By Ron Wynn
NASHVILLE, TN — Despite a disappointing SEC Tournament semifinal loss to Alabama, the Tennessee Volunteers are back in the NCAA Tournament. It was announced Sunday that the 18-8 Volunteers would be facing Oregon State (17-12), the surprise winners of the Pac-12 Tournament, Friday in Indianapolis. The Volunteers are seeded fifth in the Midwest region, Oregon State 12th, although this year despite the various regional designations, all the games are in Indiana. Most will be played in Indianapolis, with others at scattered sites in the state.
Tennessee had eventual SEC Tournament winner Alabama on the ropes, but blew a 15-point second half lead and eventually lost. However they had more than enough quality wins to reach the tournament. They may be shorthanded going into the game though. Senior forward John Fulkerson’s status remained unclear at press time. He suffered a facial fracture last Friday after being elbowed twice in the head by Florida’s Omar Payne. Fulkerson also suffered a concussion and is being evaluated daily.
With Tennessee, defensive excellence has been the one constant. Against Florida and for much of the Alabama game it was a key factor. But for much of the second half, offensive execution has been inconsistent, and that coupled with an 11-minute stretch that saw them commit 11 turnovers proved their undoing. If they get by Oregon State, their next opponent would be either third-seeded Oklahoma State (20-8), which features potential top NBA Draft pick Cade Cunningham, or A-Sun regular season and tournament title winner Liberty (23-5), the 14th seed. Illinois, which won the Big Ten Tournament Sunday, is the region’s No. 1 seed and could face Tennessee in the Sweet 16 if they made it that far.
The Volunteers are in their third straight NCAA Tournament under head coach Rick Barnes. The 2020 NCAA Tournament was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Tennessee made the NCAA Tournament in 2018 and 2019, its first two appearances under Barnes. The Vols were a number three seed in 2018 before falling in the second round to Loyola-Chicago, which is the No. 8 seed in UT’s region in 2021. Tennessee was a number two seed for the third time in program history in 2019. The Vols lost to Purdue in overtime in the Sweet 16. Tennessee has only been seeded fifth once previously. The Vols reached the Sweet 16 in 2007 before falling to top-seeded Ohio State.
The Belmont Bruins, despite having 26 wins, were left out of the NIT Tournament, which was reduced this season from 32 to 16 teams due to COVID-19. They are the first team out, which means if any team selected bows out they would be the first replacement. The Lady Vols are back in the Women’s NCAA Tournament. Their opponent and destination had not yet been announced.
