All for Tennessee
Fansided

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 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
Mar 3, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Cougars forward Fabian White Jr. (35) and head coach Kelvin Sampson and teammates celebrate winning the American Athletic Conference after defeating the Temple Owls at Fertitta Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 3, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Cougars forward Fabian White Jr. (35) and head coach Kelvin Sampson and teammates celebrate winning the American Athletic Conference after defeating the Temple Owls at Fertitta Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Houston Cougars

No. 5 seed; 29-5

It’s really hard not to put the Houston Cougars No. 1 on this list. Kelvin Sampson’s team struggled down the stretch of the regular season, but they regrouped for the American Athletic Conference Tournament and won the championship. Now, they are a No. 5 seed in the South Region of the NCAA Tournament and could be UT’s worst nightmare in the Sweet 16 if the two meet.

Houston comes in with a 90.8 adjusted defense score, good for No. 11 in the country. The only team the Vols beat with a higher rating would be the LSU Tigers. However, like TCU, Houston would face the Vols in San Antonio if the two met up, so playing in Texas gives them another edge.

Of course, to get there, Houston would have to hold off the UAB Blazers in the first game, led by former Ole Miss Rebels coach Andy Kennedy. Then they’d have to upset the No. 4 seed Illinois Fighting Illini. Speaking of that, Illinois could be a threat to UT with a No. 31 adjusted defensive rating, but it wasn’t enough to outweigh the other schools.

Illinois’s Rond of 64, the Chattanooga Mocs, have a 94-ranked adjusted defensive rating. As a result, they aren’t a real threat either. Houston would pose one of the most difficult challenges to Rocky Top in March Madness if the two meet up.

Home/Vols Basketball