BracketVOLogy: Where Major Outlets Have Tennessee Seeded Headed into Champ Week

Image: Andrew Ferguson/Tennessee Athletics

By Aidan Sidoti

Tennessee hoops finished the regular season at 21-10 overall and 11-7 in SEC play, entering tournament week with the No. 5 seed in the conference. The Vols have dropped three of their last four, but their résumé remains solid with five Quad 1 victories, a No. 21 NET ranking, and a No. 15 KenPom rating as they head into postseason play.

Joe Lunardi (ESPN)

Lunardi still keeps Tennessee on the 5‑seed line , projecting the Vols to face 12‑seeded Northern Iowa, the Missouri Valley Conference champions, in Portland. A potential second-round matchup with Gonzaga could await Tennessee in the second round.

Jerry Palm (CBS Sports)

Palm dropped Tennessee down to the 6‑seed after the Vols’ home loss to Vanderbilt, projecting a first‑round matchup against 11‑seed Santa Clara in St. Louis. If Tennessee advances, Palm forecasts a potential second‑round meeting with Nebraska.

Andy Katz (NCAA.com)

Katz did not move Tennessee down a seed line following the Vols’ 1-1 week, keeping them as a 6 seed and matched up with 11-seed MAC leader Miami (OH). His bracket sends Tennessee to Oklahoma City with a potential second‑round matchup against Nebraska.

 Kevin Sweeney (Sports Illustrated)

Sweeney dropped Tennessee down to the 6‑seed line, sending the Vols to St. Louis for a first‑round matchup with Miami (OH). A potential second‑round showdown with Iowa State looms if Tennessee advances.

Brad Wachtel (Hoops HQ)

Wachtel places the Vols as a 5 seed in Greenville, SC. His bracket pairs Tennessee with Yale in the opening round and Virginia as the likely second-round opponent.

Mike DeCourcy (Fox Sports)

DeCourcy slots Tennessee as a 6‑seed, matching the Vols up in St. Louis against projected 11-seed SMU. If Tennessee advances, a likely second‑round matchup with 3‑seed Iowa State would be awaiting.

Tennessee plays the winner of Mississippi State and desperate bubble team Auburn on Thursday at approximately 3 p.m. Eastern on SEC Network. A strong showing in Nashville could lock the Vols into the 5‑seed range for the NCAA Tournament as they look to steady themselves heading into Selection Sunday.