The University of Tennessee's men's basketball team is setting its sights on Birmingham, gearing up for next year's SEC basketball festivities. According to a recent report by UTSports, the Volunteers, under the guidance of 11th-year head coach Rick Barnes, are preparing to take part in the annual SEC Tipoff at the Grand Bohemian Hotel Mountain Brook. Senior guard Ja'Kobi Gillespie, senior forward Felix Okpara, and junior forward Cade Phillips are set to represent the team.
Fans can expect full coverage from the SEC Network, with Rick Barnes scheduled to hit the main stage at 11:50 a.m. ET, followed by Gillespie, Okpara, and Phillips at 12:15 p.m. ET. Taking the stage later, Okpara and Phillips will be expected to take part in further SEC Network features, completing their appearances at 1:05 p.m. ET.
Last season, the Volunteers notched an impressive 30 wins and reached the NCAA Elite Eight for the first time in the program's history. They tallied a 30-8 overall record, with a 12-6 mark in the SEC, clearly showing their prowess on the court, as reported by UTSports. Tennessee tied its program record with a fifth-place finish in the final AP Poll.
Newly transferred Ja'Kobi Gillespie arrives as a decorated player, boasting a Third Team All-Big Ten title from his previous stint at Maryland. According to UTSports, Gillespie "averaged 14.7 points, 4.8 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 1.9 steals in 31.6 minutes per game." With a notable shooting efficiency, especially from beyond the arc, Gillespie has already garnered attention with a Preseason Second Team All-SEC nod by the league's media this Monday.
Felix Okpara, a pillar of defense for the Volunteers, embarks on his senior year, reputed as last season's top returning scorer, and boasts having played in every game. Okpara is renowned for his defensive skills, including 64 blocks that placed him third in the SEC rankings, tying for fourth most in a season in program Tennessee history, as per the accurate shooting figures from UTSports.
Cade Phillips, who also appeared in all 38 games last season, provides substantial bench strength with an average of 15 minutes and 4.6 points per game. Standing as one of the longest-tenured players for the Volunteers, Phillips also represents Tennessee on the SEC Men's Basketball Leadership Council, bringing both experience and leadership to the promising roster.
