What’s it all going to look like?
Tennessee hasn’t seen near the amount of roster turnover that other programs have seen during the transfer portal era, but they made up for it this offseason. Veteran program pillars Santiago Vescovi and Josiah-Jordan James saw their eligibility expire, while Dalton Knecht will head to the NBA.
And in addition to that, big time contributors Jonas Aidoo and Tobe Awaka hit the transfer portal, clearing out a ton of minutes in the frontcourt. Young developing guards Freddie Dilione and DJ Jefferson also left via the portal.
This is the era we live in now, and the Tennessee staff was prepared with a plan. Rick Barnes responded by adding four veterans out of the transfer portal, and very quickly turned this roster right back into one that can contend for the SEC once again.
Chaz Lanier (19.7 ppg at North Florida), Darlinstone Dubar (17.8 ppg at Hofstra), Igor Milicic (12.8 ppg at Charlotte) and Felix Okpara (6.4 rebounds, 2.4 blocks per game) all join the program with tons of experience.
What’s it all going to look like? Let’s dive in.
Point Guard
Zakai Zeigler
Tennessee’s unquestioned senior leader returns to his same role this season. The New York native was Tennessee’s second leading scorer last year with 11.8 points per game. Zeigler saw upticks in three-point shooting and assists, handling over 31 minutes per game. That playing time will only be on the rise from here, especially considering Zeigler won’t be dealing with ACL rehab this offseason.
The only question will be who handles the ball when Zeigler is off of the floor, but Tennessee now has a few options to fill that role.
Shooting Guard
Chaz Lanier
Jahmai Mashack
Jordan Gainey
Cameron Carr
Tennessee made a big splash last week, very likely landing their last piece of the rotation with Chaz Lanier. The former North Florida guard averaged nearly 20 points per game while shooting 44 percent from three-point range.
“(Lanier) has already proven to be one of the most efficient scorers in college basketball and we feel his ability to put the ball in the basket from all over the floor will translate well to the SEC,” Barnes said. “Chaz has a desire to help us win another SEC championship, as well as contend for a national title. It is clear his goals and mindset blend well with the rest of the guys in our program and this is an excellent fit.”
Lanier forms a potent offense-defense combo with Jahmai Mashack, who continues to improve year after year. Mashack will handle plenty of minutes as Tennessee’s primary defender, while it’s likely he also gets time at point guard when Zeigler sits.
Jordan Gainey and Cameron Carr will give Rick Barnes more shooting off of the bench. Gainey has also handled minutes in the point guard spot with Zeigler out.
Hybrid Forward
Darlinstone Dubar
Igor Milicic
Here’s where things get interesting from a lineup construction point of view. Milicic is 6-10, sure, but he’s more than just a big body. He’s a spot up shooter with the ability to handle the ball, which is going to make for some interesting offensive sets this season. Tennessee may have three shooters in the starting lineup capable of averaging 40 percent from three point range, and two of them will be 6-8 or taller.
For Dubar, he seems to be a natural fit in a small forward role, utilizing a 6-8 frame to perhaps fill a role similar to the one Josiah-Jordan James played during the last three seasons. Tennessee will have the ability to throw a lot of length and shooting at you from the 3 and 4 spot — even more than they had last season. The Tennessee staff is hoping that makes up for the loss of Dalton Knecht’s ridiculous production.
Frontcourt
Felix Okpara
JP Estrella
Cade Phillips
Everyone just assumed that Tennessee would be set to run it back with Jonas Aidoo and Tobe Awaka here, but that turned out not to be the case. Both opted to test the portal and both opted to take opportunities elsewhere. This left a sizable vacancy on the roster, some of which will be helped by the addition of Milicic.
With just Estrella and Phillips left on the roster, Tennessee went out and got a true rim protector to replace Aidoo. Former Ohio State center Felix Okpara isn’t the offensive threat that Aidoo was, but he’s a step up in defense. Okpara had 83 blocks last season (4.0 per 40 min) for the Buckeyes, and considering all the offense that the Vols have added to the roster this offseason, should fit in nicely at the 5 spot.
Tennessee will bank on some development from Estrella, who showed us some flashes down the stretch. Phillips will fill a depth role, hoping to carve out some minutes as another post option.
Scholarship situation note: Tennessee still has two spots available. However, it’s unlikely they try to add another big contributor out of the transfer portal. These will likely be filled by prep prospect or two, just as the Vols have done in the past with Zeigler and Awaka.