Recruiting Football Talk VIII

[Volnut]

Why are the games so early today?

The NCAA Sweet 16/Elite 8 weekend has been like this for decades. Saturday evening/night and Sunday afternoon.

 

[BigSteve09]

SAS would love and be proud of this team too and I think that counts for something too

 

[Adam Sandler]

Who would have thought the number 1 seeds would be that much better than everyone else.

 

[Volnut]

Auburn is looking like they are about to run away with this one.

 

[UTK]

Honestly what is the obsession with final 4 anyways? Why do Kentucky fans knock us for no final 4s but they don’t say “no natties”. Isn’t a final 4 just a participation trophy. Losing today is literally no different than losing next week. You didn’t win the natty. Just something I don’t really get lmao

 

[TheBigOne10]

Maybe a hot take but I would take our baseball, softball and wbb programs being bottom dwellers but our football and basketball programs making final four and competing for titles consistently. And no our football and basketball programs arent elite or competing for titles, elite teams dont get blown out in r1 of playoffs, struggle every conference game, or get blownout in the ncaa tournament

HELL NO. Our baseball team is elite and baseball is a HELL of a sport. Keep stacking Natty’s Tony!!

 

[VolGee4]

See, we aren’t the only team to have cold games. Michigan State is like 0 for their last 15 shots.

 

[Memphisvol87]

Honestly what is the obsession with final 4 anyways? Why do Kentucky fans knock us for no final 4s but they don’t say “no natties”. Isn’t a final 4 just a participation trophy. Losing today is literally no different than losing next week. You didn’t win the natty. Just something I don’t really get lmao

Like making the playoffs in football or Omaha in baseball. It’s just a big deal. I see your point about the title, but it’s just a big milestone.

 

[UTK]

HELL NO. Our baseball team is elite and baseball is a HELL of a sport. Keep stacking Natty’s Tony!!

I’m still not gonna pretend I’m the biggest baseball fan but I wouldn’t take away anything those guys have accomplished. It’s been simply incredible stuff

 

[MarcoVol]

Maybe a hot take but I would take our baseball, softball and wbb programs being bottom dwellers but our football and basketball programs making final four and competing for titles consistently. And no our football and basketball programs arent elite or competing for titles, elite teams dont get blown out in r1 of playoffs, struggle every conference game, or get blownout in the ncaa tournament

Wish I could downvote this into oblivion

 

[UTK]

Like making the playoffs in football or Omaha in baseball. It’s just a big deal. I see your point about the title, but it’s just a big milestone.

I mean is Tennessee football gonna hang a banner in Neyland that says “made the 2024 CFP” I certainly hope not. Lmao

 

[Jimmy Football]

Who would have thought the number 1 seeds would be that much better than everyone else.

KenPom

 

[UTK]

And making Omaha is 8 teams. So shouldn’t the elite 8 actually be the equivalent of a final 4 then.

 

[Jimmy Football]

I’m watching this Michigan State and Auburn game and I’m wondering if I’m watching a rerun.

 

[UTProf]

To be honest, this season exceeded my expectations.

I was very worried that after losing, JJJ, Santi, DK, Awaka, Aidoo, & Freddie we would have a down year.

Then to have just 11 on scholarship was hoping we’d stay healthy. JP out for year then Carr quitting.

Honestly, was just hoping for 20+ wins and another Tournament. Team played great and really seemed to find their way quick.

I hope Barnes is back, I think he’s beyond due for a Natty run & we’re so close to being there, regardless of what the negative fans will say.

This x100. This was rebuilding year turned into a top 5 season and a back to back elite 8. We were missing the pieces needed to have it be more than that and honestly we are lucky our coaches and players put the work in to become a great team.

Negative fans need to be forced to watch Buzz Peterson and Wade Houston coached games on a loop until they realize what we have got. Also Barnes has shown he is willing to go after shooters and now I think he will be looking hard at rebounders. He is not done and he adapts to what he thinks he needs.

 

[VolGee4]

And making Omaha is 8 teams. So shouldn’t the elite 8 actually be the equivalent of a final 4 then.

IMO, it’s also easier to make Omaha. Double elimination and top 8 seeds get to host until Omaha. Not taking away any championships, but basketball is tougher, even for great teams.

 

[TN-POSSUM]

I’m watching this Michigan State and Auburn game and I’m wondering if I’m watching a rerun.

I was thinking the exact same thing.


I was going to adjust my R/G setting because I thought CBS was showing our game again. Izzo looks like Rick did..... flabbergasted

 

[CABVOL]

Fewest points in a half for a top 2 seed ever in March madness history

Not the history we were looking to make.

 

[BigSteve09]

To be honest, this season exceeded my expectations.

I was very worried that after losing, JJJ, Santi, DK, Awaka, Aidoo, & Freddie we would have a down year.

Then to have just 11 on scholarship was hoping we’d stay healthy. JP out for year then Carr quitting.

Honestly, was just hoping for 20+ wins and another Tournament. Team played great and really seemed to find their way quick.

I hope Barnes is back, I think he’s beyond due for a Natty run & we’re so close to being there, regardless of what the negative fans will say.

Exact same boat. I had kind of accepted that this season had letdown potential because of some of those factors. They still made the Elite 8. I think we can be proud of that

 

[Adam Sandler]

See, we aren’t the only team to have cold games. Michigan State is like 0 for their last 15 shots.

It’s like a venereal disease. You don’t know when it’s going to flair up and when it does it’s an agonizing slow burn.

 

[BigSteve09]

In 2024 the Vols were the 3rd or 4th best team but had to beat the national runner-ups in the Elite 8 and couldn't.

In 2025 I believe they are in the 4th or 5th range. We would've beat Texas Tech, Michigan State, Alabama and I think Auburn is 50/50. Houston, Florida, and Duke are too good right now and have personnel this group couldn't hang with.

Hell of a season and we should be proud of this squad and staff for setting a new standard at Tennessee.

Spot on!

 

[MoCo_Vol]

What is the story behind that? Did his profile say 6’8" and when he showed up to campus they saw he was 6’6"?

Igor was frustrating. He actually regressed the last month of the season/playoffs.

Yeah, he was always listed at 6’8” everywhere else. An insider said on his first visit while in portal that was one of the first comments the staff made (not to Dubar, but in response to meeting him). “He’s shorter than expected.”

He’s honestly 6’5” but generously listed at 6’6” the problem really is he just wasn’t like Admiral in athleticism. I think he could have been a problem as a 4 in our small ball lineup if he had been here a full offseason & early season to really get into shape and learn the system.

 

[Orange.]

Something apropos of nothing. In case someone needs a breather.

 

[BigOrangeTrain]

Honestly what is the obsession with final 4 anyways? Why do Kentucky fans knock us for no final 4s but they don’t say “no natties”. Isn’t a final 4 just a participation trophy. Losing today is literally no different than losing next week. You didn’t win the natty. Just something I don’t really get lmao

So by your logic making the college football
Playoffs mean nothing. Making the final four for the first time in program history means a lot. It shows your program is elite. Man I cannot believe your stance on this. Good grief.

 

[Adam Sandler]

Something apropos of nothing. In case someone needs a breather.

I’m gonna go read an encyclopedia