Admin October 23, 2024
Tennessee basketball is a Top 25 team entering the season in the USA TODAY coaches poll.
The Vols are ranked No. 12, which matches their ranking in the preseason Associated Press poll. Tennessee is the third-highest ranked SEC team in the coaches poll behind No. 2 Alabama and No. 11 Auburn.
UT ended the 2023-24 season ranked No. 5 in the coaches poll. The Vols entered last season ranked No. 10 in the preseason coaches poll.
There are nine SEC teams ranked in the USA TODAY preseason poll. Texas A&M is ranked No. 15, Arkansas is No. 16, Texas is No. 19, Florida is No. 21, Kentucky is No. 23 and Ole Miss is No. 25.
The Vols will play at least 11 games against Top 25 opponents, including 10 in the SEC. They could potentially play 12 games against ranked opponents if they face No. 8 Baylor in the Baha Mar Championship, or if St. John’s, which received votes, moves into the rankings. UT will face No. 24 Illinois on the road in nonconference play.
Tennessee made a run to the Elite Eight for the second time in program history and won the SEC regular-season title last season.
VOLS SCRIMMAGE: What Rick Barnes learned in Tennessee basketball scrimmage vs Davidson
The Vols will play No. 18 Indiana in a charity exhibition at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center in Knoxville on Sunday. Proceeds of the game will benefit the John McLendon Foundation, which works to empower and develop minorities desiring to be leaders in athletics administration.
Tennessee opens the regular season against Gardner-Webb on Nov. 4 at Thompson-Boling Arena.
Cora Hall covers University of Tennessee women’s athletics. Email her at cora.hall@knoxnews.com and follow her on Twitter @corahalll. If you enjoy Cora’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that allows you to access all of it.
