Tony Vitello on key to SEC Tournament strategy: ‘The smile on your face’

Tony Vitello wants to have fun while winning. Ahead of the Volunteers’ showdown against Mississippi State in the SEC Tournament on Friday, the Tennessee head coach revealed his team’s approach to the special postseason event.

“It varies year to year and team to team, but the one thing that stays consistent is the smile on your face,” Vitello said. “The kids get treated like superstars here, and I think that’s kind of well deserved. The city does an incredible job hosting the tournament and then fans show out for all the teams.

“They’re all in one parking lot. It’s a good thing we don’t have fights breaking out here. Everybody seems to be more friendly than when you go into that team’s backyard. But it’s an incredible environment that you’re missing out on if you’ve never been a part of it.”

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Tony Vitello and Co. last won the SEC Tournament in 2022. The Volunteers entered the 2024 SEC Tournament as the No. 1 seed but fell to Vanderbilt on Wednesday. If Tennessee can defeat Mississippi State on Friday evening, it will advance to the SEC Tournament semifinals with a chance to exact revenge on Vanderbilt.

2024 SEC Baseball Tournament bracket, schedule

Tuesday, May 21

Game 1: (11) LSU 9, (6) Georgia 1
Game 2: (10) South Carolina 10, (7) Alabama 5
Game 3: (8) Vanderbilt 6, (9) Florida 3
Game 4: (5) Mississippi State 2, (12) Ole Miss 1

Wednesday, May 22

Game 5: LSU 11, (3) Kentucky 0 (F/8)
Game 6: South Carolina 6, (2 )Arkansas 5
Game 7: Vanderbilt 13, (1) Tennessee 4
Game 8: Mississippi State 5, (4) Texas A&M 3

Thursday, May 23

Game 9: Kentucky 9, Arkansas 6
Game 10: Tennessee 7, Texas A&M 4
Game 11: LSU 11, South Carolina 10
Game 12: Vanderbilt 4 Mississippi State 1

Friday, May 24

Game 13: South Carolina 6, Kentucky 5
Game 14: Tennessee vs. Mississippi State | 30 minutes after Game 13 | SEC Network

Saturday, May 25

Game 15: South Carolina 13 vs. LSU | 12 p.m. | SEC Network
Game 16: Winner Game 14 vs. Vanderbilt | 30 minutes after Game 15 | SEC Network

Sunday, May 26

Game 17 (Championship game): Winner Game 15 vs. Winner Game 16 | 3 p.m. | ESPN2

All times are ET.