Let's gawk over the latest ESPN Bracketology - Tennessee hosting.

[Voltopia]

Women's Bracketology: First look at 2026 has familiar teams on top line

South Carolina, UConn, UCLA and Texas are the No. 1 seeds in our first projection of the 2026 bracket.

www.espn.com

Wake up, shake off the confetti, pour out the leftover whisky -- in your mouth -- and take a gander at the ol' bracketology for today. ESPN's projecting TN as a host with their current profile, with Belmont, MTSU, and Georgia Tech in their Knoxville pod. Of course, I had to chuckle, as Creme's got UConn in the bottom half. He's not wrong I suppose. The committee has always had a penchant for putting Tennessee and UConn on a collision course, even if TN's struggled to make the meetings in recent years. It'd be a tough tough rematch if it happened anywhere in the bracket. The second win's always harder than the first.

But that said, if Tennessee could play its way to that kind of opening round, I'd hope people would choose to show up and show out for them. I know I would. This bunch is feisty. If they were to achieve a hosting nod after this offseason, they'd deserve a feisty crowd, too.

 

[VolBall09]

Women's Bracketology: First look at 2026 has familiar teams on top line

South Carolina, UConn, UCLA and Texas are the No. 1 seeds in our first projection of the 2026 bracket.

www.espn.com

Wake up, shake off the confetti, pour out the leftover whisky -- in your mouth -- and take a gander at the ol' bracketology for today. ESPN's projecting TN as a host with their current profile, with Belmont, MTSU, and Georgia Tech in their Knoxville pod. Of course, I had to chuckle, as Creme's got UConn in the bottom half. He's not wrong I suppose. The committee has always had a penchant for putting Tennessee and UConn on a collision course, even if TN's struggled to make the meetings in recent years. It'd be a tough tough rematch if it happened anywhere in the bracket. The second win's always harder than the first.

But that said, if Tennessee could play its way to that kind of opening round, I'd hope people would choose to show up and show out for them. I know I would. This bunch is feisty. If they were to achieve a hosting nod after this offseason, they'd deserve a feisty crowd, too.

View attachment 720221

This would be a great draw for us. Ga Tech has been tough this season.

I have almost no doubt they’ll put us in the same region as UConn. Especially after last night. They love the drama and they’ll want to push the re-match.

Personally I would not like to play them in the tourney lol. Beating them in March and twice in one season is historically difficult to do. Impossible? No. But very difficult.

 

[kell7517]

If we were in that bracket. Not sure we would have to worry about meeting UConn. UCLA would probably be our final stop.

 

[VolBall09]

If we were in that bracket. Not sure we would have to worry about meeting UConn. UCLA would probably be our final stop.

Idk I don’t think Close can coach a lick. Superb roster but I wouldn’t be shocked to see them fall in the Sweet 16.

They’re kinda big and slow too, a team our pace might bother.

 

[VolBalls33]

If UT finishes 5 and 2, 2 losses being LSU and 1 other. No Quad 2 losses and a strong NET/SOS UT will definitely be hosting. That's huge for UT and Coach Caldwell year 1. I would be thrilled with a Sweet 16 and who knows what happens after that.

 

[Voltopia]

If we were in that bracket. Not sure we would have to worry about meeting UConn. UCLA would probably be our final stop.

Yeah, that's why I said "if." Nothing about any round would be a given, certainly not UCLA or any other good team on the road.

 

[LVfanLasVegas]

Nice bump for the Lady Vols and a relief for me. The last bracketology had the Lady Vols facing my other team, the UNLV Lady Rebels. Lol.

Go Lady Vols.

 

[Peradox1K]

Women's Bracketology: First look at 2026 has familiar teams on top line

South Carolina, UConn, UCLA and Texas are the No. 1 seeds in our first projection of the 2026 bracket.

www.espn.com

Wake up, shake off the confetti, pour out the leftover whisky -- in your mouth -- and take a gander at the ol' bracketology for today. ESPN's projecting TN as a host with their current profile, with Belmont, MTSU, and Georgia Tech in their Knoxville pod. Of course, I had to chuckle, as Creme's got UConn in the bottom half. He's not wrong I suppose. The committee has always had a penchant for putting Tennessee and UConn on a collision course, even if TN's struggled to make the meetings in recent years. It'd be a tough tough rematch if it happened anywhere in the bracket. The second win's always harder than the first.

But that said, if Tennessee could play its way to that kind of opening round, I'd hope people would choose to show up and show out for them. I know I would. This bunch is feisty. If they were to achieve a hosting nod after this offseason, they'd deserve a feisty crowd, too.

View attachment 720221

GAWK

 

[chuckiepoo]

GAWK

…heh.

 

[madtownvol]

Women's Bracketology: First look at 2026 has familiar teams on top line

South Carolina, UConn, UCLA and Texas are the No. 1 seeds in our first projection of the 2026 bracket.

www.espn.com

Wake up, shake off the confetti, pour out the leftover whisky -- in your mouth -- and take a gander at the ol' bracketology for today. ESPN's projecting TN as a host with their current profile, with Belmont, MTSU, and Georgia Tech in their Knoxville pod. Of course, I had to chuckle, as Creme's got UConn in the bottom half. He's not wrong I suppose. The committee has always had a penchant for putting Tennessee and UConn on a collision course, even if TN's struggled to make the meetings in recent years. It'd be a tough tough rematch if it happened anywhere in the bracket. The second win's always harder than the first.

But that said, if Tennessee could play its way to that kind of opening round, I'd hope people would choose to show up and show out for them. I know I would. This bunch is feisty. If they were to achieve a hosting nod after this offseason, they'd deserve a feisty crowd, too.

View attachment 720221

I will be that guy. This team has a lot of work to do before that projected bracket could hold. LSU and KY on the road will be tough games and could determine a lot. FL on the road could also a tricky game. We have Bama at home which helps.

7 conference games left with a current 4-5 record. I think the LVs might need to win 5 to 6 of those 7 to lock down a host spot.

 

[LVfanLasVegas]

You're not being "that guy," I feel most of us know that the hosting "4" seed can change. But it's nice to see, or "gawk" if you will.

Although the net of those upcoming teams are all helpful, LSU 9, Ole Miss 14, Kentucky 17, and Alabama 21. Can't afford to let one slip to Auburn 54, or Florida 59.

Go Lady Vols!

 

[mudcat1973]

I will be that guy. This team has a lot of work to do before that projected bracket could hold. LSU and KY on the road will be tough games and could determine a lot. FL on the road could also a tricky game. We have Bama at home which helps.

7 conference games left with a current 4-5 record. I think the LVs might need to win 5 to 6 of those 7 to lock down a host spot.

You're not being "that guy," I feel most of us know that the hosting "4" seed can change. But it's nice to see, or "gawk" if you will.

Although the net of those upcoming teams are all helpful, LSU 9, Ole Miss 14, Kentucky 17, and Alabama 21. Can't afford to let one slip to Auburn 54, or Florida 59.

Go Lady Vols!

Kentucky or Alabama gives Tennessee More trouble?

 

[madtownvol]

You're not being "that guy," I feel most of us know that the hosting "4" seed can change. But it's nice to see, or "gawk" if you will.

Although the net of those upcoming teams are all helpful, LSU 9, Ole Miss 14, Kentucky 17, and Alabama 21. Can't afford to let one slip to Auburn 54, or Florida 59.

Go Lady Vols!

All fair points. I reacting too the "overreaction" phenomenon. After this big win, it's all there is no stopping this team whereas during the losing stretch, it was, "our players just aren't good enough!" when, in reality. this win and the five losses were all decided by incredibly fine margins. This team could have anywhere from 6-0 to 0-6 in this stretch of games with just a different bounce of the ball in a key moment.

 

[Voltopia]

All fair points. I reacting too the "overreaction" phenomenon. After this big win, it's all there is no stopping this team whereas during the losing stretch, it was, "our players just aren't good enough!" when, in reality. this win and the five losses were all decided by incredibly fine margins. This team could have anywhere from 6-0 to 0-6 in this stretch of games with just a different bounce of the ball in a key moment.

You're not wrong, I suppose, but I don't see anyone saying there's no stopping this team - at least, not here. Maybe other threads.

I just thought it was neat to see Tennessee hit the "hosting a round" threshold for their bracket dealie thing, especially after having endured a number of losses that punted them down the rankings.

 

[ERvolsfan]

If UT finishes 5 and 2, 2 losses being LSU and 1 other. No Quad 2 losses and a strong NET/SOS UT will definitely be hosting. That's huge for UT and Coach Caldwell year 1. I would be thrilled with a Sweet 16 and who knows what happens after that.

this is kind of where I am as well.

Looking at the remaining schedule, I think the Win over UCONN will give the team a HUGE confidence boost and proof of concept, if they practice as hard as they did the last week or so, come out locked in like they did this game, they can win the rest of their games.

with that said I think we lose 2 more in regular season, my guess is LSU monday on road coming off such an emotional win, then the other being 1 of UK/UF as both are on the road, so we split those.

Currently 17-5 Overall with (4-5) in SEC play
- all 7 Remaining games are SEC if we go 5-2, that would give us...

22-7 overall and 9-7 in SEC play in year one with most of those losses basically one possession losses.

then could win a game or two in SEC Tourney and a couple games in big tourney. I think S16 is very possible and in year one is a HUGE/GREAT starting point,