Suns & Warriors Rule the West
Tennessee’s men’s basketball team fell from No. 16 to No. 17 in this week’s AP Poll while the Lady Vols fell from No. 12 to No. 16 in the women’s poll.
In its most challenging week of the season, Tennessee split matchups with top 25 foes. The Vols avenged their blowout loss at Kentucky with a double-digit win over the then-No. 4 Wildcats. Tennessee’s eight-game SEC win streak came to a close Saturday at No. 23 Arkansas.
Foul-trouble plagued the Vols in Fayetteville as their offense faltered for the first time since the loss at Texas.
Tennessee is one of five SEC team’s in this week’s poll, joining No. 3 Auburn, No. 6 Kentucky, No. 18 Arkansas and No. 24 Alabama.
The Vols travel to Columbia, Missouri to face the Tigers Tuesday night before returning home to Thompson-Boling Arena to face Auburn on Saturday.
The Lady Vols’ recent struggles continued this week as Tennessee went 0-2 with losses to Alabama and No. 1 South Carolina. The 10-point loss at Alabama included an even bigger blow when star guard Jordan Houston suffered a fractured dislocation of her left elbow.
Horston is sidelined “for a few weeks” but with just two weeks until the NCAA Tournament selection show, the injury is a major blow to Kellie Harper’s third team.
Tennessee returns to Thompson-Boling Arena for two games this week, facing Mississippi State on Thursday and LSU on Sunday.
Tennessee is the third highest rated team in the SEC behind No. 1 South Carolina, No. 8 LSU, No. 15 Florida and ahead of No. 25 Georgia.
