CBS not impressed with Basketvols as much as we are

[Orange-U-Glad]

I assume you the CBS way too early basketball rankings. Even after getting Juke, the CBS rankings leave us out of the top 10. Florida, (1) Arkansas, (7) and Texas’s (9) ranked ahead of us. I know these are just opinions, but it appears the conference is loaded.

 

[Unconditional Surrender]

All of these prognosticators that aren't putting us up near the top seriously underestimate Barnes.

 

[Special Ed]

I don't mind the national prognosticators not rating the Vols highly at this point and heading into the season.
It might lead to the Vegas odds makers giving us a slim chance (higher odds) of winning anything I plan to place a bet on, meaning a higher payout for me when my optimism pays off.

 

[Namorto1]

CBS's too early predictions has 5 teams ahead of us that we beat last year. Louisville, Texas, Iowa State, Virginia and Houston and all these teams lost quite a bit off their rosters with the possible exception of Virginia. I don't even think it will be questionable, next year's UT squad will be better than this year's team by a good margin.

 

[livefaith]

CBS's too early predictions has 5 teams ahead of us that we beat last year. Louisville, Texas, Iowa State, Virginia and Houston and all these teams lost quite a bit off their rosters with the possible exception of Virginia. I don't even think it will be questionable, next year's UT squad will be better than this year's team by a good margin.

I agree. We've had serious upgrades across the board. That being said, we need to keep in mind that this was one of Rick's weaker teams after established here. We were borderline top 25. Getting a tournament draw made in heaven and playing well for 3 games got all the Elite 8 hype going. But, realistically with the injuries and deficiencies last year, we're not an elite team. So, the idea that we ended at "8" and had a big upgrade in the portal so we must be 3-4th is a dose of OR colored glasses.

 

[Orangeslide]

Yes, please remember they are portal transfers. Numbers look good on paper. Let’s see how they handle big boy basketball in the SEC.

 

[Namorto1]

Yes, please remember they are portal transfers. Numbers look good on paper. Let’s see how they handle big boy basketball in the SEC.

True but Barnes deserves the benefit of the doubt on his scouting in the portal especially in recent years. Not everyone hits but Gillespie, Okpara, Lanier, Gainey, and Knecht demonstrate a good track record. Even Milicic and Carey had their moments albeit frustrating at times.

 

[Lankykong]

Texas seems ranked like 5-10 higher than I would think

 

[StepCross]

I assume you the CBS way too early basketball rankings. Even after getting Juke, the CBS rankings leave us out of the top 10. Florida, (1) Arkansas, (7) and Texas’s (9) ranked ahead of us. I know these are just opinions, but it appears the conference is loaded.

Well. I mean. Texas did sign Evans, you know.

 

[Bigorangefan 98]

Gary parish is a big part that 25 and 1 poll too, he is a big time Memphis homer. Tiger high

 

[feathersax]

Gary parish is a big part that 25 and 1 poll too, he is a big time Memphis homer. Tiger high

Yep. Memphis State.

 

[csheaton]

Rightttt. Because after making three consecutive elite 8’s and substantially upgrading our roster we’re not a top 10 team. Idiots. I’ve clocked us at 5

 

[jeff1vol]

THIS team hasn't even practiced together, much less played a game together. Do we have "talent" on paper? 100%. I'd hold off on all the FF talk until we actually see how this team gels, etc. LOTS of egos to please on this roster. We'd better hope that Barnes can manage them.

 

[OrangeVolMan]

THIS team hasn't even practiced together, much less played a game together. Do we have "talent" on paper? 100%. I'd hold off on all the FF talk until we actually see how this team gels, etc. LOTS of egos to please on this roster. We'd better hope that Barnes can manage them.

Most of the other teams above us are the same way. They have not practiced together either.

 

[Kurtastrophe]

Michigan won the title with a team full of transfers. No reason to think this roster can't be elite, honestly.

 

[PandamoniumReigns]

Plenty of examples of teams (college and NBA) that had loads of talent but couldn't come together as a team.

Even the 2004 "Dream Team" had more talent than any other team in the world, but went 5-3 and won Olympic bronze.

Let's hope this team checks their egos and plays for something bigger than themselves. The talent is there. At this point it's about mindset.

 

[maxorange]

...and Michigan wasn't near #1 sniffing distance in the preseason last year (#7 actually), and rightfully so. They had to prove it on the court...again, not on paper.

Chemistry and coaching up some D will be what determines how good this team is.

 

[lastlapuncle]

CBS is going to be changing their name in the near future to TASS.

 

[VolatileVol]

Florida is returning 4 starters and Duke returns 3 starters I think. There's better teams out there on paper. Everyone should be able to acknowledge such without it being a knock against our team.

 

[DonDiego]

Texas seems ranked like 5-10 higher than I would think

They probably didn't even look at the rosters before they ranked Texas. With prognosticators, they're just an automatic.

 

[knoxvol52]

Why should we care what the hell CBS thinks?

 

[Hunerwadel]

I kind of see their point. I assume those are rankings for the start of the season. This team will be much better in February and March than it will be in November and December. Much better.

 

[orangemadam]

Michigan reloads with a 7'2 center, Louisville has arguably the top transfer class in the nation,
Duke reloads. I can see Vols being in 7-12 range at season beginning. We don't
know how good this class is. We still don't have an elite front court.

 

[Smokey X]

I can't remember the last time that ANY media prediction or assessment was any more accurate than a weather prediction 5 months out.

 

[NEO]

The beautiful thing about college basketball is their is a tournament and as long as your top 25 your gonna be in it.

None of this BS football has where it’s a crap shoot where you can still be left out of a tourney because a lesser team has a guaranteed bid.