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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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Nov 20, 2021; Uncasville, Connecticut, USA; Tennessee Volunteers guard Kennedy Chandler (1) shoots against the Villanova Wildcats during the first half at Mohegan Sun Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 20, 2021; Uncasville, Connecticut, USA; Tennessee Volunteers guard Kennedy Chandler (1) shoots against the Villanova Wildcats during the first half at Mohegan Sun Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Villanova Wildcats

No. 2 seed; 26-7

This one’s based off of that adjusted defensive rating stat and the actual history of what we saw this year. Tennessee basketball got blown off the floor by Jay Wright and the Villanova Wildcats in a November matchup, losing 71-53 in the Hall of Fame Tip Off semifinals. It’s pretty obvious with that the Vols wouldn’t want to see them in March Madness.

How did Villanova hold them to 53 points? Well, they have an adjusted defensive rating of 93.8, good for No. 28 in the nation. Now, it’s true that Houston, Loyola-Chicago and TCU all have higher adjusted defensive ratings than Villanova. Actually, Seton Hall does too, which makes a case for Villanova to not be here.

However, what we’ve seen on the court has to count along with stats, so that blowout of the Vols is a factor. What about momentum? UT has won 15 of 17 and seven straight, including the SEC Tournament Championship. Well, ‘Nova has won 13 of 15, is on a five-game winning streak and just captured the Big East Tournament Championship.

Simply put, Villanova is almost as hot as the Vols. These two teams are the favorites to meet in the Sweet 16. Of course, there are the No. 15 seed Delaware Blue Hens, but in addition to not having a top 200 adjusted defensive rating, no 15-seed has made the Elite Eight, so if UT and Delaware met in the Sweet 16, it shouldn’t be tough at all.

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