NCAA Basketball: Ranking the 10 matchups for 2022 Big 12 vs SEC Challenge

1. Tennessee at Texas

Rick Barnes return to Austin

The combination of fans returning to arena’s, as well as, a re-union a decade in the making makes Tennessee vs. Texas the most interesting matchup this season. The Longhorn faithful will be on the opposite end of the spectrum when Chris Beard makes his return to Lubbock during the season.

Tennessee has been one of the most successful teams from the SEC during the challenge, going 5-2. Their most recent win was a 21 point dismantling of the Kansas Jayhawks. Texas is on the opposite end as they are 3-4 and did not play in their game last year against Kentucky, due to COVID-19 protocols.

The Vols landed a fantastic 2020 recruiting class in Jaden Springer and Keon Johnson. However, both of them are heading for the pros. Victor Bailey is expected to return alongside John Fulkerson, who will use the extra year of eligibility. After the success of those two one-and-dones, Barnes outdid himself with the 2021-2022 class.

The most exciting freshman in the conference is expected to be guard Kennedy Chandler. Barnes added a second five star in Brandon Huntley-Hatfield and is landing Justin Powell, who was a major impact at Auburn the year prior.

With Tennessee having one of the best-recruiting classes in the country, Texas had one of the best success in the portal. The Longhorns snagged a player at basically every position, lead by Kentucky’s Devin Askew.

The Longhorn strengthened the wing position, with Creighton’s Christian Bishop, Vanderbilt’s Dylan Disu, and Utah’s Timmy Allen.

This game is loaded with talent and adds more intrigue with Barnes heading back to his old stomping grounds. The top half of the Challenge is loaded and might be one of the best in recent memory. Texas vs. Tennessee is the pick that takes the cake as not only the most intriguing but the best game.