Now That We’ve Got It… What Tennessee Needs To Keep The 1-Seed
Image: University of Tennessee Athletics
By Cody McClure
We beat Alabama on Saturday. Tremendous win.
But now the past is the past. We must continue onward.
ESPN’s Joe Lunardi has Tennessee as the fourth No. 1 seed in his latest bracketology.
So we’re projected to get the No. 1 seed we all wanted. First in program history.
Now we’ve got to find a way to hang on to it.
The win over Alabama will go a long way in keeping us ahead of the Crimson Tide, but nothing is certain, as Bama has two huge opportunities this week — at home vs. No. 5 Florida and at No. 1 Auburn.
As of today, the Vols are the 1-seed in the West Region. Auburn, Duke, and Houston are other No. 1 seeds.
Realistically, there are two other teams in contention, our aforementioned rivals from the south — Florida and Alabama.
The Tide and Gators will remain on our heels likely into SEC Tournament play next week.
It goes without saying that Tennessee must go 2-0 this week. We’re at Ole Miss Wednesday, which will be a challenge, and then we’ve got a bad South Carolina team coming into Thompson-Boling Arena on Saturday.
But if we go 2-0, will that be enough to keep the 1-seed? Maybe. Maybe not.
Either Florida or Alabama are guaranteed another loss this week, seeing as how they play one another.
If Alabama beats both Florida and Auburn this week, it’s possible the Tide will jump back ahead of us. And perhaps it would be deserved if they are able to notch two top-five wins.
What’s more likely is that Alabama splits.
We need them to go ahead and beat Florida in the midweek before losing at No. 1 Auburn this weekend.
That’s what the gambling market suggests could happen. And that’s the best-case scenario for UT. Win our games, and have our opps each take an L.
That puts us in prime position going into the conference tournament. Then, I believe, if we simply win one game in the conference tourney we’re in at No. 1.
If things don’t go chalk this week, it could get a little hairy. Might need to win Friday and Saturday in the conference tourney (assumedly beating either Florida or Bama).
Another possibility this week is that Florida beats Alabama. That would be a nice win for the Gators but my personal belief is that if Florida and Tennessee each go 2-0 this week then Tennessee will get the nod.
That’s assuming we don’t just no-show in the conference tournament.
Nothing is for certain, but the Vols are in great shape right now.
Thanks, Jahmai Mashack.