The Lady Vols are gearing up for a pivotal showdown against No. 5 Vanderbilt, marking their final game of the regular season.
This follows a tough road loss to No. 6 LSU, where Tennessee kept it close through the first half.
With the latest games wrapped up, ESPN has updated its bracketology for the 2026 NCAA Tournament. The Lady Vols find themselves projected as a 7-seed, setting the stage for an intriguing March Madness journey.
In this prediction, Tennessee would kick off the tournament facing the 10-seed Fairfield Stags, who boast an impressive 24-4 record. Fairfield's losses came against teams like North Carolina and Iowa, showcasing their competitive spirit.
Should the Lady Vols advance, they would likely face the winner between 2-seed Iowa and 15-seed LMU. These initial rounds are slated for Iowa City, adding an extra layer of challenge on the Hawkeyes’ home turf.
Interestingly, Tennessee hasn't matched up with Iowa this season. However, they did clinch a notable victory over the Hawkeyes in Brooklyn last season under Coach Kim Caldwell, marking a significant milestone in her leadership.
A return to the Sweet 16 would mean potential clashes with formidable teams like 3-seed Louisville or 6-seed Alabama. The Lady Vols experienced a tough defeat against Louisville this year but managed a road win over Alabama.
The path to the Final Four is no cakewalk, with powerhouses like 1-seed South Carolina, 4-seed Ohio State, and 5-seed North Carolina lurking in Tennessee's region.
The SEC is well-represented, with 11 teams projected to make the tournament, second only to the Big Ten's 12.
As they prepare for Senior Day, the Lady Vols are set to host Vanderbilt at 2 p.m. ET, with the game airing on ESPN. It's a moment to celebrate their journey and gear up for the challenges that lie ahead.