The only reason Tennessee doesn't have a number 1 seed locked up is name recognition. That's it.
Imagine if Corth Carolina had losses to Texas, Maryland, and Clemson, an undefeated home record, #1 RPI and SOS, and a win over #1 Duke. Do you think there's any way they don't get a 1 seed, even with an early exit to like a Virginia Tech or something? No, you don't. It's pure name recognition and history.
UT should be a lock for a number 1, but they don't have any history, so they aren't. Personally, I'd like for us to play an underdog role at #2, or the overall number 1 seed. And depending on our Conference tourney (and UCLA/UNC's), either of those are still possible.