Is a No. 11 Seed actually among the best teams in the country?

#1
Freak

Freak

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#1
http://regressing.deadspin.com/is-a-no-11-seed-actually-among-the-best-teams-in-the-c-1547060812

That team would be Tennessee—team I have grown to love mainly because it is currently ranked 11th in my ratings system and received a No. 11 seed in the tournament. It's an amazing disparity, and I'm not foolish enough to believe the Vols are the 11th-best team in the land (the Sagarin and Massey predictive systems both have Tennessee ranked in the mid-20s). But it's clear Tennessee, coached by Cuonzo Martin, is better than the typical No. 11 seed. It's also obvious the Vols are very difficult to evaluate based on the limited information available to us. They've fallen into college basketball's epistemological blind spot.
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However, our time with the Vols may be short. If the oddsmakers are correct, their season has a good chance of ending in an opening-round game tonight against similarly underseeded Iowa. A loss would end one of the more eccentric seasons turned in by any team in the country. If we had a different snapshot of 20 games, I'm guessing Tennessee's record would have more closely matched its scoring-based metrics.
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Ken Pomeroy


A worthwhile read.
 
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#7
#7
ah! beat me to it, i came here immediately after i finished reading.


very good read, makes it hard not to get excited for tonight!
 
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#8
#8
No.


But maybe...


I don't believe in Iowa or Tennessee. But at the same time, I believe both can beat just about anyone....
 
#9
#9
BigSteve09 said:
ah! beat me to it, i came here immediately after i finished reading.


very good read, makes it hard not to get excited for tonight!
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Iowa is better coached.

Tennessee has more talent.

Let's hope talent prevails.
 
#11
#11
BigSteve09 said:
I'm hoping that Iowa trending down vs. us trending up will help as well.
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I'm with ya.

I don't want to deal with my craphead Hawkeye friends. That's on top of wanting the Vols to win anyways, obviously.

I've watched Iowa games though and the Big 10 is better than the SEC. And if I recall, 10 points is their worst loss of the year. Iowa ain't a sprained ankle, they ain't nuttin' to be played with. - Drake.
 
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#13
#13
was a good read. but still... No

Loved this line though "They punch teams in the mouth and walk away". Get ready to bob and weave Iowa!!!

gbo
 
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#14
#14
utvolkyle06 said:
Excellent and right on point. One of the Fox sports commentators said Sunday night UT has sweet 16 talent and mid major results.
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well, KenPom and other's ratings are based on actual results...

That's why he thinks this team is so interesting.
 
#16
#16
drewtigeralum said:
Quick point, Iowa will have the most talented player on the floor.
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I'll take the Stokes and Maymon front court.

Iowa is very good though and I wouldn't doubt for a second that they win. I wouldn't doubt it if Tennessee blows their doors off though. Size matters - That's what she said.
 
#17
#17
It's a tough matchup for sure. We all know the talent is there forTennessee, but has been inconsistent from the get go.
 
#20
#20
Yankee_Vol said:
It's a tough matchup for sure. We all know the talent is there forTennessee, but has been inconsistent from the get go.
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Yep.

Iowa had been consistent until down the stretch.

Let's be honest though... our boys had an easy schedule down the stretch while Iowa was playing quality teams. Minus the Northwestern loss loool. I'm still laughing about that.

I'm not gonna write Iowa off though. I think our guys have the size and talent to mop the floor with them. I just think Iowa played better conference opponents and that they're better coached. We've always had the fire power. Well, size and strength.... to own. Iowa has won on coaching. Our team should be far better just based on our front court.
 
#23
#23
vol66 said:
One would hope, Fran has been a head coach for 18 years.
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You'd hope more experience would make you better. There is always someone smarter though and certain people are advancing beyond their superiors. I have a few friends that just rise above everyone else and it's crazy. They're a couple years younger than 30 and they've been making 80 grand a year since they were 25. They're insanely smart and do it in different fields. Engineers, programming, doctors etc. Older doesn't always mean wiser. Sadly.

In this scenario... I just think Iowa is better coached and our guys are more talented. I'm a simpleton and that's how I view it. Sadly. :(
 
#24
#24
TOP said:
I'm with ya.

I don't want to deal with my craphead Hawkeye friends. That's on top of wanting the Vols to win anyways, obviously.

I've watched Iowa games though and the Big 10 is better than the SEC. And if I recall, 10 points is their worst loss of the year. Iowa ain't a sprained ankle, they ain't nuttin' to be played with. - Drake.
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But UT started from the Bottom now we here *Drake voice*
 
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