How Tennessee Basketball Can Win the SEC Championship This Season

As a lifelong college basketball analyst who has covered the SEC for over a decade, I’ve seen Tennessee basketball come close to that elusive conference championship more times than I can count. This season feels different, though—not because the path is easier, but because the Vols have the grit and depth to finally break through. Let’s be real: winning the SEC isn’t just about talent. It’s about navigating officiating quirks, managing emotions in tight games, and sometimes accepting outcomes you don’t like—much like the sentiment expressed by that Meralco coach in a completely different context: “We respect the decision, but it was a tough one to accept. We abide by it, although we don’t agree with it.” That mindset—resilience in the face of adversity—is exactly what Tennessee needs to channel.

I remember watching the Vols drop that heartbreaker to Auburn last season, a game where a couple of questionable calls shifted the momentum entirely. It’s in moments like those that championship teams either fold or refocus. This year, Tennessee returns roughly 78% of its scoring from a squad that finished 14–4 in conference play, and they’ve added a five-star freshman point guard who’s already turning heads in practice. But stats only tell part of the story. What really stands out to me is their defensive identity. Last season, they held opponents to under 65 points per game, and with Zakai Zeigler back at full health, that pressure is only going to intensify. Still, let’s not kid ourselves—the SEC is stacked. Kentucky reloaded with top-tier recruits, Alabama’s offense is explosive, and Arkansas? Well, they’re always a wild card.

So how does Tennessee separate itself? For starters, they’ve got to dominate at home. Thompson-Boling Arena needs to be a fortress—loud, intimidating, and unyielding. I’ve been in that building when it’s rocking, and let me tell you, it rattles even the most poised visitors. But road games are where titles are won. Last year, the Vols went 6–3 in true road games. Solid, but not dominant. This season, they’ll need to steal at least two wins in venues like Rupp Arena or Auburn’s jungle. That means closing out games under pressure—something they’ve struggled with in the past. I’ve always believed that late-game execution comes down to trust. Do the players trust each other? Do they trust the system? From what I’ve seen in early matchups, this group does. They move the ball, they communicate on defense, and they don’t panic when calls don’t go their way.

Ah, the officiating. It’s the elephant in the room. In my years covering this league, I’ve seen more than a few head-scratching decisions that swung entire seasons. It’s frustrating, no doubt. But here’s the thing: you can’t control the refs. You can only control your response. That Meralco quote resonates because it’s about maturity. Tennessee has to play with an edge without crossing the line. Take Dalton Knecht, for example. He’s fiery, and sometimes that fire leads to technicals. But if he channels that energy into locking down on defense or hitting clutch threes? That’s a game-changer. The Vols also need to avoid foul trouble in the frontcourt. Jonas Aidoo averaged 3.2 personal fouls per game last year—a number that has to come down if they want to survive physical battles against teams like Florida or Mississippi State.

Offensively, it’s all about balance. Tennessee shot just 33% from beyond the arc in conference play last season. Not terrible, but not championship-level either. This year, they’re already showing improvement, hitting around 37% in non-conference games. But here’s my take: they shouldn’t live and die by the three. With Santiago Vescovi’s playmaking and the emergence of Jahmai Mashack as a slasher, they have the tools to attack the rim and draw fouls. In fact, I’d love to see them average at least 22 free-throw attempts per game. It keeps defenses honest and creates easy points. And let’s not forget rebounding. The Vols outrebounded opponents by an average of 5.2 boards last season. If they can push that margin to 7 or 8, they’ll give themselves extra possessions and wear teams down.

Now, about that SEC tournament. It’s a brutal three-day grind, and fatigue is real. Tennessee’s bench depth will be critical. I’m looking at guys like Jordan Gainey and Cade Phillips to provide meaningful minutes without a drop-off. If they can combine for 15–20 points off the bench, that’s a huge advantage. But it’s not just about scoring. It’s about energy, hustle plays, and maybe even swallowing a tough call now and then. Because let’s face it—in a single-elimination format, one bad break can end your run. The Vols have to be mentally tough enough to move on quickly, just like that coach who disagreed with a decision but abided by it. No sulking. No excuses.

When I look at this Tennessee team, I see a group that’s learned from past near-misses. They’ve got the leadership, the defensive tenacity, and the offensive weapons to go all the way. But it won’t be easy. They’ll need a little luck, sure, but more importantly, they’ll need to embrace the grind. Win the 50-50 balls. Make the extra pass. Trust each other when it matters most. If they do that, I genuinely believe they can cut down the nets in Nashville come March. And as someone who’s been waiting years to see it happen, I can’t think of a more deserving group.