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March Madness: Five toughest matchups for Tennessee Vols in South Region of 2022 NCAA Tournament

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee guard Kennedy Chandler (1) attempts a shot while defended by Arizona guard Justin Kier (5) during a basketball game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Arizona Wildcats at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tenn., on Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2021.Kns Vols Arizona Hoops Bp
Tennessee guard Kennedy Chandler (1) attempts a shot while defended by Arizona guard Justin Kier (5) during a basketball game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Arizona Wildcats at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tenn., on Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2021.Kns Vols Arizona Hoops Bp /
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Mar 6, 2022; St. Louis, MO, USA; Loyola Ramblers head coach Drew Valentine reacts during the first half against the Drake Bulldogs in the finals of the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 6, 2022; St. Louis, MO, USA; Loyola Ramblers head coach Drew Valentine reacts during the first half against the Drake Bulldogs in the finals of the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /

Entering March Madness as a No. 3 seed, Tennessee basketball has played the top two seeds in the South Region of the NCAA Tournament. However, they haven’t played any other team. That doesn’t mean it’s not possible to decipher which teams will be the toughest matchups going forward for the Vols. One stat defines UT this year.

Six of the Vols’ seven losses come to teams with a top 30 KenPom adjusted defense rating. The seventh came at the Alabama Crimson Tide with John Fulkerson and Kennedy Chandler out. Given this rating, UT’s first round opponent, the Longwood Lancers, aren’t among their toughest.

Longwood’s adjusted defense is No. 189 in the country. Neither of Rocky Top’s potential second-round opponents should be tough either, as both are outside the top 80. Who, then, is the biggest threat to the Vols in March Madness? Let’s break that down here. These are Tennessee basketball’s five toughest potential matchups in the South Region ranked.

5. Loyola-Chicago Ramblers

No. 10 seed; 25-7

Remember this team? They beat Tennessee basketball the last time the Vols were a No. 3 seed and then made it all the way to the Final Four. The Loyola-Chicago Ramblers and Sister Jean under first-year head coach Drew Valentine are at it again, as they won the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament Championship.

This year, they are one seed higher, a No. 10 seed. When it comes to their defense, they check out as a dangerous team, as their rating of 93.2 is good for No. 22 in the nation. Meanwhile, their first-round opponent, the No. 7 seed Ohio State Buckeyes, have a rating of 100.8, which is No. 130 in the nation.

Taking that plus past curses into account, Loyola-Chicago is a much tougher out for the Vols in March madness this year. As a result, they had to make the list. Sister Jean is three years older and still may live to see another legendary run by this program.

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