Chaz Lanier and Tennessee basketball are a perfect pairing. Here’s why.

Rick Barnes mentioned a simple view of the transfer portal as Tennessee basketball's roster takes final shape.

The Vols are looking for "the best player we can find," the UT coach said Wednesday.

Chaz Lanier fits that billing as a highly coveted transfer portal target out of North Florida, where he averaged 19.7 points and shot 44.4% on 3-pointers. The Vols are expected to receive a visit from Lanier.

Here's why Lanier is a perfect fit for Tennessee and Tennessee is a perfect match for Lanier:

Why Chaz Lanier and Tennessee basketball are perfect transfer portal pairing

Throw out the classic "kid from Tennessee" element with Lanier. The Ensworth School product and Tennessee are a perfect pair for more than ties to the state.

For Lanier, Tennessee is an established and known situation. The Vols have proven weapons across the roster, especially in the backcourt with guards Zakai Zeigler and Jahmai Mashack. Lanier knows he can play alongside that pair and knows what each will do alongside him. Tennessee's roster is built perfectly for him to come in and play his game with that backcourt. Likewise, how Barnes will use him at guard is understood. Add in that Dalton Knecht performed at an All-American level as a transfer under Barnes and it's an attractive draw to come in, excel, and head for the NBA better off for being at UT.

For the Vols, t he 6-foot-4, 199-pound Lanier is the missing piece on the roster. Tennessee needs a high-scoring guard to pair with the bigger high-scoring players it has added in 6-8 Darlinstone Dubar and 6-10 Igor Milicic Jr. It has the point guard in Zeigler and the defensive dynamo in Mashack, who also figures to make another leap offensively. It has the talented taller scorers and a shot-block big in Felix Okpara. Throw in the rising sophomore class and a talented bench and Lanier makes Tennessee even more lethal.

How Tennessee basketball has added scoring this offseason

Tennessee went into the portal last offseason looking to add scoring. It did so with Knecht, who averaged 20.2 points and 7.2 rebounds at Northern Colorado then won SEC player of the year at Tennessee. Jordan Gainey (15.2 points at USC Upstate) paired with Knecht for a stout pair of additions.

UT did the same this offseason by adding Dubar and Milicic Jr., who averaged 17.8 points at Hofstra and 12.8 points at Charlotte, respectively. Both also are high-level 3-point shooters.

UNBOTHERED: Why Rick Barnes isn't worried about filling out Tennessee basketball roster with portal closed

"You're always looking to add some scoring if you can. That's something we look at, whether it's up front or in the back court.

Lanier brings more of the same. He was one of the most efficient scorers in college basketball a season ago. Tennessee would love to add that − and the match is perfect on both sides.

Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at michael.wilson@knoxnews.com and follow him on Twitter @ByMikeWilson. If you enjoy Mike’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Chaz Lanier, Tennessee basketball perfect pairing in transfer portal