Not even the most devoted Vols critics can deny this was the right call.
After Monday night’s national championship game, the thrilling 2024–25 college basketball season has officially wrapped up. The Florida Gators — a team Tennessee defeated by 20 points earlier in the season — claimed the national title.
Soon after, the AP released its final Top 25 rankings. So, where did the Vols end up? They landed at No. 5, a spot they absolutely earned. Despite falling to Houston in the Elite Eight and just missing the Final Four, there’s no question that Rick Barnes and his team deserved that top-five finish.
Tennessee basketball finished the season No. 5 in the last AP Top 25 poll
Did Houston control the Elite Eight matchup against Tennessee? Absolutely — credit where it’s due to the Cougars. But that doesn’t take away from the fact that this was a remarkable and historic season for Rick Barnes and his team. Zakai Zeigler, the SEC Defensive Player of the Year, and Chaz Lanier, who took home the 2025 Jerry West Award, led the charge.
Fans were also consistently impressed by the contributions of Jahmai Mashack, Jordan Gainey, Igor Milicic, and others throughout the season. Among the standout highlights: the home win over Florida, Mashack’s thrilling buzzer-beater against Alabama, and of course, the Sweet Sixteen victory over Kentucky.
That matchup with the Wildcats was hyped as one of the biggest games in Tennessee history — and the Vols delivered, dispatching Mark Pope’s squad with ease. That one felt especially good for the fan base.
Sure, the Final Four dream didn’t materialize, but it’s hard not to celebrate what Tennessee accomplished this year. With Florida, Houston, Duke, and Auburn clearly leading the national pack, the Vols still earned a spot in the Top 5 and gave fans a season they won’t soon forget.
Be the first to comment