The 2024-2025 college basketball season has proven that the Tennessee men’s basketball team is a force to be reckoned with. The Vols have enjoyed a strong season for the most part and look ahead towards the NCAA tournament. Head coach Rick Barnes has led Tennessee to continue to be one of the best programs in the SEC, and they have all the tools to make history in the NCAA tournament. So far this season, Tennessee has shown flashes of brilliance, but the question remains: can this squad correct their consistency in time to make a serious run in March?
Tennessee came into the season with high expectations, and they have mostly lived up to the call. The Vols are a strong threat to their opponents because of their depth. Returners like Zakai Zeigler, Jordan Gainey, and Jahmai Mashak continue to impose their will on most teams. The veterans continue to make strides heading into the back half of the season. The Vols ranked among the nation’s best for their defense, and their defense-first mentality has carried them well throughout the season.
Despite their overall success, Tennessee has faced some road bumps. Their recent losses to Vanderbilt and Florida were unexpected blows to their former #1 ranking. Although their defense has served them well, their offense has lacked consistency. However, their ability to bounce back from setbacks has been a testament to the team’s resilience and maturity.
The Vols have also seen new faces stepping into key roles. Transfers Chaz Lanier and Igor Milicic have been pivotal to the Vols’ success. Those two players combined for an average of almost 30 points per game. The contributions of these transfers have helped soften the loss of key players such as Santiago Vescovi, Dalton Knecht, and Josiah Jordan-James, ensuring that the team remains competitive in one of the nation’s toughest conferences.
Looking ahead, Tennessee is well-positioned to continue competing at a high level. With the SEC season in full swing and the NCAA tournament on the horizon, the Vols have set themselves up to compete at their highest level when tournament time approaches. If they continue to be consistent on both sides of the floor, Tennessee is likely to be a major contender for both the SEC title and a deep March Madness run.
