Where Tennessee basketball is ranked in early Top 25 lists

Tennessee basketball's season ended barely two weeks ago.

But the opinions on next year's Vols team – and the rest of the nation – already are in. The view of Tennessee varies greatly, as the Vols await decisions from Jordan Bone and Grant Williams. Both entered the NBA draft and could remain in it or return to school.

Here are five prominent rankings, listed in alphabetical order, well in advance of the 2019-20 season:

CBS Sports: No. 22

Why No. 22: "If Grant Williams and/or Jordan Bone return, Tennessee will be significantly higher in the Top 25 And 1. But if they both remain in the NBA Draft, as expected, the Vols will have to replace the top three scorers from a team that lost in the Sweet 16."

Notable rankings: Michigan State is No. 1. Kentucky is No. 4, Auburn is No. 14 and Memphis is No. 20.

ESPN: No. 25

Why No. 25: "Because Tennessee has won 57 games and earned a top-three seed in the NCAA tournament in each of the past two seasons, they get a spot here – for now. ... Grant Williams and Jordan Bone are potential NBA early entrants. Admiral Schofield and Kyle Alexander are already gone. If Williams comes back, he could be preseason Player of the Year and would form a strong trio with Lamonte Turner and Jordan Bowden. Five-star recruit Josiah James also enters the fold. We'll wait and see on the Vols."

Notable rankings: Michigan State holds No. 1. Kentucky is No. 3, Florida is No. 19, Auburn is No. 22 and Memphis is No. 24.

Sports Illustrated: No. 23

Why No. 23: "Everything hinges on whether Grant Williams and Jordan Bone return to school. Neither are surefire first-rounders at this stage, but it also might be hard for them to raise their stock any further. Obviously, Admiral Schofield and Kyle Alexander will be two major losses up front. Yves Pons will deserve more minutes, and incoming five-star guard Josiah James will be a huge help, too. This could be a top-10 team again, or this could be more of a rebuilding year."

Notable rankings: Michigan State is No. 1. Kentucky is No. 2, Florida is No. 18 and Auburn is No. 25 to join UT as SEC teams. Memphis is No. 24.

USA TODAY: No. 10

Why No. 10: "The Volunteers graduate Admiral Schofield and lose Jordan Bone to the NBA draft. They got good news when coach Rick Barnes didn't go to UCLA. But should two-time SEC player of the year Grant Williams come back for another season alongside a proven supporting cast, this team will be good enough to win the SEC and build off this past March’s Sweet 16 finish."

Notable rankings: Michigan State is No. 1, and Kentucky is No. 2. Auburn is No. 24.

The Washington Post: No. 5

Why No. 5: "The Volunteers could be a team in flux. Admiral Schofield graduates. Grant Williams might turn pro. Jordan Bone is already in the draft with plans to remain. Coach Rick Barnes spurned UCLA, and he’ll have a pair of proven senior guards (Jordan Bowden and Lamonte Turner) and one of the nation’s top incoming guards (Josiah-Jordan James). The ceiling drops some if Williams departs, but the Vols won’t be an easy out."

Notable rankings: Michigan State is No. 1, and Kentucky is No. 4. Auburn is No. 6, Memphis is No. 24 and LSU is No. 25. Florida is listed as another to watch.