Vols to win it All? There’s nothing mad about that.

Why not this season?

That’s the question fans of the Tennessee Volunteers men’s basketball program are beginning to ask. The Vols have won 10 of their last 11, including five of their last six conference games; without a doubt, they’re deserving of their No. 6 national ranking. Even Tennessee’s losses on the season don’t feel like red flags, as all four have come on the road, three of which came in a back-to-back-to-back run against higher-ranked opponents – No. 2 Purdue, No. 3 Kansas and No. 4 North Carolina – and there’s certainly no shame in that.  Rick Barnes’ ballclub is already on pace to top last year’s conference record of 11-7.

This isn’t exactly new territory, as teams coached by Barnes are no stranger to the postseason. The Vols have been to the NCAA Tournament for five consecutive years now – last year advancing into the Sweet Sixteen after shocking Duke in the round of 32 – and there’s no reason to believe they won’t make it a sixth.

If there’s a lone blemish on the program of late, it’s that Tennessee hasn’t necessarily been great once they arrive in the tournament. In each of their five March Madness appearances, the Volunteers have been upset by a lower seed, three of which were to opponents seeded seventh or lower.

And even thought last year’s Sweet Sixteen team lost several of its top players – including Julian Phillips who now plays for the Chicago Bulls – Barnes’ cupboard wasn’t exactly bare. In some ways, his roster is deeper and more experienced. They’re also well rounded, as there are four Vols averaging double-digits. Perhaps most notably is Northern Colorado transfer Dalton Knecht, who leads the team in scoring with 18.8 points per game behind an impressive 40% shooting from behind the arc. Center Aidoo Jonas can score, too (12.2 ppg) but has been dominant on defense, cleaning the glass handily with 7.3 rebounds per game and being an absolute force in the paint, as evidenced by his 32 total blocked shots on the season.

Simply put, Tennessee is good – very good.

But can this be the year? Why not.

Hoops Harlan’s Pick: Tennessee to win NCAA title +1200

They call it “madness” for a reason, so no matter how good a team looks in January or even February wild things tend to happen in March. But among the teams in the country truly capable of winning it all, Tennessee is certainly among them. And (especially) at a +1200 value, the Vols are as good of a bet as anyone. But aside from their shiny 14-4 record or the fact they look to be the team to beat in the SEC, there’s reason to believe that Tennessee can shine in the NCAA Tournament. In the past decade (or more), there’s one trait that seems to be a key ingredient for success in the tourney – experience. And Rick Barnes’ team has it this year. Starting with junior point guard Zakai Zeigler, who was injured in February last year, and the aforementioned defensive juggernaut junior center Aidoo Jonas, the Vols starting five is rounded out by three high-level seniors – Santiago Vescovi, Dalton Knecht and Josiah-Jordan James. Loaded with talent, experience, depth and coaching, Tennessee could very well be dancing when it’s all said and done.