College Hoops Around The Country [TN opponents, RPI, others]

[bleedingTNorange]

I guess his transfer was a double win for us. He hurt Arkansas and cost them money, and we upgraded with Okpara.

I remember many folks questioning that trade…

 

[walkenvol]

I remember many folks questioning that trade…

Do you think if Aidoo had stayed at UT he would have played as poorly here as he’s done at Arky?

I tend to think having been in Barnes’ system for 4 years would have resulted in him playing better. Of course it doesn’t matter now and it seems like we got the better end of the swap.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

Do you think if Aidoo had stayed at UT he would have played as poorly here as he’s done at Arky?

I tend to think having been in Barnes’ system for 4 years would have resulted in him playing better. Of course it doesn’t matter now and it seems like we got the better end of the swap.

I think he’d be playing better than he has at Arkansas for sure, but as you said I think we are also better for it

 

[Tenacjim]

Do you think if Aidoo had stayed at UT he would have played as poorly here as he’s done at Arky?

I tend to think having been in Barnes’ system for 4 years would have resulted in him playing better. Of course it doesn’t matter now and it seems like we got the better end of the swap.

IMO, the biggest issues with Aidoo are “want” issues. If he “wanted” to be here, he would likely play better. If not, you probably get games like he was playing in the tourney last year and his last few games in Arky. He probably realizes now he made a mistake going there and his play shows it.

I thought he was sick in the tourney last year. I think it’s likely his mind had already decided he was leaving and his body was just waiting to catch up…….

 

[cncchris33]

I said it previously, they’ll be an interesting case study (not that folks will pay attention), to see how they fare. Many Tennessee fans complaining about our lack of offense point to Bama as a team they wish we’d be like, they’re essentially our polar opposite, Top 3 on one end and sub 30 on the other end…as last night and previous games have been evidence of, that strategy doesn’t work any better.

They average 81.2ppg in their 5 losses, but average giving up 89.6ppg.

We average 61.2ppg in our 5 losses, but average giving up 71ppg.


Both teams are 21-5, is one way really better than the other?

Not taking one side or the other with this comment, but one of those styles is certainly more entertaining to watch for most people than the other. I think each style has its own merit, but I hear from tons of people...and it may be just be frustration and wanting what they don't have...that they would rather see us lose 100-95 than see us lose 60-55.

It could also be argued that you can teach a group of guys to defend better, but teaching a group of guys to shoot and score better is a tougher task.

 

[cncchris33]

There was quite a bit of shilling for Alabama by a few folks in this very thread a couple weeks ago, many of whom believed they would manage this gauntlet of a schedule with only 2 losses. 5 games to go and they've already met that threshold.

Wonder how many of you think they are going 5-0 to finish? UK, MSU, at Tennessee, Florida, at Auburn.

In that same timeframe, there was some Florida hate, as well. I'm starting to actually believe they may be perhaps the 2nd strongest team in the SEC. They might be the deepest team. After losing Alex Condon, they haven't really missed a beat. They navigated a Walter Clayton injury, too. A top5 offense and a top10 defense. Guard depth, post depth. Easily beat Auburn at Auburn. There’s a lot to like about them.

 

[Yeiser10]

There was quite a bit of shilling for Alabama by a few folks in this very thread a couple weeks ago, many of whom believed they would manage this gauntlet of a schedule with only 2 losses. 5 games to go and they've already met that threshold.

Wonder how many of you think they are going 5-0 to finish? UK, MSU, at Tennessee, Florida, at Auburn.

In that same timeframe, there was some Florida hate, as well. I'm starting to actually believe they may be perhaps the 2nd strongest team in the SEC. They might be the deepest team. After losing Alex Condon, they haven't really missed a beat. They navigated a Walter Clayton injury, too. A top5 offense and a top10 defense. Guard depth, post depth. Easily beat Auburn at Auburn. There’s a lot to like about them.

Agree. Florida is very good unfortunately

 

[omghulkhands]

There was quite a bit of shilling for Alabama by a few folks in this very thread a couple weeks ago, many of whom believed they would manage this gauntlet of a schedule with only 2 losses. 5 games to go and they've already met that threshold.

Wonder how many of you think they are going 5-0 to finish? UK, MSU, at Tennessee, Florida, at Auburn.

In that same timeframe, there was some Florida hate, as well. I'm starting to actually believe they may be perhaps the 2nd strongest team in the SEC. They might be the deepest team. After losing Alex Condon, they haven't really missed a beat. They navigated a Walter Clayton injury, too. A top5 offense and a top10 defense. Guard depth, post depth. Easily beat Auburn at Auburn. There’s a lot to like about them.

Fellating other teams is just a way for some of these guys to diminish our own

 

[sami]

Do you think if Aidoo had stayed at UT he would have played as poorly here as he’s done at Arky?

I tend to think having been in Barnes’ system for 4 years would have resulted in him playing better. Of course it doesn’t matter now and it seems like we got the better end of the swap.

I was honestly much more upset at Awaka leaving than Aidoo, who just has a softness about him that even a few years with Barnes didn't change. Okpara/Awaka would have been a devastating combination at the 5, and would have allowed Cade to settle in at the 4, a more natural spot for him. Although if Estrella hadn't gotten hurt, he was ready to be a force in the middle, so maybe it was all for the best.

 

[lostsheep]

I remember many folks questioning that trade…

Admittedly, I was one of these folks early in the season. Glad Okpara has made me eat some crow.

 

[SGMVols]

Alabama is 12-25 from 3 and they were down 14 with 5 minutes to go

Most college teams that take a beating do so because they had a cold shooting night.

That Bama’s defense is so bad that they shot that well, and still got beaten like that, is very concerning.

 

[walkenvol]

IMO, the biggest issues with Aidoo are “want” issues. If he “wanted” to be here, he would likely play better. If not, you probably get games like he was playing in the tourney last year and his last few games in Arky. He probably realizes now he made a mistake going there and his play shows it.

I thought he was sick in the tourney last year. I think it’s likely his mind had already decided he was leaving and his body was just waiting to catch up…….

He definitely faded a bit at the end of last season and no showed against Purdue. But, he was second team all conference so his entire body of work was far superior to this season. Gotta think being at UT had to have something to do with that.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

Not taking one side or the other with this comment, but one of those styles is certainly more entertaining to watch for most people than the other. I think each style has its own merit, but I hear from tons of people...and it may be just be frustration and wanting what they don't have...that they would rather see us lose 100-95 than see us lose 60-55.

It could also be argued that you can teach a group of guys to defend better, but teaching a group of guys to shoot and score better is a tougher task.

I get the thought process and generally agree about most casual fans, which unfortunately make up the majority of the bball fan base. I would go as far as to say I’m not convinced many wouldn’t prefer us being 20-6 right now and be averaging 90ppg rather than being 21-5 and averaging far less.

To me it should be about winning, and I’m not sure Alabama’s strategy is any more efficient at that than Tennessee’s, but that’s why I’ve said it will be fun/interesting to watch play out.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

There was quite a bit of shilling for Alabama by a few folks in this very thread a couple weeks ago, many of whom believed they would manage this gauntlet of a schedule with only 2 losses. 5 games to go and they've already met that threshold.

Wonder how many of you think they are going 5-0 to finish? UK, MSU, at Tennessee, Florida, at Auburn.

In that same timeframe, there was some Florida hate, as well. I'm starting to actually believe they may be perhaps the 2nd strongest team in the SEC. They might be the deepest team. After losing Alex Condon, they haven't really missed a beat. They navigated a Walter Clayton injury, too. A top5 offense and a top10 defense. Guard depth, post depth. Easily beat Auburn at Auburn. There’s a lot to like about them.

I don’t think it’s crazy to even suggest Florida is better than Auburn, especially over the last 6 weeks snapshot.

 

[cncchris33]

I get the thought process and generally agree about most casual fans, which unfortunately make up the majority of the bball fan base. I would go as far as to say I’m not convinced many wouldn’t prefer us being 20-6 right now and be averaging 90ppg rather than being 21-5 and averaging far less.

To me it should be about winning, and I’m not sure Alabama’s strategy is any more efficient at that than Tennessee’s, but that’s why I’ve said it will be fun/interesting to watch play out.

I do agree that it is generally the mindset of a more casual fan. And while I do agree that on paper it doesn't seem any more efficient, I'm not sure there is evidence that it is any less efficient, either. And one style (Bama's) has seen more success in the postseason over the last 5 years. It is an interesting dynamic.

 

[walkenvol]

There was quite a bit of shilling for Alabama by a few folks in this very thread a couple weeks ago, many of whom believed they would manage this gauntlet of a schedule with only 2 losses. 5 games to go and they've already met that threshold.

Wonder how many of you think they are going 5-0 to finish? UK, MSU, at Tennessee, Florida, at Auburn.

In that same timeframe, there was some Florida hate, as well. I'm starting to actually believe they may be perhaps the 2nd strongest team in the SEC. They might be the deepest team. After losing Alex Condon, they haven't really missed a beat. They navigated a Walter Clayton injury, too. A top5 offense and a top10 defense. Guard depth, post depth. Easily beat Auburn at Auburn. There’s a lot to like about them.

 

[cncchris33]

I don’t think it’s crazy to even suggest Florida is better than Auburn, especially over the last 6 weeks snapshot.

I almost said as much. Auburn has flirted with disaster a few times in SEC play but found a way to win. Florida has two more losses, but their wins have almost all been in convincing fashion

 

[walkenvol]

I almost said as much. Auburn has flirted with disaster a few times in SEC play but found a way to win. Florida has two more losses, but their wins have almost all been in convincing fashion

I still think Auburn’s lack of discipline is likely to catch up to them in March. Mazara is just a wildcard who’s a proven Dirty player and the refs will likely be watching. Cardwell and Broome can both get caught up more in what just happened verses being prepared for what’s about to happen. They’re very talented but I don’t trust them - we will see.

 

[MoCo_Vol]

Depending on matchups in the NCAAT, it wouldn't surprise me to see one of these "under the radar" SEC teams crash the Final Four. I'd put Mizzou, A&M, and Miss State in that bucket.

Villanova did the same thing in 2009. The Big East had three #1 seeds and they weren't one of them but ended up in the FF.

Not sure I'd call Mizzou "under the radar" but agree. I think they've got a legit shot at a 2 seed is why I say that.

The media will be pushing Auburn, Bama, Florida, and Vols as the best 4. But that next group of Mizzou, A&M and Miss State could just as easily get hot and win 3 or 4 in a row for sure.

 

[SGMVols]

Not taking one side or the other with this comment, but one of those styles is certainly more entertaining to watch for most people than the other. I think each style has its own merit, but I hear from tons of people...and it may be just be frustration and wanting what they don't have...that they would rather see us lose 100-95 than see us lose 60-55.

It could also be argued that you can teach a group of guys to defend better, but teaching a group of guys to shoot and score better is a tougher task.

I think some folks would rather us lose 100-95 than *win* 60-55, which I find odd.

The 2012 football team scored a ton of points but I didn’t find them very entertaining. Why? They didn’t win.

 

[VolCalls]

Not sure I'd call Mizzou "under the radar" but agree. I think they've got a legit shot at a 2 seed is why I say that.

The media will be pushing Auburn, Bama, Florida, and Vols as the best 4. But that next group of Mizzou, A&M and Miss State could just as easily get hot and win 3 or 4 in a row for sure.

What I meant by “under the radar” are teams outside of the four juggernauts that have gotten most of the publicity all year: us, Auburn, Bama, & Florida. Shoot, we could have four SEC teams in the Final Four and it wouldn’t shock me.

 

[MoCo_Vol]

Still not sure I'm buying Bama just yet.

They have 3 losses

Still have this stretch of games to end the season

vs Auburn
at Missouri
vs Kentucky
vs Miss State
at Tennessee
vs Florida
at Auburn

That's the end of their season and they'll have no byes between any of those games.

Of course Bama still hasn't hit the "meat" of their schedule

Their best SEC win at this point is at A&M.

Next Saturday starts the gauntlet...if they're a legit #1 team we'll know pretty damn soon

vs Auburn
at Missouri
vs Kentucky
vs Miss State
at Tennessee
vs Florida
at Auburn

Really hoping we see them lose 3 or 4 in that stretch.

Also I found my receipts...just felt like Bama was gonna stumble and so far they're 0-2. With who they got left hoping we beat 'em and they lose a 2nd to finish this stretch with 4 losses. If I had a "perfect" situation they'd beat Florida and Kentucky though.

 

[OrangeBeachVol]

If it had not been for Sears 30+ points Bama loss would have been worse. They don't usually lose when he has a good game. Just to clarify I am glad they lost and enjoyed watching the last 5 min. of the game.

 

[chuckiepoo]

…four SEC teams in the Final Four and it wouldn’t shock me.

…really? Hyperbole much?

 

[cncchris33]

I think some folks would rather us lose 100-95 than *win* 60-55, which I find odd.

The 2012 football team scored a ton of points but I didn’t find them very entertaining. Why? They didn’t win.

Those people are idiots.