6. Tennessee (2-seed)
With fantastic defense and timely offense, Tennessee has hung around in a really tough SEC this season. The Volunteers have built their reputation in recent years on that defense, with Rick Barnes’ teams sometimes falling out of games because of their offensive failings. That did happen a few times this season, but Tennessee also picked up some very impressive wins even down the stretch this season.
After a 14-0 start, Tennessee was the final unbeaten team this season. Wins over elite squads like Auburn, Florida, and Alabama would follow during a 12-6 run through SEC play and a trip to the finals of the SEC Tournament. Zakai Zeigler continues to be one of the most talented point guards in the nation while transfer Chaz Lanier has graciously stepped in as a menace on offense.
The Big Dance has treated the Volunteers relatively well in recent years and they’re in the Sweet Sixteen for a third straight season. Tennessee took care of 15-seed Wofford on Thursday before doing necessary work for a late night win over 7-seed UCLA on Saturday. Neither performance was perfect, but the shots were falling against the Bruins and the Volunteers can still pack a punch on their game.
What can really sink Tennessee is those offensive shortcomings, needing Lanier and the other talent to stay on their game for the rest of this run. The Volunteers aren’t the flashiest team left in the field and no one ever considered them the top dog in the SEC, but they have the talent and experience to make noise, looking to return to the Elite Eight for a second year in a row.