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Tennessee basketball: Vols ranked No.6 in AP; tough schedule ahead

By Billy Williford

DALLAS, TX - MARCH 17: Admiral Schofield #5 and Lamonte Turner #1 of the Tennessee Volunteers celebrate in the first half against the Loyola Ramblers during the second round of the 2018 NCAA Tournament at the American Airlines Center on March 17, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - MARCH 17: Admiral Schofield #5 and Lamonte Turner #1 of the Tennessee Volunteers celebrate in the first half against the Loyola Ramblers during the second round of the 2018 NCAA Tournament at the American Airlines Center on March 17, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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Tennessee basketball is ranked No.6 in the AP poll to start the 2018-19 season. Can they live up to the hype with a tough schedule ahead?

In a time where the Tennessee football team is struggling to stay relevant, the basketball team is primed for a deep run in the NCAA Tournament. They return virtually everyone from a 26-9 season that included being Regular Season SEC Co-Champs and a three seed in the big dance.

The Knoxville media aren’t the only ones taking notice. The AP released their preseason poll which had Tennessee ranked No.6. Here is a look at the top ten and other SEC teams.

1. Kansas Jayhawks

2. Kentucky Wildcats

3. Gonzaga Bulldogs

4. Duke Blue Devils

5. Virginia Cavaliers

7. Nevada Wolfpack

8. North Carolina Tar Heels

9. Villanova Wildcats

10. Michigan State Spartans

11. Auburn Tigers

18. Mississippi State Bulldogs

23. LSU Tigers

If you’ve taken a look at the schedule, you’ll know the Vols could potentially play the top three teams in the nation. In fact, the play Kentucky twice and Gonzaga already. And, if they beat Louisville in the NIT Preseason TipOff and Kansas wins their game, the two teams could meet in late November.

The Vols draw West Virginia this season in the Big 12/SEC Challenge. The Mountaineers are ranked No.13 to start the season. Other SEC teams or teams on the 2018-19 schedule receiving votes include; Florida (71), Alabama (15), Louisville (11), and Missouri (1).

Is it safe to say the basketball team might have a tougher schedule than the football team? I know basketball and football are different, but Rick Barnes is trying to prove to the nation his team is ready to play anyone anywhere, anytime.

That’s the type of attitude the Vols play with, and it should show again this season. With a top-10 ranking, the Vols will get everyone’s best shot. How will they handle the pressure? No one knows, but if they play with the same passion, energy, and team-first mentality, as they did last season, they will surely be Final Four bound.

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