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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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Ohio State Head Coach Chris Holtmann shouts during the NCAA men’s basketball game at the Schottenstein Center in Columbus, Ohio, on Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022.04 Ceb Osumb 0219 Ags
Ohio State Head Coach Chris Holtmann shouts during the NCAA men’s basketball game at the Schottenstein Center in Columbus, Ohio, on Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022.04 Ceb Osumb 0219 Ags /

2. Ohio State Buckeyes (7-seed) over Loyola-Chicago Ramblers (10-seed)

Friday, March 18 at 12:15 p.m. ET; PPG Paints Arena; Pittsburgh, Pa.; CBS

We now go to teams who would face the Vols in the Sweet 16. Not only do they belong here because they are closer to facing the Vols, but they belong in the top two because there is a clear-cut better team to root for in each situation. We start with a crazy March Madness scenario where Vol fans have to root for the Power Five team.

The Ohio State Buckeyes are the No. 7 seed, but they are a much better matchup for UT than the Loyola-Chicago Ramblers. Vol fans all remember Loyola-Chicago from four years ago. They lost to the No. 11 seed Ramblers, ironically with them as a No. 3 seed then as well, in the second round of the Big Dance. Loyola-Chicago reached the Final Four. Sister Jean is still around.

That alone makes them scary, but there’s more to it. Loyola-Chicago has the No. 23 ranked KenPom adjusted defensive rating. Ohio State is No. 130 in that category. As a result, it’s pretty obvious that the Vols would rather face Ohio State.

Beyond what’s best for UT, though, Ohio State is actually a tougher matchup for the Villanova Wildcats, who the Vols want eliminated. The winner of this game would likely face Villanova in the second round of March Madness, and the game is in Pittsburgh, which is two hours closer to Columbus than Philly. As a result, Ohio State winning may double-benefit UT.

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