Rocky Top Talk - All PostsHope Lives Herehttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/51389/rtt-fav.png2024-03-19T07:33:33-04:00http://www.rockytoptalk.com/rss/current/2024-03-19T07:33:33-04:002024-03-19T07:33:33-04:00Bracketology: How’d we do?
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<p><em>A look at our final bracket versus the actual field</em></p> <p id="2zRJDt">We have reached the end of the road in <a href="https://www.bloggingthebracket.com">Bracketology</a> for the 2023-24 season, thus meaning the best three weeks in sports are coming up next.</p>
<p id="pECFzs">The general consensus this year is clear: the selection committee whiffed big time. With a self-stated five bid stealers, the order — and selection — of their top 46 teams were at best eyebrow-raising, and actual WTF reactions at worst. The committee seemed to have it out for the <a href="https://www.mwcconnection.com">Mountain West</a> as, despite the league actually realising its six-bid dream, the league saw most of those six teams vastly under-seeded. We will dive into the entire seeding, the contradicting committee’s seeding of the MWC, and the bubble here shortly, but first, we will look at the final seeding for reference:</p>
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<p id="wAJSrE">Now, we will look at my final seeding prediction:</p>
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<p id="54iNlc"><em><strong>Overall Total Correct: 67/68</strong></em><br><em><strong>Teams Correctly Seeded: 47/68</strong></em><br><em><strong>Teams Predicted Within 1 Seed Line: 62/68</strong></em></p>
<h3 id="47y27N"><strong>Perfect Hits: 18</strong></h3>
<p id="DU4rZn">The ‘perfect hits’ represents the teams I predicted exactly correctly. The one-bid low-major teams, especially the 16-seeds, do a lot of the carrying here as I predicted 8 of the possible 18 13-through-16 seeds and 18 teams perfectly overall, including the top 6 seeds which felt like a pretty easy group to sort after Purdue’s loss to Wisconsin in the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/big-ten-basketball-tournament">Big Ten Tournament</a>.</p>
<h3 id="njVJAX"><strong>Swings and Misses: 7</strong></h3>
<p id="dCDe1c">My ‘swings and misses’ are the teams I missed by multiple seed-lines, predicted to be in the tournament and missed, or teams I predicted to miss the field but made it. Despite a comfortably big loss to Saint Mary’s in the WCC Final, Gonzaga still found themselves on the 5-line, but I had them on the 7-line. Boise State and Colorado State were both in the committee’s ‘Last Four In’ while I had them both earning single-digit seeds. Lastly, I had Indiana State as my final team in over Virginia, but the committee chose the ACC’s Cavaliers over the Missouri Valley’s Indiana State.</p>
<h3 id="F3R2aD"><strong>The Bubble at a final glance & the committee’s gripe with the Mountain West</strong></h3>
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<p id="kaePiI">Overall, my ‘First Four Out’ and the committee’s are merely a swap from matching all four teams, but the committee’s disdain for the Mountain West really separates the two ‘Last Four In’ groups.</p>
<p id="9fFsgf">I don’t see a world where Virginia deserves to be in the NCAA Tournament, but at least their spot in the tournament comes in a Play-In game. That being said, if the committee claims to value wins the way they say they do, then a team who went 2-7 in Quad-1 games and lost all seven of them by double-digits should be looked at a little deeper. Of those seven losses, three came against teams who aren’t in the tournament, and six of them were by 15+ points. If other teams on the bubble are punished for their poor non-conference scheduling, so should the team that ranks 236th on KenPom in non-con SOS. If the committee simply said they put them in based on the name on their jersey, and it’s infinitely more believable than any lie they could have said otherwise.</p>
<p id="cwHYZy">Speaking of injustices, the committee was not just wrong across the board when it came to the Mountain West, but they completely botched the seeding altogether because of it. Somehow, Nevada was selected as the last ‘bye’ for the committee, slotting in as the top 10-seed. Nevada, with a 26-7 record, six Quad-1 wins, three Quad-1A wins, and just one loss across Q3 and 4, was seeded below a Utah State team they beat in their lone matchup this season, a <a href="https://www.cougcenter.com">Washington State</a> team who played in a worse conference and had a worse non-conference SOS and fewer Q-1A wins, Florida Atlantic, who had two Q4 losses on top of just two Q1 wins, and a <a href="https://www.goodbullhunting.com">Texas A&M</a> team who had <em><strong>four </strong></em>Q3 losses. Just laughable.</p>
<p id="gbYpCP">Then there’s Boise State, who posted 4 Quad-1A wins, a top 30 non-conference SOS on KenPom, and they’re somehow one of the last four teams in the tournament. In fact, Boise State had as many or more Q-1A wins than Nebraska, FAU, Mississippi State, Northwestern, <a href="https://www.theonlycolors.com">Michigan State</a>, Dayton, and Gonzaga had Q1 wins overall. How does that happen?</p>
<p id="kyf2qZ">None of it makes sense unless you look at it through the scope of the committee does not watch west coast basketball or games from teams outside of the power conferences. Yes, these clichés arise in specific, very biased situations from fans who feel their team was slighted, but there’s no other way to explain this.</p>
https://www.rockytoptalk.com/2024/3/19/24105561/bracketology-2024-ncaa-tournament-bracket-reviewMatt Seese2024-03-18T11:37:27-04:002024-03-18T11:37:27-04:00Monday Musings: NCAA tournament thoughts
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<p id="eEG4L7">IIIIIIIIIIIIIITTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT’SSSSSSSSSS MONDAY!!!!!!!! And it’s a post-Selection-Sunday Monday. So settle in around the fire, grab some hot chocolate, and let’s go over the Tennessee (and general basketball) related thoughts flickering through my mind. </p>
<p id="WJH5xu"><strong>1) The Vols ended up with the 2 seed in the Midwest region.</strong> They’re locked into the same bracket as Purdue. It’s interesting that was the draw given the Vols were revealed to be the #5 overall seed and thus the top 2 seed, while Purdue was the overall #3 seed. Thought the Vols might get paired with #4 overall seed UNC in the West, but it is what it is at this point. Have to beat a good team in Detroit instead of a good team in Los Angeles (knocks on wood as I write this that they make it to the second weekend). </p>
<p id="HcccNY"><strong>2) If Tennessee does indeed make it that far, they could have to deal with 9 foot 9 Lord Zach Edey (yes, I know he’s 7’4”) and his traveling band of minstrels/officials.</strong> Again. And I say his traveling band of minstrels/officials because I HAVE NEVER SEEN A PLAYER IN MY LIFE GET MORE PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT ON A BASKETBALL COURT. And I’ve been watching basketball since the mid 1980s with my old man. I was watching the Wisconsin-Purdue game on Saturday, and I could not believe the disparity of contact that was whistled between the two teams, including two of the worst foul calls you’ll see. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">So this was called a foul on Wisconsin, in a two point game in overtime, in a game where Purdue already had a +16 free throw advantage.<br><br>But yeah I'M the bad guy because I've been saying since December that Purdue gets an insanely favorable whistle ♂️ ♂️ <a href="https://t.co/Ap98tjL89u">pic.twitter.com/Ap98tjL89u</a></p>— Aaron Torres (@Aaron_Torres) <a href="https://twitter.com/Aaron_Torres/status/1769082870050562442?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 16, 2024</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The announcers aren’t sure what to say. Wisconsin has fouled out of the game. <br><br>Zach Edey is a joke. <a href="https://t.co/uZMWOEnjAd">pic.twitter.com/uZMWOEnjAd</a></p>— The Red Shed (@TheRealRedShed) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheRealRedShed/status/1769082463119114353?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 16, 2024</a>
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<p id="UEkoqu">So if the Midwest region goes chalk, this is what Tennessee would be facing. And yes, the Vols know, having already lost to Purdue in the Maui Invitational back in November, but this is the kind of thing that can have you pulling your hair out when you lose because someone breathed the wrong way on the big guy in a pivotal moment. </p>
<p id="djnmdF"><strong>3) Tennessee’s quest to reach its first ever Final Four begins in Charlotte against Saint Peter’s.</strong> That’s something that Zakai Zeigler isn’t all that thrilled about. Or perhaps he is, I don’t know. In any event, he’s going to be facing off against his half brother Armoni Zeigler, who’s a freshman guard for the Peacocks. Given he averages 6.4 ppg and 19 minutes per game, the Zeigler brothers should be on the court at the same time, and their paths will surely cross. Talk about a sibling rivalry. Hopefully the elder Zeigler will come away with bragging rights. </p>
<p id="banAO1"><strong>4) Saint Peter’s was a 15 seed against a 2 seed two years ago, and many people remember it. </strong> That’s because the Peacocks knocked off 2 seed Kentucky before going on a run all the way to the Elite Eight. Let’s go ahead and nip that little Cinderella story in the bud on Thursday night. </p>
<p id="SP7uJI"><strong>5) I already knew that the </strong><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/sec-basketball-tournament"><strong>SEC tournament</strong></a><strong> meant absolutely nothing when Tennessee wasn’t given a 2 seed after winning the event in March 2022. Auburn’s treatment just further confirmed that.</strong> Auburn won the SEC tournament with an impressive 86-67 win over Florida in the final. Their reward? A 4 seed, a plane ticket across the country (Spokane, Washington), and an attaboy from the committee. That’s an atrocious “reward” for winning their conference tournament. There’s absolutely no reason to try to win that thing anymore, it appears. And it saddens me because I truly used to get excited about watching Tennessee try to win it. If this is how it’s going to be treated, teams might as well sit it out at this point and get the extra rest. </p>
<p id="THCfxm"><strong>6) How in the world is </strong><a href="https://www.theonlycolors.com"><strong>Michigan State</strong></a><strong> in this field?</strong> They’re 3-9 in Quad 1 games and have two ranked wins all season. They also didn’t even reach 20 wins at 19-14. And a NINE seed? They should be in the play in game at best. A truly astounding decision that does nothing to assuage concerns that college basketball is the biggest reputation sport in all of American sports. </p>
<p id="C4ut20"><strong>7) My Final Four and championship picks: </strong><a href="https://www.theuconnblog.com"><strong>UConn</strong></a><strong>, Houston, Purdue, St. Mary’s. Winner: UConn over Houston. </strong> I think the Vols have the potential to get to the Elite Eight, but the giant Boilermaker proves to be too much again for Tennessee to overcome in Detroit to reach Phoenix for the Final Four. May they prove me wrong over the next two weeks (and not in a lose-in-the-first-game type of way). </p>
<p id="K1Qxin">Go Vols! </p>
https://www.rockytoptalk.com/2024/3/18/24104752/monday-musings-ncaa-tournament-thoughts-tennessee-volsCraig T. Smith2024-03-18T07:30:00-04:002024-03-18T07:30:00-04:00BaseVols come up short on Sunday with 6-7 loss, Alabama takes series in SEC opener
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<figcaption>Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Saturday and Sunday losses sink Tennessee’s series</p> <p id="xMdBfx">Nate Snead gave up a three-run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning, and Tennessee managed just one run out of a one-out, bases-loaded opportunity in the bottom of the ninth in Alabama’s 7-6 win. </p>
<p id="jrYyg2">The offense went just 3-12 with runners in scoring position, 1-5 in bases-loaded opportunities and 1-4 when it had runners 90 feet from home with fewer than two outs. Those numbers don’t compound well off Saturday’s effort when the Vols went 3-19 with runners on base and 0-7 with RISP. </p>
<p id="V9Ixkn">AJ Russell made his return to the mound after not pitching since he left the Albany game on February 23rd due to soreness in his side. He pitched just two innings and allowed a first-inning run but, most importantly, he looked healthy. Russell tossed 40 pitches, 28 for strikes, allowed two hits, no walks and sat down two Tide hitters with strikeouts. One of the Ks was of the rarely-seen-variety, hit-batter strikeout: </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">That's a painful strikeout.<br><br>AJ sets the side down in order in the top of the second.<br><br> <a href="https://t.co/6Bbq7XDu3H">https://t.co/6Bbq7XDu3H</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GBO?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GBO</a> // <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OTH?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OTH</a> // <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BeatBama?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BeatBama</a> <a href="https://t.co/V5PzfZxNKL">pic.twitter.com/V5PzfZxNKL</a></p>— Tennessee Baseball (@Vol_Baseball) <a href="https://twitter.com/Vol_Baseball/status/1769432556775104662?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2024</a>
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<p id="GPYoM8">He wasn’t stand-out sharp, but no reason to fret there.</p>
<p id="Xf8gNt">Alabama starter Hagan Banks allowed two-out singles in the first and second innings but started the third with a full-count walk to Cal Stark and a single to Christian Moore. The Tide made a pitching change, and reliever Kade Snell issued a four-pitch walk to Blake Burke to load the bases with no outs. </p>
<p id="IExylP">Billy Amick hit an pop-up that didn’t get past the dirt, which the Alabama first basemen actually dropped, UA got the first out on the infield fly rule despite the gaff. After Kavares Tears struck out on three pitches, Dylan Dreiling got the offense going with a bases-clearing double to the wall in left: </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">CLEAR 'EM DYLAN!<br><br> <a href="https://t.co/6Bbq7XDu3H">https://t.co/6Bbq7XDu3H</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GBO?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GBO</a> // <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OTH?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OTH</a> // <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BeatBama?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BeatBama</a> <a href="https://t.co/CnP33zysm9">pic.twitter.com/CnP33zysm9</a></p>— Tennessee Baseball (@Vol_Baseball) <a href="https://twitter.com/Vol_Baseball/status/1769435890173026462?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2024</a>
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<p id="F0ulWC">Robin Villeneuve hit another double that brought Dreiling home, but Hunter Ensley grounded out to end the inning. Tennessee took a 4-1 lead after scoring four on three hits. </p>
<p id="oIVrK5">With the Vols having essentially its full complement of arms available in the bullpen after Beam tossed a complete game Saturday, Tony Vitello went to Chris Stamos to relieve Russell. </p>
<p id="QNOAL1">Stamos gave out a one-out free pass to Gage Miller, and on the second pitch to the next batter, Stark made a throw to first trying to pick him off. Burke nearly got Miller with the initial tag, but Miller was waved safe. </p>
<p id="73kNFZ">Burke immediately turned away to contest the call, and while his attention was elsewhere, Miller stumbled past and off the base. Miller quickly retreated and was called safe again with his hand getting back to the bag before Burke’s swipe. The call was reviewed and upheld, though it seemed like a pair of near-simultaneous sequences that just didn’t go Tennessee’s way. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Blake Burke needs to quit thinking every pickoff play at 1st is an out and needs to be reviewed.<br><br>Would’ve easily tagged runner off bag if not signaling to the dugout for a review.</p>— Matt Dixon (@MattDixon3) <a href="https://twitter.com/MattDixon3/status/1769439679202406813?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2024</a>
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<p id="J11ICk">I’m not endorsing the opinion in the above tweet about Burke’s behavior on calls at first, but I wanted to include it to give you an idea of the scenario to corroborate my convoluted explanation. But had Burke stayed with the runner, he would have absolutely gotten the out. </p>
<p id="HKNX8y">Vitello went to Nate Snead after Stamos allowed a single to put two on with one out, but Snead gave up a run-scoring single on a 2-1 count and a sacrifice fly to the next batter one a 1-0 count. </p>
<p id="xChQBN">Snead managed to escape the rest of the half inning without any more runs scoring thanks to a fielder’s choice for the third out despite a passed ball and a hit batter on a 2-1. Snead didn’t seem sharp from the jump — after the two runs crossed in the B3, he gave up a solo home run to lead off the fourth that put Alabama back ahead, 4-3. After a one-out single on a 2-2 count, Snead threw four balls to the next two hitter but managed pop-up outs to end the inning. </p>
<p id="2FATAw">UT’s sophomore transfer stabilized and found a bit of a groove through the fifth, sixth and seventh innings. Though he gave up a hit in each frame, he managed some quick outs and didn’t allow a run or a walk.</p>
<p id="L7bxyo">But Tennessee’s offense didn’t fare any better against UA reliever Braylon Myers as the Alabama native mowed through UT’s order in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings. Myers got the win with the 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K effort. He needed just 27 pitches against the 11 hitters he faced. </p>
<p id="dcOUwy">Myers exited before the T7, and the Vols took advantage with a one-out, first pitch single from Burke and a subsequent double from Billy Amick. With two men in scoring position and just one out, Tears plated one run with a ground-ball out but Dreiling ended the inning with a first-pitch out that stranded Amick at third base. </p>
<p id="gmail-UUTgt4">Vitello sent Snead back out for the bottom of the eighth after the TN bats went down in order in the top half of the frame, and Snead hit the first hitter he saw. </p>
<p id="vg51wk">Even though Snead got the Vols into the eighth with a one-run lead in-hand, despite decreased speed on his fastball with somewhat shaky command throughout, Vitello still kept Snead in the game after he pegged the lead-off man.</p>
<p id="Bbpkan">Snead got a three-pitch K for out No. 1 but then gave up a first-pitch base hit. He needed one pitch for the second out, but an error put both Bama runners into scoring position. That ultimately didn’t matter, as Miller sent a 1-0 pitch out of the park for a three-run homer that put UA up 7-5. Sunday marked Snead’s first loss of the year with a final line of 5.1 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 BB and two hit batters.</p>
<p id="Gm9fp0">In the T9, Alabama committed two errors and gave up two singles to load the bases with just one Volunteer out. The Tide changed pitchers and brought in junior Aidan Moza, who gave up four runs in one inning in Friday’s UT win.</p>
<p id="p28Bek">Moza struck out Tears on three-straight pitches, but Dreiling worked a full-count walk that pushed across a run and brought Villeneuve to the plate with the game-winning run at second. Villeneuve ended the game with another three-pitch strikeout from UT. </p>
<p id="4oS6u2">The Vols start off 2024 the same way they did in 2023 — with series loss to start conference play. They get Xavier on Tuesday (6 PM start) for the midweek game before 15-6 <a href="https://www.redcuprebellion.com">Ole Miss</a> comes to LNS after beating No. 20 South Carolina 2-1 in its first SEC series. </p>
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https://www.rockytoptalk.com/2024/3/18/24104574/vols-baseball-game-recap-alabama-sec-baseball-tony-vitello-nate-snead-gage-miller-billy-amickNick Carner2024-03-17T19:58:14-04:002024-03-17T19:58:14-04:00Opening odds: Tennessee a big favorite over 15-seed Saint Peters
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<img alt="NCAA Basketball: SEC Conference Tournament Quarterfinal-Mississippi State vs Tennessee" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/16IF8oaOE1_hlXFOWz2r_nPTFiM=/0x0:3818x2545/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73214081/usa_today_22782448.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The line is out.</p> <p id="Q2Xc2d">The <a href="https://www.rockytoptalk.com">Tennessee Volunteers</a> are set to take on Saint Peter’s on Thursday, as they open the 2024 NCAA Tournament. The Vols secured a No. 2 seed in the Midwest Region, paired up with No. 1 seed Purdue. Tennessee will start their tournament playing in Charlotte, North Carolina.</p>
<p id="RHURxq">Saint Peter’s enters the tournament as the champions of the MAAC. You may remember them from a couple of years ago, where they went on a magical run — also as a No. 15 seed. The Peacocks took down Kentucky, Murray State and Purdue on their way to an Elite Eight appearance.</p>
<p id="zkG6CN">They’ll have to pull another huge upset on Thursday to kickstart another potential run. <a href="https://sportsbook.draftkings.com/?code=KRN-008">Per DraftKings Sportsbook</a>, Tennessee is an 18.5 point favorite over Saint Peter’s. </p>
<p id="onU6Om">“I said if I were at Saint Peter’s right now, it’d be the first thing I’d put up right there,” Rick Barnes said on Sunday of the matchup. “Say look what happened, it can be done. And we know it can be done now at every level. I mean, No. 16 seeds beat a No. 1 or No. 15 beat a No. 2. It’s about our focus and getting ready. And you got to go out and play great basketball from here on out. Because if you’re playing this time of year, you’re playing good basketball and even teams like ourselves who lost two in a row.”</p>
<p id="eLCIQF">Tennessee will be looking to shake off those back to back losses, entering the NCAA Tournament on a bit of a cold snap. The Volunteers dropped their final regular season game against Kentucky at home, then turned around and got bounced out of the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/sec-basketball-tournament">SEC Tournament</a> by Mississippi State.</p>
<p id="2uBtkR">Rick Barnes hopes to stop that bleeding on Thursday and get some new momentum rolling into a potential matchup against his former school, Texas. </p>
<p id="3DMxIF">First things first though — Saint Peters. We’ll have much more on this matchup throughout the week.</p>
<p id="Ixusst"><em>Odds/lines subject to change. T&Cs apply. See </em><a href="http://DraftKings.com/sportsbook"><em>DraftKings.com/sportsbook</em></a><em> for details.</em></p>
https://www.rockytoptalk.com/2024/3/17/24104355/opening-odds-tennessee-saint-peters-ncaa-tournament-spread-line-march-madnessTerry A. Lambert2024-03-17T18:36:18-04:002024-03-17T18:36:18-04:00Tennessee lands No. 2 seed in NCAA Tournament
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<img alt="NCAA Basketball: Tennessee at South Carolina" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/sBEBkV5zZACYYdxS4Z1sugAyopY=/0x0:2700x1800/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73213887/usa_today_22709102.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>It’s all set.</p> <p id="XamKCH">It’s official — Tennessee has earned a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament. The Volunteers are coming off of a regular season SEC title, where they went 14-4 in conference play. Tennessee enters the NCAA Tournament with a 24-8 overall record.</p>
<p id="0ln6rD">Tennessee came oh-so-close to a No. 1 seed, which would have been the first in school history. However, losses to Kentucky and then Mississippi State in this weekend’s <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/sec-basketball-tournament">SEC Tournament</a> pushed them down to the 2-line. North Carolina took their spot on the top line.</p>
<p id="QfqLom">The Tar Heels join Houston, <a href="https://www.theuconnblog.com">UConn</a> and Purdue as No. 1 seeds.</p>
<p id="STM0Lq">Tennessee lands in the Midwest region with Purdue. They’ll face the cinderella story from 2022 in (15) Saint Peter’s. (7) Texas awaits the winner of (10) Virginia/(10) Colorado State. Rick Barnes could potentially get a meeting with his former school in the round of 32.</p>
<figure class="e-image">
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</figure>
<p id="Wo3PR8">Saint Peter’s went 19-13 on the year, rallying to win the MAAC. The Peacocks beat Fairfield 68-63 to advance to the NCAA Tournament. </p>
<p id="BC1S3x">Back in 2022, Saint Peter’s made a magical run through the Tournament, starting with a takedown of Kentucky. They moved on to beat Murray State, then took down Purdue before eventually losing to North Carolina.</p>
<p id="NoPGPD">Tennessee will look to prevent another Cinderella run like that when they open the NCAA Tournament on Thursday in Charlotte.</p>
https://www.rockytoptalk.com/2024/3/17/24104093/tennessee-volunteers-no-2-seed-in-ncaa-tournament-bracketTerry A. Lambert2024-03-17T12:25:46-04:002024-03-17T12:25:46-04:00March Madness 2024: How to watch Selection Sunday show on March 17
<figure>
<img alt="NCAA Womens Basketball: NCAA Tournament Seattle Regional-Ohio State vs Virginia Tech" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/PgiFfZjBh-ik2o8XHnl0UV4LZNs=/0x0:4800x3200/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73213312/usa_today_20331076.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>What you need to know.</p> <p id="b7f5TR">Selection Sunday has arrived, which means we’re just days away from the greatest sporting event of the year — the NCAA Tournament. The committee is putting the finishing touches on the 68-team field, which is set to be revealed later this evening after the remaining conference tournaments wrap up.</p>
<p id="RXcwK0">The top line is set — Houston, <a href="https://www.theuconnblog.com">UConn</a>, North Carolina and Purdue will be your top seeds. Tennessee, Marquette, Arizona and <a href="https://www.widerightnattylite.com">Iowa State</a> are your likely No. 2 seeds. The Volunteers will narrowly miss out on a No. 1 seed after an embarrassing blowout loss to Mississippi State on Friday. Tennessee will enter the NCAA Tournament with +1600 odds to win, <a href="https://sportsbook.draftkings.com/leagues/basketball/ncaab?referrer=singular_click_id%3d9b9ce4c0-adb3-4227-9d91-dda8bea755ad&wpcid=166791&wpcn=Inartcile&wpcrid=CBB&wpsrc=Vox">per DraftKings Sportsbook</a>.</p>
<p id="BOvKF1">Now to set the rest of the field.</p>
<p id="Kx380i">We’ll get clarity on the hotly contested bubble, where some bids have been stolen over the last couple of days. <a href="https://www.backingthepack.com/">NC State</a> and Oregon threw a wrench into things, while FAU’s loss in the AAC tournament was another curveball. Teams like Virginia, St. John’s and Indiana State could feel those consequences later today.</p>
<p id="5aR1Yj">We’ll have the bracket posted as soon as it goes live.</p>
<h3 id="wxTO3S"><strong>How to watch the 2024 NCAA Tournament Selection Sunday show</strong></h3>
<p id="0anw5n"><strong>Date</strong>: Sunday, March 17th</p>
<p id="sjLMwH"><strong>Time</strong>: 6 p.m. ET</p>
<p id="QOOQqN"><strong>TV Channel</strong>: CBS</p>
<p id="GMh95J"><strong>Streaming</strong>: <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.paramountplus.com%2F%3Fds_rl%3D1289065%26ftag%3DPPM-02-10aeg8j%26vndid%3Dgoogle%24null%24null%24paramount%2520plus%26gad_source%3D1%26gclid%3DCj0KCQjwqdqvBhCPARIsANrmZhOMlSjqmMtmRSvxFPPwXb4LMcFQq-Qc8YrmDWUX1pGzciCZd9-NbGsaArWdEALw_wcB%26gclsrc%3Daw.ds&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rockytoptalk.com%2F2024%2F3%2F17%2F24101934%2Fselection-sunday-show-start-time-tv-channel-cbs-march-madness-live-2024-tennessee-basketball" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Paramount Plus</a></p>
https://www.rockytoptalk.com/2024/3/17/24101934/selection-sunday-show-start-time-tv-channel-cbs-march-madness-live-2024-tennessee-basketballTerry A. Lambert2024-03-17T01:49:34-04:002024-03-17T01:49:34-04:00March Madness: Conference tournament and auto-bid tracker
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<p><em>A live view at every conference bracket and every league’s auto-bid into March Madness</em></p> <p id="UtLaeV">Welcome to the most wonderful month of the year! There’s nothing quite like March Madness, and over the next few weeks, we’re going to find out what teams will earn their automatic right into the dance as conference tournaments get underway.</p>
<p id="dmkWSz">One quick disclaimer: every dark horse must be at least +1000 (10-to-1) odds to win the tournament on DraftKings.</p>
<p id="cPh7yT">Here is the updated auto-bid tracker. The field is set:</p>
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<h3 id="dDU88I"><strong>ASUN CONFERENCE | MARCH 4-10</strong></h3>
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</figure>
<p id="P6neN1"><strong>TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS: STETSON</strong><br><strong>PROJECTED SEED: 16</strong></p>
<h4 id="gahrJZ"><strong>Results</strong></h4>
<p id="XecDzR"><strong>1st Round</strong><br>10) Jacksonville def. 9) Kennesaw State 92-86<br>8) Queens def. 7) Florida Gulf Coast 69-63<br><strong>Quarterfinals</strong><br>10) Jacksonville def. 1) Eastern Kentucky 67-65<br>4) Austin Peay def. 5) North Florida 101-98 (OT)<br>2) Stetson def. 8) Queens 91-83<br>6) North Alabama def. 3) Lipscomb 77-75<br><strong>Semifinals</strong><br>2) Stetson def. 10) Jacksonville 88-87<br>4) Austin Peay def. 6) North Alabama 77-71<br><strong>CHAMPIONSHIP</strong><br>2) Stetson def. 4) Austin Peay 94-91</p>
<h3 id="MPY6Ak"><strong>PATRIOT LEAGUE | MARCH 5-13</strong></h3>
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</figure>
<p id="ngCgoq"><strong>TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS: COLGATE</strong><br><strong>PROJECTED SEED: 14-15</strong></p>
<h4 id="cZlEHx"><strong>Results</strong></h4>
<p id="7BWg2B"><strong>1st Round</strong><br>7) Navy def. 10) Loyola 64-48<br>9) Holy Cross def. 8) Army 84-68<br><strong>Quarterfinals</strong><br>1) Colgate def. 9) Holy Cross 81-64<br>2) Boston U def. 7) Navy 70-61<br>6) Lehigh def. 3) Lafayette76-61<br>5) Bucknell def. 4) American 80-57<br><strong>Semifinals</strong><br>1) Colgate def. 5) Bucknell 68-65<br>6) Lehigh def. 2) Boston U 84-79 (OT)<br><strong>CHAMPIONSHIP</strong><br>1) Colgate def. 6) Lehigh 74-55</p>
<h3 id="RzprhI"><strong>SUN BELT | MARCH 5-11</strong></h3>
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<p id="llwJrB"><strong>TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS: JAMES MADISON</strong><br><strong>PROJECTED SEED: 12</strong></p>
<h4 id="KE2dIl"><strong>Results</strong></h4>
<p id="LcxNHc"><strong>1st Round</strong><br>13) Coastal Carolina def. 12) UL-Monroe 75-71<br>11) Texas State def. 14) Old Dominion 92-83 (OT)<br><strong>2nd Round</strong><br>5) Louisiana def. 13) Coastal Carolina 80-66<br>11) Texas State def. 6) Southern Miss 75-59<br>10) Marshall def. 7) Georgia State 86-74<br>9) Georgia Southern def. 8) South Alabama 76-71<br><strong>Quarterfinals</strong><br>1) Appalachian State def. 9) Georgia Southern 85-80 (OT)<br>2) James Madison def. 10) Marshall 81-64<br>11) Texas State def. 3) Troy 74-68<br>4) Arkansas State def. 5) Louisiana 89-62<br><strong>Semifinals</strong><br>4) Arkansas State def. 1) Appalachian State 67-65<br>2) James Madison def. 11) Texas State 73-68<br><strong>CHAMPIONSHIP</strong><br>2) James Madison def. 4) Arkansas State 91-71</p>
<h3 id="sDpq4x"><strong>HORIZON LEAGUE | MARCH 5-12</strong></h3>
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</figure>
<p id="5O1mVC"><strong>TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS: OAKLAND</strong><br><strong>PROJECTED SEED: 14</strong></p>
<h4 id="qOVJgG"><strong>Results</strong></h4>
<p id="8K466y"><strong>1st Round</strong><br>6) Milwaukee def. 11) Detroit Mercy 83-79<br>7) Cleveland State def. 10) IUPUI 85-66<br>8) Purdue Fort Wayne def. 9) Robert Morris 78-63<br><strong>Quarterfinals</strong><br>1) Oakland def. 8) Purdue Fort Wayne 75-65<br>7) Cleveland State def. 2) Youngstown State 82-70<br>6) Milwaukee def. 3) Green Bay 95-84<br>5) Northern Kentucky def. 4) Wright State 99-97 (OT)<br><strong>Semifinals</strong><br>1) Oakland def. 7) Cleveland State 74-71<br>6) Milwaukee def. 5) Northern Kentucky 82-75<br><strong>CHAMPIONSHIP</strong><br>1) Oakland def. 6) Milwaukee 83-76</p>
<h3 id="bq8kt1"><strong>BIG SOUTH | MARCH 6-10</strong></h3>
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</figure>
<p id="KfNBJi"><strong>TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS: LONGWOOD</strong><br><strong>PROJECTED SEED: 15-16</strong></p>
<h4 id="DCpxZy"><strong>Results</strong></h4>
<p id="jnVlrT"><strong>1st Round</strong><br>9) Radford def. 8) USC Upstate 67-60<br><strong>Quarterfinals</strong><br>1) High Point def. 9) Radford 77-63<br>2) UNC Asheville def. 7) Charleston Southern 60-55<br>3) Gardner-Webb def. 6) Presbyterian 61-60<br>5) Longwood def. 4) Winthrop 69-56<br><strong>Semifinals</strong><br>5) Longwood def. 1) High Point 80-79 (OT)<br>2) UNC Asheville def. 3) Gardner-Webb 83-72 (OT)<br><strong>CHAMPIONSHIP</strong><br>5) Longwood def. 2) UNC Asheville 85-59</p>
<h3 id="a6ULff"><strong>NORTHEAST CONFERENCE | MARCH 6-12</strong></h3>
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<p id="MqCc8U"><strong>TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS: WAGNER</strong><br><strong>PROJECTED SEED: 16</strong></p>
<h4 id="s4a4kZ"><strong>Results</strong></h4>
<p id="u53EC8"><strong>Quarterfinals</strong><br>1) Central Connecticut def. 8) Saint Francis 71-62<br>2) Merrimack def. 7) Long Island 72-66<br>6) Wagner def. 3) Sacred Heart 60-57<br>4) Le Moyne def. 5) Fairleigh Dickinson 82-61<br><strong>Semifinals</strong><br>6) Wagner def. 1) Central Connecticut 66-56<br>2) Merrimack def. 4) Le Moyne 61-51<br><strong>CHAMPIONSHIP</strong><br>6) Wagner def. 2) Merrimack 54-47</p>
<h3 id="CZmU78"><strong>OHIO VALLEY CONFERENCE | MARCH 6-9</strong></h3>
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<p id="Abn6Q9"><strong>TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS: MOREHEAD STATE</strong><br><strong>PROJECTED SEED: 14</strong></p>
<h4 id="91fsJP"><strong>Results</strong></h4>
<p id="lbRVSi"><strong>1st Round</strong><br>5) Tennessee State def. 8) Southern Indiana 78-64<br>6) SIU Edwardsville def. 7) Eastern Illinois 68-57<br><strong>Quarterfinals</strong><br>3) Morehead State def. 6) SIU Edwardsville 78-63<br>4) Western Illinois def. 5) Tennessee State 61-59<br><strong>Semifinals</strong><br>1) Little Rock def. 4) Western Illinois 82-57<br>3) Morehead State def. 2) UT-Martin 84-78<br><strong>CHAMPIONSHIP</strong><br>3) Morehead State def. 1) Little Rock 69-55</p>
<h3 id="i3zRuO"><strong>MISSOURI VALLEY CONFERENCE | MARCH 7-10</strong></h3>
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<p id="l7qGjM"><strong>TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS: DRAKE</strong><br><strong>PROJECTED SEED: 11-12</strong></p>
<h4 id="KlEHdA"><strong>Results</strong></h4>
<p id="ZCmMzd"><strong>1st Round</strong><br>5) Belmont def. 12) Valparaiso 86-61<br>11) Illinois Chicago def. 6) Southern Illinois 84-82 (2OT)<br>10) Evansville def. 7) Illinois State 59-53<br>9) Missouri State def. 8) Murray State 60-35<br><strong>Quarterfinals</strong><br>1) Indiana State def. 9) Missouri State 75-59<br>2) Drake def. 10) Evansville 79-58<br>3) Bradley def. 11) Illinois Chicago 74-47<br>4) Northern Iowa def. Belmont 67-62<br><strong>Semifinals</strong><br>1) Indiana State def. 4) Northern Iowa 94-72<br>2) Drake def. 3) Bradley 72-67<br><strong>CHAMPIONSHIP</strong><br>2) Drake def. 1) Indiana State 84-80</p>
<h3 id="OptpEo"><strong>WEST COAST CONFERENCE | MARCH 7-12</strong></h3>
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<p id="4xIkOt"><strong>TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS: SAINT MARY’S</strong><br><strong>PROJECTED SEED: 6</strong></p>
<h4 id="kGhmsm"><strong>Results</strong></h4>
<p id="fdgZiG"><strong>1st Round</strong><br>8) Pepperdine def. 9) Pacific 102-43<br><strong>Second Round</strong><br>5) San Diego def. 8) Pepperdine 57-52<br>6) Portland def. 7) Loyola Marymount 78-70<br><strong>Quarterfinals</strong><br>3) San Francisco def. 6) Portland 72-51<br>4) Santa Clara def. 5) San Diego 104-79<br><strong>Semifinals</strong><br>1) Saint Mary’s def. 4) Santa Clara 79-65<br>2) Gonzaga def. 3) San Francisco 89-77<br><strong>CHAMPIONSHIP</strong><br>1) Saint Mary’s def. 2) Gonzaga 69-60</p>
<h3 id="xhU73P"><strong>COASTAL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION | MARCH 8-12</strong></h3>
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<p id="T28Xen"><strong>TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS: CHARLESTON</strong><br><strong>PROJECTED SEED: 13</strong></p>
<h4 id="5Pober"><strong>Results</strong></h4>
<p id="H7HPC8"><strong>1st Round</strong><br>14) Hampton def. 11) Elon 56-55<br>13) William & Mary def. 12) North Carolina A&T 79-62<br><strong>Second Round</strong><br>5) Towson def. 13) William & Mary 67-56<br>6) Delaware def. 14) Hampton 80-50<br>7) Stony Brook def. 10) Northeastern 75-65<br>8) Monmouth def. 9) Campbell 90-67<br><strong>Quarterfinal</strong><br>1) Charleston def. 8) Monmouth 83-59<br>7) Stony Brook def. 2) Drexel 91-88 (2OT)<br>3) Hofstra def. 6) Delaware 73-58<br>5) Towson def. 4) UNC Wilmington 66-56<br><strong>Semifinal</strong><br>1) Charleston def. 5) Towson 61-56<br>7) Stony Brook def. 3) Hofstra 63-59<br><strong>CHAMPIONSHIP</strong><br>1) Charleston def. 7) Stony Brooke 82-79 (OT)</p>
<h3 id="eusFmN"><strong>SOUTHERN CONFERENCE | MARCH 8-11</strong></h3>
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<p id="IXFjn3"><strong>TOURNAMENT CHAMPION: SAMFORD</strong><br><strong>PROJECTED SEED: 12-13</strong></p>
<h4 id="TBIdDJ"><strong>Results</strong></h4>
<p id="Gp8fL8"><strong>1st Round</strong><br>7) East Tennessee State def. 10) VMI 98-66<br>8) Mercer def. 9) The Citadel 84-76<br><strong>Quarterfinals</strong><br>1) Samford def. 8) Mercer 70-57<br>7) East Tennessee State def. 2) UNC Greensboro 73-62<br>3) Chattanooga def. 6) Wofford 75-57<br>5) Furman def. 4) Western Carolina 79-76 (OT)<br><strong>Semifinals</strong><br>1) Samford def. 5) Furman 84-77<br>7) East Tennessee State def. 2) Chattanooga 85-84 (OT)<br><strong>CHAMPIONSHIP</strong><br>1) Samford def. 7) East Tennessee State 76-69</p>
<h3 id="Pyysij"><strong>SUMMIT LEAGUE | MARCH 8-12</strong></h3>
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<p id="i0klYB"><strong>TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS: SOUTH DAKOTA STATE</strong><br><strong>PROJECTED SEED: 15</strong></p>
<h4 id="fNOU9c"><strong>Results</strong></h4>
<p id="b8KN4a"><strong>1st Round</strong><br>8) Oral Roberts def. 9) South Dakota 77-62<br><strong>Quarterfinals</strong><br>1) South Dakota State def. 8) Oral Roberts 79-63<br>7) Denver def. 2) Kansas City 61-60<br>6) Omaha def. 3) North Dakota 73-72<br>4) St. Thomas def. North Dakota State 68-58<br><strong>Semifinals</strong><br>1) South Dakota State def. 4) St. Thomas 59-49<br>7) Denver def. 6) Omaha 66-63<br><strong>CHAMPIONSHIP</strong><br>1) South Dakota State def. 7) Denver 76-68</p>
<h3 id="AsZSqN"><strong>AMERICA EAST | MARCH 9-16</strong></h3>
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</figure>
<p id="4CPCNU"><strong>TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS: VERMONT</strong><br><strong>PROJECTED SEED: 14</strong></p>
<h4 id="t3tu4t"><strong>Results</strong></h4>
<p id="LxgctO"><strong>Quarterfinals</strong><br>1) Vermont def. 8) Albany 75-72<br>2) UMass Lowell def. 7) UMBC 94-89 (OT)<br>3) Bryant def. 6) Maine 84-58<br>4) New Hampshire def. 5) Binghamton 77-64<br><strong>Semifinals</strong><br>1) Vermont def. 4) New Hampshire 66-59<br>2) UMass Lowell def. 3) Bryant 77-70</p>
<h3 id="LwhjIS"><strong>BIG SKY CONFERENCE | MARCH 9-13</strong></h3>
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</figure>
<p id="qDoz8z"><strong>TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS: MONTANA STATE</strong><br><strong>Projected Seed: 16</strong></p>
<h4 id="OXHyOh"><strong>Results</strong></h4>
<p id="yeeFVK"><strong>1st Round</strong><br>8) Idaho State def. Northern Arizona 68-60<br>10) Sacramento State def. 9) Idaho 72-64<br><strong>Quarterfinals</strong><br>10) Sacramento State def. 1) Eastern Washington 74-69<br>8) Idaho State def. 2) Northern Colorado 83-76<br>3) Montana def. 6) Portland State 87-81<br>5) Montana State def. 4) Weber State 91-82<br><strong>Semifinals</strong><br>3) Montana def. 8) Idaho State 72-58<br>5) Montana State def. 10) Sacramento State 74-71<br><strong>CHAMPIONSHIP</strong><br>5) Montana State def. 3) Montana 85-70</p>
<h3 id="6WYE1i"><strong>SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE | MARCH 10-13</strong></h3>
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<p id="9TomKi"><strong>TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS: McNEESE STATE</strong><br><strong>Projected Seed: 12-13</strong></p>
<h4 id="QQ10SV"><strong>Results</strong></h4>
<p id="6XSLxN"><strong>1st Round</strong><br>8) New Orleans def. 5) Southeast Louisiana 78-66<br>7) Texas A&M-Commerce def. 6) Northwestern State 69-64<br><strong>2nd Round</strong><br>3) Nicholls def. 7) Texas A&M-Commerce 72-51<br>4) Lamar def. 8) New Orleans 71-57<br><strong>Semifinals</strong><br>1) McNeese State def. 4) Lamar 76-57<br>3) Nicholls def. 2) Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 81-73 (OT)<br><strong>CHAMPIONSHIP</strong><br>1) McNeese State def. 3) Nicholls 92-76</p>
<h3 id="gflKoA"><strong>ATLANTIC COAST CONFERENCE | MARCH 12-16</strong></h3>
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<p id="tq5bfU"><strong>TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS: NC STATE</strong><br><strong>PROJECTED SEED: 10-11</strong></p>
<h4 id="UPFZzF"><strong>Results</strong></h4>
<p id="OcYElb"><strong>1st Round</strong><br>10) NC State def. 15) Louisville 94-85<br>11) Boston College def. 14) Miami FL 81-65<br>12) Notre Dame def. 13) Georgia Tech 84-80<br><strong>2nd Round</strong><br>5) Wake Forest def. 12) Notre Dame 72-59<br>11) Boston College def. 6) Clemson 76-55<br>10) NC State def. 7) Syracuse 83-65<br>9) Florida State def. 8) Virginia Tech 86-76<br><strong>Quarterfinals</strong><br>1) North Carolina def. 9) Florida State 92-67<br>10) NC State def. 2) Duke 74-69<br>3) Virginia def. 11) Boston College 66-60<br>4) Pittsburgh def. 5) Wake Forest 81-69<br><strong>Semifinals</strong><br>1) North Carolina def. 4) Pittsburgh 72-65<br>10) NC State def. 3) Virginia 73-65 (OT)<br><strong>CHAMPIONSHIP</strong><br>10) NC State def. 1) North Carolina 84-76</p>
<h3 id="iROXhm"><strong>ATLANTIC 10 CONFERENCE | MARCH 12-17</strong></h3>
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<p id="aXO8cy"><strong>TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS: DUQUESNE</strong><br><strong>SEED: 11</strong></p>
<h4 id="B2tfKv"><strong>Results</strong></h4>
<p id="YJaqiy"><strong>1st Round</strong><br>10) La Salle def. 15) George Washington 61-60<br>14) Saint Louis def. 11) Rhode Island 74-71<br>12) Fordham def. 13) Davidson 71-63 (OT)<br><strong>2nd Round</strong><br>5) VCU def. 12) Fordham 69-62<br>6) Duquesne def. 14) Saint Louis 83-73<br>7) St. Bonaventure def. 10) La Salle 75-73<br>9) Saint Joseph’s 8) George Mason 64-57<br><strong>Quarterfinals</strong><br>9) Saint Joseph’s def. 1) Richmond 66-61<br>7) St. Bonaventure def. 2) Loyola Chicago 75-74 (OT)<br>6) Duquesne def. 3) Dayton 65-57<br>5) VCU def. 4) UMass 73-59<br><strong>Semifinals</strong><br>5) VCU def. 9) Saint Joseph’s 66-60<br>6) Duquesne def. 7) St. Bonaventure 70-60<br><strong>CHAMPIONSHIP</strong><br>6) Duquesne def. 5) VCU 57-51</p>
<h3 id="e9md5y"><strong>BIG XII CONFERENCE | MARCH 12-16</strong></h3>
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<p id="RnrOl2"><strong>TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS: IOWA STATE</strong><br><strong>PROJECTED SEED: 2</strong></p>
<h4 id="HngV2G"><strong>Results</strong></h4>
<p id="oGbjMI"><strong>1st Round</strong><br>11) Cincinnati def. 14) West Virginia 90-85<br>12) UCF def. 13) Oklahoma State 77-62<br><strong>2nd Round</strong><br>5) BYU def. 12) UCF 87-73<br>11) Cincinnati def. 6) Kansas 72-52<br>10) Kansas State def. 7) Texas 78-74<br>8) TCU def. 9) Oklahoma 77-70<br><strong>Quarterfinals</strong><br>1) Houston def. 8) TCU 60-45<br>2) Iowa State def. 10) Kansas State 76-57<br>3) Baylor def. 11) Cincinnati 68-56<br>4) Texas Tech def. 5) BYU 81-67<br><strong>Semifinals</strong><br>1) Houston def. 4) Texas Tech 82-59<br>2) Iowa State def. 3) Baylor 76-62<br><strong>CHAMPIONSHIP</strong><br>2) Iowa State def. 1) Houston 69-41</p>
<h3 id="E4Yibb"><strong>CONFERENCE USA | MARCH 12-16</strong></h3>
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<p id="fPbVCR"><strong>TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS: WESTERN KENTUCKY</strong><br><strong>PROJECTED SEED: 14-15</strong></p>
<h4 id="4RtX4X"><strong>Results</strong></h4>
<p id="3P3lBA"><strong>1st Round</strong><br>9) FIU def. 8) Jacksonville State 76-67<br><strong>Quarterfinals</strong><br>1) Sam Houston State def. 9) FIU 78-59<br>7) Middle Tennessee def. 2) Louisiana Tech 70-67<br>3) Western Kentucky def. 6) New Mexico State 89-69<br>5) UTEP def. 4) Liberty 66-57<br><strong>Semifinals</strong><br>5) UTEP def. 1) Sam Houston State 65-63<br>3) Western Kentucky def. 7) Middle Tennessee 85-54<br><strong>CHAMPIONSHIP</strong><br>3) Western Kentucky def. 5) UTEP 78-71</p>
<h3 id="Sohv5a"><strong>METRO ATLANTIC ATHLETIC CONFERENCE | MARCH 12-16</strong></h3>
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<p id="waUeYb"><strong>TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS: SAINT PETER’S</strong><br><strong>PROJECTED SEED: 16</strong></p>
<h4 id="WGn7aO"><strong>Results</strong></h4>
<p id="m5A2NQ"><strong>1st Round</strong><br>6) Niagara def. 11) Siena 67-65<br>7) Iona def. 10) Manhattan 59-57<br>9) Canisius def. 8) Mount St. Mary’s 77-61<br><strong>Quarterfinals</strong><br>1) Quinnipiac def. 9) Canisius 76-52<br>2) Fairfield def. 7) Iona 68-63<br>3) Marist def. 6) Niagara 65-59<br>5) Saint Peter’s def. 4) Rider 50-48</p>
<h3 id="0TzbnJ"><strong>AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE | MARCH 13-17</strong></h3>
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<p id="XqVU9I"><strong>TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS: UAB</strong><br><strong>SEED: 12</strong></p>
<h4 id="uM3QkW"><strong>Results</strong></h4>
<p id="CysFbY"><strong>1st Round</strong><br>11) Temple def. 14) UTSA 64-61<br>12) Wichita State def. 13) Rice 88-81<br><strong>2nd Round</strong><br>12) Wichita State def. 5) Memphis 71-65<br>11) Temple def. 6) SMU 75-60<br>7) North Texas def. 10) Tulane 81-71<br>8) East Carolina def. 9) Tulsa 84-79<br><strong>Quarterfinals</strong><br>1) South Florida def. 8) East Carolina 81-59<br>2) Florida Atlantic def. 7) North Texas 77-71<br>11) Temple def. 3) Charlotte 58-54<br>4) UAB def. 12) Wichita State 72-60<br><strong>Semifinals</strong><br>4) UAB def. 1) South Florida 93-83<br>11) Temple def. 2) Florida Atlantic 74-73<br><strong>CHAMPIONSHIP</strong><br>4) UAB def. 11) Temple 85-69</p>
<h3 id="hSQZLe"><strong>BIG EAST | MARCH 13-16</strong></h3>
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<p id="u4LGID"><strong>TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS: UCONN</strong><br><strong>PROJECTED SEED: #1 OVERALL SEED</strong></p>
<h4 id="BQ4Exf"><strong>Results</strong></h4>
<p id="xRGeF9"><strong>1st Round</strong><br>6) Villanova def. 11) DePaul 58-57<br>7) Providence def. 10) Georgetown 74-56<br>9) Xavier def. 8) Butler 76-72<br><strong>Quarterfinal</strong><br>1) UConn def. 9) Xavier 87-60<br>7) Providence def. 2) Creighton 78-73<br>3) Marquette def. 6) Villanova 71-65 (OT)<br>5) St. John’s def. 4) Seton Hall 91-72<br><strong>Semifinal</strong><br>1) UConn def. 5) St. John’s 95-90<br>3) Marquette def. 7) Providence 79-68<br><strong>CHAMPIONSHIP</strong><br>1) UConn def. 3) Marquette 73-57</p>
<h3 id="rwCMfQ"><strong>BIG TEN | MARCH 13-17</strong></h3>
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<p id="MScFrt"><strong>TOURNAMENT CHAMPION: ILLINOIS</strong><br><strong>SEED: 3</strong></p>
<h4 id="WL75H7"><strong>Results</strong></h4>
<p id="qSNkxA"><strong>1st Round</strong><br>11) Penn State def. 14) Michigan 66-57<br>12) Maryland def. 13) Rutgers 65-51<br><strong>2nd Round</strong><br>5) Wisconsin def. 12) Maryland 87-56<br>6) Indiana def. 11) Penn State 61-59<br>10) Ohio State def. 7) Iowa 90-78<br>8) Michigan State def. 9) Minnesota 77-67<br><strong>Quarterfinals</strong><br>1) Purdue def. 8) Michigan State 67-62<br>2) Illinois def. 10) Ohio State 77-74<br>3) Nebraska def. 6) Indiana 93-66<br>5) Wisconsin def. 4) Northwestern 70-61<br><strong>Semifinals</strong><br>5) Wisconsin def. 1) Purdue 76-75 (OT)<br>2) Illinois def. 3) Nebraska 98-87<br><strong>CHAMPIONSHIP</strong><br>2) Illinois def. 5) Wisconsin 93-87</p>
<h3 id="zKvngE"><strong>BIG WEST | MARCH 13-16</strong></h3>
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<p id="6S1amM"><strong>TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS: LONG BEACH STATE</strong><br><strong>PROJECTED SEED: 15-16</strong></p>
<h4 id="TAMoGQ"><strong>Results</strong></h4>
<p id="TLhvGT"><strong>1st Round</strong><br>5) UC Riverside def. 8) Cal State Bakersfield 83-78<br>7) Cal State Northridge def. 6) UC Santa Barbara 87-84 (OT)<br><strong>Quarterfinals</strong><br>3) Hawai’i def. 7) Cal State Northridge 75-68<br>4) Long Beach State def. 5) UC Riverside 86-67<br><strong>Semifinals</strong><br>4) Long Beach State def. 1) UC Irvine 83-79<br>2) UC Davis def. 3) Hawai’i 68-65<br><strong>CHAMPIONSHIP</strong><br>4) Long Beach State def. 2) UC Davis 74-70</p>
<h3 id="FQCaXw"><strong>MID-EASTERN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE | MARCH 13-16</strong></h3>
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<p id="VcTNkt"><strong>TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS: HOWARD</strong><br><strong>PROJECTED SEED: 16</strong></p>
<h4 id="xKPbli"><strong>Results</strong></h4>
<p id="sjCoLD"><strong>Quarterfinals</strong><br>1) Norfolk State def. 8) Coppin State 75-51<br>2) NC Central def. 7) Maryland Eastern Shore 87-81<br>6) Delaware State def. 3) South Carolina State 71-58<br>4) Howard def. 5) Morgan State 78-65<br><strong>Semifinals</strong><br>4) Howard def. 1) Norfolk State 80-74<br>6) Delaware State def. 2) NC Central 71-58<br><strong>CHAMPIONSHIP</strong><br>4) Howard def. 6) Delaware State 70-67</p>
<h3 id="ppWbNz"><strong>MOUNTAIN WEST CONFERENCE | MARCH 13-16</strong></h3>
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<p id="Qu9F1r"><strong>TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS: NEW MEXICO</strong><br><strong>PROJECTED SEED: 8-10</strong></p>
<h4 id="p8oKMB"><strong>Results</strong></h4>
<p id="EA3q7e"><strong>1st Round</strong><br>6) New Mexico def. 11) Air Force 82-56<br>7) Colorado State def. 10) San Jose State 72-62<br>9) Fresno State def. 8) Wyoming 77-73<br><strong>Quarterfinals</strong><br>1) Utah State def. 9) Fresno State 87-75 (OT)<br>7) Colorado State def. 2) Nevada 85-78<br>6) New Mexico def. 3) Boise State 76-66<br>5) San Diego State def. 4) UNLV 74-71 (OT)<br><strong>Semifinals</strong><br>5) San Diego State def. 1) Utah State 86-70<br>6) New Mexico def. 7) Colorado State 74-61<br><strong>CHAMPIONSHIP</strong><br>6) New Mexico def. 5) San Diego State 68-61</p>
<h3 id="iaXvBT"><strong>PAC-12 CONFERENCE | MARCH 13-16</strong></h3>
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<p id="pvxJv5"><strong>TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS: OREGON</strong><br><strong>PROJECTED SEED: 11</strong></p>
<h4 id="sF0lsp"><strong>Results</strong></h4>
<p id="XWmUOx"><strong>1st Round</strong><br>5) UCLA def. 12) Oregon State 67-57<br>6) Utah def. 11) Arizona State 90-57<br>10) Stanford def. 7) California 87-76 (OT)<br>9) USC def. 8) Washington 80-74<br><strong>Quarterfinals</strong><br>1) Arizona def. 9) USC 70-49<br>2) Washington State def. 10) Stanford 79-62<br>3) Colorado def. 6) Utah 72-58<br>4) Oregon def. 5) UCLA 68-66<br><strong>Semifinals</strong><br>4) Oregon def. 1) Arizona 67-59<br>3) Colorado def. 2) Washington State 58-52<br><strong>CHAMPIONSHIP</strong><br>4) Oregon def. 3) Colorado 75-68</p>
<h3 id="MZ2l33"><strong>SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE | MARCH 13-17</strong></h3>
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<p id="n1l7lQ"><strong>TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS: AUBURN</strong><br><strong>SEED: 4</strong></p>
<h4 id="YG5GNG"><strong>Results</strong></h4>
<p id="NgD9YE"><strong>1st Round</strong><br>11) Georgia def. 14) Missouri 64-59<br>12 Arkansas def. 13) Vanderbilt 90-85 (OT)<br><strong>2nd Round</strong><br>5) South Carolina def. 12) Arkansas 80-66<br>6) Florida def. 11) Georgia 85-80<br>7) Texas A&M def. 10 Ole Miss 80-71<br>9) Mississippi State def. 8) LSU 70-60<br><strong>Quarterfinals</strong><br>9) Mississippi State def. 1) Tennessee 73-56<br>7) Texas A&M def. 2) Kentucky 97-87<br>6) Florida def. 3) Alabama 102-88<br>4) Auburn def. 5) South Carolina 86-55<br><strong>Semifinals</strong><br>4) Auburn def. 9) Mississippi State 73-66<br>6) Florida def. 7) Texas A&M 95-90<br><strong>CHAMPIONSHIP</strong><br>4) Auburn def. 6) Florida 86-67</p>
<h3 id="9JBAqT"><strong>SOUTHWESTERN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE | MARCH 13-16</strong></h3>
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<p id="tlNI9p"><strong>TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS: GRAMBLING STATE</strong><br><strong>PROJECTED SEED: 16</strong></p>
<h4 id="5ax8om"><strong>Results</strong></h4>
<p id="NRZbA5"><strong>Quarterfinals</strong><br>1) Grambling State def. 8) Alabama State 56-50<br>7) Alabama A&M def. 2) Alcorn State 75-63<br>3) Texas Southern def. 6) Jackson State 73-62<br>5) Bethune-Cookman def. 4) Southern 73-58<br><strong>Semifinals</strong><br>1) Grambling State def. 5) Bethune-Cookman 65-53<br>3) Texas Southern def. 7) Alabama A&M 72-65<br><strong>CHAMPIONSHIP</strong><br>1) Grambling State def. 3) Texas Southern 75-66</p>
<h3 id="3rqe9x"><strong>WESTERN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE | MARCH 13-16</strong></h3>
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<p id="HUSxx0"><strong>TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS: GRAND CANYON</strong><br><strong>PROJECTED SEED: 12</strong></p>
<h4 id="XvghOC"><strong>Results</strong></h4>
<p id="KGQXhv"><strong>1st Round</strong><br>8) Cal Baptist def. 5) Utah Valley 74-63 (OT)<br>6) Stephen F. Austin def. 7) Abilene Christian 60-57<br><strong>Quarterfinals</strong><br>3) UT Arlington def. 6) Stephen F. Austin 109-78<br>4) Seattle def. 8) Cal Baptist 81-57<br><strong>Semifinals</strong><br>1) Grand Canyon def. 4) Seattle 80-72<br>3) UT Arlington def. 2) Tarleton 87-84<br><strong>CHAMPIONSHIP</strong><br>1) Grand Canyon def. 3) UT Arlington 89-74</p>
<h3 id="dcFxT1"><strong>MID-AMERICAN CONFERENCE | MARCH 14-16</strong></h3>
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<p id="m33vXA"><strong>TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS: AKRON</strong><br><strong>PROJECTED SEED: 13</strong></p>
<h4 id="qSn35b"><strong>Results</strong></h4>
<p id="pSJm80"><strong>Quarterfinals</strong><br>8) Kent State def. 1) Toledo 67-59<br>2) Akron def. 7) Miami OH 75-63<br>3) Ohio def. 6) Western Michigan 82-55<br>5) Bowling Green def. 4) Central Michigan 66-56<br><strong>Semifinals</strong><br>2) Akron def. 3) Ohio 65-62<br>8) Kent State def. 5) Bowling Green 73-60<br><strong>CHAMPIONSHIP</strong><br>2) Akron def. 8) Kent State 62-61</p>
https://www.rockytoptalk.com/2024/3/2/24086651/march-madness-conference-tournament-and-auto-bid-trackerMatt Seese2024-03-16T22:52:56-04:002024-03-16T22:52:56-04:00Tennessee’s bats finally cool off in Tennessee’s loss to Alabama
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<p id="JUHMwT">After putting up 35 runs over their last three games, Tennessee was only able to muster three runs on seven hits in tonight’s 6-3 loss to 14-ranked Alabama. In addition to a slow offensive start, Tennessee was hampered by multiple mistakes in the field and on the base paths. I admit I’m more superstitious than most, but it’s tough not to think that there wasn’t a dark omen on this game when there wasn’t a working stream on the ESPN app for the first 15 minutes of play. Regardless, the game was still played, and eventually viewable. </p>
<p id="R9UfAE">The game started with Tennessee’s first two batters getting on base, including a leadoff double from Christian Moore. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Leadoff double for CMo as we try to get a rally started here in the third!<br><br> <a href="https://t.co/OpBYxMD7e8">https://t.co/OpBYxMD7e8</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GBO?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GBO</a> // <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OTH?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OTH</a> // <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BeatBama?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BeatBama</a> <a href="https://t.co/w9coGDStm6">pic.twitter.com/w9coGDStm6</a></p>— Tennessee Baseball (@Vol_Baseball) <a href="https://twitter.com/Vol_Baseball/status/1769163036097462372?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2024</a>
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<p id="30ANIv">But the Volunteers were unable to capitalize and ultimately left the bases loaded to end the first inning.</p>
<p id="yuAEiV">For the Crimson Tide, they were also able to get two runners on to start the game, but unlike Tennessee, they were able to take advantage of the opportunity and took a 1-0 lead on an Ian Petrutz ground out to second base. Scoring early would prove to be a theme for Alabama. </p>
<p id="mK0oCH">After Tennessee went down in order in the top of the second inning, Alabama’s Bryce Eblin smashed a two-out triple off the 360 sign in right center field, driving in freshman Justin Lebron. To make matters worse, in an attempt to throw out Eblin, Christian Moore’s throw to third bounced out of play and allowed Eblin to score on what we like to call a “little league” inside the park home run, making it a 3-0 ballgame. </p>
<p id="EU1I4M">Alabama added to their lead with another three runs in the bottom of the third inning, thanks in large part to a two-run single from Justin Lebron. </p>
<p id="ifF5bb">The Volunteers were finally able to get on the board in the top of the fourth inning with a Robin Villeneuve solo shot to left-center field. Villeneuve’s fourth home run of the year. </p>
<div id="gEirPe">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true" align="center">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Leadoff double for CMo as we try to get a rally started here in the third!<br><br> <a href="https://t.co/OpBYxMD7e8">https://t.co/OpBYxMD7e8</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GBO?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GBO</a> // <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OTH?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OTH</a> // <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BeatBama?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BeatBama</a> <a href="https://t.co/w9coGDStm6">pic.twitter.com/w9coGDStm6</a></p>— Tennessee Baseball (@Vol_Baseball) <a href="https://twitter.com/Vol_Baseball/status/1769163036097462372?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2024</a>
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<p id="yrWEke">After a rough start to the game, Beam was able to settle down and retire the side, keeping the score at 6-1.</p>
<p id="Zj7umY">We didn’t see much offense for either team until the top of the 7th inning when Christian Moore blasted a 425-foot solo shot to left field, making the score 6-2. </p>
<div id="WSYnrt">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true" align="center">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Leadoff double for CMo as we try to get a rally started here in the third!<br><br> <a href="https://t.co/OpBYxMD7e8">https://t.co/OpBYxMD7e8</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GBO?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GBO</a> // <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OTH?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OTH</a> // <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BeatBama?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BeatBama</a> <a href="https://t.co/w9coGDStm6">pic.twitter.com/w9coGDStm6</a></p>— Tennessee Baseball (@Vol_Baseball) <a href="https://twitter.com/Vol_Baseball/status/1769163036097462372?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2024</a>
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<p id="iXuL33">In a slow night offensively, Christian Moore was a lone bright spot, going 4-5 with a couple of extra base hits, including his 7th home run of the year. </p>
<p id="Nphq00">For Drew Beam, he ended his night retiring the last 13 batters he faced. His final stat line was 8 innings pitched, 8 hits, 6 runs (all earned), 6 strikeouts, and 2 walks on 101 pitches. </p>
<p id="eWmWDv">Tennessee will look to take the series tomorrow afternoon at 2:00pm ET. If you weren’t able to catch tonight’s game, you can find the full box score <a href="https://www.espn.com/college-baseball/boxscore/_/gameId/401628720">here</a>. </p>
https://www.rockytoptalk.com/2024/3/16/24103534/tennessees-bats-finally-cool-off-in-tennessees-loss-to-alabamaChristianDeFazio