Can the Vols finally break the glass ceiling this year?

[RDU VOL#14]

Given the circumstances of the current bracket it’s time to for the program to take the next step. It’s time to go to a Final 4 and get that monkey off the back. Seeing who this team has beaten this year, it would be a shame to not take it to the next level.

 

[tennrich1]

I have said in every NCAA tourney complaint thread about Barnes, there is a lot of luck in the draw. The last few years we have drawn a red-hot team. Michigan had a very talented team that underachieved all year but got hot in the tourney. It kind of matches what the Vols have done this season and the draw is favorable for a change. UT will play 9 guys with no drop-off in defensive intensity or scoring capability. I don't think FAU can match that, there will be weaknesses in their rotations and we need to take advantage of them.

I agree with our rotation point especially for this game. Something interesting Rick Pitino said during an in game interview this past week when ask about lack of depth…”in the NCAA Tournament all time outs are like half time breaks. We get plenty of rest during those and depth is not an issue”. IDK if he was just musing or serious but it’s a pretty good point.

 

[Ashevillevol]

Only thing I’m concerned with is refs being whistle happy because all the bitching from national media

It’s because we went off script when we beat the Dukies. That was never supposed to happen so we could have trouble with the refs showing us our place.

 

[walkenvol]

That's fair if you feel that way, but I don't think it's always fair to adjust the overall expectation based on draw, myself. FAU earned their way into the S16 as well and are more than capable of beating us, and the name on the jersey likely has you feeling that way. I doubt you'd feel that way if it were Arkansas.

I'd feel like you if FDU had beaten them and we were unexpectedly getting to face a 16-seed in the S16. It can be argued that we are fortunate to be where we are. I'll be upset if we lose... just like any other game...but I won't view it as some catastrophic failure.

I mostly agree, but if we were facing either of the other 2 teams in our region I wouldn’t be overly disappointed with a loss - just think we’re a lot more talented than FAU. Not a knock against FAU as like you said they earned their way into the second weekend but I watched their 2 games and feel strongly that we’re going to have to have one of our really bad shooting games or they’re going to have to have a magical shooting game to beat us. JMO

 

[cwbytruckers]

You’ve basically described my childhood there. Taping the games, lying in bed nights listening to the playback. Sir John Ward introducing the “slender junior from Marietta Georgia” and countless other memories, courtesy of Big Orange basketball. Did you by any chance have a Nerfoop goal over your bedroom door that got a thorough workout during the games? I’m asking because..I totally did and still have one today, circa 40 years later.

OMG yes and pretended i was some great Vols while using it.

 

[vol94]

Don't know, but this program deserves to break through instead of breaking hearts. Not asking for a natty just make the final 4 for the first time. Maybe the basketball gods will show us a little kindness for once.

I won’t be angry if we don’t win the ship, but will be disappointed. That is the world of sports: one team is happy and the other unhappy.

Regardless of the outcome, I am proud of this team as they are not as athletic as many others. This tourney has shown me that there are a ton of athletic players who don’t play at a power five school. It’s been one of the best tournaments Ive ever seen and extra special since TN is on its way to a possible final four berth. Win or lose, I’ve enjoyed the recent ride.

 

[Other_Guy]

Yall are talking about FAU like this is the elite 8... they would have to get past mich st/ k state.
It's hard for me to see this team making it to the FF but "someone has to" so to speak. There's not-so-dominate teams that make it almost every year that no one expects. Tenn at their best (which one can argue is no longer possible without ZZ) can make that run.
Again, it's just hard for me to see it happening because BVS.

 

[Frozevol]

I mostly agree, but if we were facing either of the other 2 teams in our region I wouldn’t be overly disappointed with a loss - just think we’re a lot more talented than FAU. Not a knock against FAU as like you said they earned their way into the second weekend but I watched their 2 games and feel strongly that we’re going to have to have one of our really bad shooting games or they’re going to have to have a magical shooting game to beat us. JMO

This team is really inconsistent and tends to play the level of their competition. Our best games have been against our stiffest competition. I hope we bring whatever we had against Duke and Texas and Alabama for the next four games.

 

[Pete Carpet]

In all the 110+ year history of UT basketball, not once have they ever reached a final four. Not during the Bernie-Ernie show era, not with Allan Houston, Bruce Pearl, or up until now, Rick Barnes. It is the glass ceiling the Vols have been cursed to live under.

Yet, in this year of all unlikely years, they have a path to do this. I have full confidence they will beat FAU. However, just knowing the Vol history and the will of the Gods, I will be nervous as hell in the final eight game, and frankly expecting the worst.

Will this be the year? Can that glass ceiling be broken? They have the talent. But talent was never the issue in past years shortcomings.

Bernie and Ernie were the first to break my heart. Would sure be fitting to start the healing in New York, then take care of all the ghosts and win it all!

 

[sami]

You’ve basically described my childhood there. Taping the games, lying in bed nights listening to the playback. Sir John Ward introducing the “slender junior from Marietta Georgia” and countless other memories, courtesy of Big Orange basketball. Did you by any chance have a Nerfoop goal over your bedroom door that got a thorough workout during the games? I’m asking because..I totally did and still have one today, circa 40 years later.

My years at UT were during the Dale Ellis era. I still say he's the best college player I've ever seen, and you had to watch him every night to really appreciate him. Unselfish almost to a fault, excellent passer, would guard the best player regardless of position - I remember him shutting down Ralph Sampson twice in consecutive years we drew that UVa team in the tournament. Would've beaten them twice if we made a couple of FT's, but Don DeVoe completely outcoached Terry Holland both times.

Funny thing was that Ellis' only perceived weakness coming out of UT was his jumper, and he went on to be one of the all-time gunners in the NBA. I remember listening to road games with John Ward's calls of "bottom!" after big shots, he was the best to ever do it.

 

[volbound1700]

Michigan State worries me a lot.

 

[VOLnMiami]

I do not believe in BVS...It's all a state of mind and for some reason this team feels like the first Lady VOLS team that won the championship over La Tech...Remember all the close losses they had over the years in the touranment?...I just got a strange feeling we are gonna shock the world...I hope i'm right.

 

[MadMaxSC]

Ah, sounds like you were military. I was there for a less noble reason, shacking up with my German girlfriend.

I used to vacation in Cuxhaven, North of Hanover. I lived in Wiesbaden-Walluf; Heidelberg, Friolzheim and Hermersburg. Loved Deutschland

 

[first time caller]

"Chantz", who presently leads the ESPNs Men's Tournament Challenge, has the Vols going to the Final 4. I like Chantz. Maybe he should take Pat Forde's job.

 

[1Big_Orange_Fan]

Only thing I’m concerned with is refs being whistle happy because all the bitching from national media

Just need to avoid stupid fouls by Plavsic. Love the guy and expect him to foul in the normal flow of the game but against Duke every foul was uncalled for or at a dumb time/spot on the floor. Easily could’ve had 2 flagrants, feel we got lucky there.

 

[volz2wallz]

 

[livefaith]

...

Will this be the year? Can that glass ceiling be broken? They have the talent. But talent was never the issue in past years shortcomings.

Tomorrow night's game is at Madison Square Garden. Not the Javits Center.

I digress. Sorry to go there folks.

 

[RavinDave]

I believe that they will. Im 52 and i want to die knowing my Vols through all the horrible years finally make a final four. I have been a die hard fan from the days of listening with my hand held radio and taping them so i could listen to a replay of the game laying in bed in the 80s. Yeah im a die hard fan. And i have prayed for years that a final four would be in their future. And if it happens i think recruiting blows up. Recruits will finally know UT is a place you can reach a final four. So yes i believe the final four is in their future this season.

Dang, you’re only 52? Reading some of your earlier posts I thought you was older’n dirt. I’m 68 myself.

 

[livefaith]

Given the circumstances of the current bracket it’s time to for the program to take the next step. It’s time to go to a Final 4 and get that monkey off the back. Seeing who this team has beaten this year, it would be a shame to not take it to the next level.

This team is structurally built for a natty. We just need to break through this weekend.
Now, talent wise, we may be overmatched at some point. But, all we need is just a 4 game warm shooting streak.

 

[Tenacjim]

The most frustrating thing with this team has been the inconsistency. People have equated it to ”playing down to the opponent” and such. To a degree, that may be true. The Colorado game for sure was one where I thought “who are these guys”. The Alabama, Kansas, Texas and Duke games were things of beauty especially from a defensive standpoint. It’s understandable it’s difficult to bring that intensity every game but if we do, I’m confident we can beat any team left. Certainly the ones between us and the Final Four. I expect to make the Elite 8 (not overlooking FAU at all, but we should handle them). Izzy is always scary and KSU has a huge upside. Both can be beaten with efforts like the games above.

Part of the “inconsistency“ is also not having one undisputed “star” of the team. Just like ON the other night, it has been different players at different times. Santi is probably the most consistent performer but even he has “disappeared“ at times. We’ve seen games where no one is hitting shots. At different times we’ve seen ON, JJJ, SV, and even TK absolutely go off scoring (heck even UP against KY). Wouldn’t it be great to see all of these guys be the best versions of themselves for four games (including JP).I have a hard time seeing us lose if that happens. Even without ZZ……

 

[Volfan1000]

Yes, we have a good chance of obliterating that glass ceiling this season.

 

[livefaith]

The most frustrating thing with this team has been the inconsistency. People have equated it to ”playing down to the opponent” and such. To a degree, that may be true. The Colorado game for sure was one where I thought “who are these guys”. The Alabama, Kansas, Texas and Duke games were things of beauty especially from a defensive standpoint. It’s understandable it’s difficult to bring that intensity every game but if we do, I’m confident we can beat any team left. Certainly the ones between us and the Final Four. I expect to make the Elite 8 (not overlooking FAU at all, but we should handle them). Izzy is always scary and KSU has a huge upside. Both can be beaten with efforts like the games above.

Part of the “inconsistency“ is also not having one undisputed “star” of the team. Just like ON the other night, it has been different players at different times. Santi is probably the most consistent performer but even he has “disappeared“ at times. We’ve seen games where no one is hitting shots. At different times we’ve seen ON, JJJ, SV, and even TK absolutely go off scoring (heck even UP against KY). Wouldn’t it be great to see all of these guys be the best versions of themselves for four games (including JP).I have a hard time seeing us lose if that happens. Even without ZZ……

This is it. All we need is a 4 game warm streak on offense now. Can't get our interest and intensity any higher to play defense than this. We are built to win it all and the quality wins show that it is realistic! Now that little thing @ that #9 seed must be handled well 1st.

 

[sami]

Part of the “inconsistency“ is also not having one undisputed “star” of the team. Just like ON the other night, it has been different players at different times. Santi is probably the most consistent performer but even he has “disappeared“ at times. We’ve seen games where no one is hitting shots. At different times we’ve seen ON, JJJ, SV, and even TK absolutely go off scoring (heck even UP against KY). Wouldn’t it be great to see all of these guys be the best versions of themselves for four games (including JP).I have a hard time seeing us lose if that happens. Even without ZZ……

I've said this all season. Having a go-to guy that can just create his own shot and get us a bucket in big spots - that's been the missing ingredient of most of the Barnes teams here, and we saw the impact a guy like that can have with ON's game against Duke.

If someone can step up, be it ON, JJJ, SV, or whoever, and be that guy over the next four games, we have everything else that a national championship team needs to have - solid coaching, experience, great defense, and a close knit unit.

 

[cwbytruckers]

Dang, you’re only 52? Reading some of your earlier posts I thought you was older’n dirt. I’m 68 myself.

I feel like it after 20 plus years driving a truck.

 

[VolnGermany]

Ah, sounds like you were military. I was there for a less noble reason, shacking up with my German girlfriend.

Well, I guess you could say I'm shacking up with my German wife! But yes, retired military.