ESPN Holds Vols Highly In Early Polls

Following UConn winning the national title, ESPN has the Tennessee Volunteers as the No. 23 squad in the country in their "Way-too-Early" 2023 college basketball rankings.

Earlier this week, ESPN staff writer Jeff Borzello placed Tennessee in the top-25 for the upcoming 2023-24 college basketball season. He had them placed 23rd overall, placed in between San Diego State at 22nd and St. Mary's at 24th.

He is quoted as saying, "Zakai Zeigler will be back whenever he recovers from his torn ACL, and the Vols should have an elite defense again. But the likes of Jahmai Mashack and Jonas Aidoo will have to step up."

He has those three players in the projected starting lineup and shooting guards Freddie Dilione and Tobe Awaka. Dilione is a mystery as he was a mid-year enrollee in the program as redshirted. He did not play for the Vols this year but participated in team activities. However, he could have a bright future with the Vols as he said to Volquest back in March that he is "a natural bucket-getter."

The ranking may be fair, as Borzello said prior to that quote, that the Vols have a lot of seniors leaving Knoxville following this season. There are a lot of question marks surrounding this team since six total guys are leaving the roster. However, head coach Rick Barnes has had this team ranked in the top 25 for 52 total weeks in the past three seasons.

He also talked about how getting Zakai Ziegler back from a torn ACL will also be huge for next season's team. Tennessee will have almost an entirely different look than last season. However, history has shown that this team will be back up in the rankings. As Borzello spoke of, many of these younger players from the previous season will have to take maturity jumps for the team to be successful. 

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