The Tennessee Volunteers men’s basketball team concluded the 2024-25 season with a No. 5 ranking in both the Associated Press (AP) Top 25 Poll and the USA TODAY Coaches Poll, marking a significant achievement for the program. This placement ties the program’s highest year-end ranking, previously achieved in the 2023-24, 2021-22, and 2007-08 seasons.
Season Overview
Tennessee finished the season with a 30-8 overall record and a 12-6 mark in Southeastern Conference (SEC) play. The Volunteers demonstrated resilience and skill throughout the season, securing notable victories and maintaining a strong presence in the national rankings.
NCAA Tournament Performance
Entering the NCAA Tournament ranked sixth, Tennessee advanced to the Elite Eight for the second consecutive year. The team’s tournament run included wins over Wofford, UCLA, and then-No. 18/21 Kentucky. Their journey concluded with a loss to Houston, the eventual national runner-up.
Consistent National Presence
Throughout the 2024-25 season, the Volunteers were one of only four teams to remain in the top 12 of the AP Poll and/or Coaches Poll every week, alongside Alabama, Auburn, and Duke. Notably, Tennessee held the No. 1 position in the AP Poll for five weeks, tied with Kansas for the second-most weeks at the top spot during the season.
Historical Context
This season’s fifth-place finish in the AP Poll matches the program’s best year-end ranking, previously achieved in three other seasons. Additionally, the Volunteers have been ranked in the AP Top 25 for 80 consecutive weeks, dating back to the 2021-22 preseason poll. This streak is the second-longest active run in the nation, trailing only Houston’s 106-week streak.
Final AP Top 25 Rankings
The final AP Top 25 rankings for the 2024-25 season are as follows:
Looking Ahead
As the Volunteers reflect on a successful season, the program aims to build upon this momentum in the upcoming 2025-26 campaign. With a strong foundation and a history of consistent performance under head coach Rick Barnes, Tennessee basketball continues to be a formidable presence in collegiate basketball.