Tennessee basketball is on the rise-and the latest SEC power rankings reflect it.
After a strong 2-0 week with wins over Mississippi State and LSU, the Vols climbed one spot to No. 4 in the latest SEC poll. It’s a well-earned bump for a team that’s quietly building momentum at just the right time.
First came a gritty 73-64 road win in Starkville, followed by a steady 73-63 victory back home on Valentine’s Day. Two wins, two different settings, and one clear message: Tennessee is finding its rhythm.
The LSU win carried extra meaning for head coach Rick Barnes, who notched his 250th victory with the program. After the game, Barnes reflected on his journey in Knoxville.
“I thank God for the opportunity,” he said. “When I got here, I think people told me everybody thought I was coming here to retire, which-I want to coach basketball.
I love coaching. I've got a great staff.
I love what we have going here. We can get so much better.”
That last line says a lot about where this team is mentally. This isn't a group satisfied with a top-five ranking or a couple of quality wins.
There’s a hunger to keep climbing, to keep improving. And with March creeping closer, that mindset could make all the difference.
At the top of the poll, Florida continues to hold down the No. 1 spot-and they’re not just sitting there, either. The Gators backed it up with a dominant 86-66 road win over Georgia, then returned home to knock off No.
25 Kentucky in a high-scoring 92-83 battle. With 14 first-place votes in hand, Florida looks every bit like the team to beat in the SEC right now.
Arkansas held firm at No. 2 after handling its business with wins over LSU and Auburn. Meanwhile, Vanderbilt made its move, jumping up to No. 3 thanks to victories over Auburn and Texas A&M. That win over the Aggies was especially important, as it sent Texas A&M tumbling two spots in the rankings.
Kentucky, after the loss in Gainesville, slid into a tie for fourth with Tennessee. It’s a fair reflection of where both programs are at the moment-talented, dangerous, but still looking for consistency down the stretch.
Elsewhere, Alabama crept up to No. 6, Texas surged three spots to No. 7, and Oklahoma made a similar leap to No.
- Missouri, Mississippi State, and others also gained ground, while Georgia, Ole Miss, and LSU each dropped two spots after tough weeks.
Here’s how the full SEC poll shakes out as of February 16:
SEC Basketball Power Rankings (Feb. 16)
- Florida (14) -
- Arkansas -
- Vanderbilt ↑ 1
T-4. Kentucky ↓ 1
T-4. Tennessee ↑ 1
- Alabama ↑ 1
- Texas ↑ 3
- Texas A&M ↓ 2
- Auburn ↓ 1
- Missouri ↑ 1
- Georgia ↓ 2
- Oklahoma ↑ 3
- Mississippi State ↑ 1
- Ole Miss ↓ 2
- LSU ↓ 2
- South Carolina -
**What’s Next for the Vols? **
Tennessee’s next test comes Wednesday night when they host Oklahoma at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
After that, it’s a trip to Nashville to face in-state rival Vanderbilt at Memorial Gymnasium next Saturday, with tipoff set for either 2 or 2:30 p.m.
With momentum building and the SEC standings tightening, Tennessee’s next two games could be pivotal. If the Vols want to keep climbing-and maybe even make a run at the top-they’ll need to keep stacking wins.
The pieces are there. Now it’s about execution.