Tennessee Remains Outside AP Top 25 After 2-0 Week

Image: Andrew Ferguson/Tennessee Athletics

By Aidan Sidoti

Tennessee hoops remain outside the AP Top 25 despite stacking another strong week, improving to 18-7 (8-4 SEC) and winning six of its last seven games. The Vols picked up a 73‑64 road win at Mississippi State on Wednesday and followed it with a 73‑63 victory over LSU on Saturday night at Thompson‑Boling Arena at Food City Center.

Freshman Nate Ament has fully hit his stride, turning in another sensational performance with 22 points and nine rebounds while shooting 10/11 from the free-throw line. It marked his ninth 20-point game of his freshman campaign, further cementing his status as one of the SEC’s top freshmen.

Redshirt sophomore forward JP Estrella is also rounding back into form. After injuries and a mid-season dip in production, he’s now scored in double figures in four straight contests, including a 16-point, nine rebound outing in 27 minutes against LSU.

Even with the momentum, the AP voters didn’t think that was enough.

Four SEC squads appeared in this week’s poll: Florida at No. 12, Vanderbilt at No. 19, Arkansas at No. 20, and Alabama at No. 25. 

The Crimson Tide share the same record as Tennessee, while the Vols beat them head-to-head in Tuscaloosa 79-73. 

Yet Alabama is ranked and Tennessee isn’t.

You just gotta love the AP voters.

Tennessee sits third among the “others receiving votes” with 36 points, trailing Clemson and Utah State. The Vols will have another chance to strengthen their case on Wednesday night when they host 13‑12 Oklahoma at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2.

You can find the full Top 25 here.