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March Madness 2022: Five reasons Tennessee basketball will make the Final Four

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee forward John Fulkerson (10) walks through the student section after winning the final regular season game between Tennessee and Arkansas at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tenn., Saturday, March 5, 2022. Tennessee defeated Arkansas 78-74.Utark0305 2191
Tennessee forward John Fulkerson (10) walks through the student section after winning the final regular season game between Tennessee and Arkansas at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tenn., Saturday, March 5, 2022. Tennessee defeated Arkansas 78-74.Utark0305 2191 /
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Feb 1, 2022; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers guard Kennedy Chandler (1) goes to the basket against the Texas A&M Aggies during the second half at Thompson-Boling Arena. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 1, 2022; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers guard Kennedy Chandler (1) goes to the basket against the Texas A&M Aggies during the second half at Thompson-Boling Arena. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Perfect combination of balance and stars for Vols

The SEC Tournament showed just how balanced the Vols are. They faced a slow-it-down inside-out offense against the Mississippi State Bulldogs, then they faced a dribble-drive offense that plays aggressive man-to-man defense with athletic talent everywhere in Kentucky. On Sunday, they faced a three-point shooting transition-oriented team in Texas A&M.

UT won all three games and gave up an average of 57 points a game. Their defense can stop any offense they face. That already speaks to balance, but they also have balance on the offensive side of the ball, even if it comes in somewhat different forms. In fact, that balance may be even better.

John Fulkerson, Brandon Huntley-Hatfield and Uros Plavsic are enough bodies to provide a solid presence down low, and they can score, block shots and rebound. Santiago Vescovi is the three-point specialist. Josiah-Jordan James is the perfect wing who can post up or shoot the three.

Then there are the stars. Kennedy Chandler is the five-star point guard, and Zakai Zeigler is the breakout sixth-man. One of those two is always able to take over when necessary, and recently it’s been Chandler. That combination of balance and the stars when you need them is exactly what’s necessary for March Madness, and Rick Barnes has them.

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