How Tennessee Basketball Can Dominate the SEC This Season

I still remember watching last season’s SEC tournament semifinal, sitting in my living room with a cold drink in hand, groaning as Tennessee let a 12-point lead slip away in the final six minutes. That loss stuck with me—not just because I’m a lifelong Vols fan, but because it felt like a recurring theme. Great talent, solid coaching, but something missing when it really counted. This year, though, I have a different feeling. There’s a shift happening, and if you ask me, Tennessee basketball is poised not just to compete, but to dominate the SEC this season. Let’s talk about why.

First off, let’s address the elephant in the room: officiating and tough calls. I’m not one to blame refs for losses—most of the time—but let’s be real, close games can turn on a single decision. I was reminded of that recently when I came across a quote from a Meralco coach in a completely different league. He said, “We respect the decision, but it was a tough one to accept. We abide by it, although we don’t agree with it.” Man, does that resonate. How many times have we seen a questionable foul call or a no-call in crunch time that swung momentum? I can think of at least three games last season where Tennessee was on the wrong end of those moments. But here’s the thing: dominating teams don’t leave games in the hands of the officials. They build leads so big that a bad call or two doesn’t sink them. This Tennessee squad has the depth and firepower to do exactly that. With returning players like Santiago Vescovi and Josiah-Jordan James, plus some explosive newcomers, they’re equipped to push the tempo and score in bunches. I’m talking about putting up 85-90 points a game, not grinding out 65-62 nail-biters.

Take the backcourt, for example. Vescovi is a gem—a savvy veteran who shot over 38% from three-point range last season. But what really excites me is the addition of freshman B.J. Edwards. I watched some of his high school tapes, and this kid has a sixth sense for finding open teammates. In one game I saw, he dished out 12 assists and only turned the ball over once. That kind of playmaking takes pressure off everyone else and creates easy baskets, which is crucial when you’re facing defensive powerhouses like Alabama or Arkansas. And speaking of defense, Tennessee’s has always been stout under Rick Barnes, but this year, they’ve added more length and athleticism on the wings. I think they’ll average around 8 steals per game, which could lead to fast-break opportunities that demoralize opponents. Remember that game against Kentucky last February? Tennessee forced 18 turnovers and converted them into 24 points. That’s the blueprint for domination—turn defense into offense and never let up.

Now, I know some folks will point to the frontcourt and say, “But what about rebounding?” Fair question. Last season, the Vols were outrebounded in a handful of key matchups, and it cost them. But with Olivier Nkamhoua back and the development of Jonas Aidoo, I’m optimistic. Nkamhoua, in particular, has shown flashes of brilliance—like that 22-point, 10-rebound performance against South Carolina. If he can consistently dominate the paint, Tennessee will control the boards and limit second-chance points for opponents. Let’s not forget the intangibles, either. Team chemistry matters, and from what I’ve seen in preseason interviews, these guys are tight. They hang out off the court, they communicate on defense, and they hold each other accountable. That might sound like coach-speak, but trust me, it translates to wins. I’ve followed college basketball for over 20 years, and the teams that dominate are often the ones that play for each other, not just themselves.

Of course, the SEC is stacked this year. Kentucky reloaded with another top recruiting class, Auburn has a deep roster, and Alabama’s pace-and-space offense is a nightmare to defend. But Tennessee matches up well against all of them. Their balanced scoring—I predict five players averaging double figures—means defenses can’t key in on one guy. And Barnes’ coaching adjustments have been sharper than ever; just look at how he tweaked the offense mid-game against Florida last year, leading to a 15-point comeback. Still, it won’t be easy. There will be moments of frustration, maybe even a bad call or two that makes me want to throw my remote. But as that Meralco coach acknowledged, sometimes you have to accept things you don’t agree with and move forward. The Vols have learned that lesson, and this season, they’re built to overcome it.

In the end, domination isn’t just about winning games—it’s about controlling the narrative. Tennessee has the talent, the coaching, and the mindset to run through the SEC and make a deep March run. Personally, I’m betting on them to win at least 14 conference games and secure a top-two seed in the SEC tournament. Will there be bumps along the way? Sure. But I’ve got a good feeling about this group. They’re hungry, they’re connected, and they’re ready to leave no doubt. So grab your orange gear, folks. It’s going to be a fun ride.