Tennessee Basketball: 3 reasons why the Vols will win the SEC in 2018-19

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1.Massive edge in experience for the Vols

A couple of years ago Rick Barnes played an 11-man rotation that included three upperclassmen and eight underclassmen. And while the team fought hard and earned accolades for staying close with ranked opponents such as North Carolina, Gonzaga, Wisconsin, and Oregon, the results were all the same (losses).

But that was an important period for that core group of players, learning how to win and overcome talent disparities to pull of the upset, including at the time a program-defining win over Kentucky on Jan. 4, 2017. Tennessee really became a tough out from that point on for the rest of the season, using those lessons to turn close losses into convincing wins the following year.

2. Tennessee returns the best 1-2 punch in the SEC

Being able to return the reigning SEC Player of the Year is always a boost for any team, especially one that still has more developing to do in rising junior Grant Williams. The team’s leading scorer and rebounder averaged 15.2 ppg and 6.0 rpg last season for the Vols while playing very well in conference play.

Of course, the other favorites also bring back elite talent of their own. Tremont Waters will have a national audience this season after a superb freshman campaign. Mississippi State brings back both Weatherspoon brothers, Quinndary in particular. Florida has Jalen Hudson, Auburn has Bryce Brown and Kentucky decided to get experience via the transfer market in Reid Travis from Stanford.

3. Tennessee is the “surest bet” to win the SEC

Each of the projected top teams in the SEC has their own variations of strength that’ll make them formidable for next season. But despite the offensive capabilities, it’s actually the defense that makes the Vols the best team in the league for 2018-19.

Last season Tennessee ranked 25th nationally in scoring defense (65.7 ppg), 22nd three-point defensive percentage (32%) and overall shooting (30th). That’s the exact opposite of Auburn, whose defensive struggles and fouling issues made them vulnerable. With their best individual defender gone in DeSean Murray, the Tigers may be taking a step back in that direction.