There’s a shaky optimism emanating throughout the Big Orange nation right about now. The Tennessee Volunteers captured a 5-seed in the NCAA tournament bracket, shortly after a string of impressive performances to end the season. Their first round matchup will be against an Oregon State team who more or less stole a spot with a PAC-12 tournament championship. There are no easy games in March Madness, but Tennessee probably feels better about a game against Oregon State than most other teams in the tournament.
Beyond that is anyone’s guess. Oklahoma State and Liberty are both very formidable opponents, and one of those would await Tennessee if they do indeed overcome the Beavers.