Tennessee basketball isn’t just winning games this season - they’re drawing eyes across the country. According to Nielsen data through January 18, the Vols rank as the ninth most-watched team in college basketball this season. That puts them third among SEC programs, trailing only Arkansas and Kentucky, and ahead of some storied programs like Indiana and UCLA.
Topping the national viewership list is Michigan State, followed by perennial powerhouses Duke, Arkansas, North Carolina, and Kentucky. Kansas, UCLA, Indiana, Tennessee, and Wisconsin round out the top 10. For Tennessee, it’s a testament to both the size of their fan base and the strength of their schedule.
The Vols have already played in a string of marquee matchups this season, including games against Houston, Kansas, Illinois, Louisville, Arkansas, Texas, and Florida - all of which contributed to their strong national presence. Notably, viewership numbers from high-profile games against Kentucky and Alabama weren’t even included in the data - and those are typically ratings magnets. So Tennessee’s spot in the top 10 could be even more secure than the numbers suggest.
Looking ahead, Tennessee hits the road for a midweek SEC clash at Georgia. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.
ET on SEC Network. After that, they return to Knoxville for a compelling matchup against Auburn - and there’s an extra storyline in play.
Auburn head coach Steven Pearl, the son of former Tennessee head coach Bruce Pearl, will be back in town. That one tips at 8:30 p.m.
ET on ESPN.
On the court, the Vols are riding momentum thanks in large part to the breakout of freshman Nate Ament. The five-star newcomer has quickly become a key piece of Tennessee’s rotation, and he made a major statement in the Vols’ win over Alabama last Saturday.
Ament dropped a career-high 29 points on 50% shooting, including a pair of makes from beyond the arc. It was the kind of performance that turns heads - and reinforces why NBA scouts are projecting him as a top-10 pick in the upcoming draft.
Through the season, Ament is averaging 16.2 points per game while shooting 42% from the field and 29.3% from three. He’s also pulling down 6.4 rebounds and dishing out 2.5 assists per contest - solid all-around numbers that reflect his growing impact.
Still, Tennessee’s offensive engine remains point guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie. The junior floor general leads the team in scoring at 18.8 points per game, shooting 42.5% from the field and a respectable 35.1% from deep. He’s also handing out 5.5 assists and grabbing 2.9 boards per night, balancing scoring with playmaking in a way that’s kept Tennessee’s offense humming.
With a strong core, a rising star in Ament, and a national spotlight that’s only getting brighter, Tennessee is shaping up as one of the most compelling teams to watch as the season heats up.