Tennessee has something to prove, and it’s not NCAA seeding

Tennessee arrived in Indianapolis with a single focus and little curiosity in persevering with the seeding debate.

In fact the Volunteers wish to present the NCAA choice committee the Southeastern Convention tourney champs warrant a better seed than No. 3 within the South Area. But, gamers had a steely-eyed imaginative and prescient on a brand new mission after they arrived Wednesday — successful a first-round sport for the third time in 5 years and reaching a Ultimate 4 for first time at school historical past.

“It was good to see us set a aim to win the SEC Event and obtain that aim, however we additionally had a aim in the beginning of the 12 months to win video games in March, to get to the Ultimate 4 and win a nationwide championship,” Josiah-Jordan James mentioned. “It begins with Longwood.”

The 14th-seeded Lancers (26-6), from the small city of Farmville, Virginia, are making their first tourney look. Thursday’s winner faces both sixth-seeded Colorado State (25-5) or Eleventh-seeded Michigan (17-14), which play within the day’s first sport.

Nonetheless, the orange-and-white clad followers who made the quick drive to Indy — and perhaps even the blue-and-white clad followers who made the even shorter drive from rival Kentucky — thought Tennessee deserved higher after snapping a 43-year drought between convention tourney titles.

The Wildcats are taking part in East Area video games in Indy, turning town into an SEC mecca for the second time in two months. Georgia beat Alabama for school soccer’s nationwide championship simply down the highway.

However the actuality is seeding not issues. Successful — and advancing — does.

“This time of 12 months, each workforce that’s a part of the NCAA Event has earned the appropriate to be right here,” mentioned Michigan coach Juwan Howard, who was a part of the Wolverines unique Fab 5. “There isn’t a assure whether or not you will have the expertise or not that you’re assured a victory.”

Michigan, a one-point favourite, can be with out start line guard DeVante’ Jones, who’s within the concussion protocol. Howard mentioned he won’t be cleared earlier than tip-off and he didn’t journey with the workforce.

The Volunteers, in the meantime, have received seven straight and are taking part in with confidence. And now, in the identical constructing the place they made a stunning first-round exit final March, Tennessee wants two extra wins to succeed in a second Elite Eight and its first since 2010.

Tennessee’s gamers cannot wait to get the journey began.

“I’m glad to be again, I used to be excited that they put us again right here,” James mentioned. “I believe all the pieces is coming full circle, and I’m glad we’ve got an opportunity to redeem ourselves.”

HOWARD’S RETURN

Juwan Howard will make his second straight look since getting back from a five-game suspension for throwing a punch at a Wisconsin assistant coach.

A toned-down Howard noticed his Wolverines lose to Indiana right here final Friday, however when he returned Wednesday, Howard spoke with a steadier, extra definitive voice. Whether or not it makes a distinction is unclear.

However Howard did some introspection throughout his absence.

“I didn’t break my tooth. I’ll have damaged a distant. I tossed and turned in my mattress and my pillow was moist,” Howard mentioned “Once you step away you get an opportunity to re-evaluate your self and enhance. I’m all the time asking what we will do higher, going again and watching movie.”

THEY’VE COME A LONG WAY

Whereas that is doubtless the primary time many faculty basketball followers have heard of Longwood, the college’s prime guards have all been within the highlight beforehand.

Justin Hill was a prep star in Houston. DeShaun Wade transferred from East Carolina in 2019-20, and Isaiah Wilkins performed at Virginia Tech and Wake Forest earlier than shifting to Farmville. So, naturally, they are not awestruck.

However maybe essentially the most notable function of the workforce is its means to maintain issues in perspective, which is one motive coach Griff Aldrich thinks they wound up successful the Large South title. He even offered an instance.

“DeShaun got here in right here — I’m glad he’s not in right here — however he was moody when he bought to Longwood,” Aldrich mentioned. “I nonetheless bear in mind in the beginning of his first summer time with us, he was politely excused from apply due to that moodiness. He has simply dramatically reworked as a younger man to understanding our tradition, then embracing it, and now he units the usual.”

TALE OF THE TAPE

Colorado State ahead David Roddy has been described some ways over time. It occurs while you’re a 6-foot-6, 255-pound former soccer participant.

However Michigan middle Hunter Dickinson launched Roddy to a brand new time period Wednesday — girthy.

“Man, let me take a second. No, I don’t actually care what folks name me,” Roddy mentioned. “That’s an fascinating one. I believe that’s a soccer reference, so I’ll take that as it’s.”

Roddy leads the Rams in scoring (19.4 factors) and rebounding (7.6).

He isn’t only a good participant. Roddy proved he has a fast wit when requested to check Dickinson to a different opponent he is confronted this season.

“Creighton with (Ryan) Kalkbrenner has comparable dimension,” Roddy mentioned. “Hunter Dickinson has a bit bit extra girth, I might say.”

QUOTABLE

“I could possibly be a WWE villain,” Dickinson mentioned. “That’s how I play. I’m at my greatest and most engaged after I’m on the market taking part in with power and fireplace. That’s what makes the sport enjoyable for me, that’s why I get pleasure from taking part in it.”