Now that he's taking a break from coaching, Tom Crean has plenty of time to watch all the basketball he wants as an analyst for ESPN. This included checking out the Tennessee Vols showdown against Texas in the quarterfinals of the SEC Tournament.
On Friday, Chaz Lanier dominated play in the first half, while Zakai Zeigler, the new Tennessee single-season assists leader, was just as impressive in the second half. The Vols are now set to face Auburn in the SEC semifinals.
Regardless of how things go in that game, though, Crean sees Tennessee making a ton of noise throughout March Madness. While on set after the win over Texas, Crean didn't hesitate in saying he thinks the Vols can push for a trip to the Final Four. At the same time, he also said Rick Barnes and Co. could end up being in the natty conversation too. Boom:
Tom Crean just said on ESPN that this is a Final Four team… that Tennessee can also push for a National Championship. LFG #GBO
— All For Tennessee (@allfortennessee) March 14, 2025
ESPN's Tom Crean sees Tennessee pushing for a National Championship this season
It's hard not to get excited over what Crean had to say about the Vols. This team is riding high right now and things are only going to be made better for them if they can stun Auburn in Nashville on Saturday. That's not going to be easy, as Bruce Pearl has his guys looking quite sharp.
Should Tennessee win, a trip to the SEC title game will arrive, with either Florida or Alabama waiting. There's a strong belief that the last No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament will go to either Tennessee, Florida or Alabama, with the program that goes the furthest in the SEC tourney grabbing the spot.
The drama. Things are a bit up in the air there, but Tennessee most certainly has what it takes to go on a deep run once March Madness gets underway. Zeigler, Lanier, Jahmai Mashack, Igor Milicic and others are poised to make this a season to remember for Vols fans everywhere. Crean will be watching closely, as he likes the potential for this team as a whole.