Vols vs. Michigan State... A Fearless Prediction

Well... this was unexpected. 

The Tennessee Volunteers are only one victory away from the Final Four.  The Vols are now the last SEC team standing, after Kentucky was upset by West Virginia on Saturday night in Syracuse.

But it is not going to be easy for the Vols to get to Indianapolis.  Their opponent, Michigan State, is playing with momentum these days as well, after a last second shot beat Maryland in Round 2.  Their second half rally knocked out Northern Iowa in the Sweet 16.

Making it to the Final Four is beyond the wildest dreams of most Vols fans, beaten down by years of Wade Houston, Kevin O'Neill, and Buzz Peterson.   Those fans aren't making hotel reservations for Indianapolis.  The fear is always that the players are thinking about that spotlight too soon.

One memory sticks out to me when it comes to a Tennessee team looking too far down the line.  In 2001, after the Vols football team upset Florida in Gainesville, UT players and coaches were carrying orange roses upon their return to Knoxville.

The Vols only had to win the SEC championship game the following week to advance to the BCS National Title game at the Rose Bowl. 

You know what happened.  Tennessee collapsed in the second half, losing to LSU 31-20.  The Vols haven't played in a BCS bowl since 1999.  The 2001 season was the best chance since then.

But I disgress.  We're talking basketball...

I just don't see this Tennessee team looking ahead.  They've worked through so much adversity, been picked by many experts to lose in the first round of the NCAA's...

If J.P. Prince plays defense on Sunday the way he did Friday night... look out.

Fearless Prediction time...

Tennessee 65, Michigan State 59

Mark's 2010 Fearless Prediction Record: 3-1