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Tennessee basketball’s 2022 SEC Tournament rooting guide

By Caleb Calhoun

Nov 9, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers mascot Smokey entertains the crowd during the second half against the Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks at Thompson-Boling Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 9, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers mascot Smokey entertains the crowd during the second half against the Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks at Thompson-Boling Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 29, 2022; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores head coach Jerry Stackhouse talks with players during a timeout during the first half against the Georgia Bulldogs at Memorial Gymnasium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 29, 2022; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores head coach Jerry Stackhouse talks with players during a timeout during the first half against the Georgia Bulldogs at Memorial Gymnasium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /

For the most part, Tennessee basketball is just playing for seeding in the 2022 SEC Tournament. As a result, this event, which is being held in Tampa, Fla., at Amalie Arena, is not really necessary for Rick Barnes’ team. However, as is the case every year, there is still something to play for. Championships matter, so the SEC Tournament matters.

As a result, anything that happens in this tournament is best for the Vols if it increases their chances of winning it for the first time in over 40 years, not if it gives them a shot at another quality win. Falling one game short of the regular season title, this is their chance to make up for it.

In order to have their best chance, there are certain teams the Vols want to avoid. Looking at the rooting interests of Vol fans, we’ll cover all four already-scheduled games and then rank the other teams who have byes that they must root against by. Let’s break down the rooting interest for Tennessee basketball in the SEC Tournament.

10. Vanderbilt Commodores (11-seed) over Georgia Bulldogs (14-seed)

Wednesday, March 9 at 8 p.m. ET

Here’s the funny part about this game. It’s featuring two teams on the side of the Vols’ bracket, so they would face them before they faced the other teams in the Wednesday game for the SEC Tournament. However, if a Cinderella story happened, it wouldn’t affect Rocky Top until the semifinals. As a result, the game is almost irrelevant.

Both teams gave the Alabama Crimson Tide a struggle too, with the Georgia Bulldogs beating them, and the winner here faces Bama. UT does want Alabama eliminated, but they probably have a similar chance of doing it, even if only one did it in the regular season.

If the winner goes beyond Alabama, They’d face the Kentucky Wildcats. Vol fans want Kentucky eliminated, and Vanderbilt has a better chance to do that. That is why they should root for Vandy. In terms of which team is a bigger threat to Tennessee basketball, the Vols beat Vandy by eight and nine and UGA by seven on the road, so it’s a coin toss.

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