As Tennessee prepares for its Sweet 16 showdown against Kentucky, head coach Rick Barnes and his staff are also hard at work rebuilding their roster for the 2025-26 season. One of the Vols’ top targets in the transfer portal is New Mexico guard Donovan Dent, who currently ranks as the No. 1 player available in the portal.
Dent is coming off a stellar season with the Lobos, averaging 20.4 points, 6.4 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. His performances earned him the Mountain West Conference Player of the Year award, along with first-team All-Mountain West honors. The 6-foot-2 junior also made the All-MWC Tournament Team and appeared on the Naismith Trophy Midseason Watchlist.
What makes Dent an ideal fit for Tennessee is his ability to thrive under hard coaching—a hallmark of Rick Barnes’ style. Having played for Richard Pitino, son of legendary coach Rick Pitino, at New Mexico, Dent has shown he can handle high expectations and deliver under pressure.
League Ready and Sam Kayser have reported that Tennessee is among several top programs pursuing Dent. The Vols face stiff competition from bluebloods like Kentucky, Louisville, UCLA, North Carolina, Gonzaga, USC, and Texas Tech, all of whom have made contact with Dent.
If Tennessee successfully lands Dent, he would provide an immediate boost to their backcourt, much like Chaz Lanier, Felix Okpara, and Dalton Knecht did this season. The Vols’ ability to recruit impactful players from the portal has already paid dividends, with Lanier and Knecht projected to be selected in this year’s NBA Draft. This success could serve as a compelling factor for Dent and other top transfer targets.
The transfer portal remains open, and dozens of other players are expected to enter, giving Tennessee additional options to strengthen its roster. For now, the Vols are focused on their Sweet 16 matchup against SEC rival Kentucky, scheduled for Thursday night at 7:39 PM ET at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.
As the Vols aim for their first-ever Final Four appearance, Barnes is not only keeping Tennessee competitive in the present but also laying the groundwork for a bright future. Adding a player of Dent’s caliber could be a game-changer for the Vols’ ambitions in the seasons to come.
