The things we’ve spent all year hoping were true for the SEC are about to be fully realized. The league record for NCAA Tournament teams is six. Eight are in the most recent Bracket Matrix, and Mississippi State refuses to remove themselves from the conversation to make nine. And it […]
Author: Will Shelton
Tennessee 62 Florida 57 – Back to Business
It may not have been the most aesthetically pleasing win of the year, but Tennessee’s 62-57 victory over Florida provided validation on two important points. One: the Vols handled Florida’s elite guards. The Gators shot 35% from the floor, and 57 points is their second-lowest total on the year. Chiozza […]
Tennessee vs Florida Preview
We get as much mileage as we can out of the “picked to finish 13th in the SEC” narrative, but that story really changed as soon as the Vols beat Purdue. That was 91 days ago. Tennessee then increased its tournament profile in the most boring way possible: competitive losses […]
What does Tennessee’s best basketball look like in mid-February?
Five to go. Auburn just keeps winning, still two up on the Vols. The Tigers have a pair of games with South Carolina book-ending three tests against likely NCAA Tournament teams (Alabama, at Florida, at Arkansas). Tennessee has just one such test with Florida, plus two with Georgia and a […]
What Shouldn’t We Burn From This Film?
For whatever percentage of today was Tennessee feeling too good about itself, this loss was a good thing going forward. I don’t know how high that percentage is, but I’m sure it’s there after the win at Rupp and whispers of one seeds. The Vols were humbled today. And whatever […]
Tennessee at Alabama Preview
The race is on for the SEC title: Auburn opened the door with a one-point home loss to Texas A&M Wednesday night. The Tigers remain one game up on Tennessee with seven to play, two up if you’re looking to win this thing outright. The head-to-head police department is here […]
Tennessee Wins in Rupp Arena 61-59
If you are new to this team or this program in 2018, it’s hard to put into words what winning in Rupp Arena means for Tennessee. Take all this win means for this individual season – and it will be significant – and set it aside. We’ve got an extra […]
Tennessee at Kentucky Preview
You know the numbers by now: four wins in the 40-year history of Rupp Arena, none since 2006. Tonight an even bigger prize is on the table: Tennessee hasn’t swept Kentucky since 1999. In the north, Calipari calls for aid: We need you Tuesday to be at your best from […]
How High Could Tennessee Realistically Be Seeded?
If Tennessee’s third straight 20+ point win didn’t give you the vapors, this definitely will: Surprise losses by Duke and Kansas yesterday opened up the race for the fourth No. 1 seed (with Villanova, Virginia and Purdue near-locks). Behind them, chance to earn a No. 1 seed, per BPI: Tennessee: […]
Tennessee 94 Ole Miss 61 – What Great Teams Do
The Vols have been checking off all the signs of a great team this season: Signature wins (Purdue, Kentucky, get back to me on Texas A&M) Competitive with elite teams (Villanova, North Carolina, Auburn?) No bad losses The graduate-level version of no bad losses is, “Blow out bad teams.” Add […]