NCAA Basketball: Tennessee, Baylor, Illinois rise in latest top 25 power rankings
By Joey Loose
5. Tennessee (19-6)
Tennessee has shown signs of absolute brilliance at times this season. Sure, they’ve lost a handful of games, most coming against some really strong teams. What really stung was last weekend’s double-digit loss at Texas A&M, though the Volunteers certainly bounced back in a major way this week.
They started their week by making quick work of Arkansas, winning 92-63 on the road over the Razorbacks, who’ve really struggled this season. Tennessee got 23 points and 12 rebounds from Jonas Aidoo, 22 points from Dalton Knecht, and 17 off the bench from Jordan Gainey. The result was very similar over the weekend as the Volunteers built a big lead early over Vanderbilt, winning 88-53 at home against the Commodores. All five starters scored in double figures in one of Tennessee’s easiest wins of the season, making quick work of their in-state rivals.
The notable thing in Knoxville has been how much better the offense has been, with many thanks to Knecht’s decision to transfer to Tennessee. This defense can still play elite basketball, as evident this week against some inferior conference foes. The difference is that Tennessee can also hang in these higher scoring games as well. We’ll see what kinds of contests await next week at Missouri and in a rematch with Texas A&M.