Tennessee basketball is just past the halfway point of the season, and the Vols have put together a solid campaign so far. They sit at 12-5, with four of those five losses coming against teams projected to make the NCAA Tournament. While Rick Barnes' team has been inconsistent this year, they are one of the best defensive teams in the nation, and they have a veteran point guard in Ja'Kobi Gillespie who can put the Vols on his back in March.
When it comes to where the Vols stand in bracketology, most experts agree on which seed line they belong to. It's still early, and Tennessee has a long SEC schedule ahead, but let's take a look at where they fall right now.
Where does Tennessee land in bracketology?
ESPN: 6 seed vs 11 seed McNeese State, West region, Oklahoma City pod
Analysis: Joe Lunardi has the Vols as a 6 seed versus 11 seed McNeese State. If Tennessee were to win, they would have a potential rematch against 3 seed Houston or 14 seed Portland State. This is in the Oklahoma City pod so that it would be a very near-home game for the Cougars.
CBS Sports: 6 seed vs 11 seed Miami (OH), Midwest region, pod N/A
Analysis: Miami (OH) would be a difficult draw for the Vols. The RedHawks are 18-0 right now and are the type of pesky team that makes a run in March. They can shoot the lights out (39.2% from three) and consistently push the floor. If Tennessee could get past Miami, they would play the winner of the 3 seed Michigan State versus the 14 seed Wright State.
On3: 5 seed vs 12 seed Liberty, Midwest region, pod N/A
Analysis: This would be the best draw for the Vols, in my opinion. Not only is it the best seed line, but it is also in the Midwest region. Tennessee would play the winner of Kansas vs Hawaii. The Vols lost to Kansas once, but its extremly difficult to beat a team twice in one year. Plus, who knows where Kansas star Darryn Peterson will be health-wise at that time.