That headline alone could be a paradox. Tennessee basketball has been No. 1 for four weeks and is 22-1 and 11-0 in the SEC while enjoying a 19-game winning streak. As they are about to begin their stretch run, how could the pressure be off them?
Well, the Vols have now gotten through one major hurdle of their schedule. Yes, they have had an SEC schedule front-loaded with easy teams. The Alabama Crimson Tide are the only opponent they have faced with any hopes of making the NCAA Tournament since conference play began.
But Rick Barnes’s team survived every game.