#9 in preseason AP poll

#5
#5
Can't complain about our rankings, but we got a 'blue blood' getting some extra love due to name recognition.
Can't wait to see how long it takes Duke to slide outa the top 10.
Not sure that Zach Edney deserves the #3 ranking, unless he has made a big jump in the off season.
Look at FAU, probably deserved a little more love.
I am looking for us to finish the season in the top 4.
 
  • Like
Reactions: kptvol1452 and knoxvol52
#6
#6
In the last 3 seasons UT has only been out of the AP Top 25 the last two weeks of the 2020-21 regular season and in the 2021 final poll. That was the year that fans weren’t allowed to attend games. The TBA (FCC) is a huge advantage for the program. Sadly, Johnson and Springer weren’t able to experience the atmosphere.

This has to be one of the longest Top 25 runs in the history of UT basketball. Probably setting some records as far as Top 10 appearances as well.
 
  • Like
Reactions: cardvolfan, Big Orange#1, OptimusPrimerib and 7 others
#7
#7
UT might never have as much AP success as in 2018-19. UT was in the Top 10 in EVERY one of the 20x AP polls. UT was in the Top 5 14x. They were ranked #1 for 4x weeks and #3 another 6x weeks. Half the season ranked in the top 3. The worst ranking was #8 in the final regular season poll after losing to Barn by 20 in the SEC championship game.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Vols All Day, cardvolfan, Stoked and 2 others
#9
#9
On paper we have a really deep and talented team. If our perimeter guys can shoot as well as they are being billed for, I don't see why any team wpuld be favored against us.

Going to be interesting to see how we match up against #4 Michigan State at the end of the month
 
#11
#11
UT_VOLS13 said:
www.cbssports.com

College basketball rankings: Most underrated and overrated teams in the preseason AP Top 25 and Coaches Poll

Which teams are ranked too high or too low in the major preseason polls released Monday
www.cbssports.com www.cbssports.com
Click to expand...

Stopped reading the article after I saw he listed as us overrated and in the blurb said our offense was going to be trash because it’s the same team as last year and didn’t mention a single one of the transfers we added. This man clearly did zero research.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Orange., MinisterofDef#92, berryvol and 3 others
#12
#12
vavolfan6 said:
On paper we have a really deep and talented team. If our perimeter guys can shoot as well as they are being billed for, I don't see why any team wpuld be favored against us.

Going to be interesting to see how we match up against #4 Michigan State at the end of the month
Click to expand...

I am entering this season really HOPEFUL, but not building up lofty expectations. Heard Coach say he thought we had about 9 potential starters to mix and match (maybe matchup) with. I stated elsewhere that I expect even more sustained defensive pressure this year with plenty of pieces to throw out there when a guy gets fatigued. Especially with the number of perimeter guys who have to expend more energy that we have. Even hope we can work in our young bigs some too when the games allow. This is my guess and I am sticking to it.

Seems like this would fit Coaches desire to be prepared to know who needs to finish, more than start the game, and have them rested and ready for late duty when needed.
 
#13
#13
Thunder Good-Oil said:
In the last 3 seasons UT has only been out of the AP Top 25 the last two weeks of the 2020-21 regular season and in the 2021 final poll. That was the year that fans weren’t allowed to attend games. The TBA (FCC) is a huge advantage for the program. Sadly, Johnson and Springer weren’t able to experience the atmosphere.

This has to be one of the longest Top 25 runs in the history of UT basketball. Probably setting some records as far as Top 10 appearances as well.
Click to expand...
Coach Barnes has built us into a top 25 program. He's also a victim of his own success to many of our fans they can't wait until he retires. They forget where we came from before he was hired (minus a half decade run with Pearl.) I remember when it was a foregone conclusion that we were not going to win the SECT. Now we have played in the SECCG 3 out of the last 5 years and finally won one after 40+ years!
 
  • Like
Reactions: cardvolfan, MinisterofDef#92 and Thunder Good-Oil
#14
#14
Too many questions to be ranked that high at this point.
--Who is gonna be able to score in the paint?
--Who can beat their man off the dribble and finish at the rim?
--Who is gonna defend quick guards?
--Who will be the consistent 3 pt shooter to take some pressure off Vescovi?

Should be a good team but I don't see how they can be ranked that high at this point.
 
#15
#15
TheMookieMonster said:
Stopped reading the article after I saw he listed as us overrated and in the blurb said our offense was going to be trash because it’s the same team as last year and didn’t mention a single one of the transfers we added. This man clearly did zero research.
Click to expand...
I think there's a good bit of ground between the actual quotes of the article and the term you used in regards to the offense.

Imo, a lot is hinging on the performance of our new transfers, namely Knecht. We do not have a good recent history of transfers; our best have been James Daniel III, Plavsic, and Bailey unless I'm forgetting anyone. I am certainly hoping for the best with Knecht and Gainey, but I wouldn't blame anyone for not giving us the benefit of the doubt. If Knecht and Gainey don't have the offensive firepower we're hoping for, it very well could be more of the same offensive struggles.

I'm not trying to bring anyone down by any means. I just think the foundation on which the fanbase's lofty predictions/expectations is questionable, and I think it's perfectly reasonable to acknowledge our weaknesses and the negative aspects of our recent history. We have a lot of reasons to be optimistic, and I think we have more reasons than most would admit to hesitate in declaring this team as one of the best. I'm in wait and see mode, personally.
 
#16
#16
TheMookieMonster said:
Stopped reading the article after I saw he listed as us overrated and in the blurb said our offense was going to be trash because it’s the same team as last year and didn’t mention a single one of the transfers we added. This man clearly did zero research.
Click to expand...
Same. Lazy, uninformed, cookie-cutter article. It may turn out that way in the end, but poor article with shoddy research.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Nickid1975, berryvol, Stoked and 1 other person
#17
#17
Backwards K said:
Too many questions to be ranked that high at this point.
--Who is gonna be able to score in the paint?
--Who can beat their man off the dribble and finish at the rim?
--Who is gonna defend quick guards?
--Who will be the consistent 3 pt shooter to take some pressure off Vescovi?

Should be a good team but I don't see how they can be ranked that high at this point.
Click to expand...

I take it you didn't watch the 3 games from overseas in August?? Granted wasn't SEC type competition but Gainey, Knecht, & Freddie looked like studs all 3 games that got to the rim and created their own shots. & also are knock down 3pt shooters to go along with Santi & ZZ. Estrella looked pretty good in the post also. This team will be deep.
 
  • Like
Reactions: berryvol and SN-A-C Orange
#18
#18
Chris4Vols22 said:
I think there's a good bit of ground between the actual quotes of the article and the term you used in regards to the offense.

Imo, a lot is hinging on the performance of our new transfers, namely Knecht. We do not have a good recent history of transfers; our best have been James Daniel III, Plavsic, and Bailey unless I'm forgetting anyone. I am certainly hoping for the best with Knecht and Gainey, but I wouldn't blame anyone for not giving us the benefit of the doubt. If Knecht and Gainey don't have the offensive firepower we're hoping for, it very well could be more of the same offensive struggles.

I'm not trying to bring anyone down by any means. I just think the foundation on which the fanbase's lofty predictions/expectations is questionable, and I think it's perfectly reasonable to acknowledge our weaknesses and the negative aspects of our recent history. We have a lot of reasons to be optimistic, and I think we have more reasons than most would admit to hesitate in declaring this team as one of the best. I'm in wait and see mode, personally.
Click to expand...

His entire reasoning for his argument was “But Rick Barnes.” I’m tired of that lazy take.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Orange. and berryvol
#19
#19
VolXr1 said:
I take it you didn't watch the 3 games from overseas in August?? Granted wasn't SEC type competition but Gainey, Knecht, & Freddie looked like studs all 3 games that got to the rim and created their own shots. & also are knock down 3pt shooters to go along with Santi & ZZ. Estrella looked pretty good in the post also. This team will be deep.
Click to expand...
I take it you have no idea the difference between the teams they played in August vs the teams on their schedule this year.
 
#20
#20
Backwards K said:
I take it you have no idea the difference between the teams they played in August vs the teams on their schedule this year.
Click to expand...

& Clearly you can't read?. I said "granted it wasn't against SEC competition"... but they'll do the same to teams on the schedule just like they did against the teams they played in Italy 🤷‍♂️
 
  • Like
Reactions: berryvol
#21
#21
VolXr1 said:
& Clearly you can't read?. I said "granted it wasn't against SEC competition"... but they'll do the same to teams on the schedule just like they did against the teams they played in Italy 🤷‍♂️
Click to expand...
I hope you are right but from the scores of the games vs the "Itly boys", it will definitely be a little more challenging vs the SEC competition. As I said, they should be good but there is nothing of consequence to suggest they are a top 10 team in the nations at this poing.
 
#24
#24
Backwards K said:
I hope you are right but from the scores of the games vs the "Itly boys", it will definitely be a little more challenging vs the SEC competition. As I said, they should be good but there is nothing of consequence to suggest they are a top 10 team in the nations at this poing.
Click to expand...
well considering we get ZZ back healthy, paired alongside Vescovi, JJJ and others... they were a top 10 team last season weren't they? I mean before injuries. You add that plus the way they defend and rebound, plus Dillione and the portal scoring we added... then i would argue that suggests top 10 maybe top 6.
 
  • Like
Reactions: VolXr1 and berryvol
#25
#25
Being ranked #9 in the preseason is a good ranking considering the talent level on this team. It's just a matter of staying healthy down the stretch which obviously was the set back last year.

Also, while I know this isn't a Carolina board, I'm glad that they are ranked so low after last year's collapse. They're going to have to earn the respect going into this season,and not rest on their laurels.
 
New posts
You must log in or register to reply here.

VN Store



Back
Top