Tennessee Basketball's Preseason SEC Rankings: A Deep Dive (2025)

The SEC basketball landscape is about to heat up, and the preseason rankings have everyone talking! Where does Tennessee stand after a stellar season?

With the new season approaching, the SEC media has made its predictions, and Tennessee Basketball finds itself in an intriguing position. The media has placed the Vols third in the SEC, trailing Florida and Kentucky, but ahead of fierce competitors like Alabama, Arkansas, and Auburn. This ranking comes after Tennessee's impressive 2024-25 campaign, where they secured a 12-6 conference record, finishing fourth in the SEC.

But here's where analytics and opinions collide: college basketball analytics websites offer a slightly different perspective. Renowned sites like KenPom, BartTorvik, and EvanMiya all place Tennessee within the top 15 nationally, with KenPom and BartTorvik ranking them in the top 3 of the SEC. And this is the part most fans are eager to debate: Is Tennessee being underestimated, or is the media's prediction spot on?

Tennessee's roster has undergone significant changes, losing four starters and five top players from last season's Elite Eight team. However, the Vols' front court remains a force to be reckoned with, featuring Felix Okpara, JP Estrella, and Cade Phillips, along with the Vanderbilt transfer, Jaylen Carey. The team also welcomes Maryland transfer point guard Ja'Kobi Gillespie and five-star freshman wing Nate Ament, both selected for the All-SEC preseason team, who could be key contributors.

Despite the roster turnover, expectations remain high for Tennessee. Ament and Gillespie are the stars to watch, but the front court's potential to dominate the SEC is a talking point. The biggest challenge for the Vols? Finding consistency in shooting and floor spacing.

Tennessee's season kicks off on November 3 against Mercer, but before that, they'll face Ohio State and Duke in scrimmages and exhibition games, respectively. These early tests will provide valuable insights into the team's readiness.

RTI's Ryan Schumpert, one of the preseason voters, has shared his ballot, which slightly differs from the official rankings. His list places Tennessee second, right behind Florida, and ahead of Kentucky. This variation sparks an interesting discussion: Are the Vols being underrated, or is Schumpert's ballot an outlier?

The SEC Preseason Rankings and Schumpert's ballot are as follows:

SEC Preseason Rankings

1. Florida
2. Kentucky
3. Tennessee
4. Alabama
5. Arkansas
6. Auburn
7. Missouri
8. Ole Miss
9. Texas
10. Mississippi State
11. Vanderbilt
12. Oklahoma
13. Texas A&M
14. Georgia
15. LSU
16. South Carolina

RTI Ryan Schumpert Preseason Ballot

1. Florida
2. Tennessee
3. Kentucky
4. Alabama
5. Auburn
6. Arkansas
7. Vanderbilt
8. Texas A&M
9. Mississippi State
10. Missouri
11. Ole Miss
12. Texas
13. Oklahoma
14. Georgia
15. South Carolina
16. LSU

What do you think of Tennessee's ranking? Do you agree with the media's prediction or lean towards the analytics? Share your thoughts and let's discuss the upcoming SEC basketball season!