2. Tennessee loses Trae Golden, gains Antonio Barton: The loss of Golden was a discouraging development for a UT program that emerged from the offseason's rubble as an SEC sleeper talented enough to potentially challenge Kentucky and Florida for the league title. Golden (12.1 PPG, 3.9 APG), who was a veteran point guard for the program, was forced to withdraw in April. Even though Jarnell Stokes and Jordan McRae return, Golden's departure seemed to jeopardize the promise the Volunteers possessed. Enter Barton (the brother of former Memphis star Will Barton), who transferred to Tennessee weeks after Golden had departed. The 6-foot-2 point guard will be eligible immediately after graduating from Memphis in the offseason. Although he averaged just more than 16 minutes per game and 5.6 PPG last season, his experience and versatility will give the Vols a much-needed veteran ball handler in what could be a stellar season in Knoxville.
Tennessee
Best case: The Volunteers lost Trae Golden this offseason, but most of the other key pieces are back, including rangy perimeter scorer Jordan McRae and pounding forward Jarnell Stokes. If UT can shore up the so-so defense of a year ago and big-time recruit Robert Hubbs lives up to the hype, it might be the best challenger to Kentucky the SEC has to offer.
Worst case: The Vols finished No. 75 in Pomeroy's adjusted efficiency rankings last season, which might be a good place to plant the worst-case flag for the year ahead.
The junior big man finished the 2012-13 campaign with 16 double-doubles. Few players can match his size and strength. And if the motor stays on all season, Stokes (12.4 PPG, 9.6 RPG, 1.1 BPG) could be one of the nation's top post players. That, however, is just a possibility. Stokes' season was also hampered by his willingness to defer in tough situations or his refusal to play with more aggressiveness when his squad needed that from him. But the tools are there for an All-American season.