It’s not cliche to say Tennessee basketball is now in the heart of its season. The Vols have a brutal slate left, as their final five games are against top 50 RPI teams. Before they get to that point, though, they share a fight with their Saturday opponent, the South Carolina Gamecocks.
UT and South Carolina are No. 66 and No. 65 respectively in the RealTimeRPI rankings. They are No. 65 and No. 66 respectively in the NET rankings. Now, Rocky Top is No. 52 while S.C. is No. 57 in the ESPN BPI rankings.