ESPN broadcaster Jay Bilas doesn’t have Tennessee in the Final Four, but that doesn’t mean he made his choice to end the Vols’ run lightly.
Bilas released his bracket on ESPN on Monday with some notes about each matchup that he picked including the potential for an upset.
Before we get to Tennessee’s elimination, let’s start at the top with the Vols as the 2-seed in the Midwest Region.
Bilas has Tennessee beating 15-seed Wofford in the first round, a low chance of an upset with the Vols being “too powerful.” Bilas does mention that while Zakai Zeigler is the best player and the heart and soul of Rick Barnes’ team, he’s taking Chaz Lanier as the player to watch for the Volunteers.
Bilas has Utah State beating UCLA to set up a round of 32 matchup, but either way, the upset potential is low with Tennessee coming out on top.
More from RTI: Four Takeaways On Tennessee Basketball NCAA Tournament Draw
Then it gets fun.
Bilas has a meeting between 2-seed Tennessee and 3-seed Kentucky in the Sweet 16 with the Vols once again winning. Despite Kentucky sweeping the regular season series, though, Bilas still has the upset potential as low.
“Kentucky can score, but not against Tennessee on a neutral court,” Bilas writes. “When healthy, Kentucky would be very tough to beat, but I like Tennessee here.”
The ESPN analyst and broadcaster has 1-seed Houston beating 2-seed Tennessee in the Elite Eight but with reservations. With the Vols now being the lower seed for the first time in the predictions, Bilas has the upset potential as high.
“This game will be a physical battle that should be officiated by three Navy Seals,” Bilas writes. “I am taking Houston.”
Houston is part of the all-1-seed Final Four that Bilas is predicting ahead of the start of the tournament on Thursday. Bilas has Houston beating Duke in the Final Four but losing to Florida in the National Championship game from San Antonio.
KenPom Analytics has Tennessee with a 71.7% chance of making the Sweet 16, a 50.4% chance of making the Elite Eight, and a 26.3% chance of making the Final Four.
For a preview of Tennessee’s opening opponent Wofford on Thursday night in Lexington, click here.
Rocky Top Insider will have you live, on-site coverage of every game on Tennessee’s road to the Final Four this month.
Check out Jay Bilas’ full bracket here.
KenPom gives Tennessee a 71.7% chance to make the Sweet 16 and 26.3% chance to make the Final Four. pic.twitter.com/CWcC3mjxUh
— Ryan Schumpert (@rschump00) March 17, 2025
