transfer expected to make a splash in Knoxville. Okpara took a measured step forward as a sophomore with 6.6 points and 6.4 rebounds per game and has room for further growth at Tennessee. Additionally, he averaged 2.4 blocks per game, one of the best marks in the nation, and has a chance to be one of the premier rim protectors in the SEC.