The run of ranked opponents continues for Tennessee basketball.
After defeating No. 14 Mississippi State and losing at No. 1 Auburn last week, the Volunteers are taxed this week with home games against No. 12 Kentucky and No. 5 Florida. Tennessee is No. 8 in the latest Associated Press poll, dropping two spots after Saturday night’s 53-51 setback against Bruce Pearl’s Tigers.
Not to get too far ahead of things, but the Vols host Missouri, which is currently No. 20, next Tuesday night for a potential fifth straight ranked-versus-ranked Southeastern Conference encounter.
“We’re happy we don’t have to pack our bags for these next three games,” Tennessee assistant coach Rod Clark said Monday in a news conference. “In this league, every home game you get is huge. It’s hard to win road games in general, but when you try to win road games in the SEC, it’s really tough. We’ve got great coaches and great environments in this league, and you have guys who take a lot of pride in playing at home.
“When you have home games, you have to take care of your home floor and use the energy you get from your crowd to your advantage.”