What Tennessee basketball's win vs Alabama means for Volunteers' NCAA Tournament seeding

Photo courtesy of Tennessee Athletics

By Zach Carey

Jahmai Mashack’s buzzer-beating three-pointer set the college basketball world on fire on Saturday. By toppling No. 6 Alabama with a last-minute comeback, the No. 5 Tennessee Volunteers have seemingly catapulted their way ahead of the Crimson Tide in the battle for the NCAA Tournament’s four No. 1 seeds. 

Mashack’s game-winner was the story in the battle between two of the SEC’s best. Yet Tennessee’s resurgence from down four points with 36 seconds left was more incredible than just his last-second heave. After Chaz Lanier earned a tough and-one bucket off a drive to the basket but missed his free throw with 30 seconds remaining, Mashack drew a foul on the block as Alabama couldn’t box him out. 

Then, as a career 66.5% free throw shooter, Mashack knocked down both of his attempts at the line to miraculously pull the Volunteers even with the Crimson Tide at 76 apiece six seconds after going down 76-72. 

“The [assistant] coaches were asking me [if] I wanted to go big,” head coach Rick Barnes said about the last few minutes of action. “I said ‘I want Shack on the floor,’ because he’s been through a lot. This time of year, he knows what it’s about. Big play at the free throw line to make those free throws and then, obviously, at the end.”

When Alabama guard Labaron Philon speared his way into the Tennessee defense and tried to pivot out of trouble in the paint, Mashack collapsed on him and forced a jump ball. That meant that Alabama had to inbound from the baseline. The five second violation heard around the South gave Tennessee possession back and, after flashing to the ball when nobody else was open, Maishack nailed a deep triple to seal the come-from-behind victory.

JAHMAI MASHACK IS A HOOPER pic.twitter.com/LgwcqyBiz2

— Tennessee Basketball (@Vol_Hoops) March 1, 2025

“I’m happy for Jamai,” Barnes said. “He’s been an incredible … everything. He exemplifies everything that you want in a player, in a person.”

While Maishack was hitting the shot of his career, Barnes completely missed the play as he was screaming at the officials asking for a timeout. He was hoping to draw up a play after Maishack advanced the ball past halfcourt. Instead, the officials didn’t acknowledge Barnes and Maishack hit the deep three. Barnes missed the shot while he was in the ref’s ear.

“I’m glad the referee didn’t hear me calling timeout,” Barnes noted with a grin.

Beating Alabama represents Tennessee’s best win this season as the Volunteers’ late game heroics are set to pay off for the team as the postseason approaches.

“Welcome to March,” Barnes told the team following the win. 

Since Saturday, bracketologists around the country have Tennessee leap-frogging Alabama in the pecking order for the NCAA Tournament No. 1 seeds. 

CBS Sports has Tennessee getting the last No. 1 seed while Alabama dropped to the top No. 2 seed. Joe Lunardi’s latest bracket reflects the same outlook. So do the latest updates from most of the top bracketologists in the country.

Importantly, the Alabama win gives the Vols some breathing room in case of any disappointments down the stretch. Tennessee also controls its own destiny to a top-four seed and the double bye in next week’s SEC Tournament. 

If the Volunteers (who are 11-5 in conference play) can handle their business against a veteran (but struggling) team in Mississippi State on Wednesday and versus South Carolina on Saturday, they could even jump one of Alabama (12-4) or Florida (12-4) in the SEC standings since the Crimson Tide and the Gators tipoff on Wednesday. That would mean Tennessee could avoid playing Auburn until the SEC Championship and, consequently, have an easier path to clinching a No. 1 seed. 

No matter what, Tennessee is in an ideal position at the start of March. The Volunteers’ have the best defense in the country and, with a guy like Mashack stepping up on offense, the team is primed for a good final month of basketball. 

Stay tuned to Locker Room Access for more coverage and analysis of Tennessee as we approach the best time of the year for college hoops.