Tennessee basketball enters a grueling SEC schedule with one clear goal: defend their title as SEC Regular Season Champions. While the Vols are undefeated and ranked No. 1 in the nation, maintaining that top spot in the conference won’t be easy. The SEC has become the most formidable league in college basketball, and Tennessee’s road to a second straight championship is full of challenges.
Despite being on top, Vegas isn’t fully convinced that the Vols will repeat as SEC champions. Fanduel has Tennessee sitting at +290 odds, second only to Auburn, which is favored with +130 odds. The rest of the conference’s heavy hitters follow closely: Alabama at +430, Kentucky at +1100, and Florida at +1200. The SEC’s depth this season is undeniable, as former powerhouses like Alabama, Kentucky, and Auburn all pose significant threats.
Tennessee begins conference play against Arkansas, a team revamped under former Kentucky coach John Calipari. The Razorbacks may not be a top contender this year, but the game marks the beginning of a brutal stretch for the Vols. Throughout January, Tennessee will face five ranked teams in just four weeks, including No. 6 Florida, No. 2 Auburn, and No. 10 Kentucky.
The Vols are currently ahead of Auburn in the AP Poll, but KenPom predicts the Tigers will edge out Tennessee with a 15-3 SEC record, compared to the Vols’ projected 13-5 finish. With the SEC proving itself as the nation’s most competitive conference, the next few weeks will be crucial in determining whether Tennessee can hold their ground at the top.
