Tennessee basketball is heating up at just the right time. After a statement win on the road against Alabama-a team that featured a player with pro-level experience-the Vols didn’t let up.
They followed that performance with a gutsy overtime win over Georgia, a game that showcased the kind of physicality and mental toughness Rick Barnes has been preaching all season. Then came a dominant showing at home against a strong Auburn squad, a game that didn’t just add another win to the column-it sent a message.
That three-game stretch didn’t go unnoticed. Tennessee is back in the AP Top 25, landing at No.
- Sure, the ranking might feel a little low considering the week they just had, but the important part is this: they’re back in the conversation.
And with the SEC shaping up to be as brutal as ever, the Vols have plenty of chances ahead to climb even higher.
This upcoming week? It’s a big one.
First up, Tennessee welcomes Ole Miss to Knoxville. Don’t let the Rebels’ three-game losing streak fool you-Chris Beard is still one of the sharpest minds in college hoops.
His teams are always prepared, always gritty, and always capable of pulling off a stunner. Tennessee will need to bring the same edge they showed against Auburn if they want to avoid a trap game at home.
But the real spotlight is Saturday night, when the Vols head to Rupp Arena for a primetime clash with Kentucky. This is the rematch fans have had circled since the first meeting-a game Tennessee started strong but couldn’t close, giving up a barrage of second-half buckets that flipped the script in a hurry.
Kentucky, for its part, has found its rhythm. Winners of six of their last seven, including a tough road win at Arkansas, the Wildcats are beginning to look like the team many expected them to be.
Going into Rupp and leaving with a win is never easy, but Tennessee has the tools to do it. The key will be sustaining the kind of defensive intensity that’s fueled their recent run-especially for the full 40 minutes.
Rick Barnes has this team playing with purpose again. They’re back in the rankings, back in the fight, and staring down a week that could define their season.