Tennessee wanted respect, and it now appears the Vols are getting it.

UT cracked the top 10 in the men’s basketball polls for the first time in more than five years Monday afternoon.

The Vols, 18-3 and 9-1 in the SEC after wins at Kentucky and Georgia last week, are No. 8 in The Associated Press poll and No. 10 in the ESPN/USA Today coaches’ poll.

The RPI rankings, a formula taking win percentage and strength of schedule into account, have UT at No. 2, behind Duke.

"It’s the product of playing a good schedule and putting wins together,’’ UT coach Bruce Pearl said. "I’m happy for our program, players and fans, but it’s not March yet.

"It would be great to hold on to the RPI, but there’s still a lot ahead of us.’’

Tennessee plays host to Auburn (10-11, 2-8) at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Thompson-Boling Arena.

The game with the Tigers is all sophomore Chris Lofton wanted to talk about Monday despite his winning ESPN national and SEC player of the week honors after scoring 31 points against Kentucky and 33 against Georgia.

"It’s a great accomplishment, but it’s over with now,’’ Lofton said, seemingly bored with the question. "I have to get ready for Auburn. As long as we’re winning, I don’t care what happens.’’

Lofton said the only thing he does care about is a title.

"I’ve got to have rings,’’ Lofton said. "If you want me to be happy, I want a championship.’’

Lofton led Mason County to the Kentucky state title his junior year and a runner-up finish as a senior.

Crowd Control: The SEC office said no conference rules were violated when UT players went into the crowd at Stegemen Coliseum following the Georgia game.

"We don’t win that game without the fans down there,’’ Pearl said. "The whole idea was to reach out and thank them.’’

UT athletic director Mike Hamilton said the plan was for the Vols to go to the corner of the court and talk to fans, like the football team does in the corner of the end zone.

But the players got caught up in the moment and went up the steps and onto the walkway before returning to the court.

"I did try to reel them in,’’ Pearl said. "But it was fine and stayed positive. I would hope that whatever Georgia fans were left weren’t upset by it.’’

A University of Georgia official said he heard no complaints about the Vols’ actions, and the SEC office said it received just one phone call, from a Bulldogs’ fan.

"In retrospect, it’s not a good decision to go into the stands in an opponents’ gym,’’ Hamilton said. "But I think it was a case of our team and our coach trying to show appreciation for the fans.

"Georgia’s security was great and kept an eye on it.’’

Rolling to Alabama: The Big Orange TipOff Club is organizing another bus trip for the road game at Alabama on Saturday.

The cost is $99 and includes roundtrip transportation, a ticket to the game, a box lunch, a box dinner, snacks and soft drinks.

Meanwhile, Alabama (15,043) announced that Saturday’s game is officially sold out.

For more information, call 865-777-1600.

The Big Orange TipOff Club’s Wednesday luncheon noon at Calhoun’s on the River will feature former Auburn coach and current Birmingham radio personality Sonny Smith

Scarce Tickets: A limited number of tickets for UT’s game with Kentucky on March 1 will go on sale Wednesday. The tickets, which are $14 each, can be ordered online at utsports.com, by phone (865-656-1200 or 1-800-332-8657) or at the Thompson-Boling Arena ticket office.