With Top Transfers Committed, Rick Barnes Reloads Tennessee’s Roster

All rights reserved. During each of the past three seasons, the Tennessee men’s basketball program has advanced to the NCAA tournament’s Elite Eight. Only one other team (Duke) has achieved the same feat.

And while the Blue Devils have long been considered among the sport’s best, the Volunteers are relatively new to the scene on a consistent basis. Still, it looks like Tennessee will be in the national title mix again next season under veteran coach Rick Barnes. On Monday, former Wake Forest guard Juke Harris committed to Tennessee, becoming the latest transfer to join the Volunteers.

Harris is second on the Athletic’s and the Field of 68’s transfer portal rankings . According to CBS Sports, Harris’s agent asked for a $5 million deal, making Harris likely among the most highly-paid players in the sport. Harris, a 6-foot-7 wing, averaged 21.

4 points and 6. 5 rebounds per game as a sophomore last season, made the All-Atlantic Coast Conference’s second team and was the league’s most improved player. Harris should make an immediate impact at Tennessee and help ease the loss of the top three scorers from last season in Ja’Kobi Gillespie (18.