Tennessee basketball slides in poll following Arkansas loss

Tennessee basketball is ranked in January for the first time in eight years.

The Vols checked in at No. 23 in The Associated Press Poll on New Year's Day. Tennessee lost 95-93 last Saturday in its SEC opener at Arkansas, which slid into the poll at No. 22.

UT was ranked No. 19 in the AP Poll last week, its highest ranking of the season.

The Vols (9-3, 0-1 SEC) host Auburn and former Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl at 7 p.m. ET Tuesday (SEC Network). UT then faces No. 17 Kentucky in a marquee matchup at 9 p.m. ET Saturday at Thompson-Boling Arena. 

Tennessee has been ranked for fifth straight weeks in the AP Poll.