Tennessee Men’s Hoops Climbs the Rankings, Extends Historic AP Top 25 Streak
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - The Tennessee Volunteers are quietly building one of the most consistent resumes in college basketball, and the latest polls just added another chapter to their impressive run. After a dominant week on the court, Tennessee jumped to No. 19 in the Associated Press Top 25 and No. 20 in the USA TODAY Coaches Poll - a testament to both their current form and sustained excellence under head coach Rick Barnes.
Now sitting at 9-3 on the season, the Vols have cracked the AP Top 25 for the 88th consecutive week, a streak that stretches all the way back to the 2021-22 preseason poll. That number isn’t just a school record - it’s a statement.
Tennessee’s current streak is more than double its previous high of 37 weeks (1999-2001), and it’s now the second-longest active run in the nation, trailing only Houston’s 114-week streak. No other team in the country is even close to the 70-week mark, and within the SEC, Tennessee’s dominance is even more pronounced.
Alabama, the next closest conference rival, has 38 straight weeks - a full 50 behind the Vols.
To put it in perspective: Tennessee’s 88-week streak is longer than the combined active Top 25 streaks of every other SEC team. That’s not just consistency - that’s control.
During this historic run, the Vols have spent 83 of those 88 weeks ranked inside the top 20, including 66 straight weeks since December 7, 2022. That’s not a program that’s flirting with relevance - it’s one that’s firmly entrenched among college basketball’s elite.
Rick Barnes, now in his 11th season at the helm in Knoxville, has overseen all 142 of Tennessee’s AP Top 25 appearances since the start of the 2017-18 season. That kind of sustained success doesn’t happen by accident - it’s the product of a program that’s recruited well, developed talent, and consistently executed on the floor.
And last week was a perfect example of what this team is capable of when it’s locked in.
The Vols went 2-0 in dominant fashion, starting with an 83-62 win over No. 11 Louisville on Tuesday night. Sophomore guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie was electric, pouring in 23 points - 20 of them in the second half - to help Tennessee pull away in a game that showcased their ability to close strong against top-tier competition.
Then came a Sunday afternoon rout of Gardner-Webb, where Tennessee cruised to a 94-52 victory. Gillespie stayed hot with 15 points, and senior guard Amaree Abram matched him with 15 of his own. It was the kind of balanced, high-efficiency performance that’s become a trademark of Barnes’ teams over the years.
The voters took notice. Tennessee’s AP Poll point total jumped by 174 points, up to 460.
In the Coaches Poll, they gained 91 points, bringing their total to 210. That kind of movement reflects not just wins, but the way they’re winning - with authority.
Looking across the SEC, the league is well-represented in the national conversation. Tennessee is one of six SEC teams ranked in both major polls, joining No.
11 Vanderbilt, No. 14/15 Alabama, No.
18 Arkansas, No. 22 Florida, and No.
23/24 Georgia. Meanwhile, Kentucky, Auburn, and LSU are all receiving votes, highlighting just how deep the conference is this season.
But make no mistake - Tennessee is leading the charge.
After an eight-day break, the Vols will be back in action on December 30, hosting South Carolina State at Food City Center. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. ET, with coverage on SEC Network.
With momentum building and a top-20 ranking in hand, Tennessee looks poised to close out 2025 on a high note - and they’re doing it with the kind of consistency that’s becoming the program’s calling card.