Tennessee Basketball Projected as No. 5 Seed in March Madness

Vols face potential matchup with Yale in West Region after SEC Tournament loss to Vanderbilt

Mar. 13, 2026 at 11:09pm

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Tennessee basketball's NCAA Tournament resume is set after its loss to Vanderbilt in the SEC Tournament quarterfinals. ESPN's Joe Lunardi projects the Vols as a No. 5 seed in the West Region, potentially facing No. 12 seed Yale in the first round in San Diego. Tennessee has a 22-11 record and 6-9 mark in Quad 1 games, including a notable win over Houston.

Why it matters

Tennessee has been a consistent NCAA Tournament team under head coach Rick Barnes, reaching the Elite Eight in 2024 and 2025. The Vols' seeding and potential matchups will determine their path to the Final Four as they look to make another deep run in the Big Dance.

The details

Tennessee lost 75-68 to Vanderbilt in the SEC Tournament quarterfinals on Friday. The Vols have a 6-9 record in Quad 1 games, with their best win coming against Houston. UT also has notable wins over Louisville, Alabama, Georgia, Vanderbilt, and Auburn. The Vols' nonconference losses to Kansas and Illinois were also Quad 1 games.

  • Tennessee lost to Vanderbilt in the SEC Tournament quarterfinals on March 13, 2026.
  • ESPN's latest bracketology update was released on March 13, 2026.

The players

Rick Barnes

Head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers men's basketball team.

Joe Lunardi

ESPN bracketologist who projects the NCAA Tournament field.

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What they’re saying

“Tennessee basketball's resume is set for the NCAA Tournament with a 22-11 record after its SEC Tournament loss to Vanderbilt on Friday.”

— Mike Wilson, Author

What’s next

The NCAA Tournament selection show will take place on Sunday, March 16, 2026, where Tennessee's official seeding and first-round matchup will be announced.

The takeaway

Despite the loss to Vanderbilt, Tennessee has built a strong NCAA Tournament resume under Rick Barnes, earning a projected No. 5 seed in the West Region. The Vols will look to make another deep run in the Big Dance and potentially reach their first Final Four in program history.