Tennessee basketball held steady at No. 5 in this week’s Associated Press Poll after defeating Vanderbilt in its lone game last week.
The Vols overcame a nine-point first half deficit to coast past their instate rival 75-62 in Nashville. Tennessee improved to 15-4 (5-1 SEC) with the win and has now won 11 of its last 12 games after falling in three straight games in late November.
Dalton Knecht continued his recent strong play in the victory, scoring 32 points to go along with six rebounds, three assists and three blocks. Santiago Vescovi and Jordan Gainey each hit a pair of triples while scoring in double digits.
Tennessee is one of four SEC teams in this week’s poll, coming in ahead of No. 10 Kentucky. No. 14 Auburn and No. 24 Alabama. Ole Miss and South Carolina also received votes with the Gamecocks receiving the most votes from a team not in the poll.
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The Vols are entering a busy week that will see them face two of the better teams in the conference. Tennessee hosts red-hot South Carolina at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center on Tuesday night before heading to Rupp Arena to face No. 10 Kentucky on Saturday night.
South Carolina enters the matchup having won three straight games including a dominant effort against Kentucky last week and another home win against Missouri.
The Wildcats are coming off a shaky week that saw them lose at South Carolina and survive a scare at Arkansas. Kentucky faces Florida at home on Wednesday night before hosting the Vols on Saturday.
Tipoff between Tennessee and South Carolina is at 6:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday night. The SEC Network is broadcasting the game.
