Ranking each SEC basketball team entering conference play
1. Tennessee Volunteers
Multiple programs have a case for this spot, but it鈥檚 hard to argue against the No. 1-ranked team in the country that remains one of just four undefeated D-I programs. Tennessee has been dominant in 2024-25, winning all but one game by 13 points or more. The only tight contest the Volunteers have played came at Illinois where they won by two over a likely NCAA Tournament team. Tennessee doesn鈥檛 have as potent of an offense as some in the conference but still scores around 80 points per contest. However, its defense ranks No. 1 in the SEC and No. 2 in the country, allowing just 56.2 points per game. Talented guard Zakai Zeigler continues to lead the way, while the Vols have replaced Dalton Knecht鈥檚 offense with that of transfer Chaz Lanier. The Vols鈥� two-way ability makes them the top team in the SEC and perhaps the entire country.
