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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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Tennessee guard Santiago Vescovi (25) and Arizona forward Azuolas Tubelis (10) fight for a loose ball 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 Santiago Vescovi (25) and Arizona forward Azuolas Tubelis (10) fight for a loose ball 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 /

1. Arizona Wildcats

No. 1 seed; 31-3

light. Related Story. Vols' road to the Final Four

Yes, Tennessee basketball beat the Arizona Wildcats. They were playing at home, where they’re undefeated this year, it was at an odd time in December, and they only won by four. Simply put, it would probably be a different story if the two met up in March Madness.

Arizona’s KenPom adjusted defensive rating is 92.4, good for No. 20 in the nation. Obviously, neither of their potential Sweet 16 opponents is a threat to the Vols, but their potential Round of 32 opponent would be. Seton Hall and TCU could both give the Vols trouble. Neither could give the trouble Tommy Lloyd’s team gives.

Weirdly, to be fair to Rocky Top, Arizona lost to the Colorado Buffaloes on the road, which the Vols didn’t fail to do. That’s certainly another point in their favor. Overall, though, it’s just hard to beat an elite team like Arizona twice, so if the Vols did meet up with them, which would be in the Elite Eight, they would be at a major disadvantage.

Next. Top five Vols in NCAA Tourney ranked by importance. dark

Question the obsession with the KenPom adjusted defensive rankings all you want. The fact of the matter is Tennessee basketball is 8-6 against top 30 teams and 6-6 against top 28 teams, as sweeping the South Carolina Gamecocks helped their record. As a result, these teams plus Seton Hall and maybe Illinois will be their roadblocks to the Final Four.

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