Bobby Witt Jr., the dynamic shortstop for the Kansas City Royals, recently ventured into the realm of college basketball by sharing his predictions for the 2025 NCAA Tournament. Notably, he forecasted a Sweet 16 appearance for the Missouri Tigers, a team he has followed closely. In his bracket, Witt Jr. has Missouri defeating Drake and Texas Tech before falling to St. John’s.
However, when it comes to the Tennessee Volunteers, Witt Jr.’s bracket is less favorable. He predicts that Tennessee, despite being a No. 2 seed, will not advance beyond the Sweet 16.
The Volunteers, under the guidance of Coach Rick Barnes, have demonstrated consistent excellence. They secured a No. 2 seed in the Midwest regional bracket for the 2025 tournament, marking their second consecutive year in this position. In the previous year’s tournament, Tennessee reached the Elite Eight, showcasing their potential on the national stage.
This season, the Volunteers have been led by standout players such as Zakai Zeigler and Chaz Lanier. Zeigler, an All-SEC first-team selection, averages 13.8 points and 7.3 assists per game, setting a program record for single-season assists. Lanier, the SEC Newcomer of the Year, leads the team in scoring with an average of 17.7 points per game.
Given these accomplishments and the team’s depth, many analysts view Tennessee as a strong contender for a deep tournament run. The Volunteers’ combination of experienced leadership and emerging talent positions them well for success in March Madness.
While Bobby Witt Jr.’s predictions are intriguing, they appear to underestimate Tennessee’s capabilities. The Volunteers’ consistent performance in the Southeastern Conference and their recent tournament success suggest that they are more than capable of advancing beyond the Sweet 16. Therefore, it would be reasonable to anticipate a deeper run for Tennessee in the 2025 NCAA Tournament than Witt Jr.’s bracket suggests.
