The Tennessee Vols’ season didn’t end exactly the way they’d hoped, losing to the Kentucky Wildcats 85-81 to conclude the regular season and end a seven-game winning streak. At 14-4, the Vols earned the top seed in the SEC tournament beginning on Wednesday in Nashville.
The tournament bracket is set, and the Vols could have a shot at avenging one of their most surprising and disappointing losses of the season.
The Vols are locked into the 1:00 pm ET quarterfinal game on Friday against the winner of LSU and Mississippi State.
The Bulldogs defeated the Vols 77-72 back on January 10 in Starkville. It was a particularly disappointing first half for the Vols, as they trailed 35-22 going into the locker room. Tennessee managed to rally back twice to tie the game, including at 72 with inside of a minute left. However, a three-point play by State’s Tolu Smith and a missed Zakai Zeigler three pointer with time winding down spelled defeat for Tennessee.
The Vols had far less trouble with their other potential first opponent in the LSU Tigers. The schools met just once this year, an 88-68 win by the Vols in Knoxville back on February 7. Dalton Knecht led the way with 27 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists.