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Tennessee basketball has hit an Elite Eight ceiling during the past three seasons. The Volunteers this time fell to eventual national champion Michigan in one-sided fashion. But head coach Rick Barnes and company addressed the loss swiftly portal wise.
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Tennessee established itself as one the more aggressive teams in the College Basketball Transfer Portal market. Former Notre Dame leading scorer Jalen Haralson is now a Volunteer. Same with 6-foot-10 big Miles Rubin, who leaves Loyola (Chicago).
Both moves position Tennessee to return to the Elite Eight. But of course, the attitude in Knoxville is always championships or bust…including on the hardwood.
All the more reason why this remaining portal target rises as the next highest priority for Tennessee.
Who Tennessee, Rick Barnes must sign
Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Point guard is a high priority still.
That’s where Terrence Hill Jr. of VCU rises as the next best available.
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Hill surfaced on the Tennessee radar early in the week, with Kansas battling too. The latter received a visit from him first (Hill took in Kansas Tuesday, per multiple reports).
However, Hill left giving no commitment to Kansas. This hands Barnes and Tennessee the chance to strike.
The Volunteers have addressed the frontcourt and the other guard already. But Hill again boosts point guard post Ja’Kobi Gillespie, the biggest offseason loss so far for the Vols.
The former Ram emerged as a household CBB name by eliminating North Carolina during March Madness. Hill nailed the dagger 3-pointer that eventually persuaded the Tar Heels to make a coaching change.
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The 20-year-old sharked his way up VCU’s roster too in going from sixth man to top shooting option in the NCAA Tournament. Now Hill can become a lead PG at his next stop. He’d instantly fill a massive need for Barnes and company by coming over.
Who else could join Tennessee if there’s no Terrence Hill?
Tennessee finds itself in a possible win-win scenario even if Hill bolts elsewhere.
Wake Forest star Juke Harris rose as one more Vols target in the portal. Tennessee holds the current lead to land him over the likes of UNC and even Michigan.
“Atop Tennessee’s transfer portal board is Wake Forest guard Juke Harris. The Vols, along with Michigan and North Carolina, are working to land a commitment from the No. 3 available player in the portal,” On3/Rivals college basketball insider Pete Nakos wrote on Tuesday.
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The 6-foot-7 Harris brings a combo guard element to the court. He’s fresh off averaging 21.4 points per game as a sophomore for the Demon Deacons.
Harris presents a shooter-first option compared to Hill. But he hands Barnes a needed outside scorer should he chose Tennessee.
Adding Hill first, then topping off with Harris sparks preseason No. 1 chatter in Knoxville.
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