Tennessee tops Texas A&M to win SEC Tournament title

The Tennessee Volunteers have done it. Tennessee entered the SEC Tournament as the second seed, and on Sunday, the Vols took home the conference title with a 65-50 victory over Texas A&M. The win serves as Tennessee’s first SEC Tournament Championship in over 40 years.

Tennessee earned a double bye into the quarterfinals, and opened SEC Tournament play with a 72-59 victory over Mississippi State on Friday. The Vols then faced off against third seeded Kentucky in the semifinals on Saturday, and came away with an impressive 69-62 victory.

In Sunday’s game against Texas A&M, Tennessee outplayed the Aggies from start to finish. The Vols scored the first 14 points of the game, and held a 29-20 lead at halftime. Despite a tight second half, Tennessee was able to hold on to a comfortable lead throughout the game. The Vols led by as many as 18, and never trailed against Texas A&M.

Ultimately, Tennessee was able to outpace Texas A&M throughout the SEC Tournament Championship Game. The Vols shot 39.3% from the field and 42.9% from three-point range. The Aggies shot 31.4% overall and just 21.1% from three. Tennessee out-rebounded Texas A&M 41-34, and won the assist battle 19-6.

Three players scored in double figures for Tennessee: Kennedy Chandler, Josiah-Jordan James, and Santiago Vescovi. James had a double-double, also grabbing ten rebounds. On the bench, John Fulkerson had a very strong game with eight points and 12 rebounds.

Tennessee’s SEC Tournament Championship could improve the Vols seed in the NCAA Tournament

Texas A&M opened play on Thursday in the second round, defeating Florida. The Aggies then pulled off big upsets over top ranked Auburn and fourth ranked Arkansas on Friday and Saturday, advancing to the SEC Tournament Championship Game against Tennessee. Texas A&M’s improbable run fell short, though, and the Aggies now must wait and see if their name is called on Selection Sunday.

Tennessee’s SEC Tournament Championship could help the Vols earn an even better seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. The Vols were penciled in as a likely two or three seed, as ESPN had Tennessee as a three seed and On3 had the Vols as a two seed entering Sunday’s action.

Tennessee will officially learn its seed and when it plays next when the full NCAA Tournament bracket is revealed at 6 p.m. ET on Sunday evening.