The preseason polls are out, and the Tennessee Vols got a modicum of respect from the voters, coming in at #12 in both polls.
That’s not an unreasonable place to begin, particularly for a team that made it to the Elite Eight last year but lost its superstar in Dalton Knecht to the NBA and center Jonas Aidoo to Arkansas via the transfer portal. The Vols also picked up some very big name in the transfer portal in North Florida guard Chaz Lanier, Ohio State big man Felix Okpara, Charlotte forward Igor Milicic, Jr., and Hofstra guard/forward Darlinstone Dubar.
That’s a lot of talent in to help mitigate two big losses, and it’s reason for hope for Tennessee fans going into the season.
However, one group doesn’t quite buy it: the oddsmakers. At least they don’t buy the chances of the Vols cutting down the nets at the Final Four inside the Alamodome in April.
According to DraftKings Sportsbook, Tennessee has +5000 odds to win the national title. BetMGM has the same odds. That checks in as the fifth among SEC teams in both, behind Alabama, Auburn, Arkansas, and yes, Kentucky. By way of reference, the Vols checked in as the third SEC team in the polls, ahead of Arkansas (#16) and way ahead of Kentucky (#23).
It seems pretty clear that DraftKings Sportsbook put considerations into the programs’ histories, as well as John Calipari. Tennessee has never made a Final Four, and Rick Barnes hasn’t been to one in over two decades. Calipari has been a more successful tournament coach and could have a sleeper team in Fayetteville this year. However, Kentucky is quite the stretch. Yes, they recruit well, but Mark Pope hasn’t ever taken a team past their first game of the NCAA tournament. Kentucky is also a popular ticket among bettors, so the books probably don’t want to pay out as much should UK actually win it all.
But hey, for those looking to cash in on the Vols winning their first-ever title, this is a good thing. The longer the odds, the bigger the payday. We’ll find out if this is the Vols’ year starting next week, when Tennessee gets their season underway against Gardner-Webb in Knoxville.