With Tennessee off to a rough start under first-year coach Jeremy Pruitt, many fans are looking forward to basketball season as a welcome distraction.

One media personality thinks the basketball Vols will be worth watching in their own right.

NCAA.com’s Andy Katz believes Tennessee could be a top-10 team this season a year after it tied for the most wins in the SEC. Katz said he thinks Volunteers coach Rick Barnes’ success at Texas will translate to Rocky Top, and his influence already appears to be taking hold as he heads into his fourth year with the program.

“I think Tennessee is going to be the team to beat in the SEC,” Katz said.

The same can’t be said for the Volunteers’ football program right now. But, hey, basketball season is only a little more than a month away.