Today On Rocky Top: Vols To Play UMass

Mar 19, 2014; Dayton, OH, USA; Tennessee Volunteers guard Antonio Barton (2) shoots a free throw in overtime of a college basketball game against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the first round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament at UD Arena. Tennessee defeated Iowa 78-65. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

From The Tennessean

"The Tennessee men’s basketball team’s starting five chatted and chuckled as they approached the stage on Tuesday. Earlier, three Iowa players had taken the same seats without a peep. That trip to the Bahamas seemed so long ago.When the Vols (21-12) and Hawkeyes (20-12) meet today in the NCAA tournament’s First Four at UD Arena, they will play a game that was expected to take place in a swanky beach resort four months ago.But UT lost to UTEP and Iowa raced down the winner’s side of the Battle 4 Atlantis bracket until an overtime loss to Villanova — the Hawkeyes’ first of the season — kept them from claiming a trophy that looked like a shell. While the Vols salvaged wins against Xavier and Wake Forest, they appeared unreliable at best. The Hawkeyes looked like they could turn an NCAA Tournament on its head. Fast forward."

From USA Today

"Tennessee gave the NCAA tournament its first improbable comeback. Cal Poly won, too — which was improbable in itself.The First Four turned into quite a starting point.With forward Jarnell Stokes using his 280 pounds to dominate inside and a highly regarded defense finally locking in, Tennessee wrapped up the Final Four with a 78-65 victory over Iowa on Wednesday night.Stokes opened overtime with a three-point play that put Tennessee ahead to stay, and the Volunteers’ defense held Iowa to one free throw in overtime.“I told our guys we’ve been through everything this season, keep your composure down the stretch,” said coach Cuonzo Martin, who got his first NCAA tournament win in his third season at Tennessee. “Find ways to win the ball game.”"

From NCAA.com

"Tennessee has a golden opportunity to make a little history of its own.Much has been made of Connecticut chasing history with a chance to win its ninth national championship and break a tie with the Lady Vols.Well, Tennessee would like to be the one to break that tie and end its Final Four drought while reclaiming its status as one of the nation’s elite teams.The Lady Vols (27-5) open NCAA tournament play Saturday against Northwestern State (21-12) as a No. 1 seed for the first time since 2011. They’ve won seven consecutive games and 13 of their last 14. Their scheduled first- and second-round games are on their home floor. If they reach the Final Four, they’d get a chance to play for a national title in their home state.Tennessee is the only school to reach the tournament every year since the NCAA started running the event in 1982, but the Lady Vols haven’t been to the Final Four since their 2008 national title."