The Tennessee Volunteers had arguably their best season in program history in the 2023-2024 season. The Vols won the SEC regular season title and advanced to their second ever Elite Eight. Dalton Knecht became a superstar and a consensus All-American before being drafted in the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Lakers.
That was last season. The Vols could potentially be even better this season. Rick Barnes hit the transfer portal hard in the offseason to attempt to make up for the absence of Knecht. Preseason All-American Point Guard Zakai Zeigler returns to lead the way for the defensive minded club that returns six contributors along with welcoming four transfers and a highly touted freshman.
Tennessee Volunteers 2024-2024 Roster Breakdown
Projected Starting Lineup
PG – Zakai Zeiger, Senior – 5’9”, 171 lbs
G – Chaz Lanier, Senior – 6’4”, 199 lbs
G – Darlinstone Dubar, Senior – 6’8”, 211 lbs
F – Igor Miličić Jr., Senior – 6’10”, 225 lbs
F – Felix Okpara, Junior – 6’11”, 235 lbs
Bench
G – Jahmai Mashack, Senior – 6’4”, 201 lbs
G – Jordan Gainey, Senior – 6’3”, 186 lbs
G – Cameron Carr, Sophomore – 6’5”, 175 lbs
G – Bishop Boswell, Freshman – 6’4”, 194 lbs
F – JP Estrella, Sophomore – 6’11”, 241 lbs
F – Cade Phillips, Sophomore – 6’9”, 212 lbs
Zakai Zeigler returns for his senior season as the heart and soul of the Tennessee Volunteers basketball team. Zeigler, the reigning SEC Defensive Player of the Year, is getting preseason All-American hype. Jahmai Mashack is almost as beloved among UT fans as Zeigler. A defensive stopper, Mashack has worked hard on his offensive game this offseason and will look to provide some firepower.
Fellow senior Jordan Gainey is instant offense off the bench. Him along with sophomore Cam Carr will provide scoring help off the bench. Sophomores JP Estrella and Cade Phillips will look to make an impact in their second seasons on Rocky Top.
The Vols also welcome in four highly touted transfers. After losing Dalton Knecht, Tobe Awaka, Jonas Aidoo, Josiah Jordan James, and Santiago Vescovi, it was imperative the Tennessee Volunteers add through the transfer portal. In comes the prolific scoring duo of Chaz Lanier (North Florida) and Darlinstone Dubar (Hofstra). Tennessee also added much needed size and versatility with Igor Miličić Jr. (Charlotte) and Felix Okpara (Ohio State).
Tennessee Volunteers 2024-2025 Schedule Breakdown
November
On November 4th, the Tennessee Volunteers start their regular season with a home game against Gardner Webb before heading on the road to take on ACC foe Louisville on November 9th. Then, the week of November 11th-17th, they head back home for two against Montana and Austin Peay.
The Vols are playing in the Continental Tires Baha Mar tournament this season in the Bahamas. Their first matchup will be against the Virginia Cavaliers on November 21st. They will then take on Baylor or St. John’s depending on the outcomes. Tennessee finishes off the month back at home against UT Martin.
December
To kick off December, Rick Barnes’ squad will play host to Syracuse in the SEC/ACC Challenge. They will then travel to Madison Square Garden to take on Miami in the Jimmy V Classic on December 10th before heading to Champaign, IL to face Illinois. Tennessee will finish off the 2024 portion of their season against Western Carolina, Middle Tennessee State, and Norfolk State.
January
The new year brings on the start of SEC play, as Tennessee will welcome the Arkansas Razorbacks and new head coach and old rival John Calipari. Former Vol Jonas Aidoo transferred to Arkansas in the offseason and it will be his first trip back to Knoxville since.
Tennessee then heads on the road to battle Florida in Gainesville and Texas in Austin before hosting Georgia in a midweek game on January 15th. The Vols continue their road heavy start to the SEC schedule with a trip to the midstate to play Vanderbilt before they host Mississippi State. Tennessee finishes off the month by going to Auburn followed by a Tuesday matchup with rival Kentucky on January 28th.
February
The Tennessee Volunteers open up February at home with a rematch against the Florida Gators on the 1st. Missouri then comes to town on February 5th for their only regular season matchup with the Vols. After hosting consecutive games to begin the month, Tennessee travels to Norman, OK to take on the Sooners in their first SEC head-to-head matchup.
With another Tuesday matchup, the Vols go to Lexington for their second game against the Wildcats. Even though Kentucky leads the all-time series 160-80, Tennessee does have the most wins in history of any Kentucky oppenent. Over the past ten seasons, the series is tied 11-11. New head coach Mark Pope is very familiar with the rivalry, having played for the Wildcats from 1994-1996.
After the rematch with Kentucky, Tennessee begins the homestretch of the regular season with their rematch against Vanderbilt inside Thompson-Boling Arena. Road games at Texas A&M and LSU end the month.
March
The push towards the postseason concludes with the final three games of the regular season, as the calender turns from February to March. On March 1st, the Vols host Alabama in a matchup that could determine the winner of the SEC regular season title. The final week of the season sees Tennessee traveling to Oxford, MS to take on Ole Miss and then back home for the regular season finale to face South Carolina.
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