With five nonconference games still remaining on his team's schedule, Tennessee coach Rick Barnes has the newest No. 1-ranked team in the country primed for the rigors of Southeastern Conference competition.
The Volunteers (8-0) return to action Tuesday night when they take their top ranking to New York City for a matchup against Miami in the Jimmy V Classic.
Tennessee has overwhelmed opponents this season and the early run earned the team the top spot in the polls after previous No. 1 Kansas lost twice since Wednesday.
The Volunteers' slimmest margin of victory was a 15-point win over then-No.