Volunteers needed

In partnership with

Good morning! You made it to the weekend. Today’s Daily is written by Tristan Freeman. Follow him on X.com/Twitter @hoopsnut351.

We’ll get to the news after this message.

Receive Honest News Today

Join over 4 million Americans who start their day with 1440 – your daily digest for unbiased, fact-centric news. From politics to sports, we cover it all by analyzing over 100 sources. Our concise, 5-minute read lands in your inbox each morning at no cost. Experience news without the noise; let 1440 help you make up your own mind. Sign up now and invite your friends and family to be part of the informed.

Sign up today!

1. Does Tennessee have enough depth to contend in ‘26?

Tennessee’s got talent, which is no small thing given all the talent it lost from its 30-8 squad that reached the Elite Eight last season.

Zakai Zeigler, Jahmai Mashack, Jordan Gainey, Chaz Lanier and Igor Milicic Jr. — four of the five starters — are gone.

Only big man Felix Okpara is back, but he’s flanked by two elite talents in Ja’Kobi Gillespie and Nate Ament. The 6-1 Gillespie thrived at Maryland (14.7 points and 4.8 assists per game) and will push Braden Smith as the nation’s top guard. Ament, a 6-9 freshman, might be the best incoming prospect who’s not A.J. Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson or Cam Boozer.

He’s the highest-rated freshman the program’s ever brought in. And those two guys are the primary reasons why Rob Dauster and Jeff Goodman gave the Vols a B+ in our Offseason Grades.

Early indications are that those two are indeed the top Tennessee players. The rest of the roster?

That’s an open question.

Louisiana Tech transfer Amaree Abram struggled at previous at high-major stops (Ole Miss and Georgia Tech), but could be the starting guard alongside Gillespie. If defense is needed, look for sophomore guard Bishop Boswell to play a significant role. Israeli freshman guard Ethan Burg is another X-factor for the backcourt and on the wing.

The health status of forwards JP Estrella and Cade Phillips (neither viewed as long-term issues) is something to monitor for depth behind Okpara.

Over the last four years, Tennessee has been a top-10 team but has yet to secure that elusive Final Four appearance. One assumes the defense will again be good, but perhaps not among the five most efficient defensive units as it has been the past five seasons.

But if Gillespie and Ament are as good as billed, it may not matter.

2. Three days to focus on with the A-10 schedule

The Atlantic 10 was one of the least conferences to announce its league schedule, but it was worth the wait.

Subscribe to Premium to read the rest.