University of Tennessee Athletics
Vols Sixth in Blue Ribbon Rankings, Vescovi a Preseason All-American
September 05, 2023 | Men's Basketball
The Tennessee men's basketball team has received national recognition from the Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook, coming in at sixth nationally in its preseason top-25 rankings.
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Rick Barnes' Vols—picked by Blue Ribbon to win the SEC—are the highest-ranked SEC squad in the poll, ahead of Arkansas (8), Kentucky (11), Texas A&M (17), Alabama (19) and Mississippi State (20).
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It marks the fourth consecutive year in which Tennessee has appeared in the top 10 of Blue Ribbon's preseason poll.
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The annual Yearbook also recognized Tennessee fifth-year senior Santiago Vescovi as a preseason fourth-team All-American. Additionally, Vescovi was included on the preseason all-conference team by Blue Ribbon.
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Last season, the Montevideo, Uruguay, native finished the year as Tennessee's leader in scoring (12.5 ppg), minutes played (33.0 mpg), 3-pointers made (91) and attempted (246) and total steals (60). For the season, he shot .370 from 3-point range and owned a 2.0 assist-to-turnover ratio.
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A 2023 first-team All-SEC selection, Vescovi led the Vols in scoring 12 times, rebounding seven times, assists 13 times and steals 15 times last season.
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For the second straight year in 2022-23, he finished SEC regular-season play as the league leader in 3-point percentage, shooting .387 (46 of 119).
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Entering his final season of eligibility on Rocky Top, Vescovi ranks third in program history in career 3-pointers made (282) and career 3-point makes per game (2.47)—trailing only Chris Lofton and Allan Houston in both categories.
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His 1,318 career points rank 27th on Tennessee's all-time scoring list.
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BLUE RIBBON SEC FORECAST
F – Johni Broome, JR, Auburn
C – Tolu Smith, GR, Mississippi State
G – Antonio Reese, SR, Kentucky
G – Santiago Vescovi, SR, Tennessee
G – Wade Taylor IV, JR, Texas A&M
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Rick Barnes' Vols—picked by Blue Ribbon to win the SEC—are the highest-ranked SEC squad in the poll, ahead of Arkansas (8), Kentucky (11), Texas A&M (17), Alabama (19) and Mississippi State (20).
Â
It marks the fourth consecutive year in which Tennessee has appeared in the top 10 of Blue Ribbon's preseason poll.
Â
The annual Yearbook also recognized Tennessee fifth-year senior Santiago Vescovi as a preseason fourth-team All-American. Additionally, Vescovi was included on the preseason all-conference team by Blue Ribbon.
Â
Last season, the Montevideo, Uruguay, native finished the year as Tennessee's leader in scoring (12.5 ppg), minutes played (33.0 mpg), 3-pointers made (91) and attempted (246) and total steals (60). For the season, he shot .370 from 3-point range and owned a 2.0 assist-to-turnover ratio.
Â
A 2023 first-team All-SEC selection, Vescovi led the Vols in scoring 12 times, rebounding seven times, assists 13 times and steals 15 times last season.
Â
For the second straight year in 2022-23, he finished SEC regular-season play as the league leader in 3-point percentage, shooting .387 (46 of 119).
Â
Entering his final season of eligibility on Rocky Top, Vescovi ranks third in program history in career 3-pointers made (282) and career 3-point makes per game (2.47)—trailing only Chris Lofton and Allan Houston in both categories.
Â
His 1,318 career points rank 27th on Tennessee's all-time scoring list.
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BLUE RIBBON SEC FORECAST
- Tennessee
- Arkansas
- Kentucky
- Texas A&M
- Alabama
- Mississippi State
- Missouri
- Auburn
- Florida
- Ole Miss
- LSU
- Vanderbilt
- Georgia
- South Carolina
F – Johni Broome, JR, Auburn
C – Tolu Smith, GR, Mississippi State
G – Antonio Reese, SR, Kentucky
G – Santiago Vescovi, SR, Tennessee
G – Wade Taylor IV, JR, Texas A&M
Players Mentioned
G
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