Lady Vols Basketball: Climbing the Rankings and Facing Louisville at Barclays Center
The Lady Vols basketball team has climbed to No. 17 in the Associated Press poll after a dominant victory over Winthrop. With a record of 7-2, Tennessee is set to face off against No. 20 Louisville at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York on December 20th. The Cardinals have suffered three losses to ranked opponents but recently secured a win against No. 11 North Carolina in overtime, earning them the No. 16 spot in the AP Top 25 this week.
At the start of the season, Tennessee was considered a top-10 team, ranked No. 9 in the USA TODAY coaches preseason poll and No. 8 in the AP Top 25 preseason poll. However, the Lady Vols dropped out of the top 10 after a loss to NC State in the season opener, falling to No. 12 in both polls. Following a loss to UCLA, Tennessee experienced a significant drop in the rankings, falling six spots in the USA TODAY coaches poll and five spots in the AP Top 25.
Last season, Tennessee ended ranked No. 16 in the USA TODAY coaches poll and No. 15 in the AP poll under the leadership of Kim Caldwell. Despite starting the season unranked, the Lady Vols reached as high as No. 11 in the rankings but never broke into the top 10. Tennessee holds the record for the most appearances in the AP Top 25 since the poll's inception in 1976, having been ranked in 801 out of 892 polls.
As the Lady Vols continue their season, they aim to build on their recent success and climb higher in the rankings. The upcoming matchup against Louisville presents an opportunity for Tennessee to showcase their talent and solidify their position in the polls. With a strong history of success and a dedicated fan base, the Lady Vols are poised to make a statement in the world of women's college basketball.