Can any of the double-digit seeds reach the Final 4?

#1
golfballs

golfballs

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#1
Among long shots, Tennessee Volunteers have best chance of reaching Texas - College Basketball - ESPN

After 52 tournament games, we're now down to 16 survivors and just three double-digit seeds: No. 10 seed Stanford and two No. 11 seeds, Tennessee and Dayton.

I'm not sure any of these teams are Cinderellas, strictly speaking. The Cardinal and the Volunteers are from major conferences and the Flyers come out of the Atlantic 10, which put no fewer than six teams into the tournament.

Therefore I'll refrain from pinning any label from a fairy tale on these survivors and will instead remark upon a plain fact. It's surprising they're all here.

Now, can any of them make the Final Four?

I think Tennessee has the best shot, but first let me give full credit to what Stanford and Dayton have been able to accomplish.

...

That being said, I think Tennessee has the best shot of any of these teams to make the Final Four. For starters, the Volunteers came into the tournament as the best of these three on paper. Put it this way: Dayton outscored the nation's No. 8-ranked league by 0.02 points per possession and Stanford outscored the No. 5-ranked conference by 0.03 points per trip, but Cuonzo Martin's team outscored the No. 6-ranked league by 0.14 points per possession.

The Vols have an ability that sets them apart in this three-team discussion. They can score. In three tournament games UT has recorded 1.28 points per possession. Tennessee has been particularly effective in the paint in the tournament, making 59 percent of its 2-point attempts. In fact, Jarnell Stokes has recorded a double-double in each of the Volunteers' three tournament games.

That ability to score in the paint should give the Volunteers a chance against Michigan in the Sweet 16. The Wolverines are relatively small on the interior, and Big Ten opponents had been successful all season long attacking the rim. In a game between the Vols and UM, don't be surprised if both teams can score a goodly number of points.

Any of these three double-digit seeds making the Final Four would qualify as a big upset, obviously. In the modern era, 116 teams have reached the national semifinals, and just three of those carried double-digit seeds: LSU in 1986, George Mason in 2006 and Virginia Commonwealth in 2011. (All of those teams were No. 11 seeds, by the way.) But if any team is going to do it in 2014, I expect it to be Tennessee. The Volunteers have the offense, the personnel, the regular-season profile and the momentum to at least make it conceivable.
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#3
#3
Well, for starters, Stanford and Dayton play each other next, so that automatically puts one out. Also, I don't see the winner of that game beating either Florida or UCLA.

Tennessee is the only one with a decent shot at making the final four imo
 
#4
#4
Daily Word - ESPN

Which remaining team is the most dangerous? Maybe not the best, but the most dangerous?

Andy Katz: Tennessee. The Vols, albeit against UMass and Mercer, have looked pretty strong inside and have made the necessary shots to pull away from teams. They have more than enough to beat Michigan and if they do, they match up well against Kentucky or Louisville. It's not crazy to think the Vols could go from the First Four to the Final Four.
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#6
#6
golfballs said:
Among long shots, Tennessee Volunteers have best chance of reaching Texas - College Basketball - ESPN

...

That ability to score in the paint should give the Volunteers a chance against Michigan in the Sweet 16. The Wolverines are relatively small on the interior, and Big Ten opponents had been successful all season long attacking the rim. In a game between the Vols and UM, don't be surprised if both teams can score a goodly number of points.

...
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I had no clue that goodly was an adjective until now. Learn something new every day.

P.S. thanks for posting
 
#16
#16
I remember how bad I wanted that final four when we lost to Mich St. It was do heart breaking. I really hope this I'd the year we can hang AT LEAST a final four banner .
 
#17
#17
UTK said:
I remember how bad I wanted that final four when we lost to Mich St. It was do heart breaking. I really hope this I'd the year we can hang AT LEAST a final four banner .
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It was brutal how we lost. But still made me proud of that squad
 
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#19
#19
bleedingTNorange said:
Sucks for you huh?
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No, as I was one of the " let the season play out then evaluate" folks. I like CBP but have always said I hoped CCM grows into the job and was a success.

I've just been watching you gloat with those who were sure CCM was a failure. Just remember, you lost confidence in CCM yourself before the run started.
 
#20
#20
walkenvol said:
No, as I was one of the " let the season play out then evaluate" folks. I like CBP but have always said I hoped CCM grows into the job and was a success.

I've just been watching you gloat with those who were sure CCM was a failure. Just remember, you lost confidence in CCM yourself before the run started.
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Never said fire the guy, always maintained let him finish the season and see what he's got.

This is exactly why
 
#21
#21
bleedingTNorange said:
Never said fire the guy, always maintained let him finish the season and see what he's got.

This is exactly why
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Yes you did, but during the first part of the season you were 100% behind CCM going to battle with the fire CCM / hire CBP crowd. You must admit that even you started considering what we were going to do if the slide continued and they didn't make the tourney - your confidence was shaken.

Regardless of all the negative posting, I'm glad the team is reaching their potential!
 
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