Remember how great Tennessee basketball fans were feeling over the weekend after taking down Alabama? It was an unreal win, but the feeling surrounding the program has done a total 180. On Wednesday night, in stunning fashion, the Vols suffered a heartbreaking loss to Ole Miss.
This was a game Tennessee had no business losing, plain and simple. However, Ole Miss made the necessary plays late in the action and UT did not. Just earlier this week, it felt like it was written in the stars that the Vols would earn a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history.
Instead, it's now looking like that's not going to be the case. In his latest bracketology for ESPN, the one and only Joe Lunardi has dropped Tennessee, giving them a No. 2 seed. Florida, following its win over Alabama on Wednesday, has grabbed the last No. 1 spot:
— Joe Lunardi (@ESPNLunardi) March 6, 2025
Tennessee is now projected to grab a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament
What made the Vols' loss to Ole Miss even worse was that the Florida Gators indeed went to Tuscaloosa and ruined senior night for Alabama. That's right, Florida, which also beat Tennessee by 30 points earlier in the season, posted another impressive win on the road.
Florida also has a win over Auburn on its resume. Barring a major surprise, the expectation is that Florida will end up grabbing the final No. 1 seed for the Big Dance and the Vols will be taking home a No. 2 seed. In Lunardi's new projection, Tennessee will be in the Midwest Region, with Houston holding the top spot there.
This weekend, Tennessee will take on South Carolina at home in a game they simply must win. Florida will be hosting Ole Miss, as Chris Beard and Co. will look to post a second consecutive upset. It's been a year to remember for Tennessee, but the setback vs. the Rebels is going to prove to be an infuriating one.