The Tennessee Vols have reportedly shown interest in a highly-coveted transfer center
Rick Barnes and the Tennessee Vols have had a very productive offseason in the NCAA transfer portal, landing several big-time additions. The Volunteers, however, still have work to do.
The Tennessee Vols made a splash earlier this month by landing Loyola transfer center Miles Rubin.
Rubin, 6-foot-10/220 pounds, averaged 11.3 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks last season (all career highs).
The Vols could still land another transfer center even after adding Rubin.
Tennessee has shown interest in Cincinnati transfer center Moustapha Thiam
According to 247Sports, Tennessee is one of the programs that’s expressed interest in Cincinnati transfer center Moustapha Thiam.
Thiam, 7-foot-2/250 pounds from Dakar, Senegal, averaged 12.8 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks as a sophomore last season.
As a true freshman at UCF in 2024-25, Thiam averaged 2.6 blocks per game.
“Thiam has additionally received interest from UConn, Gonzaga, Arkansas, Duke, Kansas, Michigan State, Tennessee and UCF,” wrote 247Sports’ Travis Branham on Monday.
Thiam reportedly took a visit to Michigan on Monday.
The Wolverines, according to Branham, loom as the biggest threat to land the transfer center.
Tennessee could use another elite rim protector to pair with Rubin and returning forward DeWayne Brown in the front court. It doesn’t sound like anything imminent is brewing with Thiam and the Vols, but that could always change with one phone call from Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes.
If the Vols are going to be the last team standing next season, they need to land players like Thiam (which would also keep him away from Michigan).