Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Rick Barnes across Basketball.
ESPN analyst Myron Medcalf forecasts a Final Four appearance for the Tennessee Volunteers in the 2026‑27 NCAA tournament, highlighting roster upgrades and defensive excellence, yet stops short of predicting a national championship.
After a roster overhaul, Tennessee’s basketball outlook blends historic ambition with realistic challenges, positioning the Vols as a SEC contender but not a guaranteed champion.
J’Lon Lyons, a No. 51 overall recruit in the 2027 class, will be on campus October 1, joining a Volunteers roster that has never reached a Final Four. Coach Rick Barnes hopes the visit will be a catalyst for a breakthrough.
The Volunteers welcome nine new transfer portal athletes, including high‑scoring guard Juke Harris and versatile forward Jalen Washington. Early predictions highlight Harris atop the scoring chart, while clutch guard Dai Dai Ames and breakout DeWayne Brown add depth. With strong defensive talent and a favorable early schedule, Tennessee is positioned for a deep SEC run.
The Vols will open with a home matchup against Xavier on Oct. 15, travel to face Duke two days later, and later test themselves against a top‑10 Michigan State team before heading to the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas. A demanding road trip to Purdue in December caps a non‑conference slate that also includes contests with Florida State, NC State and a host of transfers aimed at reshaping the roster.
Jalen Washington, a forward who spent the last two seasons at Vanderbilt, has officially joined the Tennessee Volunteers basketball program, adding depth and defensive firepower as the team aims for a national championship.
Jalen Washington, the Vanderbilt center, has committed to Tennessee, adding size and defensive prowess as the Volunteers aim for a national title run.
A Tennessee court’s injunction clears the way for Jalen Washington to join the Volunteers, while the NCAA faces new legal hurdles over transfer rules.
Tennessee secures Vanderbilt transfer center Jalen Washington, leveraging NCAA eligibility changes to strengthen frontcourt depth and defensive presence for the 2026‑27 season.
After the NCAA granted an extra year to seniors, Tennessee secured Vanderbilt center Jalen Washington, a 6‑foot‑10 prospect who averaged 8.9 points and 5.6 rebounds last season. His arrival reshapes the Volunteers' interior game and could pair with DeWayne Brown for a dual‑big lineup.
Juke Harris chose Tennessee over several power programs, highlighting defensive progress, team chemistry and the Volunteers’ fast‑paced approach under head coach Rick Barnes.
Jalen Washington's commitment follows a legal decision that granted him an extra year of eligibility, adding depth to Tennessee's frontcourt.
Former Vanderbilt center Jalen Washington joins the Tennessee Volunteers for the 2026‑27 season after a court granted him an additional year of eligibility.
After a season of statistical growth and a hard‑won NCAA restraining order, Jalen Washington is poised to face his former team when Tennessee meets Vanderbilt next season.
Tennessee remains inside the top ten of ESPN’s early rankings, bolstered by a deep transfer class and a schedule that includes a preseason showdown with Duke and a key non‑conference test against Michigan State.
The Volunteers wrapped up summer practices, showcasing new guard talent, emerging frontcourt pieces, and vocal leadership from returning stalwarts.
The schedule blends home buy games with road tests against ranked opponents, highlighting key dates and venues across the early season.
Tennessee’s coaching staff has confirmed an available scholarship slot, and recruiting analyst Joe Tipton identifies Jalen Washington as the clear frontrunner, citing his recent summer‑league performance and eligibility extension.
From record‑setting assists at the University of Tennessee to a summer with the Spurs and a future in the Basketball Bundesliga, Zakai Zeigler shares his journey, his community work, and the next step toward Germany.
Five former Tennessee Volunteers basketball players rejoined the program for a practice session, engaging in scrimmages, sharing NBA experiences, and offering guidance to the current roster under Coach Rick Barnes.
The versatile forward, known for his defensive intensity and rebounding, moves to the New Zealand Breakers after stints in the G‑League and Israel.
Antonio Pemberton, a 6‑foot‑1 scoring guard ranked No. 33 in the 2027 class, has trimmed his list to eight programs, keeping Tennessee among his finalists. With a 24‑point average and a championship run, the recruit’s next move could reshape the Vols’ backcourt.
Tennessee and Duke will meet again in a preseason exhibition on Oct. 20 at Cameron Indoor Stadium, continuing a series that has seen the Vols dominate exhibition play and the Blue Devils seek redemption.
A 35‑minute documentary produced by University of Tennessee students offers an intimate look at longtime coach Rick Barnes, exploring his roots in Hickory, his faith, and the evolution of a career that spans nearly five decades.