Tennessee basketball may still be sitting outside the AP Top 25, but don’t let that fool you - the Vols are quietly building momentum at just the right time in SEC play.
Coming off a 2-0 week, Tennessee picked up votes in both the AP and USA Today Coaches Polls, effectively landing at No. 28 and No. 29, respectively. It’s the fifth straight week they’ve been on the outside looking in, but if they keep stacking wins like they did this past week, that could change soon.
The SEC is well-represented in the latest rankings, with Florida (No. 12), Vanderbilt (No.
19), Arkansas (No. 20), and Alabama (No. 25) all cracking the AP Top 25. Tennessee’s résumé includes some eyebrow-raising non-conference wins - most notably over No.
2 Houston and No. 21 Louisville - as well as tough losses to top-10 opponents in Kansas and Illinois.
That kind of schedule shows they’ve been tested, and lately, they’ve been passing those tests.
Last week, Tennessee took care of business on the road and at home, starting with a gritty win at Mississippi State. The Vols built a commanding 23-point lead in the second half before things got dicey - an 18-0 Bulldogs run made it a one-possession game.
But Tennessee didn’t flinch. Nate Ament came through with clutch plays down the stretch to help seal a 73-64 win.
Back in Knoxville a few days later, the Vols hosted LSU and again showed their late-game poise. After a sluggish middle stretch, they found their rhythm late and pulled away for a 73-63 victory. It wasn’t always pretty, but it was effective - and it showed growth in how this team handles adversity.
Ament was the anchor throughout the week, putting together an impressive two-game stretch where he averaged 19 points, six boards, three assists, and 1.5 blocks. He looked every bit the leader Tennessee needs down the stretch.
JP Estrella also bounced back in a big way after a tough outing at Kentucky, averaging 14 points, eight rebounds, and 1.5 blocks across the two wins. His presence in the paint was a difference-maker on both ends.
Now, the Vols shift focus to another critical SEC week. First up: a Wednesday night home tilt against Oklahoma.
Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
Then it’s a trip to Nashville for a showdown with No. 19 Vanderbilt at Memorial Gymnasium on Saturday afternoon.
That Vanderbilt matchup looms large - not just because it’s a rivalry game, but because it’s the only remaining regular-season contest where Tennessee isn’t projected to be favored, per KenPom. It’s also their best shot at a signature win to boost their postseason résumé before the SEC Tournament.
Still, the Vols can’t afford to look ahead. Oklahoma comes first, and Tennessee knows the importance of handling business at home. If they keep playing with the same energy and resilience they showed last week, a return to the rankings might not be far off.