“We are a National Championship Contender”-Rick Barnes

[orangemadam]

If I remember correctly, at one point we had four 5* players and Vescovi on the floor at same time. If not, we very well could have it next season

KC
JJJ
Aidoo
BHH
Vescovi

 

[njvols]

Stone Him!

No one is to stone anyone until I blow this whistle! Monty Python. - YouTube

 

[keenobserver]

Our offensive droughts are too prevalent for us to be a serious title contender IMO. We're a sweet 16 caliber team, as we always are and will be under Barnes. And that's not a bad thing, especially if we can get this football thing finally turned around.

 

[mr.checkerboards]

Correct

 

[walkenvol]

So will all you Barnes nay sayers leave the BB forum forever if we play past the sweet 16? Not so sure of yourself now huh?

 

[Chris4Vols22]

Our offensive droughts are too prevalent for us to be a serious title contender IMO. We're a sweet 16 caliber team, as we always are and will be under Barnes. And that's not a bad thing, especially if we can get this football thing finally turned around.

I don't understand what you're trying to say. How is UT football relevant to the discussion?

 

[JCP201]

We've beat 3 top five teams-- we just need to be as good away as we are at home. Our fans are great travelers, and can help them out in these tournaments. I'm a huge Rick Barnes fan and really want this for him.

 

[cardvolfan]

Like the thought, just don’t see it. Too likely that this team can just go ice cold shooting on a basketball court not in Knoxville, TN.

So, they shot under 33% and had 18 turnovers against Auburn. Pretty cold, but found a way to win.

 

[allvol123]

So, they shot under 33% and had 18 turnovers against Auburn. Pretty cold, but found a way to win.

Not a recipe for success.

 

[cardvolfan]

Not a recipe for success.

Yes, and it’s certainly impossible to win against a Top 5 team with those numbers.

 

[allvol123]

Yes, and it’s certainly impossible to win against a Top 5 team with those numbers.

I’m sure Rick would agree it isn’t a recipe for success. Or you believes he coaches from this myopic view of “welp, we won, everything must be good”.

 

[cncchris33]

I’m sure Rick would agree it isn’t a recipe for success. Or you believes he coaches from this myopic view of “welp, we won, everything must be good”.

It's all realtive. No coach is going to say that routinely shooting 33% and turning the ball over 18 times is a consistent model for success. But, when you outrebound your opponent by 23, get 21 ORebs to their 20 DRebs, shoot 78% from the FT line on 27 attempts, force 12 TOs, and block 6 shots, it helps to mask your own deficiencies.

 

[kiddiedoc]

Seems like every year, a team gets hot and makes an unlikely deep run. Could this be our year? We would have to avoid an ice cold shooting game, which we've been unable to do consistently on the road.

 

[keenobserver]

I don't understand what you're trying to say. How is UT football relevant to the discussion?

Alot of us root hard for the basketball team and we all want the best possible outcome (a national championship). However, my two points were: 1) I don't think we play consistently enough on offense to win a natty 2) I believe most UT fans are ok with us having a slightly less than great basketball program so long as the football team returns to glory.

 

[allvol123]

It's all realtive. No coach is going to say that routinely shooting 33% and turning the ball over 18 times is a consistent model for success. But, when you outrebound your opponent by 23, get 21 ORebs to their 20 DRebs, shoot 78% from the FT line on 27 attempts, force 12 TOs, and block 6 shots, it helps to mask your own deficiencies.

Of course they aren’t, because it isn’t. And certainly not for a 6 game tournament.

 

[SGMVols]

Our offensive droughts are too prevalent for us to be a serious title contender IMO. We're a sweet 16 caliber team, as we always are and will be under Barnes. And that's not a bad thing, especially if we can get this football thing finally turned around.

All teams have droughts. This isn’t the NBA.

 

[SGMVols]

Correct

Given your track record, I think I’m going to place a bet on UT to make the Final Four.

 

[JohnWardForever]

…or align. Damn I fat fingered it too!

Aligned .

 

[zaqhhh]

I think we are a contender to make the F4.

Unfortunately, I think we are one dominant big man away from a title contender.

Hope I am wrong ofc but we shall see

 

[keenobserver]

All teams have droughts. This isn’t the NBA.

Of course they do, and of course they aren't. This is why I described the droughts as being "too prevalent" IMO to win a national championship.

 

[MAD]

If not us, who?

We have as good of a chance as anyone in the country right now.

 

[PickleRickBarnes]

We have one of the best defenses in the country and probably the best or at worst top 5 guard combo. That will win us a couple of games in the tournament(hopefully.....)

 

[i2amavol]

I think all together. This is the second best team he’s had since he’s been here. This field is pretty wide open. One game at a time and you just never know!

I don't know about that. Having the guards make a difference in tourney play. We have more depth now, not just a couple of stars. If the bigs keep coming on, I just don't know about that...but yeah, one game at a time.

 

[VOLED]

I think we are a contender to make the F4.

Unfortunately, I think we are one dominant big man away from a title contender.

Hope I am wrong ofc but we shall see

I have thought the same, but if BHH and Aidoo continue to improve then who knows.

 

[JRVOL11]

well, we have one of the best if not the best backcourts in the country & that’s what wins in the tourney. also, having 4 big men and have proven they can do toe to toe with other teams big men bodes well for us. it’s all about if they can put it together for consecutive games.