All for Tennessee
Fansided

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 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 7
Next
Mar 16, 2022; Dayton, Ohio, USA; Wright State Raiders guard Tanner Holden (2) reacts to defeating Bryant University Bulldogs at University of Dayton Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 16, 2022; Dayton, Ohio, USA; Wright State Raiders guard Tanner Holden (2) reacts to defeating Bryant University Bulldogs at University of Dayton Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Wright State Raiders (16-seed) over Arizona Wildcats (1-seed)

Friday, March 18 7:27 p.m. ET; Viejas Arena; San Diego, Calif.; truTV

After beating the Bryant Bulldogs 93-82 Wednesday night in the play-in game, the Wright State Raiders are the No. 16 seed who will face the Arizona Wildcats in the March Madness Round of 64. The Vols are actually familiar with this program, having faced them back in 2018, Rick Barnes’ first NCAA Tournament game as head coach at UT.

Well, it’s pretty obvious UT fans should root for Wright State here. Okay, beyond seeding, let’s bring up KenPom’s adjusted defensive stat again. Arizona is No. 20, and Wright State is No. 256. Obviously, Arizona would be a much tougher matchup for the Vols, and you didn’t need that stat to know such a fact.

However, Vol fans may feel a bit arrogant about this given how they beat Arizona this year, one of three teams to do so. They shouldn’t. That was in Knoxville, and Tommy Lloyd’s team hasn’t lost any game at home or even on a neutral court this year.

As a result, Wright State being the second No. 16 seed team to pull off the upset of a No. 1 seed team should be high on the priority of Rocky Top. Although the Vols wouldn’t face Arizona until the Elite Eight, any chance to get them eliminated is crucial if they want the best chance at reaching the Final Four.

Home/Vols Basketball