Vols finish a program-best fifth in season's final national ranking

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WCYB) — To conclude a historic season for Tennessee men's basketball, who made it to just its second Elite Eight appearance, the Vols earned their highest final ranking in program history.

Tennessee (27-9, 14-4 SEC) holds the fifth position in both the Associated Press Top 25 Poll and the USA TODAY Coaches Poll, which was revealed Tuesday afternoon. The program's prior top mark was seventh in 2007-08.

The Vols entered the NCAA Tournament sixth in the nation before knocking off Saint Peter's, Texas and then-No. 11 Creighton to reach the Elite Eight. All of this before falling to the eventual NCAA runner-up, Purdue.

Tennessee, which won the outright SEC regular season title, collected 1,203 points in the AP Poll voting that led to 59 straight weeks of being in the AP Top 25 ranking - which also set a school record.

Five SEC teams ended the year in the top 25 of both polls. Alabama placed No. 3/4, with Auburn at No. 18/17, Kentucky at No. 20/19 and South Carolina at No. 24/23. In addition, Florida and Texas A&M received votes in both polls, while Arkansas did so in the AP Poll.