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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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Mar 12, 2022; Frisco, TX, USA; UAB Blazers guard Jordan Walker (10) takes a selfie video with UAB Blazers head coach Andy Kennedy and the rest of the team after defeating the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs 82-73 in the Conference USA basketball tournament championship game at Ford Center at The Star. Mandatory Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre-USA TODAY Sports”
Mar 12, 2022; Frisco, TX, USA; UAB Blazers guard Jordan Walker (10) takes a selfie video with UAB Blazers head coach Andy Kennedy and the rest of the team after defeating the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs 82-73 in the Conference USA basketball tournament championship game at Ford Center at The Star. Mandatory Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre-USA TODAY Sports” /

4. UAB Blazers (12-seed) over Houston Cougars (5-seed)

Friday, March 18 at 9:20 p.m. ET; PPG Paints Arena; Pittsburgh, Pa.; TNT

Once again, this is a matchup involving two teams the Vols wouldn’t see until the Elite Eight. However, there is a clear team they would wish to avoid, and this disparity is much more clear than Seton Hall and TCU when you look at the numbers.

First, going back to the reliable KenPom adjusted defensive ratings, Houston is ranked No. 11 nationally. UAB is ranked No. 88. As a result, beyond the seeding, Houston is tougher for the Vols. Then there’s the fact that the Vols would play either team, as mentioned on the previous slide, in San Antonio, so Houston would again have home court advantage.

That makes the rooting interest clear. Now, there’s one caveat. Houston has a better shot to beat Arizona, which Vol fans should hope for. However, they would be so difficult in the Elite Eight matchup that it’s not worth it. In fact, Vol fans should root for Illinois over them as well.

Kelvin Sampson’s team is red-hot right now, having just won the American Athletic Conference Championship. They are feeling it just like Tennessee basketball is. If the two face off in Texas in the Elite Eight, that’s not a March Madness matchup the Vols want to have to deal with.

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