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Tennessee basketball: Vols’ road to Final Four in the 2022 NCAA Tournament

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee guard Josiah-Jordan James is greeted by a cheering crowd after the UT basketball team returns to Knoxville after winning the SEC tournament on Sunday, March 13, 2022.Kns Ut Hoops Return RANK 1
Tennessee guard Josiah-Jordan James is greeted by a cheering crowd after the UT basketball team returns to Knoxville after winning the SEC tournament on Sunday, March 13, 2022.Kns Ut Hoops Return RANK 1 /
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Nov 20, 2021; Uncasville, Connecticut, USA; Villanova Wildcats guard Collin Gillespie (2) and Tennessee Volunteers guard Victor Bailey Jr. (12) chase a loose ball during the first half at Mohegan Sun Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 20, 2021; Uncasville, Connecticut, USA; Villanova Wildcats guard Collin Gillespie (2) and Tennessee Volunteers guard Victor Bailey Jr. (12) chase a loose ball during the first half at Mohegan Sun Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports /

Potential Sweet 16 matchups

No. 2 seed Villanova Wildcats (26-7)

They lost to the Villanova Wildcats earlier in the year, but this is a much different Tennessee basketball team. UT would face Jay Wright and ‘Nova in San Antonio, which is just as hot as the Vols right now. After all, ‘Nova won the Big East Tournament and has won 10-of-11, only losing by two on the road to the UConn Huskies in that stretch. Simply put, they’re still dangerous.

No. 7 seed Ohio State Buckeyes (19-11)

In 2007, UT blew a 20-point lead as a No. 4 seed to the No. 1 seed Ohio State Buckeyes, costing themselves a shot at the Elite Eight. Three years later, as a No. 6 seed, they upset No. 2 seed OSU to finally reach the Elite Eight. Chris Holtmann’s team stumbled into the event, losing four of five, so even if they win the first round, it’s hard to see them getting past Villanova.

No. 10 seed Loyola-Chicago Ramblers (25-7)

Tennessee basketball was a victim of the Loyola-Chicago Ramblers’ Cinderella run to the Final Four in 2018. The Vols were a No. 3 seed then too. Well, Loyola-Chicago is back after winning the Missouri Valley Conference under first-year head coach Drew Valentine. Beating OSU isn’t crazy. However, then getting past Villanova to meet the Vols in the Sweet 16 would be tough.

No. 15 seed Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens (22-12)

Under sixth-year head coach Martin Ingelsby, the Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens won the Colonial Athletic Association Tournament as a No. 5 seed. It’s their first NCAA Tournament since 2014. They lost three straight before that, so it’s hard to see them beating Villanova, but if they do, getting past either of the other two schools to face UT is definitely on the table.

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