The Tennessee Volunteers had a day to remember on Saturday, knocking off the Alabama Crimson Tide in one of the most memorable basketball games in recent history at The Food City Center at Thompson-Boling Arena. Jahmai Mashack took the ball up court and bombed in a 35-foot three pointer at the buzzer to turn the scene into pure bedlam.
The win was a big one for Tennessee, as it put them in prime position for two important postseason spots.
First, Tennessee is now projected by ESPN’s Joe Lunardi as the final one seed in his latest projections. The Vols are the fourth one seed in the West, with Sweet 16 games being played in San Francisco this year for that region.
— Joe Lunardi (@ESPNLunardi) March 2, 2025
Alabama and Florida are right on the Vols’ heels for that final one spot as 5 and 6, respectively. Those two teams face off this week in Tuscaloosa. Tennessee will have to do its part as well by avoiding losses to Ole Miss and South Carolina this week. If they can, UT could be in a great position to achieve a program first on Selection Sunday.
As far as the SEC Tournament, Tennessee is now in prime position to lock in an important spot – a double bye into the quarterfinals. The top four teams get double byes, and Tennessee is in fourth right now. Here are the current standings.
1) Auburn 15-1
2) Florida 12-4
3) Alabama 12-4
4) Tennessee 11-5
5) Missouri 10-6
6) Texas A&M 9-7
7) Ole Miss 9-7
Given the Vols hold the head-to-head tiebreaker over Missouri, Tennessee can clinch the four seed at worst with a win on Wednesday at Ole Miss. Of course, UT can still climb up as high as the 2 seed in the tournament, depending on how the games play out over the next week.
Here’s the schedule for Tennessee and their competition to reach the two spot.
Tennessee: at Ole Miss, vs. South Carolina
Florida: at Alabama, vs. Ole Miss
Alabama: vs. Florida, at Auburn
Alabama’s schedule is flat-out gross, so there’s a definite chance that the Vols could catch them and pass them on head-to-head tiebreaker. Of course, the ideal scenario is for Bama to beat Florida, and then for Auburn to turn around and beat Bama next weekend. Which certainly could happen. In that case, if Tennessee wins out, they’re unquestionably the two seed and in prime position for a one seed – and perhaps in a region that doesn’t take them to the West Coast.
We’ll see what happens this week. Regardless, Vol fans have to feel very good about this team after such a thrilling and important win.