Vols ranked #18 in AP Preseason Poll

#1
V

VolCalls

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#1
Eleven games on the schedule vs. teams that are ranked in the preseason poll, including the Duke exhibition.

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NCAA College Basketball Rankings: AP Top 25 Basketball Poll

The official page for the AP Top 25 men's college basketball poll. Keep up to date and view the latest NCAA men's basketball ranking updates each week for the 2023-24 season.
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#4
#4
Vols have to always prove they are a top 10 team under Barnes. Not sure why the doubt, since Barnes has taken the program to a higher level the last two years with going to the Elite Eight. This year we look to have bolstered the front court and are still dangerous in the back court. Probably more balanced and deeper overall than last season.
 
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#13
#13
VolsSportsFan said:
ESPN hates us, everyone is out to get us.

Am I doing this right? :D
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Looking solid! ;)

Now if you can work in "east coast sports writer elites" and "incestuous blue bloods" you'll be operating at a pro level of Vol paranoia and victimhood!

🥺 It means so much to see the younger folks stepping up and learning the craft.
 
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#15
#15
Our ranking is not surprising. I don’t think it’s intentional disrespect, I think it’s simply the national media not following the program closely enough to make sense of our off-season. They see us as a team that lost a ton of veteran production and leadership and have a bunch of new faces to integrate.

We also didn’t have the splashy off-season other teams did. We didn’t do much in the portal compared to other teams, and brought in quite a few freshman and role players. We have a pretty nice opportunity early in the season to make a statement with some big games against Louisville and Houston. Win one or both of those and people will start to pay attention.
 
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#17
#17
TheMookieMonster said:
Our ranking is not surprising. I don’t think it’s intentional disrespect, I think it’s simply the national media not following the program closely enough to make sense of our off-season. They see us as a team that lost a ton of veteran production and leadership and have a bunch of new faces to integrate.

We also didn’t have the splashy off-season other teams did. We didn’t do much in the portal compared to other teams, and brought in quite a few freshman and role players. We have a pretty nice opportunity early in the season to make a statement with some big games against Louisville and Houston. Win one or both of those and people will start to pay attention.
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Didn't do much other than bringing in one of, if not, the best portal PGs in the country and one of, if not, the best freshman in the country who could be the number 1 pick in the draft.
 
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#18
#18
I also think people may see shooting guard as a weakness, not knowing Burg, who has been a pretty good professional player for a couple years, or underestimating Abram (more understandable given production/college career to this point, but I trust the staff being high on him).

Elite point guard + unicorn wing + experienced shooting guard(s) + potentially dominant front court + actual depth + elite coach. Really hope I'm not drinking the kool-aid but those are literally all of the ingredients for success.
 
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#19
#19
VolCalls said:
Eleven games on the schedule vs. teams that are ranked in the preseason poll, including the Duke exhibition.

apnews.com

NCAA College Basketball Rankings: AP Top 25 Basketball Poll

The official page for the AP Top 25 men's college basketball poll. Keep up to date and view the latest NCAA men's basketball ranking updates each week for the 2023-24 season.
apnews.com apnews.com
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I was listening to Sports Animal, and someone on there thought this might be his best team ever. May have been an interview with AP.
 
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#20
#20
TheMookieMonster said:
Our ranking is not surprising. I don’t think it’s intentional disrespect, I think it’s simply the national media not following the program closely enough to make sense of our off-season. They see us as a team that lost a ton of veteran production and leadership and have a bunch of new faces to integrate.

We also didn’t have the splashy off-season other teams did. We didn’t do much in the portal compared to other teams, and brought in quite a few freshman and role players. We have a pretty nice opportunity early in the season to make a statement with some big games against Louisville and Houston. Win one or both of those and people will start to pay attention.
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Several things can be true at one time! Granted, we hardly ever get respect even when the team was loaded with returning vets, however, I do understand in particular this season of the “unknown” as to what you’re going to get!

I think we have a solid core group but I also understand sport analyst wondering how well this team will gel and if they will bring the typical Barnes toughness on defense because truthfully, I’m thinking the same, just in an exciting way! So I get it!
 
#23
#23
Dainfluencer8 said:
The disrespect to this basketball program is unfortunately becoming a norm, and time and time again, we prove wrong and always in the Final four conversation! I Guess it’s another season of proving critics wrong, smh
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Got to stop just being in the final four conversation and starting being there. That will change the national perception.
 
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