NCAA Tournament 2010: Tennessee Vols Are Finally Elite!

Finally!

It only took nearly 40 years and five trips to the Sweet 16, but finally, the Vols are elite.

Underestimated by national pundits and even a few fans, myself included, at the start of the tournament, the Tennessee Vols basketball team has made a believer out of us all.

Against No. 2 seed Ohio State, the Vols were physical, smart, and dominant on the inside.

Seniors Wayne Chism and JP Prince were stars for the Vols against Ohio State. Chism scored at will most of the evening, and JP Prince contained Evan Turner when it mattered most.

Despite a media-induced National Player of the Year pedigree, Turner looked normal for much of the night.

Don't get me wrong; Turner is a tremendous player and an amazing shooter. But national player of the year?

I'm pretty sure that title belongs to a freshman from Lexington rather than the junior from Columbus.

On this night, however, it was the Vols depth versus Ohio State's lack thereof that was the Buckeyes undoing.

Ohio State was clearly winded down the stretch.

Tennessee boasts a roster that goes at least eight-deep without missing a beat, and 10-deep with little problem. Ohio State barely musters a six-man rotation. Those of us who have watched the Vols play all year knew that coming in.

Still, Ohio State is extremely talented. And it showed for a good chunk of the game.

The Buckeyes started both halves quite strong, but in the end it was the Vols depth that won out.

Next for Tennessee is the winner of Northern Iowa-Michigan State.

Northern Iowa is a nine-seed whose chariot could turn back into a pumpkin at anytime.

Michigan State is without its best player, Kalin Lucas, for the remainder of the year.

The Spartans have something that Northern Iowa doesn't, however.

Tom Izzo.

The Elite Eight matchup with either team will not be easy, but considering all of the peripheral issues facing those teams, a Final Four is not only possible, but might even be likely.

The Vols should be favored in their Elite Eight game regardless of the opponent.

For those of us who thought the Vols would be going home after the first weekend, everything from here on out is just gravy.