ESPN's Joe Lunardi makes it clear what Tennessee must do to secure the Vols' first ever one seed
The Tennessee Vols are looking to rise up and earn the school's first ever one seed in the NCAA Tournament this week, as they hit the road for Nashville for the SEC Tournament. The Vols would be in prime position for a one seed already, but a 78-76 loss last week to Ole Miss dropped […]
The Tennessee Vols are looking to rise up and earn the school's first ever one seed in the NCAA Tournament this week, as they hit the road for Nashville for the SEC Tournament.
The Vols would be in prime position for a one seed already, but a 78-76 loss last week to Ole Miss dropped the Vols from the top line to the second. And Alabama's buzzer beating win over Auburn last week pushed Tennessee down a touch, from the 5 overall seed to 6.
However, ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardi still sees a path back to a one seed for the Vols – and it's outlasting and advancing further than their top SEC competition for a one seed – Florida and Auburn.
Here's Lunardi's latest bracketology update on Tuesday.
Lunardi notes, "Florida, Alabama, and Tennessee battling in Nashville for the final No. 1 seed."
However, on Monday, Lunardi was more specific about the race between the three teams and how they could end up on the top line.
Houston is going to be a No. 1 seed. The Cougars went 19-1 in the Big 12 and won what's currently projected to be an eight-bid league by a ridiculous four games. The only race left is among three SEC teams — Florida, Alabama and Tennessee — for the last spot on the top line and a trip to the West Region. If it were me, I'd pick whichever of the three advances the furthest in Nashville. And if all three were to lose their opening game at the SEC tourney, I'd go off the board and promote Michigan State. The top line would then include all four power conference champions. But I'm not the committee, and they are going to pick the SEC survivor. – Joe Lunardi, ESPN
It goes without saying that an SEC title for Tennessee gives them that one seed. But Lunardi is saying that if Tennessee can find a way to make the deepest run in Nashville of the three that should be enough to earn Tennessee a top seed. And given Tennessee is looking up at Bama and Florida in the projection, it stands to reason they need to go further than both.
All three teams have double byes and will play on Friday in the quarterfinals. If all win, then Alabama and Florida would play on Saturday in the semifinals.
Basically, in order for Tennessee to go further than Bama and Florida, both of the latter need to lose on Friday with the Vols winning, or Tennessee needs to make it all the way to the championship game at minimum (which very likely means upsetting Auburn) and either Bama or Florida gets upset by a higher seed in the semis (which means one of Bama/Florida loses in the quarters).
Of course, the easiest and surest path is to win the whole darned thing, but at minimum, the Vols need to find themselves playing basketball this weekend while their two rivals are already back home watching on TV.
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