Tennessee Lady Vols preparing to be NCAA tournament hosts

Tara Brooks will watch Monday night as the NCAA women’s basketball tournament field is revealed, secure in the belief that Tennessee is not a bubble team.

For UT’s event management director, the distinction involves the Lady Vols’ worthiness to host first- and second-round games next weekend. They have to be among the top 16 national seeds, which seems virtually certain given their 24-7 record, No. 9 RPI and a strength of schedule ranked No. 8.

Tennessee will learn its place in the 64-team field during ESPN’s selection at 7 p.m. ET. Brooks already knows her drill and will begin before then.

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 “We’re going to go ahead and start setting up the facility on Monday prior to the show to help us get ready,” she said.

Readiness involves many factors. Here are three on the list:       

Perception of the Lady Vols

In its last pre-tournament reveal on Feb. 19, the Division I Women’s Basketball Committee tabbed Tennessee as the No. 12 national seed and projected a possible No. 3 seed in the Lexington, Ky., regional. The Lady Vols won three games thereafter before losing to South Carolina, a likely No. 2 seed, in the SEC tournament.

Charlie Crème, who plots brackets for ESPN, holds a similar view. He’s been consistent lately in projecting Tennessee as the No. 3 seed in the Spokane, Wash., Regional.

While the message seems clear regarding UT, the reception apparently is not.

“It’s funny, the perception publicly does not seem to be that we’re going to host,” Brooks said. “I’m not sure why.

“People are calling now asking when tickets go on sale if we host. … What do you think?”

The disconnect might relate to the arc of the Lady Vols season. After starting 15-0, they've gone 9-7. Or it might involve the previous practice of pre-determining first- and second-round sites before returning to the seeding formula.

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 “We will absolutely host,” Brooks said. “I will bet my next paycheck.”

How UT has planned to host NCAA games

Tennessee reserves tournament dates on the Thompson-Boling Arena calendar “two to three” years in advance. Brooks said hotel space was secured last August. The hosting bid was submitted in early January.

At this point, the biggest variable likely involves locker rooms. The Lady Vols and Vols  have occupied the same makeshift space during games this season while their respective locker rooms were being renovated. Brooks has referred to the accommodations as “the Tennessee locker room.”

The plan is for the Lady Vols to move back into their former locker room by next week, thereby freeing the other space for the other teams.

“The locker rooms are probably the most stressful deal,” Brooks said.

If that plan doesn’t work out, Brooks added: “There is a plan B for where everything goes if that were not to happen.”

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Who benefits from games in Knoxville

Brooks keeps a folder in her desk containing letters and cards from tournament guests. Her role allows for a broader appreciation of the teams and their journeys. For some, the visit to Knoxville is part of their first trip to the tournament.

She remembered No. 16 seed Northwestern (La.) State’s visit here four years ago.

“They were so excited to be here,” Brooks said. “They took in all of Knoxville.”

In the pre-tournament meeting, Brooks will make a point of congratulating the school representatives and reminding them: “We want to make this week as much fun as we possibly can for you and your group.”