The Tennessee men’s basketball team earned its second No. 6 preseason ranking this week, as USA Today released its annual preseason coaches poll Thursday afternoon.
On Monday, Tennessee earned an identical No. 6 ranking in the preseason AP Poll. The No. 6 preseason coaches poll ranking is the Vols’ highest preseason slot since USA TODAY Sports took over administering the poll in the 1991-92 season.
Tennessee most recently received a preseason ranking in the poll prior to the 2010-11 season, when the Big Orange started the season ranked No. 20. This season’s poll marks the fourth time ever in which the Vols have started the season in the top 10 of the coaches poll.
The Vols last started a season in the top 10 of the coaches poll during the 2007-08 season at No. 7, their previous high preseason ranking in the coaches poll. During that season, UT ascended all the way to a No. 1 ranking – the first time in program history that the Vols accomplished that feat.
Tennessee could potentially play six games against teams ranked in the coaches’ preseason poll this season. Those include: No. 1 Kansas, No. 2 Kentucky, No. 4 Gonzaga, No. 12 Auburn, No. 13 West Virginia and No. 19 Mississippi State.
After winning the regular-season championship last year, the Big Orange was picked to finish second in this year’s SEC race by a panel of SEC and national media members.
Tennessee returns 14 players from last year’s SEC Championship team that finished 26-9 and 13-5 in SEC play, including 2017-18 SEC Player of the Year Grant Williams. Reigning SEC Coach of the Year Rick Barnes enters his fourth year with the Vols needing only four wins to ascend past the legendary John Wooden into 26th place on the all-time Division I wins list.
Season tickets remain available, and single-game tickets are moving fast. Tennessee’s home games against West Virginia (Jan. 26) and Kentucky (March 2) are already sold out, and fewer than 100 remain available for the home game against Florida on Feb. 9.
Tickets can be purchases at AllVols.com or by calling 1-800-332-8657.
Preseason USA Today Coaches Poll
-UT Athletics
