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Sunday afternoon’s loss to the North Carolina Tar Heels didn’t do much to affect Tennessee’s standing in the AP top 25 poll. The Vols fell just one spot to No. 21. Here’s a look at the full poll.
AP POLL ALERT: Arizona State leapfrogs Duke to No. 3 in men’s Top 25, matching school best; Villanova still No. 1. https://t.co/ZFGmJDZFEg pic.twitter.com/5gkqkhv6rI
— AP Top 25 (@AP_Top25) December 18, 2017
North Carolina jumped up from No. 7 to No. 5 following their win at Thompson-Boling Arena. Tennessee led most of this game, but the mistakes piled up at the end, allowing the Tar Heels to capitalize.
Rick Barnes was frustrated that his couldn’t close the deal against North Carolina, but he sounded encouraged that his team no longer has to play perfect to beat a top team anymore.
“I don’t think we have to play perfect anymore to win a game like this, Barnes said. “We didn’t get anywhere near perfect, but we had a chance. When we had a lead, we didn’t do what we needed to do when we got the lead. That will always to offensive execution.”
Tennessee will return to action on Wednesday night against the Furman Paladins.