Tennessee’s No. 1 Seed Hopes Take a Hit with Loss to Ole Miss.

Tennessee’s No. 1 Seed Hopes Take a Hit with Loss to Ole Miss.

Tennessee’s quest for a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament took a significant hit Saturday night as the Volunteers fell to Ole Miss in a stunning 75-72 road loss. The defeat not only ends Tennessee’s recent hot streak but also shakes up the latest bracketology projections, pushing the Vols down to a No. 2 seed.

A Costly Slip-Up

Coming into the game, Tennessee (23-6, 13-3 SEC) was firmly in the conversation for a top seed in March Madness. With a string of impressive wins and a strong NET ranking, the Volunteers were making a compelling case to secure one of the four coveted No. 1 seeds. However, the loss to an unranked Ole Miss team (19-10, 9-7 SEC) puts them in a precarious position with just a few games remaining before Selection Sunday.

The Rebels, who have been inconsistent throughout the season, capitalized on Tennessee’s offensive struggles. Despite a late push from star guard Dalton Knecht, the Vols couldn’t overcome key turnovers and defensive lapses in the closing minutes.

Bracketology Impact

Prior to the loss, Tennessee was projected as a No. 1 seed in multiple bracketology forecasts, competing with teams like Purdue, Houston, and UConn for the top spots. However, this setback likely moves them behind teams such as Arizona and Kansas in the race for a top seed.

Joe Lunardi’s latest ESPN bracket update now places Tennessee as a No. 2 seed in the South Region, making their path to the Final Four potentially more challenging. With conference tournaments looming, the Vols still have an opportunity to regain their footing, but they may now need a strong showing in the SEC Tournament to reclaim a No. 1 seed.

What’s Next for Tennessee?

Rick Barnes and his squad will have little time to dwell on the loss, as they face two crucial regular-season games before heading into the SEC Tournament. A strong finish, coupled with a deep conference tournament run, could put them back in the No. 1 seed discussion. However, any further slip-ups could cement their place as a No. 2 seed come Selection Sunday.

For now, Tennessee remains a dangerous tournament team, but their margin for error just got smaller. If they want to lock up a top seed, they’ll need to prove they can handle the pressure when it matters most.