Can Tennessee Basketball Protect Its National Ranking?
The Tennessee Volunteers, sitting at No. 22, are making waves in the college basketball world. With a solid 20-7 record and a 10-4 mark in the SEC, the Vols have reentered both the USA Today Coaches Poll and the AP Poll.
Their recent victory over No. 21 Vanderbilt, a close 69-65 battle, has set the stage for potential upward movement in the rankings as they approach the final stretch of the regular season.
Next up for Tennessee is a showdown against Missouri at Mizzou Arena on February 24th, with tip-off at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN.
The Tigers, despite being unranked, have proven to be giant-slayers, having taken down top teams like No. 7 Florida, Vanderbilt, Texas A&M, and Kentucky.
Missouri's recent 94-86 loss to No. 17 Arkansas won't make them any less dangerous.
Tennessee is riding high, winning nine of their last 11 games and currently enjoying a four-game winning streak. Impressively, they managed to defeat Vanderbilt without a standout performance from star freshman Nate Ament, who struggled with his shooting but still contributed 13 points. The Vols' defense was the real hero, holding a high-scoring Commodores team to just 65 points, a significant drop from their usual output.
Missouri's senior guard, Mark Mitchell, leads the charge for the Tigers with averages of 17.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.8 assists. He bounced back from a shooting slump with a stellar 26-point game against Arkansas, hitting 8 of 12 shots. His performance will be crucial if Missouri hopes to upset the Vols.
Game Details
- Date: Tuesday, Feb. 24
- Time: 9 p.m. ET
- Location: Mizzou Arena
- TV: SEC Network
- Streaming: Available on FUBO (free trial) and the ESPN app
Tennessee's Season So Far
The Vols have had a rollercoaster of a season, with key wins and tough losses. They've shown resilience, especially in games like their narrow victory over Alabama and a hard-fought win against Georgia. Despite some setbacks, such as losses to Kansas and Kentucky, Tennessee has demonstrated the ability to bounce back and compete at a high level.
As the regular season winds down, Tennessee's consistency will be tested. Their remaining games include matchups against Alabama, South Carolina, and a rematch with Vanderbilt. Each game is an opportunity to solidify their standing and prepare for the postseason.
Tennessee's journey this season has been marked by growth and grit. With a blend of defensive tenacity and the potential for explosive scoring, the Vols are poised to make a statement as they aim to protect and possibly enhance their national ranking.