The Vols are officially No. 1.
Both the Associated Press sports writers’ poll and the ESPN/USA Today coaches poll listed Tennessee on top Monday.
The No. 1 ranking — the first in the program’s history — comes after UT defeated then No. 1 Memphis 66-62 on Saturday night in Memphis.
“The response has been overwhelming here,” Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl said Monday. “The game Saturday, there’ll always be a lot of talk of where were you when they beat Memphis to become No. 1? It was that kind of event so it will have some staying power, but for us there will be little staying power because we have to go play at Vanderbilt on Tuesday where they have won 17 straight games.
“The fact that men’s basketball was able to get to this point just brings us in line with the other sports here, men’s and women’s, like softball and track and field. This is the expectation at Tennessee and that you can point to those different sports is why Tennessee is one of the finest athletic programs in the country and this only adds to that.”
Tennessee (25-2) play at Vanderbilt (23-4) at 9 p.m. Tuesday (ESPN). The Commodores (No. 14 ESPN/USA Today/No. 18 AP) are 17-0 at home this season.
The Vols received all 31 first-place votes in the coaches’ poll.
Associated Press Top 25 Poll
The top 25 teams in The Associated Press’ college basketball poll, with first-place votes in parentheses, records through Feb. 24, total points based on 25 points for a first-place vote through one point for a 25th-place vote and previous ranking:
No. Team Record Pts Pvs
1. Tennessee (69) 25-2 1,797 2
2. Memphis 26-1 1,682 1
3. North Carolina (2) 26-2 1,668 3
4. UCLA (1) 24-3 1,593 6
5. Texas 23-4 1,478 7
6. Kansas 24-3 1,368 4
7. Duke 23-3 1,344 5
8. Stanford 22-4 1,264 9
9. Xavier 24-4 1,228 10
10. Wisconsin 23-4;1,175;11
11. Georgetown 22-4 1,101 12
12. Indiana 23-4 969 15
13. Louisville 22-6 828 18
14. Butler 25-3 752 8
15. Connecticut 21-6 688 13
16. Purdue 21-6 655 14
17. Notre Dame 21-5 630 21
18. Vanderbilt 23-4 627 20
19. Michigan St. 22-5 625 19
20. Drake 24-3 621 16
21. Marquette 20-6 389 25
22. Washington St. 21-6 364 17
23. Kent St. 23-5 125 —
24. Gonzaga 21-6 94 —
25. Saint Mary’s, Calif. 23-4 77 23
Others receiving votes: Miami 62, Davidson 40, Clemson 26, Texas A&M 21, BYU 20, Kansas St. 14, South Alabama 14, Arizona 11, Southern Cal 11, Mississippi St. 8, Pittsburgh 7, Stephen F.Austin 7, Va. Commonwealth 4, Florida 3, Kentucky 3, W. Kentucky 3, Arizona St. 1, Cornell 1, New Mexico 1, UAB 1.
USA Today/ESPN Top 25 Poll
The top 25 teams in the USA Today-ESPN men’s college basketball poll, with first-place votes in parentheses, records through Feb. 25, points based on 25 points for a first-place vote through one point for a 25th-place vote and previous ranking:
No. Team Record Pts Pvs
1. Tennessee (31) 25-2 775 2
2. North Carolina 26-2 726 3
3. Memphis 26-1 714 1
4. UCLA 24-3 669 6
5. Texas 23-4 635 7
6. Duke 23-3 590 4
7. Kansas 24-3 581 5
8. Stanford 22-4 546 9
9. Wisconsin 23-4 523 10
10. Georgetown 22-4 501 11
11. Xavier 24-4 475 12
12. Indiana 23-4 424 14
13. Butler 25-3 365 8
14. Vanderbilt 23-4 346 16
15. Michigan State 22-5 287 17
16. Connecticut 21-6 285 13
17. Notre Dame 21-5 272 21
18. Louisville 22-6 268 23
19. Purdue 21-6 263 15
20. Drake 24-3 259 18
21. Marquette 20-6 173 24
22. Washington State 21-6 138 19
23. Saint Mary’s 23-4 89 20
24. Kent State 23-5 30 NR
25. Brigham Young 21-6 27 NR
Others receiving votes: Mississippi State 21; Gonzaga 18; Texas A&M 15; Davidson 12; Clemson 9; Arizona 8; Miami (Fla.) 8; South Alabama 7; Southern California 6; Kentucky 4; Kansas State 2; UNLV 2; Florida 1; New Mexico 1.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
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Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 126
Volchaz writes:
Rocky Top of the world........How sweet it is...
HardcoreHottie writes:
Never before in our collective lifetimes Vol Nation.
Thank you Bruce Pearl for making this a first in many ways.
tigervol9802 writes:
Not surprised we are number 1......
Very surprised it is unamious! Wow!
We've taken care of little brother, now let's just take care of the ugly red-headed step-bother Tuesday.
murrayvol writes:
What could be better?? To still be there come April 7. Way to go Vols. Don't let up. Wasn't sure I'd live to see this.
dlobh writes:
Yes, we need to be undefeated in the state before we really deserve #1. Beat Vandy!
VolJunkie writes:
This is fantastic and a proud day for the Volunteers. IMHO we beat the 3rd best team in the State on Saturday and Tuesday night's game against Vandy is going to be tough. I think I read that no #1 team has won at Vandy in the past 30 years. Good thing this UT team seems to be all about breaking streaks!
Well done to CBP and all the men in orange. GO VOLS!!
PureOrange writes:
Tennessee at Nr. 1 - it only seems right!
Now that we have gotten there, let's stay!
Go Vols!
DennisVols writes:
ESPN/USA Today Poll
1. Tennessee (31) 25-2 775
2. North Carolina 26-2 726
3. Memphis 26-1 714
4. UCLA 24-3 669
5. Texas 23-4 635
DennisVols writes:
Best in its own state, and now best in the land by unanimous vote.
By thwarting Memphis' pursuit of a perfect season Saturday with a 66-62 victory, Tennessee wrestled the No. 1 ranking in the ESPN/USA Today coaches' poll away from the Tigers -- its first visit to the top in school history.
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/st...
vegasvol writes:
kpvol, double ckeck you're info. Vols #1 in ESPN poll. AP poll not out yet.
fjm777 writes:
YES!!!!! GO VOLS!!! BEAT VANDY!!!!
vegasvol writes:
correction, Vols #1 in both polls. All 1st place votes in both.
FatherVol writes:
I think some one must have copied the polls from last week before the new rankings were posted to the polls page on ESPN.
vegasvol writes:
Another correction, NC got 2 1st place votes and UCLA got 1.
pj_ladyvolnMI writes:
Kingsport, you were looking at last week's...we're #1 in both, and Memphis is #3 in ESPN's and #2 in AP. And I am surprised by the unanimous vote, too. Now we just have to get the energy back for Vandy tomorrow night! Go Vols...sweep the state!
DennisVols writes:
The USA/ESPN Coaches poll has us at #! and the AP will not be released until later tonight.
4everavolfan writes:
Congratulations to all of our Players, Coaches, Staff and Fans!!
What a great time for the University of Tennessee, as well as our whole State.
Keep the focus on these upcoming games. We're pulling for you.
GO VOLS !!!!!
98reax writes:
THANKS VOLS BBall. THANK YOU, Coach Pearl. You are greater than pearls! You made history. Pearl for President!
eduardo writes:
I can't believe this! We have finally arrived after years of irrelevant bball! buzzball seem like a lifetime ago, greenjeans a millenium ago and wade the fade centuries ago! How about a new hall of fame after Pearl the Real Bball coach gets through here? How about that 2k's? Haa haa
pj_ladyvolnMI writes:
Dennis, ESPN.com has the AP posted:
AP Top 25
1. Tennessee (69) 25-2 1,797
2. Memphis 26-1 1,682
3. North Carolina (2) 26-2 1,668
4. UCLA (1) 24-3 1,593
5. Texas 23-4 1,478
FatherVol writes:
AP Poll is out. UT #1 but not unanimous. Vols are second twice behind UNC and second on one ballot behind UCLA. UT got 69 of the 72 first place votes, as previously noted.
Colliervol writes:
69 out of 72 first place votes is still pretty impressive. You know there are always going to be a couple of homers that would give NC or UCLA a vote if they are given the slightest opening.
DennisVols writes:
pjhaddix
Thanks for the update. The last time I had checked it was not released.
VolJunkie writes:
Thanks for posting the AP, I did not realize it had come out yet. Interesting that UT is unanimous pick in ESPN/USA Today but split vote in AP. More interesting is that Memphis did not get any of the first place votes: UT 69, NC 2, UCLA 1, Memphis 0!
Take care of Vandy tomorrow ... GO VOLS!!
MOOREVOLS writes:
This is great. Maybe we can get the shooting guard from Kentucky now. What's his name? Hopkins or something like that? I can't remember his name, but I know he can shoot and we'll need him next year. Now, let's beat Vandy.
Basketball_Jones writes:
This is great for right now but as Lofton and Pearl have both said there is alot of basketball to be played and it only matters whose number 1 in April. Great job though for taking a sleeping giant and putting it on top of the basketball world.
DennisVols writes:
http://www6.comcast.net/sports/articl...
utvolz#637682 writes:
Congrats Vols! Wow! CBP will keep the focus on Vandy. Heck, they were back at work yesterday watching Vandy film. Don't forget the majic in that Orange blazer tomorrow night too...
Frank in Miami
98reax writes:
I love Coach Pearl's humility. Always giving the university, its athletic program the glory. He says thanks and goes ahead and shares it with fans, and everyone who is so happy right now. Give the quy a raise and a phat contract. come on marc-ash, it's OK to be skeptical, especially if you are among the intellegent fan club. We can be proud as heck today. You cannot take away that right. We know at the same time, tomorrow is another game. A game that has just as much merit, if not more, being a serious conference contender. But today, my friend we are numero uno. Enjoy it while you can.
juicetke#226846 writes:
Why does Kingsport Vol keep posting last weeks polls?
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Drill the Dores. Play like # 1. Do it.
Find a unicycle rider. Gen Fritter could do it.
MOOREVOLS writes:
marc_ash
I think the team has moved past Memphis already. That's the main thing. But, isn't it fun as fans to be #1 for the first time? Now no one can ever say we've never been there before. I totally agree though, I'd much rather be there at the end of the NCAA tournament. It's been a fun year so far. I'm anxious to see how far all this goes. Beat Vandy!!
givehim6 writes:
It is great thing beeing #1 I love it! But, we have a target on our backs now. Other SEC team probably think there just little UT, we can beat them. And you know vandy. wont's us, UK thinks thay owns us. So play like the #1 we know you are guys are. Let every one know how UT is.
EDis4UT writes:
I kind of agree with marc_ash. UNLIKE FOOTBALL, we all know that NCAA basketball is a Tournament driven sport. One college team and only one team will go 6-0 in March in the tourny. 99.9% of the time whoever that team is regardless of their record or ranking or conference will be crowned the National Champion.
So, the regular season polls in basketball means you are just #1,2,3 etc...for that week, until the next polls come out.
With that said, I think the #1 team has the right to gloat for the time being - because they are (we are!) the king of the hill for now.
Keep them focused Bruce!!!!
Go Vols #1 (this week)
Volchaz writes:
I agree that the team has to mentally move on to the next game, Pearl stated they turned the page onto Vandy as of Sunday morning. But that doesn't mean that we, as fans, can't take some time to rejoice and bask in this place we've never been before. This is Frontier, baby..CBP hasn't given us any reason to think we'll have a letdown, so until then... GO BIG ORANGE.. THE #1 Team in the Country.....
TommyJack writes:
PD: Bring back Roger Peltz!
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
juice....
he probably has a browser setting that is not updating cached pages.
In english, he's pulling up a page stored on his pc rather than pulling it from the web.
Kwitcherbellyachin writes:
I'm just curious which 3 voters voted for UNC/UCLA.
waterskier3#226480 writes:
GO VOLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
10eceeVol4ever writes:
Does John Adams have a vote in the AP Poll? Maybe someone from the News Sentinel can have him post his ballot if he does have a vote.
Ironcity writes:
Never thought I would live to see this day. No matter what happens from this point on, we will have climbed the mountain at least once. I look forward to the rest of the season and will be satsified with what ever happens.
EDis4UT writes:
I see memphis got (0) first place votes.
So much for their fans pretzel logic!
memphis fan:
Hey we should still be #1! Because #2 (mean 'ol big brother) only beat us by 4 points in our house! We only have 1 loss! We're still #1! Is anybody in the country listening to us?!?!?
_______________________________________
What a bunch of idiots.
VolCane7979 writes:
marc-ash,
Dude, everyone who needs to be focused is focused for Vandy. This forum is for UT fans to enjoy something that happens about as often as Haley's Comet. It's something for the boys to take pride in. They know they are now the hunted and will take everybody's best shot the rest of the way. No worries there, guy.
Kwitcherbellyachin writes:
FWIW, here's a link to the AP site where all of the writers' individual votes are given. It hasn't yet been updated for today:
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/external...
Chainsaw writes:
Way to go Vols! Now get your heads 100% focused on taking care of Vandy in their house, just like you did Memphis on Saturday night.
You do that, and this place will explode with Big Orange Pride!
Colliervol writes:
I'm sure BP has the team already focused on Vandy and left the Memphis game behind on Sunday morning. He seems to have a way of getting their attention.
Whether we can beat Vandy, I don't know. Just have to line up and see. But it's sure fun being #1 for a week. And if we can beat Vandy and Memphis in consecutive games on the road, what a feat that would be!
BigOrangeInCarolina writes:
The fact that the Vols beat Memphis is NO SHOCK!!! I'm tired of everybody saying this was an upset, a shocking victory, etc. Anybody who looks at UT this season knows they were every bit as good as Memphis going into this game. Memphis didn't play their best, but neither did the Vols. What mattered was the poise UT had and the determination to win. If they played today, the Vols would still win. You are going to have some detractors, like Sour Grapes Calimari and those clowns at ESPN. Anybody who gets a chance will vote for North Carolina and UCLA because of their heritage. North Carolina could be 0-20 and Dean Smith would vote for them, along with all the refs and writers he had in his pockets all those years. At the end of the day, the Tennessee Volunteers are #1 in the land, and they will play anybody, anywhere, anytime because they have talent, heart, balls, and Pearl. Nuff said.
ratkins589#246270 writes:
WOW great game -GREAT TO BE A TENNESSEE VOL
VolJunkie writes:
Here are the three non-UT votes from the AP. Apparently crack houses are prevalent in Illinois:
Bill Liesse, Peoria Illinois Journal
UCLA, UT, NC
Lindsey Villhite, Herald, Arlington, Illinois
NC, TN, MEM
Don Ruiz, Tacoma, Washington
NC, TN, MEM
Here's the link if you are interested:
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/external...
GO #1 VOLS!!!
dirtdobber1 writes:
Is Ted Valentine calling the game tomorrow night- i hope not!
he called the Vandy/Georgia game over the weekend and gave Ga coach a Tech for getting out of the coaches box? Felton asked him where the coaches box was because there was no lines on floor indicating coaches box...Valentine held up the game to get some tape to put on the floor/
FLa at Vandy a few weeks ago...Donavan on post game show was upset...He said, I didnt think it was possible for team to go 32 minutes without a foul...I guess its possible.
Point- Vandy cheats- most home courts are about 5 points- Vandy is 15! Vuck Fandy!
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