Lady Vols Basketball Unranked in Latest Coaches Poll

Tennessee's women's basketball team falls out of the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll for the first time this season.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

The Tennessee Lady Vols basketball team is unranked in the latest USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll, marking the first time this season they have fallen out of the top 25 rankings. Tennessee, currently 16-10 overall and 8-6 in SEC play, will play their final two regular-season games this week, including a road matchup against LSU and a home contest versus in-state rival Vanderbilt.

Why it matters

The Lady Vols' unranked status is a significant development, as the program has long been considered one of the powerhouses of women's college basketball. Their absence from the top 25 reflects the team's struggles this season and raises questions about their postseason prospects.

The details

Tennessee will play LSU on the road on Thursday evening before hosting Vanderbilt on March 1st to conclude their regular-season schedule. The SEC Tournament is set to take place from March 4-8 in Greenville, South Carolina.

  • Tennessee will play LSU on Thursday, February 27th at 6 p.m. EST.
  • Tennessee will host Vanderbilt on March 1st at 2 p.m. EST.
  • The SEC Tournament will be held from March 4-8 in Greenville, South Carolina.

The players

Tennessee Lady Vols

The women's basketball team of the University of Tennessee, a historically dominant program in the sport.

LSU Tigers

The women's basketball team of Louisiana State University, a fellow SEC program that will host Tennessee this week.

Vanderbilt Commodores

The women's basketball team of Vanderbilt University, an in-state rival of Tennessee that will host the Lady Vols in the final regular-season game.

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What’s next

The Lady Vols will look to regain their ranking and secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament with strong performances in their final two regular-season games and the SEC Tournament.

The takeaway

Tennessee's unranked status is a surprising development for a program that has long been a fixture in the national rankings. The Lady Vols will need to regroup and finish the season strong to keep their postseason hopes alive.