Will the Tennessee Vols be able to make program history this year? The men's hoops team has never reached the Final Four, but this team no question has the talent to get the job done. Come Thursday night, the tourney will begin against No. 15 Wofford.
Should Tennessee post a win, which just about everyone is expecting, a second-round dance with either UCLA or Utah State will be on the way. From our chair, Tennessee should have no issues at all moving on to the Sweet Sixteen.
College hoops expert Andy Katz disagrees? That's right. Katz released his bracket not too long after Selection Sunday wrapped up. In his mind, he sees the Vols and Bruins facing off in the second round, with UCLA posting an upset against Tennessee. This would be a nightmare for Rick Barnes.
Andy Katz's bracket!
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 17, 2025
Auburn 🏆
Maryland 👉 Final Four 🐢
Three 10-seeds win their first game 👀
Don't forget to get YOUR bracket in too: https://t.co/EDKsOdCAFv#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/8RtcdVAFrZ
Andy Katz has predicted the Tennessee Vols to lose in the second round of March Madness
UCLA is a talented team too, but we can't say they're at the same level of the Vols. There's a reason Tennessee is the No. 2 seed in the Midwest Region, as this group was in a spot to potentially take home a No. 1 seed late in the campaign.
Regardless of what Katz has in mind, it doesn't change the fact that Tennessee is going to be taking things one game at a time. First up is a showdown with the Terriers, a game UT is a heavy favorite for. Zakai Zeigler, Chaz Lanier and Co. will be focused.
This contest comes after the loss in the SEC Tournament Championship Game to Florida. The Gators, a No. 1 seed, were able to pull away late, which was disappointing for Tennessee. However, it will only motivate the Vols to get back to business and post some impressive wins. They'll also hope to prove Katz wrong as well.