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Tennessee Lady Vols bracketology: A 2-seed now possible

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TN - JANUARY 21: Tennessee Volunteers fans hold up a cardboard photo of women's basketball coach Pat Summitt during the game against the Connecticut Huskies at Thompson-Boling Arena on January 21, 2012 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee defeated Connecticut 60-57. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - JANUARY 21: Tennessee Volunteers fans hold up a cardboard photo of women's basketball coach Pat Summitt during the game against the Connecticut Huskies at Thompson-Boling Arena on January 21, 2012 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee defeated Connecticut 60-57. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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The Tennessee Lady Vols now have the potential to be a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Here is the situation for the women’s basketball Volunteers.

They are the No. 7 seed in the SEC Tournament. And they are not in the Top 10 of either the AP or Coaches’ polls. But the Tennessee Lady Vols could still be looking at a No. 2 seed for the NCAA Tournament based on some bracketology experts.

Two wins last week, including a blowout victory over the South Carolina Gamecocks for the second time this season, clearly earned them some respect. Now, it is true both wins over South Carolina are a bit tainted because A’ja Wilson didn’t play in either of them.

However, blowing them out the way they did both times was still worthy of respect. That’s why people are paying attention to them.

Right now, my bet is that they are still a No. 3 seed. But don’t count them out yet to move up. After all, they still have the SEC Tournament. And that will give them at least one opportunity for another quality win, maybe up to three.

With the No. 9 ranking in the RPI, a 23-6 record overall with the No. 8 overall strength of schedule, and an 11-5 overall SEC record, the Tennessee Lady Vols’ resume is pretty darn impressive. That’s why one bracket already has them as a 2-seed.

CollegeSportsMadness.com has the Lady Vols as a No. 2 seed in the same bracket as the Connecticut Huskies. In that projection, they would face the New Mexico State Aggies in the first round.

Meanwhile, Charlie Creme of ESPN has them still as a No. 3 seed. In his bracket, they are in the Lexington region with the Louisville Cardinals as the No. 1 seed. And they would face Drake in the first round.

At this point, it’s hard to see the Tennessee Lady Vols dropping anything below a 3-seed. But two wins in the conference tournament could tell a different story. That makes this one bigger for them than it has been in years past.