Tennessee basketball: A look at the Vols road to the Final Four

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - MARCH 16: Grant Williams #2 of the Tennessee Volunteers celebrates during the 82-78 win over the Kentucky Wildcats during the semifinals of the SEC Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 16, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - MARCH 16: Grant Williams #2 of the Tennessee Volunteers celebrates during the 82-78 win over the Kentucky Wildcats during the semifinals of the SEC Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 16, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
3 of 17
SYRACUSE, NY – NOVEMBER 21: Colgate Raiders bench players celebrate during the first half against the Syracuse Orange at the Carrier Dome on November 21, 2018, in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
SYRACUSE, NY – NOVEMBER 21: Colgate Raiders bench players celebrate during the first half against the Syracuse Orange at the Carrier Dome on November 21, 2018, in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)

No.15 Colgate Raiders (24-10)

Hamilton, NY – Patriot League 
Head coach: Matt Langel

The Tennessee basketball team will open the 2019 NCAA Tournament with the No.15 seed Colgate Raiders on Friday afternoon. Last season as a three seed, the Vols took care of Wright State before getting bounced by Loyola-Chicago.

The Patriot League has historically put some decent teams into the big dance with teams like Bucknell, American, Lehigh, and Holy Cross. Colgate won’t be an easy out thanks to there efficiency.

Best win

Their best win(s) have to be the two against the Bucknell Bison who finished 21-12 on the season and second place in the Patriot League. Colgate won two of three games against the Bison, and both wins came by double digits.

Worst loss

Colgate didn’t really get blown out in any game this season other than at Syracuse or Pittsburgh. But, their worst loss had to come at the hands of Army 91-81 or Loyola MF 79-72 in overtime.

Longest streak

The Raiders longest streak is a current streak of 11 games that include two wins against Bucknell and Holy Cross. The win streak also includes a conference Championship Game against Bucknell 94-80.

What they do best

Colgate shoots the three-point ball just as good as any other team in the nation. At a percentage of 39.1 per game, the Raiders rank 13th in the country. Furthermore, there are only five teams in the NCAA Tournament that shoot a higher rate from deep. Could spell trouble for Tennessee.