Tennessee basketball dropped three spots to No. 20 in this week’s AP Poll after going 1-1 and losing in the SEC Tournament Quarterfinals against Missouri.
The Vols have slowly dropped in the AP Poll over the last six weeks and now enters the NCAA Tournament with their lowest ranking since Nov. 21.
Tennessee is one of four SEC teams in the top 25 this week, joining No. 1 Alabama, No. 17 Texas A&M and No. 23 Missouri.
With the NCAA Tournament finally here, the AP Poll’s worth drops even more. While four SEC teams are in the top 25, eight SEC teams made this year’s NCAA Tournament.
More From RTI: Scouting The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns
Rick Barnes’ eighth Tennessee team is a four-seed in the East Region of the NCAA Tournament. The Vols will face 13-seed Louisiana Thursday night in Orlando. If Tennessee gets past the Ragin’ Cajuns, they’ll face either Duke or Oral Roberts in the Round of 32 Saturday.
The 2023 NCAA Tournament marks the fifth time Barnes has led the Vols to the Big Dance as Tennessee’s coach. However, the Vols have made it to the Sweet 16 just once in the four previous trips.
If Tennessee makes it past the opening weekend they could face Purdue, Memphis or FAU in the Sweet 16. Other top teams in the East Region include Marquette and Kansas State.
