All for Tennessee
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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Jun 28, 2021; Tampa, Florida, USA; A general view of the arena before game one of the 2021 Stanley Cup Final at Amalie Arena between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Montreal Canadiens. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 28, 2021; Tampa, Florida, USA; A general view of the arena before game one of the 2021 Stanley Cup Final at Amalie Arena between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Montreal Canadiens. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Alabama (6-seed) over Vanderbilt/Georgia winner

Thursday, March 10 at 8 p.m. ET

Here’s the thing with Alabama. They are capable of beating any team in the SEC but also losing to any team in the SEC. They have actually already lost to Georgia, and they barely beat Vanderbilt. Nate Oats’ team played both programs on the road, but those are still embarrassing outings.

On the other hand, Bama beat Tennessee basketball, and they and the Vols are the only teams the past two months to actually beat Arkansas. When they have something to play for and decide to turn it on, they are probably the best team in the league. Although that’s dangerous for the Vols, it actually does them a favor to a degree.

Alabama would face Kentucky if they won this game. Vol fans need Kentucky eliminated somehow, someway. It would be ideal for those two not to have to face off Saturday, despite Barnes’ history over John Calipari. That UK team is beyond dangerous.

If Alabama wins Thursday, they could get red-hot enough to beat Kentucky Friday. Meanwhile, the Vols lost to them by only five on the road with John Fulkerson and Kennedy Chandler both out. As a result, despite how dangerous they are, UT has a chance against them.

Vandy nor Georgia has any shot against UK. That means, pretty simply, the Vols will 100 percent face either Alabama or Kentucky if they make it to Saturday. Alabama is the more ideal opponent, so Vol fans should root for them.

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