Tennessee’s season of inconsistency continued on Saturday afternoon in Baton Rouge. The Vols shot just 35% from the field to lose to LSU 78-65 and drop to 14-5 on the season. They’re now 7-5 in conference play.
The loss to the Tigers came on the heals of back-to-back wins. After defeating Kentucky in Rupp Arena last Saturday, the Vols returned home to Thompson-Boling Arena on Wednesday night and defeated Georgia 89-81. Freshman guard Jaden Springer scored a career-high 30 points to lead the way.
Following its third road game in four games, Tennessee now returns home for back-to-back home games before it travels to Auburn on Feb. 27 to end the currently scheduled regular season. The SEC Tournament isn’t set to begin until March 10, so the conference could add previously canceled games due to COVID if it chooses. Tennessee has had conference games against Vanderbilt and Florida postponed this season.
The Vols look to bounce back from their loss to LSU with a win over South Carolina (5-9, 3-7 SEC) on Wednesday night. Tipoff is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET on the SEC Network. They’ll then host Kentucky (6-13, 5-7 SEC) on Saturday at 1 p.m. ET on CBS.
Here’s a look at where Tennessee basketball is ranked amongst college basketball polls and media members heading into this week’s games against the Gamecocks and Wildcats.
AP Poll: No. 19 (-3)
Coaches Poll: No. 20 (-5)
NET Rankings: No. 12 (-2)
KenPom: No. 17 (-5)
CBS’ Jon Rothstein’s 45: No. 19 (-1)
Rothstein’s “skinny” on UT: “Better offensively when they play four guards.”
Gary Parrish’s Top 25 and one: No. 20 (-2)
Parrish on the Vols: “Tennessee is 4-4 in its past eight games after Saturday’s loss at LSU. The Vols are 5-5 in the first two quadrants with only one loss outside of Quadrant 1.”
The Athletic’s Seth Davis: No. 21 (-1)
Stadium’s Jeff Goodman: No. 23 (-6)
