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Fansided

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; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators head coach Mike White talks with Florida Gators forward Tuongthach Gatkek (32) during the second half against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Billy Donovan Court at Exactech Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 29, 2022; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators head coach Mike White talks with Florida Gators forward Tuongthach Gatkek (32) during the second half against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Billy Donovan Court at Exactech Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports /

8. Florida Gators (9-seed) over Texas A&M Aggies (8-seed)

Thursday, March 10 at Noon ET

Again, getting the Auburn Tigers eliminated is the goal here for Tennessee basketball fans. Their first game will be against the winner of this matchup. Meanwhile, the Vols wouldn’t face either team until the SEC Tournament Championship, two days after this game.

The Vols would be more likely to struggle with the Florida Gators than the Texas A&M Aggies. Not only is the SEC Tournament in Florida, but they only beat Mike White’s team when severely limited by seven at home, and they beat Texas A&M by 10.

Also, Florida is hotter right now. However, the difference in chances between UT beating Florida or A&M is not as great as the difference in chances between Auburn losing to Florida or A&M. Also, the matchup is two days earlier, as UT wouldn’t see either team until the SEC Tournament Championship game.

Taking all this into account, Vol fans should root for Florida to win every SEC game until Sunday. They clearly have a better chance at beating Auburn, especially in Florida, as they beat Auburn at home less than three weeks ago. Texas A&M lost to them by 17.

A&M is hot, having won four straight. They did beat Arkansas and almost swept them, but that’s before the Hogs became the team they are now. Also, they wouldn’t face Arkansas until after Auburn, and UT fans would rather see Auburn gone anyway, so Florida is the team to root for.

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