Joe Lunardi Currently Has Vols Making NCAA Tournament

Nov 22, 2013; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Cuonzo Martin during the second half against the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles at Thompson-Boling Arena. Tennessee won 88 to 67. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

ESPN’s esteemed bracketologist Joe Lunardi currently has the Tennessee Volunteers making the NCAA tournament as a #12 seed in his latest bracketology update.

Lunardi has the Vols playing in a play-in game against Marquette in the West regional.

Obviously there’s a long way to go in the season, but with a 6-3 record it’s blatantly obvious that Tennessee is well on their way to being another “bubble” team.

The Vols have a couple of non-conference “toss-up” games coming up against NC State and Virginia. Tennessee is in the same boat as NC State and Virginia, so it’s impossible to predict who might win, but those games should be considered must win games for the Vols.

Tennessee will then start their two-month grind of non-conference games on January 7 against LSU. The Vols have to play Kentucky once, Florida twice and Missouri twice.

If the Vols are able to steal one of those games, split against NC State/Virginia, you’re still probably looking at a 10 to 12 loss season, which again puts them squarely on the bubble.

Tennessee has the talent to be a tournament team — more than enough talent actually.

If the Vols fail to make the tournament yet again, the Vols could find themselves looking for a new coach.