After a 3-1 start to the 2025-26 season, Lady Vols basketball is once again on the move in the updated AP Poll. After starting the season at No. 8, Tennessee slid to No. 12 in the rankings after its opening trio of games. Now, after adding a win over Belmont, UT is at No. 15.
The Lady Vols fell despite the win due to the relatively close margin of victory and strong wins from programs around them in the poll. Tennessee defeated the Bruins 68-58 after trailing entering the fourth quarter. Talaysia Cooper led the team in scoring with 22 points to go with 14 rebounds, two assists and three steals.
The other results on the Lady Vols’ schedule to this point include a three-point loss to NC State in Greensboro, 50-point win at home against ETSU and an 11-point road win against UT Martin.
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The Lady Vols’ position in the AP Poll is good for sixth inside the SEC. Tennessee is behind No. 2 South Carolina, No. 4 Texas, No. 5 LSU, No. 8 Oklahoma and No. 13 Ole Miss.
Other Lady Vols opponents are No. 1 UConn, No. 3 UCLA, No. 16 NC State, No. 17 Vanderbilt, No. 20 Kentucky and No. 21 Louisville.
This week, Tennessee plays just one game. With a full week of rest and preparation, UT hits the road to play MTSU in Murfreesboro. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET and will air on ESPN+.
Then, it’s a final tune-up against Coppin State at home before a trip out west to play at UCLA and Stanford. Winthrop, Louisville in Brooklyn and Southern Indiana also remain on the schedule before SEC play begins.
