Brace yourself, Tennessee basketball fans — a brand-new era is about to begin in Knoxville! Believe it or not, the countdown to the start of the college basketball season is officially on, and Rick Barnes is back for his 11th campaign at the helm of the Volunteers. After years of success, including SEC championship pursuits, Barnes is steering Tennessee into uncharted waters with a roster that has been almost completely rebuilt. Zakai Zeigler and Jahmai Mashack, two cornerstone players who shaped the program over the past four years, have graduated, leaving Barnes to construct a fresh lineup from nearly scratch.
Enter a wave of exciting new talent. Dynamic guard Ja'Kobi Gillespie transfers from Maryland and immediately takes over the point guard duties. Then there's Nate Ament, a future lottery pick, whose 6-foot-10 presence on the wing adds a rare combination of size and skill. Returning to anchor the frontcourt is Felix Okpara, a dominant center and rim protector, alongside Cade Phillips and J.P. Estrella. Tennessee also strengthened their roster with power forward Jaylen Carey from Vanderbilt and sharpshooting guard Amaree Abram from Louisiana Tech. Not to be overlooked, Ethan Burg, who spent recent years playing professionally in Israel, joins the team to bring invaluable experience and perimeter shooting.
Now comes the challenging puzzle: how will Rick Barnes blend all these pieces into a cohesive, winning unit? They won’t have much time to experiment either, as they kick off with a headline-grabbing exhibition against Duke at the end of the month — a game that could set the tone for the season.
So where does Tennessee stand in the national picture? With constant roster turnover across college basketball, predictions are notoriously tricky. ESPN has taken a shot, slotting Tennessee at 18th in their preseason top 25 (https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/46510936/mens-college-basketball-preseason-top-25-final-rankings-tipoff-2025-2026).
Losing five of their top six scorers from last season is a huge challenge for Barnes, but the arrival of Ja’Kobi Gillespie and elite recruit Nate Ament provides a major boost. Gillespie’s efficiency as a point guard and Ament’s elite scoring and versatility on the wing make them immediate impact players. Returning standouts Felix Okpara and Cade Phillips, along with Vanderbilt transfer Jaylen Carey, give the frontcourt solid stability. The burning question now: can Barnes and the Vols defend at a top-five level for the sixth consecutive season? That defensive standard has been a hallmark of Tennessee basketball, and maintaining it will be critical to their success. (Source: Borzello)
Looking at Borzello’s top five teams, Purdue, Florida, Houston, UConn, and St. John’s occupy the elite spots, setting a high bar for the Volunteers. Within the SEC, competition is fierce: Louisville, a team Tennessee will host, ranks 6th; Kentucky comes in at 9th; Arkansas is 12th; Auburn 17th; and Alabama 19th. Tennessee sits as the fifth-ranked team in the conference — a position that’s both promising and pressure-packed.
Fans can mark their calendars: Tennessee will officially open the season with their marquee exhibition against Duke on Sunday, October 26, before taking on Mercer in their first official game on November 3. The big question is — will this new-look Vols squad rise to the occasion, or will the roster overhaul take time to gel? Share your thoughts below and let the debate begin!
