Vols gaining respect

After its impressive recent stretch that included thrilling wins over Big 12 powers Texas (111-106 OT) and Oklahoma State (79-77), the Tennessee men’s basketball team made its return to the Associated Press Top 25 Poll at No. 21, yet was still not included in the Coaches’ Top 25 Poll. The Vols (10-2) are ranked in the AP poll for the first time since back-to-back losses to Butler (56-44) and North Carolina (101-87) in the NIT Season Tip-Off last month. UT was initially ranked among the country’s top 25 teams in the preseason poll and remained through the first two weeks of the season. Since the two November losses at New York’s Madison Square Garden, the Vols have reeled off six straight wins including victories over the two before-mentioned Big 12 contenders as well as state rival Memphis (76-58) and mid-major favorite Western Kentucky (93-79). In the USA Today/ESPN Coaches’ Poll the Vols did improve to be listed first out of the ‘others receiving votes’ list. Tennessee will host in-state foes Tennessee Tech on Thursday and East Tennessee State on Saturday. The Vols will open Southeastern Conference play by hosting Mississippi State on January 7.