Tennessee put together an impressive week, building off a road win at Alabama nine days earlier against a roster that included a professional basketball player. The Vols followed that up with a gritty overtime victory over Georgia, where their toughness and physicality were on full display. They then capped it off by dominating a strong Auburn team at home, extending their winning streak to three games.
Rick Barnes quote on Tennessee's awful passing rightfully has everyone talking
The AP voters have noticed what kind of job Rick Barnes has done over the last week and a half, and they have put the Vols back where they belong: in the AP Top 25. Tennessee comes in at No. 25, a little disappointing, but ultimately it's nice to see Tennessee back in the poll. They will have ample opportunity to move up, as the SEC continues to be a gauntlet.
BREAKING: College Basketball AP Poll🚨https://t.co/gkn4yXeNhb pic.twitter.com/iX9N5gXv88
— On3 (@On3) February 2, 2026
Tennessee basketball has another big week ahead of them
The Vosl have two massive showdowns this week. They will first host a struggling Ole Miss team led by Chris Beard, one of the best coaches in the sport. Don't let the Rebels fool you, though. Despite being on a three-game skid, they could certainly come into Knoxville and upset the Vols.
The big showdown comes on Saturday night on ESPN primetime college hoops, as the Vols head to Kentucky to take on the Wildcats in a rematch of the contest a few weeks ago that many Vols fans have been trying to forget.
Kentucky is starting to heat up, winning six of its last seven games and beating Arkansas on the road last Saturday. It will be a difficult task heading into Rupp and beating Kentucky, but Tennessee is more than capable. In Knoxville, the Vols dominated the first 20 minutes before collapsing on the defensive end of the floor, allowing Kentucky to hit shot after shot.
It should be an exciting week ahead for Rick Barnes.