Tennessee Heads to Tuscaloosa Looking for a Reset-and a Road Win
After a week to regroup, Tennessee basketball is back in action-and back on the road-tonight in a high-stakes SEC clash against No. 17 Alabama.
Tipoff is set for 8:30 p.m. ET at Coleman Coliseum, and if there’s ever been a moment for the Vols to flip the script on their season, this might be it.
At 12-6 overall and 2-3 in conference play, Tennessee enters this matchup unranked for the first time in five seasons. That stat alone tells you things haven’t gone according to plan in Knoxville.
Their last outing-a gut-punch 80-78 home loss to Kentucky-was a microcosm of the season so far: flashes of brilliance undone by inconsistency. The Vols led by 17 in the first half, only to see it evaporate in a second-half collapse that left head coach Rick Barnes saying, “We are who we are.”
That’s not exactly the rallying cry fans were hoping to hear.
And then there’s the road record. Or rather, the lack of one.
Tennessee is still searching for its first win away from home this season. Their most recent road trip was a rough one-a 91-67 drubbing at Florida that exposed defensive lapses and raised questions about the team’s toughness in hostile environments.
So yes, the timing of the week-long break couldn’t have been better. The Vols needed to reset, both physically and mentally. But now comes the real test: can they bring a more complete, consistent effort into one of the SEC’s toughest venues?
Alabama Riding Momentum-and Reinforcements
On the other side, Alabama is trending in the opposite direction. The Crimson Tide (13-5, 3-2 SEC) have won two straight in conference play, including a gritty 83-81 win at Oklahoma. They’re playing with confidence, and they’re doing it with a familiar face back in the fold.
Charles Bediako, the 6-foot-11 center who anchored Alabama’s interior defense from 2021 to 2023, is expected to suit up. After a stint in the NBA G League with the Motor City Cruise, where he averaged 5.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 0.9 blocks in 10 games, Bediako brings size, rim protection, and SEC experience back to the Crimson Tide frontcourt.
He was an All-SEC Defensive Team selection in 2022-23 and earned All-Tournament honors that same year. His presence could be a game-changer, especially against a Tennessee team still trying to find its identity in the paint.
What Tennessee Needs to Fix
The Vols have shown they can hang with top-tier teams-just look at their early-season wins over Texas and Houston. But the inconsistency has been maddening.
One night they’re lighting it up offensively, the next they can’t get stops. The Kentucky loss was particularly painful because it highlighted both ends of that spectrum.
Tennessee’s defense, long a calling card under Rick Barnes, simply didn’t hold up in the second half.
They’ll need more from their veterans, especially in a road environment like Coleman Coliseum. And they’ll need to find a way to close games-something that’s eluded them in several key matchups this season.
Looking Ahead
Tonight’s game kicks off a critical stretch for Tennessee. After Alabama, they head to Georgia before returning home to face Auburn. The margin for error in the SEC is razor-thin, and if the Vols want to climb back into the rankings and secure a favorable postseason path, they need to start stacking wins-especially on the road.
This one won’t be easy. Alabama is rolling, and Coleman Coliseum will be rocking. But for Tennessee, it’s a chance to prove something-to the conference, to their fans, and maybe most importantly, to themselves.
Game Info:
- Matchup: Tennessee (12-6, 2-3 SEC) vs.
No. 17 Alabama (13-5, 3-2 SEC)
- Date: Wednesday, Jan. 24
- Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Coleman Coliseum, Tuscaloosa, AL
- TV: ESPN
The Vols have had a week to reset. Now it’s time to respond.