Show Me My Opponent, 2022-23: South Carolina (#2)
The Night G.G. Jackson Came to Town
In perhaps the most well-timed get-right game imaginable - on paper! - Tennessee welcomes KenPom #221 (at the time of writing) South Carolina to Knoxville for Penultimate Senior Day. This is well-timed for two reasons:
It’s the first Tennessee game against a non-Quad 1/2 opponent since January 25th;
South Carolina just lost an utter heartbreaker in overtime to #2 Alabama at home.
You could easily interpret Carolina’s last few games as them turning a corner and it would be fine. You could also interpret it as a random four-game hot streak and you might be just as close to the truth. Situationally, though, there’s few things more optimal than finally getting a breather at home against an opponent who just poured their heart and soul out against top-end competition and came up just short. If they have a similar effort in mind for tomorrow I’d be deeply impressed.
BELOW THE LINE ($): one day you’re all gonna realize that none of the Hootie and the Blowfish songs were good. none of them!