A 17-point loss at Kentucky wasn’t enough for ESPN to drop Tennessee in their updated power rankings.
Kentucky is No. 5 despite the impressive win over the Volunteers.
Here’s an excerpt:
2. Tennessee Volunteers (23-2)
Previous ranking: 2
This week: Beat South Carolina 85-73 on Wednesday, lost to Kentucky 86-69 on Saturday
Tennessee ran into a second-half buzz saw in Lexington on Saturday, getting thoroughly outplayed by the young Wildcats en route to a 17-point loss. Rick Barnes simply didn’t get enough from his ancillary offensive weapons, with Lamonte Turner and Jordan Bowden combining for seven points on 3-for-18 shooting. The loss snaps the Volunteers’ 19-game winning streak and also drops them into a tie for first place in the SEC standings with LSU.
5. Kentucky Wildcats (21-4)
Previous ranking: 6
This week: Lost to LSU 73-71 on Tuesday, beat Tennessee 86-69 on Saturday
The PJ Washington second-half resurgence continued against Tennessee on Saturday night. After averaging 20.7 points and 8.6 rebounds over his past six games, Washington more than held his own against Tennessee’s vaunted frontcourt tandem of Grant Williams and Admiral Schofield. Washington finished with 23 points and five rebounds, and also blocked two shots.
