Well, this season has been about as inconsistent as one season can be. With upset wins like the 79-73 victory over then-No. 17 Alabama and losses like the 91-67 blowout defeat at the hands of the then-unranked Florida Gators, the Tennessee Volunteers have struggled to find their footing.
Now, there are just six regular-season games remaining, and the Vols' biggest fears could become a reality, no matter how strongly fans try to avoid that truth.
Tennessee men's basketball remaining regular-season games
- vs. Oklahoma Sooners - Feb. 18
- at No. 19 Vanderbilt Commodores - Feb. 21
- at Missouri Tigers - Feb. 24
- vs. No. 25 Alabama Crimson Tide - Feb. 28
- at South Carolina Gamecocks - March 3
- vs. No. 19 Vanderbilt Commodores - March 7
There isn't a single easy matchup on the Volunteers' remaining schedule, especially as the Crimson Tide looks for revenge and the Commodores look to sweep their in-state conference rival.
It's the SEC, after all. It's one of the most dominant basketball conferences in the country, and while it hasn't played at the same caliber as last year, there are no easy games in the conference.
If they lose out, and don't win the SEC Tournament, then the Volunteers could very likely miss the NCAA Tournament entirely.
Of course, there is always the SEC Tournament, but this year's Tennessee team feels like a far cry from a squad that could storm through the entire bracket to secure the conference title. Even head coach Rick Barnes has expressed his displeasure with the team's effort on numerous occasions.
Now, none of this is to say that it is already time to hit the panic button. ESPN's Joe Lunardi has the Vols in the Big Dance as a No. 6 seed. So, not all hope is lost yet.
However, it is time for Tennessee to have a serious look in the mirror and start playing its best ball yet. There's no need for March to be filled with actual madness.
First things first, the Vols have to face the Sooners tonight, and it could be the first step (of many) to cement their place in the NCAA Tournament. Tennessee and Oklahoma are scheduled to tip off at 7 p.m. ET, and the game will be aired on ESPN2.