CBS: Indy loss not a big deal

#1
Neyland Law Vol

Neyland Law Vol

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#1
Per Garry Parrish - CBS

Tennessee lost an exhibition to Indianapolis on Monday night.

Indianapolis is a Division II school.

So now the folks who talk about college basketball in November -- and that number isn't nearly as high as I'd like it to be -- are making predictable and sweeping generalities, apparently forgetting how another school that wears orange suffered a similar embarrassment a year ago last week.

"Hopefully we can learn from this and move in the right direction," Syracuse's Wes Johnson said after last preseason's exhibition loss to Division II Le Moyne. He then proceeded to learn from it and move in the right direction, i.e., the direction of a Big East title and No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament.

Which is why Bruce Pearl shouldn't be overly concerned.

Granted, there's a chance what happened Monday at Thompson-Boling Arena will ultimately prove to be the first sign that the off-the-court drama surrounding the program will have an on-the-court effect that'll cause the Vols to fall short of expectations. But it's just as likely that this defeat means absolutely nothing, which is pretty much what I told a distraught Syracuse fan who emailed after the Orange's loss to Le Moyne last November and proclaimed his favorite team's season "just ended before it ever began."
"This isn't going to be as bad as you think or as bad as it was Tuesday night. I can't find proof right now (I've been looking for 15 minutes), but I believe UMass lost an exhibition in the 1995-96 season, then went on to make the Final Four. Grand Valley State famously beat Michigan State in an exhibition two years ago, and the Spartans still made the Sweet 16. So losing a game like this isn't necessarily a prediction of what's coming."Those were my words filed within 24 hours of Syracuse's loss to Le Moyne.

My levelheadedness served me well.

So while I do wonder if the Vols will miss Wayne Chism, J.P. Prince and Bobby Maze more than most anticipated, the reality is that I've seen Pearl win with rosters much worse than the roster he has now, and I'll still be shocked if Tennessee isn't a borderline Top 25 team that competes for the SEC East title and makes the NCAA tournament. In other words, Monday's development didn't change my opinion of the Vols one bit. My guess is that they'll bounce back Friday and open the regular season with a double-digit win over Chattanooga, just like they were always going to do.
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You remember Syracuse from last season, right? - CBSSports.com
 
#3
#3
I agree 100%, its called an exhibition game for a reason. The only thing that really botherd me was lack of defensive intensity and not going to the hole. Everyone has off nights shooting.
 
#4
#4
I'm just worried about the wrath that my poor UTC Mocs are going to have to suffer after this UT loss. :) J/K. :) At least UTC will get paid.... lol
 
#5
#5
Not saying this team will be No. 1 seed, but he has a point about SYU geating beat by a Div. II school then going on to win their conference and getting a No. 1 seed.
 
#6
#6
Dudleys87 said:
Its a big deal.
It shouldnt happen.
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It will only be a big deal if that exposed this team for what it is. It can and does happen to other teams too. The only concern I have is if those were the real 2010-2011 Vols out there or if they were just loafing in an exhibition game. We'll find out what they are made of at a later date. This tells us next to nothing at this point. It is still frustrating an avoidable though.
 
#7
#7
CardassianVol said:
It will only be a big deal if that exposed this team for what it is. It can and does happen to other teams too. The only concern I have is if those were the real 2010-2011 Vols out there or if they were just loafing in an exhibition game. We'll find out what they are made of at a later date. This tells us next to nothing at this point. It is still frustrating an avoidable though.
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I see what your saying but this should not happen in TBA. Unless the Vols are really bad they have to much talent for something like this to happen.
 
#9
#9
Although I ultimately agree with him, Parrish is a study in the pseudo-journalistic tendency to be contrary to his own commentary just for the shock factor of it. Some in other places are saying simplistic things like, "that Parrish sure don't pile it on when Tennessee really bombs, does he?", whereas we all know it's just Sternian shock-crap cloaked in obviously cloying understatement.
 
#10
#10
Yes, it's a big deal. Anytime a program that claims to be in the top 25 loses to a division 2 school, it's a big deal (period).
 
#11
#11
after everything that UT athletics have been through over the past 2-3 years--I don't have any energy left to worry about a preseason game. I will reserve all my sanity for the UTC game.
 
#12
#12
Nashville said:
Yes, it's a big deal. Anytime a program that claims to be in the top 25 loses to a division 2 school, it's a big deal (period).
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Its a story. Not a big deal because... The game doesn't count! not necessarily an indication of future success
 
#14
#14
PoochPunt3rdDown said:
Although I ultimately agree with him, Parrish is a study in the pseudo-journalistic tendency to be contrary to his own commentary just for the shock factor of it. Some in other places are saying simplistic things like, "that Parrish sure don't pile it on when Tennessee really bombs, does he?", whereas we all know it's just Sternian shock-crap cloaked in obviously cloying understatement.
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I'm sorry but HUH? Howard would not even make a comment on Sports.
 
#15
#15
Neyland Law Vol said:
Not saying this team will be No. 1 seed, but he has a point about SYU geating beat by a Div. II school then going on to win their conference and getting a No. 1 seed.
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Not really. Syracuse wasn't run out of their own gym by a D-II team. They lost in overtime not by 15.
 
#17
#17
good to see some positive reinforcement here. id rather lose an expedition game and get an early wake up call versus getting a wake up call when the season starts
 
#19
#19
I think this could end up helping us in the long run. It will get their heard straightened out for the regular season and back on what it needs to be on...playing as a team and playing hard. Much rather lose this than a conference game against KY!
 
#20
#20
My concern is it's not like we got down to a team and said "It's practice" it does not really matter". We played our stars, a couple fouled out...tried to come back and win...and just could not out play a smaller, better looking team. IMO, it is cause for concern.
 
#21
#21
Not a big deal. I could be wrong, but this doesn't go on thier record. Everyone says the preseason is overrated in all sports. I would call an exhibition preseason. Call me when they count.
 
#23
#23
VolsFan4Ever-11 said:
A loss is a loss, plain and simple. Doesn't matter if it's by 15, or in ovetime, or if you lose by 99 or by 1, a loss is a loss.
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Yes it does. They might count the same, but a one point loss certainly beats a 101-40 loss as far as team morale, confidence and the ability of the team to correct whatever caused the difference in the game go. Of course, this loss didn't count at all.
 
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