Tennessee boasts seven teams in March Madness
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Tennessee's Jahmai Mashack. Photo: Bryan Lynn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The state of Tennessee will be well-represented in March Madness this year.
Driving the news: Four in-state men's teams and three women's teams qualified for the NCAA tournament.
The big picture: The University of Tennessee men's team seems to have the best chance of reaching the Final Four. The Volunteers earned the No. 2 seed in the Midwest regional bracket.
- Under coach Rick Barnes, UT has now made the NCAA tournament seven times.
Why it matters: The program has never reached the Final Four. UT came painfully close last season, falling to Purdue 72-66 in the Elite Eight.
Here's a look at the other Tennessee programs to watch in March Madness
Lipscomb men: The Bisons are an underdog to watch, led by high-scoring forward Jacob Ognacevic.
- Lipscomb will be playing in the NCAA tourney for the second time ever, and for the first time since 2017.
Vanderbilt men: Coach Mark Byington turned around the Commodores program. Vandy won just nine games a season ago and will play in March Madness for the first time since 2017.
Memphis men: Coach Penny Hardaway's squad had an excellent regular season, winning the American Athletic Conference title for the first time ever.
Tennessee women: The Lady Vols won 22 games under new coach Kim Caldwell.
- The iconic program has won the NCAA tournament eight times.
Vanderbilt women: Shea Ralph has the Commodores back in the tournament for the second time in three seasons. Vandy beat rival Tennessee twice this season.
- The Athletic dubbed the team "one to watch," saying it "could bust some brackets.
- "Shea Ralph and her staff have done a terrific job there in a state that has long been dominated by the Vols."
Tennessee Tech women: If you're looking for a Cinderella team to get behind, the Golden Eagles are a good pick. All five starters average double figures.