Tennessee basketball moves into top five of AP Poll

On New Year’s Day, Tennessee basketball made a leap into the top five of the AP Poll, rising one spot to No. 5 in the most recent updated top 25 on Monday.

The Vols have now been ranked inside the AP Top 25 for 46 straight weeks, extending their own record. This is the highest ranking they have had this season. They’ve been in the top 10 for the nineteenth time in that period.

Furthermore, during the last seven seasons, Tennessee has been ranked 101 times by Rick Barnes. Before Barnes became the head coach, UT had been ranked 74 times in the previous 14 years.

Additionally, Tennessee is rated in the AP top six for the fifth time in the last six seasons, including the fourth consecutive year. The Volunteers enjoyed six seasons in programme history with an AP ranking in the top six before Barnes arrived.

This week, Ole Miss (No. 24), Auburn (No. 25), and Kentucky (No. 6) are the other three SEC teams that are ranked, including Tennessee.

The Vols will play Norfolk State on January 2 in their final nonconference game of the season after taking 11 days off. The SEC season will then start on January 6 when they host Ole Miss.

Tennessee defeated Tarleton State last Thursday night in Thompson-Boling Arena by a score of 65–46.