It’s been a long time coming, but the basketball Vols are finally back in the top 25 of the AP Poll.
The newest edition of the AP Poll came out on Monday, and the Vols found themselves inside the top 25 of the poll for the first time since 2010. Tennessee was placed No. 24 in the poll, receiving 96 votes. The Vols are one of four SEC teams ranked inside the top 25, joining Kentucky (8th), Texas A&M (7th), and Florida (5th). Alabama, Mississippi State, and Georgia all received votes as well.
Tennessee is currently 6-1 to start the season and has a win over a ranked team in Purdue. The Vols defeated Purdue in the Battle 4 Atlantis the day before Thanksgiving and then played tough against No. 5 Villanova tough before eventually losing to them. Tennessee has won their three games since, defeating N.C. State, Mercer, and Georgia Tech.
The last time Tennessee was ranked in the top 25 of the AP Poll was during Bruce Pearl’s last year as head coach. The Vols would go 19-15 that season with a first round blowout loss to Michigan in the NCAA Tournament.
Right now, the Vols’ NCAA Tournament résumé is looking solid to start this season. According to RealTimeRPI.com, the Vols’ RPI is No. 13 in the country, and they have the 22nd strength of schedule. Ken Pomeroy has the Vols as his No. 24 team in his rankings as well.
One Response
Good reporting Nathan, many other articles said Tennessee hasn’t been ranked since 2010. That’s not true, they were ranked #23 in the Coaches Poll at the end of the 2013-2014 season (they won 3 NCAA games and were 1 play away from making the Elite 8). You clarified and said they were not ranked in the AP since 2010. #Details matter.