Tennessee basketball is making moves-and making noise. After a 2-1 showing at the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas, the Vols jumped four spots to No. 13 in the latest AP Poll and climbed three spots to No. 13 in the USA Today Coaches Poll. It’s a well-earned rise for Rick Barnes’ squad, which continues to show flashes of being one of the most complete teams in the SEC.
Right now, Tennessee sits as the second-highest ranked SEC team in the AP Top 25, trailing only No. 12 Alabama.
The Vols are outpacing a strong group of conference rivals, including No. 15 Florida, No.
16 Vanderbilt, No. 20 Auburn, and No.
25 Arkansas. It’s early, but the SEC is already shaping up to be a gauntlet-and Tennessee is right in the thick of it.
The Vols’ week in Vegas was a microcosm of what this team is capable of: dominant defense, explosive scoring, and yes, still some growing pains. They opened the tournament by steamrolling Rutgers, a performance that looked every bit like a team dialed in on both ends. But the real statement came in their second game-a gritty, high-level 76-73 win over Houston that showcased Tennessee’s poise in crunch time.
That win didn’t come easy. It was a back-and-forth battle, the kind of game that tests a team’s chemistry and toughness.
Tennessee passed that test, with several players stepping into big moments. But the week ended on a frustrating note, as the Vols let a double-digit second-half lead slip away in an 81-76 loss to Kansas.
That one stings-not just because of the result, but because of how it unfolded. Still, it’s the kind of loss that can become a teaching moment for a team with championship aspirations.
Individually, the Vols got meaningful contributions across the board. Bishop Boswell stood out as a defensive anchor, consistently making the right reads and bringing energy on both ends. He’s becoming the kind of glue guy every contender needs-someone who does the little things that don’t always show up in the box score.
Jaylen Carey, the Vanderbilt transfer, had his best stretch in a Tennessee uniform, especially in the games against Houston and Kansas. His confidence is growing, and his ability to create off the dribble gave the Vols a much-needed spark.
But the breakout star of the week? That would be Ja’Kobi Gillespie.
The sophomore guard was electric, averaging 21.7 points and four assists across the three games. He played with a calm, controlled aggression that made him a nightmare for opposing defenses.
When Tennessee needed a bucket, Gillespie delivered-time and time again.
Freshman Nate Ament also showed why he was such a highly touted recruit. Despite battling foul trouble and a quiet game against Houston (just one made field goal), Ament still averaged 16.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists over the three-game stretch. His versatility is already a problem for defenses, and once he finds his rhythm, he’s going to be a matchup nightmare.
Looking ahead, the road doesn’t get any easier. Tennessee heads to Syracuse on Tuesday night for a tough road test as part of the ACC-SEC Challenge.
The Orange have size and length, and the Carrier Dome is never an easy place to play. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.
ET on ESPN2.
Then it’s back to Nashville on Saturday for a marquee showdown with No. 14 Illinois-a game that could have real implications come March.
And after that? A December 16 home date with No.
6 Louisville at Thompson-Boling Arena. That one is already circled on the calendar.
For now, though, the focus is Syracuse. The Vols have shown they can hang with the best. Now it’s about consistency-and continuing to prove they belong in the national conversation.