Tennessee

Why winning SEC Tournament does (and doesn’t) matter to Tennessee basketball

Published

2 years ago

March 14, 2024

Why winning SEC Tournament does (and doesn’t) matter to Tennessee basketball

More than a trophy is at stake when the Tennessee basketball team takes the floor at the SEC Tournament in Nashville this week. A No. 1 seed could be on the line for the Vols (24-7).

Some bracket experts are projecting Tennessee as a No. 1 seed for the NCAA Tournament, but such outlooks are subject to fluctuation. If the Vols bow out early in the conference tournament, they could surrender the inside track to a top seed. If they cut down the nets Sunday in Nashville, that likely would cement a No. 1 seed for Tennessee.

But, to what extent does that even matter?

On this edition of “The Volunteer State,” Blake Toppmeyer of the USA TODAY Network and the News Sentinel’s Mike Wilson discuss the importance (or lack thereof) of the SEC Tournament for Tennessee.

Here’s why this event does and doesn’t matter to the Vols.

Why the SEC Tournament matters to Tennessee

1. A No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament unlocks a better shot at the Final Four. The Vols have never reached a Final Four. They’ve also never been a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Rick Barnes’ best team before this season was the 2018-19 squad led by Grant Williams and Admiral Schofield. That team earned a No. 2 NCAA seed and lost to No. 3-seed Purdue in the Sweet 16. Three of the four No. 1 seeds reached at least the Elite Eight that year. Statistically speaking, a No. 1 seed has nearly twice the probability of reaching the Final Four as a No. 2 seed. It pays to be a No. 1 seed, and winning the SEC Tournament should help Tennessee secure a spot on the 1-line.

TENNESSEE BASKETBALL: How important is an NCAA Tournament No. 1 seed to Vols? Rick Barnes isn’t sure

BRACKETOLOGY: Where Tennessee basketball stands in updated March Madness bracket predictions

TOPPMEYER: What Geno Auriemma would say about Dawn Staley’s undefeated quest with South Carolina

2. Best to avoid Purdue, UConn and Houston. Three of the four No. 1 seeds aren’t up for debate. Purdue, UConn and Houston have been the nation’s best teams throughout the season. Best to avoid them for as long as possible. A No. 1 seed means Tennessee would avoid each member of that trio until at least the Final Four.

3. Trophies are neat. Winning the SEC Tournament isn’t the ultimate prize, but it still counts as an achievement for a program that has won the conference tournament just once from 1980 through present date. That occurred in 2022.

Why the SEC Tournament doesn’t matter to Tennessee

1. Momentum from a conference tournament crown is mostly a myth. UConn won last season’s national championship after losing in the Big East Tournament semifinals. Of the last five teams to win the SEC Tournament, only one advanced beyond the Sweet 16. When Tennessee won the SEC Tournament in 2022, it lost in the NCAA’s second round. As we’ve established, a No. 1 NCAA seed means there’s plenty to play for in Nashville. Just don’t confuse SEC Tournament success as relevant momentum for the Big Dance.

2. Need some extra rest? Tennessee could win three games in as many days … or, it could lose early and rest those legs for the NCAA Tournament. While not a terrible strategy, here’s a better idea: Do enough in Nashville to secure that No. 1 NCAA seed.

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Blake Toppmeyer is the USA TODAY Network’s SEC Columnist and a published author. Mike Wilson hasn’t authored any books, but he covers the Vols with award-winning coverage for the News Sentinel. You can subscribe to read all their coverage, or check out the SEC Unfiltered newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. They also host the acclaimed “SEC Football Unfiltered” podcast.

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Tennessee

Joshua Jefferson injury update, Iowa State star questionable vs Tennessee basketball

Published

7 hours ago

March 27, 2026

Press Room

Joshua Jefferson injury update, Iowa State star questionable vs Tennessee basketball

CHICAGO − Iowa State’s star forward Joshua Jefferson is questionable against Tennessee basketball according to the NCAA player availability report released at 6:32 p.m.

The No. 6 Vols (24-11) and No. 2 Cyclones (29-7) play in the Men’s NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 at the United Center on March 27 (10:10 p.m. ET, TBS).

Jefferson sprained his ankle in the opening minutes of Iowa State’s first-round game against Tennessee State. He sat for the remainder of the game and missed the Cyclones’ win over Kentucky on March 22. Iowa State didn’t need the All-Big 12 forward as it generated 20 Wildcat turnovers in its 19-point victory.

Senior Nate Heise started in place of the 6-foot-9 Jefferson. He had 12 points against Kentucky, but senior Tamin Lipsey stepped up with a season-high 26 points and 10 assists.

Jefferson averaged 16.4 points, 7.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.6 steals and shot 47.1% from the field.

Wynton Jackson covers high school sports for Knox News. Email: wynton.jackson@knoxnews.com

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Tennessee

What channel is Vanderbilt baseball vs Tennessee on today? Time, TV schedule to watch game

Published

19 hours ago

March 27, 2026

Press Room

What channel is Vanderbilt baseball vs Tennessee on today? Time, TV schedule to watch game

Vanderbilt baseball is back home in SEC play against Tennessee, beginning on March 27 at Hawkins Field.

The Commodores (14-12, 2-4 SEC) were swept at Mississippi State last weekend to fall below .500 early in league play.

Tennessee (18-7, 3-3) lost the Friday opener to Missouri last weekend, then rebounded with two wins to take the series.

Here’s how you can watch Vanderbilt baseball vs Tennessee:

Vanderbilt baseball vs Tennessee on March 27 will be televised on SEC Network.

Game 1 start time: 7 p.m on March 27, ESPNU
Game 2 start time: 1 p.m. on March 28, SEC Network
Game 3 start time: 11 a.m on March 29, ESPN2

Feb. 13: vs. TCU in Arlington, Texas, L 5-4
Feb. 14: vs. Texas Tech in Arlington, Texas, W 13-3 (8 innings)
Feb. 15: vs. Oklahoma State in Arlington, Texas, L 11-1 (8 innings)
Feb. 17: Eastern Michigan, W 13-2 (7 innings)
Feb. 18: Eastern Michigan, W 16-2 (8 innings)
Feb. 20: Marist, W 16-5 (8 innings)
Feb. 21: Marist, W 12-1 (7 innings)
Feb. 22: Marist, W 8-1
Feb. 24: Evansville, W 15-3 (7 innings)
Feb. 27: vs. UC Irvine in Las Vegas, L 9-4
Feb. 28: vs. Arizona State in Las Vegas, L 5-1
March 1: vs. Oregon in Las Vegas, L 6-4
March 3: Central Arkansas, L 5-4
March 4: Troy, W 4-1
March 6: North Dakota State, W 14-2 (7 innings)
March 7: North Dakota State, W 10-0 (8 innings)
March 8: North Dakota State, L 5-2
March 10: Indiana State, W 14-6
March 13: LSU, W 13-12
March 14: LSU, W 11-3
March 15: LSU, L 16-9
March 17: Indiana, L 5-1
March 20: at Mississippi State, L 4-2
March 21: at Mississippi State, L 7-2
March 22: at Mississippi State, L 17-7 (7)
March 24: Tennessee Tech, W 15-5 (8)
March 27: Tennessee, 7 p.m on ESPNU
March 28: Tennessee, 1 p.m on SEC Network
March 29: Tennessee, 11 a.m on ESPN2
March 31: Belmont
April 2-4: at Texas A&M
April 7: EKU
April 9-11: Oklahoma
April 14: Lipscomb
April 17-19: Kentucky
April 21: Xavier
April 24-26: Texas
April 28: MTSU
April 30-May 2: at Alabama
May 5: Louisville
May 8-10: at Missouri
May 14-16: South Carolina

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Tennessee basketball legend Chris Lofton enjoying unexpected Vol Network role | Estes

Published

1 day ago

March 26, 2026

Press Room

Tennessee basketball legend Chris Lofton enjoying unexpected Vol Network role | Estes

CHICAGO – As Tennessee basketball’s newest Sweet 16 team was on the court at the United Center, prepping for Iowa State, the best pure shooter in the building sat on the side in a hoodie.

Chris Lofton, as always, was looking for his shot.

“I’m ready to shoot now, you know?” he said with a laugh. “When they start stretching, I’ll get a shot up or two for sure. I tell Mike (Keith) all the time, ‘If we go to the gym and there’s a basketball, I have to shoot it.’ That’s just a rule. I’ve got to shoot at least once.”

Though his last professional basketball game was in 2019, Lofton still gets on the court occasionally, and when he does, he can still shoot it.

Tennessee star freshman Nate Ament can confirm. He’s seen it.

“Really good,” Ament said of Lofton. “Even now.”

He’s a radio guy now, though.

Lofton is finishing a season back in Knoxville as part of the newly built Vol Network crew for men’s basketball games. He has been working with new play-by-play man Mike Keith, the former voice of the Tennessee Titans, among those tasked with replacing longtime Vols duo of Bob Kesling and Bert Bertelkamp.

“Mike has been great,” Lofton said, “teaching me a lot. I’m learning so much. It’s been fun just to be back around Tennessee basketball as much as I’ve been this year. I’m VFL. I bleed orange. It doesn’t get any better than this.”

In a game of horse, I’d still take Lofton against anyone. Vols fans old enough to remember watching him play for Tennessee (2004-08), I’d imagine many of y’all would, too.

This guy is a myth, a Tennessee legend. Unforgettable because of magical moments during games as “the best bad-shot-maker I’ve ever coached,” said former Vols coach Bruce Pearl, and because of his inspirational personal story. The circumstances of Lofton’s final UT season, during which he played through a secret cancer diagnosis, comprised a recent ESPN documentary.

The old heads know. And I’ve got something to make those old heads feel a bit older:

Lofton is about to turn 40.

The last day of his 30s, in fact, was practice day at the United Center on the eve of 2026 Men’s NCAA Tournament regional games there. He’ll celebrate while working. Lofton’s 40^th birthday will be March 27, same day that Tennessee faces Iowa State in the Sweet 16.

“I’m telling you,” Lofton said, “it goes by fast.”

The opportunity “came out of nowhere,” said Lofton. He’d been through the NBA’s coaching program a couple of years ago, and he was close to landing a scouting job with the Boston Celtics last year.

Lofton hadn’t envisioned a detour through media until he got the call in October – and he recoiled initially. “I’ll get back to you,” Lofton told them at the time, all the while thinking, “Talking on the radio? That’s not me.”

But Lofton thought more about it, figuring “Why not? What else do I have to do?” Since then, Lofton has thrown himself into the role.

“Just like he was as a basketball player,” Keith said, “he wants to be good at it.”

This season’s Vol Network hoops team included Keith, Lofton, former UT player Steve Hamer and John Wilkerson, the play-by-play man for Vols baseball.

Since baseball season started for Wilkerson, Lofton has consistently been a part of Tennessee’s broadcasts despite jumping in short-notice to a new career path with no previous experience.

“What Chris has done has been amazing,” Keith said. “Nothing short of amazing, considering his background in (radio) – which was non-existent – his sort of knowledge of how it works and his interest in it before he was contacted in October. …

“If you listen to him from a broadcast in November or December to now, it’s a totally different guy.”

Keith added that “it’s going to be off the charts” for Lofton in Year 2, given how much he has improved.

All Lofton has decided for his post-playing future is that wants to stay in basketball. He hasn’t ruled out a career in coaching or scouting.

But he does love what he’s doing now, he said.

“I open to whatever, honestly,” Lofton said. “I love what I do now. I would love to be more involved on the court, for sure, but it might just be here (on radio).”

Reach Tennessean sports columnist Gentry Estes at gestes@tennessean.com and hang out with him on Bluesky @gentryestes.bsky.social

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