What's next for Tennessee Basketball?

After a disappointing performance in a disappointing first round exit for the Vols on Friday against the Beavers of Oregon State, many Vol fans may find themselves wondering what’s next? Or, where do we go from here? Maybe even, what will this team look like next year? Better? Worse? Nobody really knows the answer to those questions, but that doesn’t mean we can’t speculate. So, look towards what the 2021-2022 Vol Basketball team may look like.

COACHING STAFF CHANGES- First off, no Rick Barnes will not be fired. Let’s get that out of the way first. But, one difference next year may be the departure of Vols assistant coach Kim English, English has reportedly accepted an offer to be the next head coach at George Mason. That news is expected to break and be official at any time. It's possible it breaks before I even finish this piece. Assistant coach Desmond Oliver’s name has also been linked to a few HC openings, most recently Albany’s. And though he hasn’t yet been linked to any jobs, i wouldn’t be surprised if schools come calling for associate head coach Michael Schwartz, he is a very bright coach who should get an opportunity to lead a program soon.

CONFIRMED NEWCOMERS - Tennessee will welcome star point guard Kennedy Chandler along with rising forward Jahmai Mashack. That duo currently gives the Vols the 35th recruiting class in the nation and the 6th in the SEC. The Vols are also rumored to add more to that class. More on that in a bit.

TRANSFER PORTAL/GRADUATE TRANSFERS- So far there have been a good handful of prospects to hit the transfer portal who have some ties to Tennessee.

Forward Tre Mitchell for UMass entered the portal, he had a Tennessee offer out of high school and averaged 18.8 points, 7.2 rebs, 1.5 blocks with 38% from three and 77% from the line for the Minute Men.

Xavier guard Kyky Tandy had an offer from Tennessee out of high school, and is the cousin of former Vol Scotty Hopson, this previous year he averaged 6.6 pts in 14 minutes a game.

Louisville forward Aidan Igiehon also entered the portal. Though he has no Tennessee ties, this was a guy nicknamed “Irish Hulk.” he is truly a beast physically. Injuries plagued his time at Louisville and he never quite lived up to the potential. But as a former top 50 prospect and at 6-10 245lbs with what looks like to be almost no body fat, he would be worth a gamble for Rick Barnes.

Tyson Walker from Northeaster is a guy Tennessee has reportedly reached out to. He’s a smaller guy who really gets after it on the defensive side of the ball, he averaged 18.8 pts, 3 rebs, and 4.8 asts this past season on 44.4% from the field and 35.4% from three.

Tyson Battle from George Washington told ESPN that he has heard from Tennessee as well as a handful of other schools. He averaged 17.3 points and 5.2 rebounds.

RUMORED DEPARTURES- It is expected that Yves Pons will leave and seek professional options. No word on John Fulkerson, but I expect him back. Rick Barnes has also confirmed that EJ Anosike will be back. I would also expect 2 transfers from the program as well.

RUMORED RECLASS- Speaking on what I mentioned earlier, it is rumored that star forward Brandon Huntley Hatfield will reclassify to the 2021 class and will enroll at Tennessee. With BHH the Tennessee 2021 recruiting class would jump from #36 to #4 currently.

As of now, that’s what you can expect for next year. I will make a bold statement and say if BHH comes to Tennessee for the 2021 class (he most likely will) next year’s team will be lightyears better than this past season.