ESPN dropped an updated version to their way-too-early college basketball rankings on June 2nd. The ranking saw the Volunteers take a jump from 7th to 5th. ESPN staff writer Jeff Borzello made these rankings.
The Vols find themselves one of five SEC teams in the top 25. Arkansas, Texas A&M, Alabama, and Kentucky also find themselves in the top 25. Auburn and Mississippi State were also mentioned as two out of five teams who were "next in line," according to Borzello. This updated ranking for Tennessee includes the factor of Josiah-Jordan James returning for his final season of eligibility. The boost of experience the Vols gain with his return is a key contributor to their jump in the rankings. Borzello said that the addition of James returning to the team gives the Vols more perimeter pop than in the past few seasons.
This is very true, as the Volunteers have plenty of three-point threats coming back this season. Along with James, Santiago Vescovi, Dalton Knecht, Zakai Zeigler, and Chris Ledlum all have decent three-point shots. He also said a healthy Zeigler makes this team dramatically dangerous. He adds to a defense that is always elite under head coach Rick Barnes. The combination of more perimeter pop with James coming back and a healthy, elite defense with Zeigler back in the lineup makes Tennessee a major threat. In the opinion of ESPN writer Borzello, it makes them a top-five team and certainly a title contender.
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