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March Madness 2022: NCAA Tournament Round of 64 rooting guide for Tennessee Vols fans

By Caleb Calhoun

Nov 9, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers mascot Smokey entertains the crowd during the second half against the Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks at Thompson-Boling Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 9, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers mascot Smokey entertains the crowd during the second half against the Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks at Thompson-Boling Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 1, 2022; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Seton Hall Pirates head coach Kevin Willard yells against the Georgetown Hoyas during the first half at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 1, 2022; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Seton Hall Pirates head coach Kevin Willard yells against the Georgetown Hoyas during the first half at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Seton Hall Pirates (8-seed) over TCU Horned Frogs (9-seed)

Friday, March 18 at 9:57 p.m. ET; Viejas Arena; San Diego, Calif.; truTV

Unlike Michigan and Colorado State, the Seton Hall Pirates and TCU Horned Frogs both fall in the required KenPom adjusted defensive efficiency rating to be able to beat the Vols. Seton Hall is ranked No. 27 in that category, and TCU is ranked No. 24.

As a result, it’s a toss-up on paper who’s a tougher match than the Vols, and given the fact that they wouldn’t meet until the Elite Eight of March Madness, it should be even more irrelevant. However, TCU is actually the toughest matchup for UT among anybody we named, even Illinois, which was No. 32 in adjusted defensive efficiency.

That’s because if the Vols do face TCU in the Elite Eight, it will be in San Antonio. They don’t want to effectively play a road game, so it’s best for them, if they make it that far, to see TCU eliminated beforehand. There’s another reason to want TCU gone as well.

The Seton Hall Pirates are probably a bit better of a matchup vs. Arizona in the second round because they have three post players who see regular minutes in Tray Jackson, Tyrese Samuel and Alex Yetna. Bigs are how you upset the Wildcats. TCU just has Emanuel Miller and Eddie Lampkin, and Miller is undersized. Possible knocking off Arizona is another reason to root for Seton Hall.

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