Tennessee Basketball Looks to Build Momentum After Road Wins

The Vols have a manageable upcoming schedule to potentially go on a run in SEC play.

Jan. 29, 2026 at 5:07pm

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After picking up back-to-back road wins at Alabama and Georgia, Tennessee basketball has an opportunity to build momentum with a manageable upcoming schedule. The Vols, who are 4-3 in SEC play, return home to host Auburn on Saturday before facing Ole Miss, Kentucky, Mississippi State, LSU, and Oklahoma over the next three weeks. According to KenPom, Tennessee is favored to win five of its next six games, including a one-point underdog matchup at Kentucky.

Why it matters

Tennessee's recent road wins have flipped the outlook on their season, as the Vols were staring down a potentially tough January slate before the recent victories. With a manageable upcoming schedule, Tennessee has a chance to rack up wins and position themselves well in SEC play ahead of a late-season road trip to Vanderbilt.

The details

Tennessee fell to 2-3 in SEC play after blowing a double-digit lead at home against Kentucky 12 days ago. But the Vols have since picked up road wins at Alabama and Georgia, both of which are NCAA Tournament teams. Now boasting a 4-3 conference record, Tennessee returns home to host Auburn on Saturday. The Tigers have won four straight SEC games, including an upset of defending national champion Florida. After the Auburn game, the Vols host Ole Miss, travel to Kentucky, visit Mississippi State, and then host LSU and Oklahoma.

  • Tennessee fell to 2-3 in SEC play after a loss to Kentucky 12 days ago.
  • Tennessee picked up road wins at Alabama and Georgia in their last two games.
  • Tennessee hosts Auburn on Saturday, January 31, 2026.
  • Tennessee hosts Ole Miss after the Auburn game.
  • Tennessee travels to Kentucky for a rematch after the Ole Miss game.

The players

Rick Barnes

The head coach of the Tennessee basketball team.

Alex Golesh

The head coach of the Auburn football team, who recently trolled Alabama over losing to Tennessee.

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What they’re saying

“I always use that saying, proud peacock today, feather duster tomorrow. You feel good right now, but you can't enjoy it very long because you got to turn around, you got a really good Auburn team coming in. And as good as you feel tonight, it could be over like that.”

— Rick Barnes, Tennessee Head Coach (rockytopinsider.com)

What’s next

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The takeaway

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