Tennessee
Where Lady Vols stand in updated March Madness bracket predictions after Vanderbilt loss
Lady Vols basketball has officially played its way out of hosting the opening rounds of the NCAA Tournament.
No. 17 Tennessee (22-9) bowed out in the second round of the SEC tournament last week, and a deep run would have been its only hope to play its way back into the top 16 seeds. The Lady Vols now await their seeding for the NCAA tournament on Selection Sunday (8 p.m. ET, ESPN).
Here’s where Tennessee stands in the latest March Madness projections.
Lady Vols projected as a No. 5 seed
ESPN’s Charlie Creme said after Tennessee lost to Vanderbilt, there wasn’t a path for it to host as a top-16 seed. The second loss of the season to the Commodores was the Lady Vols’ third loss in their final four games before the NCAA tournament.
Creme projects Tennessee as a No. 5 seed in Spokane 2, which has UCLA as the No. 1 seed. The Lady Vols would be playing No. 12 seed Grand Canyon at Baylor, which would host as the No. 4 seed and play No. 13 UTSA.
The Athletic’s Mark Schindler is projecting Tennessee as a No. 5 seed in Birmingham, playing at Chapel Hill, North Carolina. No. 4 seed UNC Would host and play No. 13 seed Middle Tennessee. Schindler has UCLA as the No. 1 seed in that region.
Lady Vols basketball’s NCAA Tournament resume
The Lady Vols have three ranked wins against Iowa, UConn and Alabama. They also have seven wins over teams in the top 40 of the NCAA NET rankings – UConn, Ole Miss, Alabama, Florida State, Iowa, Richmond and Mississippi State. Eight of Tennessee’s losses are to teams ranked in the top 25 of the NET. The loss to Georgia is an eyesore on an otherwise strong resume with the Bulldogs ranked 106 in the NET.
Tennessee dropped to No. 14 in the NCAA NET rankings. It is 6-8 in Quad 1 games, 4-0 in Quad 2 games, 3-0 in Quad 3 and 9-1 in Quad 4. Five of the Lady Vols losses were to teams ranked in the top 10 at the time – Oklahoma, Texas, South Carolina and LSU twice – and all but one of their losses were by single digits. the 24-point loss at Kentucky was the only loss by more than eight points.
Lady Vols basketball’s NCAA Tournament history
The Lady Vols are the only program never to miss an NCAA Tournament.
Tennessee was a No. 6 seed in the 2024 NCAA Tournament, which was its lowest seeding since being a No. 11 seed in 2019. The Lady Vols were a top-16 seed for three straight seasons from 2021-23. They were a No. 3 seed in 2021 and a No. 4 seed in 2022 and 2023.
Tennessee made back-to-back trips to the Sweet 16 in 2022 and 2023 for the first time since since 2015 and 2016. The Lady Vols bowed out in the second round last year, losing 79-72 to No. 3 seed NC State.
Tennessee has won eight NCAA championships and made 18 trips to the Final Four. All of those happened under coach Pat Summitt, and the last time it did either was in 2008.
Cora Hall covers University of Tennessee women’s athletics. Email her at cora.hall@knoxnews.com and follow her on X @corahalll. If you enjoy Cora’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that allows you to access all of it.
Tennessee
Volunteers needed for community-wide cleanup day with Hands On Nashville
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — On Thursday, Hands On and NewsChannel 5 staff will come together for a community-wide cleanup day.
The event, sponsored by NewsChannel 5 will take place from 9:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. on Thursday, March 5 as we assist in winter storm cleanup.
If you’d like to help volunteer, you can sign up here.
Rhori, Carrie, Lelan and Brittany will all be helping assist residents removing and sorting debris.
Important details for those wishing to volunteer:
- This may require lifting and carrying objects that weigh 20+ pounds.
- Closed-toe shoes and long pants required. Heavy soles and steel toes preferred. Gloves and safety goggles will be provided, or you may bring your own.
- Current tetanus vaccination recommended. Chainsaws, utility crews, and heavy equipment will be active in the area.
- Volunteers under the age of 18 are prohibited from participating.
- Eat before you arrive and bring a water bottle, if needed.
Nashville’s Jefferson Street Sound Museum named stop on U.S. Civil Rights Trail
The Jefferson Street Sound Museum is a great little gem in North Nashville. The founder and curator turned his home into a museum to keep the legacy of historic Jefferson street alive. Now, it’s been named a stop on the U.S. Civil Rights Trail. Aaron Cantrell takes us inside.
– Lelan Statom
Tennessee
Vanderbilt women’s basketball beats Lady Vols for second-ever win in Knoxville
KNOXVILLE ― Vanderbilt women’s basketball won at Tennessee for only the second time in program history, beating the Lady Vols 87-77 at Food City Center on March 1.
The Commodores (27-3, 13-3) are the No. 2 seed in the SEC Tournament, which begins March 4 in Greenville, South Carolina.
The regular-season finale featured multiple runs by both teams. Tennessee went on an 8-0 run in the second quarter and took a six-point lead into halftime. Vanderbilt went on an 8-0 run to end the third quarter, then went a 10-0 run in the fourth to put the game away.
The Commodores, who shot 53% from the field, were led by Mikayla Blakes, who finished with 34 points. Aubrey Galvan had 24 points, four rebounds and five assists, and Sacha Washington had 16 points, eight rebounds and two assists.
“The season has been really special, to be able to end it here at Tennessee with a win and secure I think the No. 2 seed in the SEC tournament,” coach Shea Ralph said. “So the double bye, it feels really cool. I’m happy for the team, but we are literally just getting started.”
Tennessee (16-12, 8-8) outrebounded Vanderbilt 32-29. The Commodores shot 17-for-20 on layups and had 27 fast-break points. Tennessee was 10-for-24 on layups.
Vanderbilt’s SEC Tournament seed
The SEC Tournament will be held at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina. Vanderbilt will start play on March 6 and holds a bye into the quarterfinals, where it will play the No. 7 or No. 10 seed at approximately 5 p.m. CT.
Mikayla Blakes stats
Blakes put up another 30-point performance, her third straight and eighth in her past nine games. She added six rebounds and four assists, but also had six turnovers.
She made six 3-pointers, which ties her season high.
“She had 34 but her biggest buckets were when we had to happen,” Ralph said. “Her biggest moments in this game were when we had to happen. That kid shows up every time.”
Third straight rivalry win
Vanderbilt now has three straight wins over the Lady Vols, beating them last season in Nashville and once in the SEC Tournament.
“I think Tennessee is a great team,” Ralph said. “They will be for as long as women’s basketball exists. Playing here in front of this crowd is tough. It’s tough. So I was really proud of our team for being able to figure it out the second half and win, especially here at Tennessee.”
The Commodores have their most SEC wins in program history.
Aria Gerson covers Vanderbilt athletics for The Tennessean. Contact her at agerson@gannett.com or on X @aria_gerson.
Tennessee
Tennessee baseball vs Virginia Tech live updates: Highlights, TV channel
ARLINGTON, TX — Tennessee baseball is trying to wrap up the Amegy Bank College Baseball Series on a good note against Virginia Tech today.
The 19th-ranked Vols (7-3) lost to UCLA and beat Arizona State for a split at Globe Life Field, the home of the Texas Rangers. They’re finishing this trip against Virginia Tech (7-3), a game that began at 11:30 a.m. ET (FloCollege streaming).
Virginia Tech lost 10-0 by run rule to Texas A&M in Game 1 and lost 15-8 to Mississippi State in Game 2.
Lefthander Evan Blanco (1-1, 2.00 ERA) got the start for the Vols. Right-hander Ethan Grim (0-0, 3.75 ERA) started for Virginia Tech.
Follow live updates here from Arlington.
Tennessee baseball vs Virginia Tech live updates
Sam Grube struck out. Nick Lucorto singled to CF. Ethan Ball was hit by pitch to put runners on first and second. That ended UT starter Evan Blanco’s outing. Blanco allowed one run on two hits over 5 1/3 innings. He struck out six, walked one and hit three batters, tossing 91 pitches.
Left-hander Mark Hindy replaced Blanco. Hindy struck out Treyson Hughes. Hudson Lutterman fouled out to end the threat. 0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors, 2 LOB
Chris Newstrom grounded out. Manny Marin flied out to CF. Ariel Antigua popped out. 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors, 0 LOB.
Top 5th inning: Tennessee 1, Virginia Tech 1
UT starter Evan Blanco made quick work of the Hokies, getting a strikeout, groundout and flyout. 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors, 0 LOB
Bottom 4th inning: Tennessee 1, Virginia Tech 1
Levi Clark grounded out. Reese Chapman flied out to RCF. Tyler Myatt flied out to CF. 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors, 0 LOB.
Nick Lucorto hit a solo home run, driving a 1-2 pitch over the LF wall to tie the game 1-1. Ethan Ball was hit by pitch. Treyson Hughes fouled out. Hudson Letterman reached on fielder’s choice, but UT couldn’t turn the double play. Owen Petrich flied out to RF. 1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors, 1 LOB.
Chris Newstrom flied out. Manny Marin popped out. Ariel Antigua reached on an infield single when he hit a grounder to the first baseman and beat the pitcher to the bag. Jay Abernathy walked to put two runners on base with two outs. Henry Ford singled through the middle to score Antigua from second and move Abernathy to third. Vols lead 1-0. Blaine Brown struck out to end the inning. 1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors, 2 LOB.
Anderson French struck out. Pete Daniel walked and advanced to 2B on a balk. Sam Gates lined out. Sam Grube grounded out, stranding a runner on 2B. 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors, 1 LOB.
Levi Clark smashed a long flyout to the CF warning track, traveling more than 400 feet. Reese Chapman struck out. Tyler Myatt struck out. 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors, 0 LOB.
UT starter Evan Blanco only needed 12 pitches to get through a 1-2-3 inning, including two strikeouts. Treyson Hughes struck out. Hudson Lutterman flied out. Owen Pettrich struck out. 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors, 0 LOB.
Bottom 1st inning: Tennessee 0, Virginia Tech
Jay Abernathy struck out. Henry Ford flied out. Blaine Brown struck out. 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors, 0 LOB.
Top 1st inning: Virginia Tech 0, Tennessee 0
UT starter Evan Blanco hit leadoff hitter Sam Grube with a pitch. Nic Locurto flied out to RF. Grube was thrown by stealing by catcher Levi Clark. Ethan Ball struck out. 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors, 0 LOB.
What channel is Tennessee baseball vs Virginia Tech on today?
- TV channel: FloSports app on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, etc.
- Live stream: FloCollege streaming (for subscribers)
Tennessee baseball vs Virginia Tech time today
- 11:30 a.m. ET at Globe Life Field (Arlington, Texas)
Tennessee baseball vs Virginia Tech probable pitchers
- Tennessee: LHP Evan Blanco (1-1, 2.00 ERA)
- Virginia Tech: TBD
Tennessee in Amegy Bank College Baseball Series schedule
Adam Sparks is the Tennessee beat reporter. Email adam.sparks@knoxnews.com. X, formerly known as Twitter@AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.
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