Tennessee basketball earned its fourth straight win over Alabama on Saturday afternoon when Jahmai Mashack hit a deep three-pointer to give the Vols’ a 79-76 victory.
The win was highly significant for Tennessee’s chances of earning a one-seed in the NCAA Tournament over Alabama as the two teams and Florida are battling out for the final spot on the one-line.
While the loss was brutal for the Crimson Tide, there was at least one person in the Yellow Hammer State who was happy by the game’s ending: Bruce Pearl.
Tennessee’s win over Alabama clinched the outright SEC Regular-Season Championship for Auburn, and the former Volunteer coach Bruce Pearl tweeted out his support of the Vols.
VFL and War Damn Eagle!
— Bruce Pearl (@coachbrucepearl) March 1, 2025
The Tigers clinched a share of the SEC earlier on Saturday when they beat Kentucky 94-78 in Rupp Arena. It was Pearl’s first win at Rupp Arena since Tennessee won in Lexington in February 2006— Pearl’s first year in Knoxville. Auburn had clinched a share of the league title but they needed more help to win the league outright. Tennessee provided that help.
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Auburn enters the final week of the regular season 27-2 (15-1 SEC) having locked up the one-seed in the SEC Tournament and all but locked up the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament. They conclude the regular season with a matchup at Texas A&M and a home contest against Alabama next Saturday.
Tennessee’s win over Alabama improves its record to 24-5 (11-5 SEC) on the season. They’ll look to build off their four-game winning streak when they face Ole Miss on the road and host South Carolina on the final day of the regular season.
The Vols are sitting in a good spot to finish in the top four of the SEC standings and to earn the crucial double-bye in this month’s SEC Tournament.
