Rick Barnes, the veteran Tennessee men's basketball coach, is entering his second decade with the program, and the Volunteers are poised for another successful season. With a roster full of new talent, Barnes is adapting to the ever-changing landscape of college basketball, ensuring the team's continued success.
The Volunteers have been a force to be reckoned with, spending the past four seasons ranked in the Associated Press Top 25 poll. This includes 50 weeks in the top 10 and five weeks at No. 1. Tennessee's recent success is evident with back-to-back trips to the NCAA tournament's Elite Eight, a significant improvement from just one such journey before Barnes' arrival in 2015.
In the past eight seasons, Tennessee has won at least 25 games six times, reaching 30 victories twice, proving Barnes' ability to adapt to the sport's evolving nature. Barnes acknowledges the necessity of adaptation, stating, 'In all my time in college basketball, we've had to adapt every year to something.'
The team's depth is enhanced by the addition of 6-foot-11 senior forward Felix Okpara, 6-9 junior forward Cade Phillips, and the acquisition of senior guard Ja'Kobi Gillespie, senior guard Amaree Abram, and junior forward Jaylen Carey through the NCAA transfer portal. The Volunteers also signed 6-3 sophomore guard Ethan Burg and a class of five freshmen, led by 6-10 forward Nate Ament, ranked eighth nationally by 247Sports.com.
Nate Ament, a highly touted prospect, is learning to play on the perimeter and guard guards, a significant shift from his high school days. Barnes praises Ament's progress, stating, 'He's learning how to play a lot away from the basket, and it's fun, because he's improving every day.'
Tennessee's roster is further strengthened by the presence of Okpara, Carey, Phillips, 6-11 redshirt sophomore J.P. Estrella, and 6-8 freshman DeWayne Brown. Barnes highlights the team's improved ability to post the ball, which could be a significant advantage.
The Volunteers' season will begin with a challenging schedule, including games against Mercer, Northern Kentucky, North Florida, Rice, and Tennessee State. They will also face Duke in an exhibition game on October 26, televised by ESPN. Barnes expresses excitement about the team's new additions and their commitment to each other.
Grant Hurst, a redshirt junior, opted to return for his final season, joining his younger sister Lauren, a freshman guard/forward, as the first brother-sister tandem to play basketball for Tennessee simultaneously. Hurst describes the experience as a 'true blessing', filled with love, hard work, and appreciation.
Tennessee secured its second commitment for the 2026 class with 6-6 forward Manny Green, a top prospect from Cedar Grove High School in Ellenwood, Georgia. Green joins four-star prospect Ralph Scott, further strengthening the team's future prospects.
As Barnes continues to lead the Volunteers, the team's success and adaptability will be a testament to his coaching prowess and the program's ability to thrive in the ever-evolving world of college basketball.
