NCAA Tournament Bid Still In Sight For Vols
By Jonah Byrd
Mar 2, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Tennessee Volunteers forward Jarnell Stokes (5) dribbles past Georgia Bulldogs forward/center John Florveus (32) towards the baseline in the first half at Stegeman Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports
On Saturday Tennessee suffered their first loss since losing to Georgia on Febuary 6th ealier last month. Yesterdays loss to the Bulldogs ended Tennessee’s six game winning streak.
After the loss to an unranked Georgia team most of Vol nation, and everyone else, was quick to think there is no chance for a NCAA tournament bid, but think again Vol nation. According to ESPN Bracketologist Joe Lunardi (@ESPNLunardi) the Vols are one of the last four in the tournament. An updated bracket late last night has Iowa State, Temple, Villanova, and Tennessee as the last four teams getting a tournament bid. The first four out are: Alabama, Baylor, Kentucky, and Southern Miss. Then the next four out are: Ole Miss, Maryland, Arizona State, and Arkansas, putting five SEC teams in the whole mix.
Tennessee has a one point loss and a one point win over Alabama. Tennessee split their two games with the Kentucky Wildcats, losing in Rupp Arena earlier this year, then giving Kentucky their worse loss to the Vols ever, beating the Wildcats by 30 points in Knoxville. Tennessee also beat the Florida Gators in their only meeting this season.
Ole Miss and Arkansas are the next two SEC teams considered out at this point, Tennessee went 0-3 against those two this season. Tennessee needs to finish the season strong by winning their final two games and making a solid run in the SEC tournament to secure a bid in the NCAA Tournament. Before yesterdays loss many were saying Tennessee was the hottest team in the SEC, but a disappointing loss to Georgia ended the Volunteer’s hot streak.
Tennessee plays Auburn Wednesday, March 6th at 9:00 pm est at Auburn Arena. The final game of the regular season is Saturday, March 9th at 4:00 pm est at Thompson Boling Arena.