What SEC Teams Are The Worst Matchups For Tennessee?
Now that teams are starting to take shape, players are figuring out where they're playing next year, and AAU is well underway, we have an idea of what college basketball will look like next season. So with that being said, we can now analyze the strengths and weaknesses of each team and, in Tennessee's case, figure out who in the SEC could give them problems.
Missouri
Last season, the Tigers got the best of Tennessee in Dennis Gates' first season, beating them both in Knoxville on a buzzer-beater and in Nashville in the SEC Tournament Quarterfinals. This off-season, Gates has been adamant about getting players that fit his style, and he executed that very well. Mizzou added players like Caleb Grill, John Tonje, and Tamar Bates in the portal. The Tigers also got some player retention with guys like Isiaih Mosley, Noah Carter, and Nick Honor. Expect the team from CoMo to be able to spread the Vols out and hit tough threes again.
Alabama
Who isn't Alabama a tough out for, right? The Vols met the Tide only once last season, and the result was a Tennessee home victory. While Alabama won't have a player like Brandon Miller this season, they won't be as reliant on one guy in some games, which could make them tougher to guard. Nate Oats also worked the portal, adding Aaron Estrada and Latrell Wrightsell Jr. in the backcourt with Mark Sears and Jahvon Quinerly. Their fast-paced style has almost been the poster child for modern basketball, as the Tide will get up threes in a hurry. Also, watch out for Sophomore Rylen Griffen.
Auburn
The first two teams are tough matchups for Tennessee because of their offensive style. Auburn is on here because of their defense. The Tigers are the only team of the three on here that got Tennessee both on the road and at home last season, and they gave them fits in both games. In Knoxville, it was a mucky game that ended in the 40s, and at Auburn, Bruce Pearl's squad got the best of the Vols in their first game without Zakai Zeigler. This Auburn team should be able to win ugly games in a similar way to last year, but adding Denver Jones, Aden Holloway, and developing Tre Donaldson could make Auburn a much better offensive team.
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