March Madness: Power ranking the Sweet 16 teams left in 2024 NCAA Tournament

6. Tennessee Volunteers

It hasn’t been the greatest NCAA Tournament performance collectively for the SEC, who suffered the top two early-round exits in Auburn and Kentucky. Just two teams in the league remain, including the Vols. Unlike the other two teams, this defense-first group has been able to take care of business.

The first opponent was Saint Peter’s who has some history as a 15-seed Cinderella. Yet Tennessee dominated from start to finish, holding the Peacocks to just 20 points at the half and coasting to an 83-49 win. Dalton Knecht led the team with 23 points, while Zakai Zeigler chipped in with 11 points and 10 assists.

It was a closer call in the Round of 32 versus Texas. The Vols held the Longhorns to just 19 points in the first half but their own offense didn’t allow them to put the game away. Luckily, Tennessee held on for the 62-58 win. Knecht didn’t shoot well (5/18 FG) but still finished with 18 points and nine rebounds.

It’s the third Sweet 16 appearance for Coach Rick Barnes at Tennesse but he’s yet to make the Elite 8. He’ll look to get past the Creighton Bluejays up next, another program looking to break past the second-weekend barrier to get to the Final Four.