[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][The 10th Annual VolNation Bracket Contest is live. Win a $250 Amazon gift card.]
For the first time under Cuonzo Martin, the Tennessee Volunteers are dancing.
The Vols are a No. 11 seed and will head to Dayton, OH to play Iowa in the “play-in” game on Wednesday night. Tipoff is scheduled for 9:10 p.m. The game will be televised by TruTV, so you may want to check with your cable provider if you are unfamiliar with the network.
The winner between Tennessee and Iowa will face No. 6 seed Massachusetts on Friday at 2:45 p.m.
Despite the name, the play-in game is actually the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The way the bracket is set up, 60 teams receive a bye in the first round while eight teams are forced to play. Tennessee—being one of the last four at-large teams selected—is included in that group.
Martin admitted to being a little surprised by having to play on Wednesday, but he is looking forward to the opportunity.
“First and foremost, very excited to be in,” Martin said. “I think that’s the most important thing. The biggest key is to be in.”
“For us, being in the NCAA Tournament, we are excited about it and ready to play basketball. It’s really, truly, one game at a time.”
Tennessee is getting lots of positive media. According to several, the Vols have a legitimate opportunity to get past both Iowa and UMass and advance to the round of 32. See here, here, here and here.
If you’re interested in a breakdown of Iowa, Tennessee’s opponent on Wednesday, this thread is a great place to start: Iowa Breakdown.
Also, you don’t want to miss Z’s Tournament Preview Part 1: Iowa Primer. ZJC breaks down Iowa offensively, defensively, their strengths and weaknesses and how they match up against Tennessee.
The Vols left Thompson-Boling around 3 p.m. this afternoon, headed for Dayton. Before they left, Antonio Barton, Jeronne Maymon, Jordan McRae, Jarnell Stokes and Josh Richardson met with the media.
“As long as your name pops up on the screen, you’re in,” Stokes said. “We play against a very good team. I’m definitely not satisfied with being the last four in … But our name popped up on the screen. We have to be happy with that. We’re glad we’re not an SMU-type team.”
COACH CUONZO MARTIN AFTER THE SELECTION SHOW
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HA4j7d1RjVY[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]