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NCAA Tournament 2021: Tennessee basketball’s road to the Final Four

By Caleb Calhoun

Mar 13, 2021; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Rick Barnes talks in a huddle during the second half against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 13, 2021; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Rick Barnes talks in a huddle during the second half against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 14, 2021; Fort Worth, TX, USA; Houston Cougars head coach Kelvin Sampson (top, right) holds the net after defeating the Cincinnati Bearcats in the American Athletic Conference tournament final at Dickies Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ben Ludeman-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 14, 2021; Fort Worth, TX, USA; Houston Cougars head coach Kelvin Sampson (top, right) holds the net after defeating the Cincinnati Bearcats in the American Athletic Conference tournament final at Dickies Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ben Ludeman-USA TODAY Sports /

Potential Elite Eight matchups Part I

No. 2 seed Houston Cougars (24-3)

Seventh-year head coach Kelvin Sampson continues to have the Houston Cougars rolling, and they enter the NCAA Tournament as American Athletic Conference Tournament champions and No. 6 in the AP and Coaches Poll. Despite three elite scoring guards, Houston wins with defense and rebounding, meaning Yves Pons would be crucial if this team met the Vols.

No. 3 seed West Virginia Mountaineers (18-9)

Bob Huggins continues to roll in his 14th season. He is similar to Rick Barnes in being a veteran coach with no national title. WVU is No. 13 in the AP and Coaches Poll and did not win any regular season or tournament title. They rely on dominating inside and trying to take away the three-point game so many other teams rely on. It’s not a great tourney formula, but they are still dangerous.

No. 6 seed San Diego State Aztecs (23-4)

Ironically, the Vols’ only Elite Eight run ever started with a win over this program when they were a No. 6 seed. Fourth-year head coach Brian Dutcher has now won two Mountain West regular season and tournament titles separately after winning them both this year. Ranked No. 16 in the AP Poll and No. 18 in the Coaches, these guys are on a 14-game winning streak, so watch out.

No. 7 seed Clemson Tigers (16-7)

Relying on an aggressive defense that plays fast-paced, 11th-year head coach Brad Brownwell has a Clemson Tigers team that can post a devastating matchup for the Vols. An Elite Eight meeting between these two schools would be highly unlikely, but Clemson’s tempo could catch some teams off guard.

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