Tennessee basketball enters the NCAA Tournament as a No. 2 seed for the fourth time in program history. If past trends hold, this could be the Vols’ best chance yet at reaching their first-ever Final Four.
This marks the first time Tennessee has earned a No. 2 seed in back-to-back seasons, showing the program’s upward trajectory. The Vols previously held this seed in 2006, 2019, and 2024, improving their tournament performance each time.
- 2006: Eliminated in the second round after defeating Winthrop but falling to Wichita State.
- 2019: Advanced to the Sweet Sixteen, beating Colgate and Iowa before losing a heartbreaking overtime battle to Purdue.
- 2024: Made it to the Elite Eight, taking down Saint Peter’s, Texas, and Creighton before falling to Purdue.
With each appearance as a No. 2 seed, Tennessee has taken a step further. If the pattern continues, a Final Four run could be on the horizon.
The Vols’ journey begins against 15-seed Wofford, with a potential second-round matchup against the winner of UCLA vs. Utah State. Tip-off for Tennessee’s first-round game is set for Thursday at 6:50 PM ET.