Tennessee basketball fell from No. 7 to No. 8 in this week’s AP Poll after a 1-0 week that saw them open SEC play with a victory at Ole Miss.
SEC rival Alabama jumped the Vols in the rankings after opening SEC play with a dominant win at Mississippi State. Tennessee received just one more point than Alabama in last week’s poll while the Crimson Tide received 18 more points than the Vols in this week’s poll.
Alabama and Tennessee are the two highest ranked SEC teams in this week’s poll followed by No. 13 Arkansas and No. 20 Missouri. Both Kentucky and Mississippi State fell out of the top 25 after opening SEC play with losses. LSU earned the most votes of any team not in this week’s top 25.
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Tennessee returns to the court twice this week. The Vols face Mississippi State at home Tuesday before hitting the road to face South Carolina Saturday.
The Bulldogs were one of the biggest surprises of the early season, starting the season 11-0 before losing back-to-back games against Drake and Alabama. Mississippi State comes to Knoxville desperate for a win and playing a defensive style that matches the Vols.
South Carolina has not had the success under first year coach Lamont Paris that Mississippi State has with Chris Jans. The Gamecocks are 7-6 and one of the worst teams in the conference.
Tip-off between Tennessee and Mississippi State is at 7 p.m. ET Tuesday. ESPN2 is broadcasting the game.
