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.

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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.