By: Dallas Bowlin
Senior Staff Writer/Editor/Host
All Vol Call In Show
It’s March 21st, 2024—Easter Sunday. Tennessee Basketball is fresh off an 82-75 victory over the Creighton BlueJays in the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament two days prior. The Vols didn’t have much time to celebrate clinching only their second-ever Elite Eight appearance in program history. The Purdue Boilermakers and National Player of the Year, Zach Edey (though it should’ve been Dalton Knecht) were waiting for them. Tennessee knew it had to leave everything on the court to cement itself as the best team in school history.
With 5:12 remaining in the first half, the Vols took a 32-21 lead, thanks to a Dalton Knecht three. Big Orange looked ready to pull off the biggest win in program history. But then Purdue responded with a devastating 15-2 run, taking a 36-34 lead into halftime. The second half was a slugfest, both teams trading buckets as Knecht left everything he had on the floor. It wasn’t enough.
Purdue won 72-66, sending Tennessee home. Knecht scored a team-high 37 points on 14-of-31 shooting, including 6-of-12 from three. The rest of the team managed just 29 points on 10-of-31 shooting, struggling to keep pace. Once again, Tennessee fell short of breaking through the proverbial glass ceiling and all of Volnation felt that way too familiar cheap shot to the gut.
Now, it’s a new season. Dalton Knecht is gone, along with Josiah-Jordan James, Santiago Vescovi, Jonas Aidoo, and Tobe Awaka—five of the nine men who saw action on Easter Sunday are no longer on the roster. Tennessee knew it had to be precise and nearly flawless in recruiting both the transfer portal and high school ranks if it wanted another shot at history.
Fast forward to today, and the roster is set. The Vols will take the court on October 27th for an exhibition against the Indiana Hoosiers, featuring five key new additions: Igor Milicic Jr., Felix Okpara, Darlinstone
Dubar, Chaz Lanier, and Bishop Boswell.
Chaz Lanier, one of the most highly sought-after prospects in the portal, chose Tennessee over Kentucky. He dazzled at FAU, averaging 19.7 points per game on 51% shooting from the field and 44% from three. In a recent “secret” scrimmage Lanier is said to have scored 27 points. Known as one of the top shooters in the portal, Lanier is also a highlight-reel dunker, capable of making defenders look foolish at the rim.
Darlinstone Dubar was a standout for Hofstra, averaging 17.8 points per game while shooting 53.9% from the field and 39.9% from three. What sets Dubar apart is his physical build. At 6'8", and 211 pounds, he resembles a linebacker more than a basketball player. Despite his size, Dubar moves with the agility of a much smaller player, making him a dangerous two-way threat.
Felix Okpara, the Ohio State transfer, is set to replace Jonas Aidoo’s minutes. Fans often grew frustrated with Aidoo’s hesitation around the rim, but they won’t have that issue with Okpara, who looks to dunk and punish his defender at every opportunity. Reports suggest that he and Zakai Zeigler have already developed great chemistry, with Zeigler tossing him lob passes at every chance. In the aforementioned scrimmage, Okpara is said to have scored 20 points, with a lot of those coming off assists from Zeigler.
Bishop Boswell, the lone high school newcomer, has reportedly impressed the coaching staff early in preseason practice. At 6'4", Boswell is a versatile combo guard who seems to be in the mold of Josiah-Jordan James, a player who can do a bit of everything. While he may not see heavy minutes this season, Boswell is certainly one to watch for the future.
Lastly, there's Igor Milicic Jr., the transfer from Charlotte, who may turn out to be the hidden gem of the class. Milicic, a 6'9" sharpshooter, has received rave reviews for his ability to stretch the floor. He’s unafraid to let it fly from deep, averaging 4.8 three-point attempts per game. Based on preseason reports, don’t be surprised if Milicic emerges as a contender for SEC Player of the Year.
With the returning contributions of Zakai Zeigler, Jahmai Mashack, and Jordan Gainey, the Vols will also look for JP Estrella to continue his strong performance, especially after holding his own against Zach Edey last season. Another key player to watch is sophomore Cameron Carr, who has started appearing on multiple NBA mock drafts. Carr’s athleticism and confidence in shooting make him a serious threat, and if he can develop a consistent jumper and contribute defensively, he’ll be one of the Vols' most important players.
While this team may not have a singular go-to scorer like Knecht, capable of taking over games in isolation, it boasts plenty of slashers who can create opportunities for its shooters. The key to this season will be finding that go-to option when the game is on the line. My money is on Igor Milicic Jr. becoming that guy.
Buy stock in Igor and the Vols now.
Photo | USA Today
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