2. Tennessee (11-0)
Unbeaten Tennessee continues to sit in an enviable position after a great start to their season. We’ve waxed poetic in the past about what the Volunteers have achieved on both sides of the ball, with their recent road win at Illinois certainly among the most notable of their performances. We’re reaching the point where the question becomes when will Tennessee actually lose their first game of the season?
We certainly weren’t close to an answer this past week, as the Volunteers only had a single game at home against Western Carolina. Playing one of their weakest opponents of the season, Tennessee made quick work of the Catamounts in an 84-36 win, the second time this year they allowed less than 40 points in a game. Chaz Lanier had 19 points, Jordan Gainey had 17 off the bench and Zakai Zeigler flirted with a triple-double with 10 points, 10 rebounds, and 9 assists.
It’s been impressive performance after impressive performance for a steady offense and elite defense that keep getting the job done. This roster looks just as talented as last season even as Dalton Knecht continues to hoop in the NBA. Though the resume has some nice wins, Tennessee will clearly be tested further by SEC play, though we’re still a few weeks away from that, as Middle Tennessee is next week’s only opposition before Christmas.