Tennessee vs Florida: 2021 SEC Tournament Quarterfinal game preview, TV schedule
By Matt Melton
When: 2:00 pm ET, Friday, March 12 on ESPN
Location: Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN
After Florida defeated Vanderbilt 69-63 in their first showing in Nashville on Thursday, the Gators and Volunteers will meet for the third time this season in a decisive rubber match with a spot in the SEC Tournament Semifinals on the line.
Tennessee finished the regular season 3-3 in their final six games, but it was enough to clinch the 4 seed and last bye in the SEC Tournament as the Volunteers finished the regular season 10-7 in the SEC, 17-7 overall.
The Volunteers won’t necessarily blow you away offensively, but Tennessee does display the 4th best defense in the country only allowing 62.7 PPG to opponents. The Volunteers are an experienced team led by seniors John Fulkerson and Yves Pons, as well as talented freshmen Keon Johnson and Jaden Springer.
Meanwhile, the Florida Gators advanced to the Quarterfinals with a 69-63 win on Thursday afternoon over Vanderbilt. The Gators were led by guard Tre Mann who finished with 22 points, seven rebounds, and six assists.
Florida is a team that won’t necessarily blow you away with stats, but have all the pieces needed to be a sleeper team in March. Mike White’s Gators average 74.6 PPG as a team while shooting 47% from the field. The Gators can beat you with many different players on any night such as Tre Mann, Colin Castleton, Tyree Appleby, and more.
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The Volunteers and Gators split the season series a game apiece during the regular season with the Gators blowing out Tennessee on their home court in January. This game could play out more like the meeting just last Sunday in Knoxville where the Vols defeated the Gators by 11 however. Expect a close game here with both teams needing a big win to help improve their seeding for the NCAA Tournament.
Prediction: Tennessee 70 Florida 66