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Tennessee Lady Vols bracketology: Schedule strength complicates great record

By Caleb Calhoun

DALLAS, TX - MARCH 15: Smokey, the mascot of the Tennessee Volunteers, performs during a time out in the second half against the Wright State Raiders in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at American Airlines Center on March 15, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - MARCH 15: Smokey, the mascot of the Tennessee Volunteers, performs during a time out in the second half against the Wright State Raiders in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at American Airlines Center on March 15, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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Despite being in the top 25, the Tennessee Lady Vols still have work to do. Here is our women’s basketball Volunteers’ bracketology for Jan. 22, 2020.

On the eve of the Tennessee Lady Vols getting set to renew the greatest rivalry in women’s college basketball after more than a decade, they are hanging on to an NCAA Tournament spot. Facing the UConn Huskies, regardless of the outcome, will build their resume.

Despite their 15-3 record, 5-1 SEC record, four-game winning streak and No. 23 ranking in both polls, there is not a lot of respect for Kellie Harper’s first team from national experts. And quite honestly, at this point, it’s understandable.

Right now, Rocky Top has a No. 64 ranking in the women’s basketball RealTime RPI. At issue is a No. 197 ranked strength of schedule. They still haven’t beaten a team in the top 50 of the RPI, and they only have two wins over teams in the top 100. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish have turned out to be a bust, and the Alabama Crimson Tide, their best win, was off a late three at home.

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Now, they did take the No. 13 ranked Kentucky Wildcats to the end on the road. So they have proven they can compete. But they still have a lot more to prove if they are going to have a more comfortable spot in the NCAA Tournament rankings.

Right now, Charlie Creme of ESPN has the most respect for them, as he is giving the Tennessee Lady Vols a No. 8 seed. In his bracket, they would open up against the North Carolina Tar Heels in the Dallas region, and they would be in a bracket hosted by the No. 1 seed Baylor Bears.

College Sports Madness has UT as a No. 9 seed facing the Oklahoma Sooners in the first round, and they would play in a bracket hosted by the No. 1 seed Oregon Ducks. So it’s somewhat similar to the level Creme has them at.

However, fellow FanSided site High Post Hoops has the Tennessee Lady Vols among the Last Four In. In that one, they are a No. 11 seed, playing in the Fort Wayne region, and facing the No. 6 seed Princeton Tigers in the first round. That bracket would be hosted by the No. 3 seed Oregon State Beavers.

Taking that into account, UT clearly has work to do. Facing UConn, no matter what, will at least improve their strength of schedule. And they are projected to finish in the top 50 of the RPI with the No. 84 strength of schedule, so it has plenty of room to improve. But right now, it’s clear that their record hasn’t given them much breathing room yet for the Big Dance.