MUST wins...

#1
D

Dougie_D

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#1
I feel like we can afford to lose 2 more times but can't lose to certain teams from how the SEC schedules are set up. Auburn and TX AM play their game last in their season. TN looks to have the easiest schedule remaining.

Must wins:
Georgia
@Miss St
Vandy
Mizzou

Affordable losses:
@TX AM
@Auburn
 
#2
#2
I think if we lose two more times we get invited to participate in the first round of the NIT.
 
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#4
#4
At this point, none of those are affordable losses. Any loss henceforth cripples our waning chances of making it to the NCAA. Texas A&M and Auburn would both be considered bad losses. The only arguable game is Missouri, and not beating them at home deprives you of a top-50 RPI win, which we desperately need to mitigate some of our inexplicable losses (TAMU, Vandy, and UTEP).
 
#6
#6
There are no "ok" regular season losses at this point. Any one loss would mean UT better make a run in the SEC tourney.
 
#7
#7
Dougie_D said:
So basically we HAVE to go 6-0? Ugh... don't see it happening.
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We don't have to necessarily. Anything less than 5-1 though, and we'll need some help and a couple wins in the SEC tournament.

6-0 puts us at 21-10 heading to SEC tourney. 1-1 finish there has us at 22-11.

5-1 puts us at 20-11 heading to SEC tourney. 2-1 finish there has us at 22-12.

RPI will be key in either scenario as we lack a good number of impressive wins (UVA at home, Xavier on neutral court). We really need to win the Mizzou game at home to boost our RPI and resume.
 
#8
#8
This team is dangerously close to checking out on Martin similar to the football team and Dooley in KY a few years ago.

Kudos to you guys still holding out hope that they actually make the tourney.
 
#10
#10
JonGrudensAgent said:
This team is dangerously close to checking out on Martin similar to the football team and Dooley in KY a few years ago.

Kudos to you guys still holding out hope that they actually make the tourney.
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Is it more fulfilling to be miserable and defeated, devoid of any hope?
 
#11
#11
This was the year we were suppose to be talking about how deep in the NCAA Tourney we would go and now again we're just talking will we make it in.


Zo Gots to Go!​
 
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#13
#13
calban said:
Might be better than the "Do we have a basketball team", attitude that's coming.
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His defeatist attitude and my response deal with the "here and now", not what may (or may not) happen in the near future.

There is nothing wrong with holding out hope that we may experience the NCAA tournament for the first time in three seasons, even if it isn't under the circumstances we wanted. The die hasn't been cast entirely for this team yet.
 
#15
#15
golfballs said:
If we lose twice we would need make the finals of the SECT to even have a shot
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When you get into the 12 loss range, you really need to start asking the question, 'Are there 36 better major conf. resumes in the top 50 better than ours and not auto bids?'
Right now there are. That could change in 6 more games though.
 
#16
#16
calban said:
When you get into the 12 loss range, you really need to start asking the question, 'Are there 36 better major conf. resumes in the top 50 better than ours and not auto bids?'
Right now there are. That could change in 6 more games though.
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It would be a tough spot to be in. Based on what I've learned from the committee, they make up their minds on a lot of teams before selection sunday. So in that case getting to the SECT might be too little to late
 
#17
#17
golfballs said:
Per your sources?
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Fans have already started a "Rehire Pearl" facebook page....No way this team makes the NCAA's this year....The only way would be if they go undefeated the rest of the regular season or win the SEC tournament....Not going to happen.....Per my sources :thumbsup:
 
#20
#20
Dougie_D said:
I feel like we can afford to lose 2 more times but can't lose to certain teams from how the SEC schedules are set up. Auburn and TX AM play their game last in their season. TN looks to have the easiest schedule remaining.

Must wins:
Georgia
@Miss St
Vandy
Mizzou

Affordable losses:
@TX AM
@Auburn
Click to expand...

I don't know about that. Both of those teams are sub 100 RPI. The only team the Vols could lose to and it wouldn't be devestating, is Mizzou (36 RPI) or maybe Vandy (88 RPI). But the problem is that TN needs another quality win, and Mizzou is the last guaranteed one.
 
#22
#22
Dougie_D said:
I feel like we can afford to lose 2 more times but can't lose to certain teams from how the SEC schedules are set up. Auburn and TX AM play their game last in their season. TN looks to have the easiest schedule remaining.

Must wins:
Georgia
@Miss St
Vandy
Mizzou

Affordable losses:
@TX AM
@Auburn
Click to expand...



For the long term health of the men's basketball program, I am hoping that we lose just enough games to prevent us from making the NCAA.

If that means losing just one more game, and winning the rest, then I am happy.

As long as Martin is coaching the program, I don't see us making the NCAA, ever. I can name at least 50 coaches who would have this team in the easily in the NCAA.

Some of the coaches that I have in mind were coaches that U.T. didn't hire when Pearl left. For instance, Byrd from Belmont, Marshall from Whitchia State

If he can't coach this roster, which is healthy and has seasoned players, then he won't be able to coach any future U.T. to the NCAA. However other coaches out there could/would do so.

Let's lose enough games to ensure that we don't make the NCAA and send Martin packing. He will be much happier at a mid major school where he has less pressure on himself.
 
#23
#23
golfballs said:
It would be a tough spot to be in. Based on what I've learned from the committee, they make up their minds on a lot of teams before selection sunday. So in that case getting to the SECT might be too little to late
Click to expand...

You see this a ton. If we have to depend on a SECTC game to get in, we don't deserve it.
 
#25
#25
Rudy123 said:
For the long term health of the men's basketball program, I am hoping that we lose just enough games to prevent us from making the NCAA.

If that means losing just one more game, and winning the rest, then I am happy.

As long as Martin is coaching the program, I don't see us making the NCAA, ever. I can name at least 50 coaches who would have this team in the easily in the NCAA.

Some of the coaches that I have in mind were coaches that U.T. didn't hire when Pearl left. For instance, Byrd from Belmont, Marshall from Whitchia State

If he can't coach this roster, which is healthy and has seasoned players, then he won't be able to coach any future U.T. to the NCAA. However other coaches out there could/would do so.

Let's lose enough games to ensure that we don't make the NCAA and send Martin packing. He will be much happier at a mid major school where he has less pressure on himself.
Click to expand...

I've thought about this but it's impossible to root against the Vols so if you have that "numb" mentality before games, it helps when we lose. Expect it but celebrate if we win. Still, it's a shame that Jordan McRae and Stokes wouldn't get a chance to play in the big dance.

Also, out of those 50 coaches, we probably don't pay 45 what they want.
 
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