UT Vols should welcome opportunity vs. Iowa State in Big 12/SEC Challenge

Tennessee will take a break from SEC infighting on Saturday when it plays Iowa State as part of the Big 12/SEC Challenge. Of course, some would say a January trip to Ames, Iowa, is no break.

So let’s call it an opportunity instead.

From a postseason perspective, Saturday’s nonconference game might mean as much as an SEC game for the Vols, who are steadily building a favorable NCAA tournament resume. And the most glowing victory on that resume has nothing to do with the SEC.

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Tennessee’s 78-75 victory over Purdue in the Bahamas way back in November looms larger with each weekly Top 25 poll. Since then, the Boilermakers have risen to No. 3 in the polls, and UT's status has risen right along with them.

The more Purdue wins, the more appealing Tennessee will look to the NCAA tournament selection committee.

A victory over Iowa State wouldn’t carry anywhere near that kind of clout. But it wouldn’t be disregarded, either. 

The Cyclones haven’t played up to their recent history. They’re off to an 11-8 start, which constitutes a drop-off from their past six seasons during which they averaged 24.3 victories per season.

Nonetheless, anyone with a general awareness of college basketball should know the Cyclones still aren’t easy pickings on their home court. Then-No. 8 Texas Tech found that out Saturday in Ames, when Iowa State upended the Red Raiders 70-52.

But this weekend is bigger than Tennessee vs. Iowa State. It’s also about the SEC vs. the Big 12.

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Nine other SEC teams will take on Big 12 teams Saturday. Those matchups will present a great opportunity for the SEC to enhance its already improved image.

The pairings could be especially beneficial for four SEC teams, provided they're up to the challenge. Kentucky will play No. 7 West Virginia; Texas A&M will face No. 5 Kansas; South Carolina will go against No. 14 Texas Tech; and Alabama will play No. 12 Oklahoma.

In fact, if the SEC fares well against the Big 12 on Saturday, it could move ahead of the Big East for third place in the RPI.

The SEC already has increased its national status by scheduling tougher nonconference opponents. Former SEC Commissioner Mike Slive implored conference teams to do that for years, and his message finally hit home with its audience.

Tennessee has capitalized on its schedule as much as any other team in the conference. Not only did it beat Purdue, but two of its losses also have been to top-10 opponents, North Carolina and No. 1 Villanova, by single-digit margins.

The Vols also have victories over two ACC opponents – North Carolina State and Georgia Tech. Moreover, they beat Georgia Tech on its home court and defeated N.C. State at a neutral site.

The Vols haven’t just played a tough nonconference schedule. They have succeeded against it.

A road victory over Iowa State would continue that success. And it also would make a final nonconference impression on the selection committee.

John Adams is a senior columnist. He may be reached at 865-342-6284 or john.adams@knoxnews.com. Follow him at: Twitter.com/johnadamskns.