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Tennessee boasts seven teams in March Madness

Tennessee boasts seven teams in March Madness

Axios17-03-2025
The state of Tennessee will be well-represented in March Madness this year.
Driving the news: Four in-state men's teams and three women's teams qualified for the NCAA tournament.
The big picture: The University of Tennessee men's team seems to have the best chance of reaching the Final Four. The Volunteers earned the No. 2 seed in the Midwest regional bracket.
Under coach Rick Barnes, UT has now made the NCAA tournament seven times.
Why it matters: The program has never reached the Final Four. UT came painfully close last season, falling to Purdue 72-66 in the Elite Eight.
Here's a look at the other Tennessee programs to watch in March Madness
Lipscomb men: The Bisons are an underdog to watch, led by high-scoring forward Jacob Ognacevic.
Lipscomb will be playing in the NCAA tourney for the second time ever, and for the first time since 2017.
Vanderbilt men: Coach Mark Byington turned around the Commodores program. Vandy won just nine games a season ago and will play in March Madness for the first time since 2017.
Memphis men: Coach Penny Hardaway's squad had an excellent regular season, winning the American Athletic Conference title for the first time ever.
Tennessee women: The Lady Vols won 22 games under new coach Kim Caldwell.
The iconic program has won the NCAA tournament eight times.
Vanderbilt women: Shea Ralph has the Commodores back in the tournament for the second time in three seasons. Vandy beat rival Tennessee twice this season.
The Athletic dubbed the team"one to watch," saying it "could bust some brackets.
"Shea Ralph and her staff have done a terrific job there in a state that has long been dominated by the Vols."
Tennessee Tech women: If you're looking for a Cinderella team to get behind, the Golden Eagles are a good pick. All five starters average double figures.
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