Vols Fall One Spot to No. 23 in AP Poll Following 0-2 Week

Image: Andrew Ferguson/Tennessee Athletics

By Aidan Sidoti

KNOXVILLE — Tennessee hoops surprisingly only fell one spot this week to No. 23 in the AP Top 25 after an 0-2 week that featured a 73-69 road loss at Missouri and a 71-69 home loss to Alabama. It’s the first time the Vols have dropped consecutive games since their three-game skid to Kansas, Syracuse, and Illinois in late November/December.

Freshman forward Nate Ament had Tennessee fans holding their breath Saturday night. The Manassas, Virginia native played just 11 minutes before exiting with a right leg injury, leaving the Vols without their future first-round selection and arguably their most dynamic offensive option. Assistant coach Amorrow Morgan told WNML Monday the staff is “optimistic” about Ament’s status and that “time will tell,” but his availability remains uncertain heading into the final stretch of the regular season. 

One (sort of) bright spot for Tennessee was the full return of JP Estrella, who was officially off the SEC Availability Report with a left foot injury. The redshirt sophomore delivered 12 points and 6 rebounds in 21 minutes against Alabama, and he’ll be leaned on heavily if Ament misses extended time.

There’s an odd twist to Tennessee’s season.

The Vols have been significantly better when not ranked. All nine of Tennessee’s this year have come while the team was in the AP Top 25. When unranked, the Vols are 6-0, including wins over Alabama, Auburn, and Georgia earlier in the season. 

Tennessee now looks to turn the page quickly, traveling to the other Columbia to face South Carolina on Tuesday night before facing Vanderbilt on Senior Day in Knoxville.

Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. ET on SEC Network as the Vols look to regroup against a very underwhelming Gamecock squad.