Vols legend Peyton Manning steals the show early for Tennessee vs. Kentucky

Manning in the house showing love for the Vols.
Georgia v Tennessee
Georgia v Tennessee | Silas Walker/GettyImages

Anyone else nervous out there? The Tennessee Vols are in action against the Kentucky Wildcats on Friday night and a trip to the Elite Eight is on the line. With a win, the Vols will move one step closer to reaching the Final Four for the first time in program history.

There are plenty of fans on the edge of their seats in Indianapolis, and the list includes Vols legend Peyton Manning? You better believe it. This game is being played at Lucas Oil Stadium, the house that Manning built. Early on, the cameras have caught him multiple times decked out in UT gear, including after Zakai Zeigler drilled a 3-pointer:

Peyton Manning is loving what he's seeing out of Tennessee vs. Kentucky

Anyone else think Manning has some jitters going? This is one of the biggest games in Tennessee men's basketball history. The fact that it's going up against Kentucky too adds to the drama. Thus far in the Big Dance, the Vols have been quite sharp.

In Round 1, Tennessee had no issues against Wofford and then more of the same was on display in the second round against UCLA. Chaz Lanier has been tremendous, while Zeigler continues to look like one of the best point guards in the country.

Early on, Tennessee is looking pretty darn sharp against Kentucky, but after what Texas Tech was able to get done against Arkansas on Friday, everyone knows nothing is done until after the final whistle. Tennessee entered the game 0-2 vs UK this season, a major disappointment.

What would be better for the Vols as a whole then to get a game back on Kentucky, while also ending its season in the process? Rick Barnes would 100 percent have a smile on his face, while Manning would be elated too. Soon enough, we'll find out if that will be the case or not.

Schedule

Schedule