Tennessee Vols Basketball Recruiting

[Thunder Good-Oil]

I understand this point, but I would venture to guess that they wouldn't get seeded the way they do in tougher conferences with more losses. It is an incredible run, but their seeding also helps them with specific matchups.

Maybe Oregon State should have been kept in the west two NCAATs ago.

Gonzaga has a very favorable situation heading into the NCAATs. Staying out west. Week conference except for 1 or occasionally 2 decent opponents. More than a week of rest after their conference tournament (every year) while most major conferences have 4 or 5 days. Plus they only need to finish second in a thin conference in order to play one conference bottom feeder and then a championship game. Their conference should ditch the double bye in favor of 7-10 playing in the first round and making Gonzaga play 3 instead of 2. But that would eliminate one of their advantages.

I’m not comparing TN and Gonzaga, but what a ****** draw for TN to get matched up with a P-5 conference champion in the OPENING round. But TN was 18-8, so it was what it was.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

Gonzaga was a 1-seed in 3 of those 4, though. The best they could have played was an 8-seed in the 2nd round. And to their credit, they won all 4 games by a combined 38 points.

In that conference they should never be worse than 16-2 plus a gimme in the first round of their tournament. They don’t have to do a lot to get those high seeds.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

Other than Gonzaga, the current WCC members have 3x Sweet 16s in the last 40 years. Marymount in 1990. St Mary’s in 2010. BYU in 2011.

 

[Kas232323]

I understand this point, but I would venture to guess that they wouldn't get seeded the way they do in tougher conferences with more losses. It is an incredible run, but their seeding also helps them with specific matchups.

Your assumption is they would lose a bunch of games. They may lose a few more but their RPI would be better to offset the losses. In their current conference they have to win every game to get a 1 seed. Not the case in power conferences. And they play the best teams in the country during the non/conference and win most of those….

 

[VolArmy74]

Everything I'm seeing about Ramey so far says Duke or Houston. Not sure if we are still looking for another PG or if we are just going to roll with what we have on the roster. If we don't get Ramey, I hate that we couldn't score a top transfer after the success of our guards lately. Especially since we are so close to having a complete and elite roster.

 

[VolGee4]

Your assumption is they would lose a bunch of games. They may lose a few more but their RPI would be better to offset the losses. In their current conference they have to win every game to get a 1 seed. Not the case in power conferences. And they play the best teams in the country during the non/conference and win most of those….

We can all speculate, and reasonable minds can disagree. But they would lose more games in a better conference, and they probably wouldn’t play as many great OOC opponents. Statistically, it’s easier in the NCAAT as a very high seed. As I said, it’s been an incredible run. But I do think a better conference could change things.

 

[Schasz]

In that conference they should never be worse than 16-2 plus a gimme in the first round of their tournament. They don’t have to do a lot to get those high seeds.

I started following Gonzaga in their first NCAA run in 1999 and Dan Monson was the HC then. That year they got to the Elite 8 and lost to Connecticut National Champion by 5 points. Won't get any arguments that the WCC is not a power conference, but the Zags do play a strong non-conference schedule. Mark Few has certainly done a good job of getting his share of highly recruited hoops players. Like to see UT and Gonzaga play a game sometime.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

I started following Gonzaga in their first NCAA run in 1999 and Dan Monson was the HC then. That year they got to the Elite 8 and lost to Connecticut National Champion by 5 points. Won't get any arguments that the WCC is not a power conference, but the Zags do play a strong non-conference schedule. Mark Few has certainly done a good job of getting his share of highly recruited hoops players. Like to see UT and Gonzaga play a game sometime.

They’ve played a couple of times. Few and Barnes are buddies.

I’m not saying that Gonzaga hasn’t optimized their situation. I’m saying that it is an ideal setup to grab an upset now and then in the NCAAT. They almost always gave an easy path to the Sweet 16. They’ve only won more than once after that head start two times.

They play those P-5/6 games early in the year and have a good chance of winning those with their veteran rosters versus the opponents young teams. Also, if they lose they have a long season to repair their reputation. Having very few competitive teams on the west coast they don’t have a huge challenge for a high seed in the West Regionals. Their conference is a joke, but there will be at least one team to give them a couple of challenging conference games and build momentum heading into the NCAAT in the WCC tournament finals. They are given a huge advantage by only having to play two games in the conference tournament with the ridiculous double bye. They also wrap up the conference tourney on Tuesday while the P-5s have possibly not even had their first game yet.

Their biggest advantage is that Mark Few stuck around for 2 decades instead of moving on after the initial success. He understands how much more challenging it would be for himself in a good conference. He has also been making a living by recruiting internationally. I mentioned above that it will be interesting to see how he manages not having NIL $s for his international players. Rather than the Zags, they should call themselves the Fighting Fews. He is their history. He has it figured out and has a great formula. I don’t think that he cheats like the blue bloods do.

 

[cncchris33]

In that conference they should never be worse than 16-2 plus a gimme in the first round of their tournament. They don’t have to do a lot to get those high seeds.

They have to do a lot against one of the strongest OOC schedules in the country to overcome the fact that they play in a weak conference, though, to attain that 1 seed. It isn't like they supplement a weak conference schedule by steamrolling Sisters Of The Poor in November and December. They play anyone who calls, and they wouldn't get a 1 seed by going 8-5 OOC, and finishing 24-7 by running roughshod over the WCC.

 

[joevols89]

They have to do a lot against one of the strongest OOC schedules in the country to overcome the fact that they play in a weak conference, though, to attain that 1 seed. It isn't like they supplement a weak conference schedule by steamrolling Sisters Of The Poor in November and December. They play anyone who calls, and they wouldn't get a 1 seed by going 8-5 OOC, and finishing 24-7 by running roughshod over the WCC.

Yeah this Gonzaga bashing makes zero sense.

 

[Kas232323]

They’ve played a couple of times. Few and Barnes are buddies.

I’m not saying that Gonzaga hasn’t optimized their situation. I’m saying that it is an ideal setup to grab an upset now and then in the NCAAT. They almost always gave an easy path to the Sweet 16. They’ve only won more than once after that head start two times.

They play those P-5/6 games early in the year and have a good chance of winning those with their veteran rosters versus the opponents young teams. Also, if they lose they have a long season to repair their reputation. Having very few competitive teams on the west coast they don’t have a huge challenge for a high seed in the West Regionals. Their conference is a joke, but there will be at least one team to give them a couple of challenging conference games and build momentum heading into the NCAAT in the WCC tournament finals. They are given a huge advantage by only having to play two games in the conference tournament with the ridiculous double bye. They also wrap up the conference tourney on Tuesday while the P-5s have possibly not even had their first game yet.

Their biggest advantage is that Mark Few stuck around for 2 decades instead of moving on after the initial success. He understands how much more challenging it would be for himself in a good conference. He has also been making a living by recruiting internationally. I mentioned above that it will be interesting to see how he manages not having NIL $s for his international players. Rather than the Zags, they should call themselves the Fighting Fews. He is their history. He has it figured out and has a great formula. I don’t think that he cheats like the blue bloods do.

Your arguments are just awful. Seriously. Awful.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

Your arguments are just awful. Seriously. Awful.

Your emotional reply is just weak. Your comprehension and analytical skills are rudimentary.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

They have to do a lot against one of the strongest OOC schedules in the country to overcome the fact that they play in a weak conference, though, to attain that 1 seed. It isn't like they supplement a weak conference schedule by steamrolling Sisters Of The Poor in November and December. They play anyone who calls, and they wouldn't get a 1 seed by going 8-5 OOC, and finishing 24-7 by running roughshod over the WCC.

They played 5 legit OOC opponents last year and went 3-2. They were 8-9 versus the Susters of the Poor. That kept them in the top 5 with voters all season long. They were bounced as soon as they had a P-5 NCAAT matchup.

They have an easy path every year and it doesn’t mean that they are bad. It’s simply a good formula to steal a couple of unexpected wins without facing much adversity throughout the season. Their schedules never allow extended losing streaks. The west coast obviously needs to upgrade. The PAC12 is consistently the worst of the majors. Gonzaga has a moat around their program. They are still a good team. They just don’t have a grind to go through like nearly other ranked team. They end their pre-NCAAT season every year with a two-game, double bye conference tournament (one garbage opponent then one above average opponent) followed up with more than a week off. They’ve won more than once after making all of their Sweet 16s twice. Ever. They have a really nice program with a great coach that capitalizes on their built in advantages. They aren’t great. They’re Butler or VCU without being geographically surrounded by high level programs. They’re kind of like what Notre Dame football was during their glory years. Beat up on service academies and other mediocre opposition and sprinkle in a couple of above average opponents. Win one highly challenging game and play for a national championship.

 

[AngryButchJones]

Everything I'm seeing about Ramey so far says Duke or Houston. Not sure if we are still looking for another PG or if we are just going to roll with what we have on the roster. If we don't get Ramey, I hate that we couldn't score a top transfer after the success of our guards lately. Especially since we are so close to having a complete and elite roster.

Bless you for trying to get this thread back to recruiting talk, but I fear your efforts are in vain lol

 

[Dallasbowlin]

Everything I'm seeing about Ramey so far says Duke or Houston. Not sure if we are still looking for another PG or if we are just going to roll with what we have on the roster. If we don't get Ramey, I hate that we couldn't score a top transfer after the success of our guards lately. Especially since we are so close to having a complete and elite roster.

Honestly, I’d rather wait and see if maybe someone enters last minute before (or after) summer workouts.

 

[CAVPUT]

Honestly, I’d rather wait and see if maybe someone enters last minute before (or after) summer workouts.

One would think being with your new team thru the summer would be critical especially for a PG. I think we roll with what we have. Wonder if Key can play some at the point?

 

[Dallasbowlin]

One would think being with your new team thru the summer would be critical especially for a PG. I think we roll with what we have. Wonder if Key can play some at the point?

It would be tough, but not impossible. IE: Vescovi.

 

[CAVPUT]

It would be tough, but not impossible. IE: Vescovi.

Playing Vescovi there weakens us at 2 spots. Gawd what I wouldn't give to have taken Collins when we had the chance.

 

[Kas232323]

Your emotional reply is just weak. Your comprehension and analytical skills are rudimentary.

Classic. As I said earlier you’re funny. Sometimes less is more. And my description of your analysis as being awful is quite accurate and it was the only word that was necessary. And there was absolutely zero emotion except a little laughter at your illogical stance.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

Classic. As I said earlier you’re funny. Sometimes less is more. And my description of your analysis as being awful is quite accurate and it was the only word that was necessary. And there was absolutely zero emotion except a little laughter at your illogical stance.

You’re obviously deeply invested with the Zags and you’re getting your feelings hurt by the truth that I post. They breeze through a garbage conference. They don’t have anybody challenging them other than a game or two from late December forward.

I wonder how they’d hold up in the PAC12. They are 1-21 all-time versus Oregon and Oregon State. West coast basketball is crap. The Fighting Fews are a good program. But not a great program.

 

[Kas232323]

You’re obviously deeply invested with the Zags and you’re getting your feelings hurt by the truth that I post. They breeze through a garbage conference. They don’t have anybody challenging them other than a game or two from late December forward.

I wonder how they’d hold up in the PAC12. They are 1-21 all-time versus Oregon and Oregon State. West coast basketball is crap. The Fighting Fews are a good program. But not a great program.

Still Funny. You’re the one getting emotional and throwing insults at me. I’m not invested in Gonzaga and I’m not the one who is clearly emotional about this topic. You can keep screaming as loud as you want but your take is just wrong. Calling them a good but not great team over the last decade and discounting what Few has done over the past 20 years is just poor judgment….probably because you don’t like them. No skin off my back.
I get it - you don’t like them because they play in a weaker conference on the west coast. Not disagreeing. But that has nothing to do with the level of that program. They are absolutely a top 5-8 program in America….as evidenced by their ncaa tourney streak, recruiting, results on the court etc. they are currently in the same group as Kansas Duke etc. it may only last until Few leaves, but they’re absolutely a top program.

 

[SJAVol32]

Twitter chatter that Courtney Ramey is having talks with Louisville. Was originally committed there coming out of HS

 

[Dallasbowlin]

Twitter chatter that Courtney Ramey is having talks with Louisville. Was originally committed there coming out of HS

Everyone is talking to Louisville. Hell I’ve probably been recruited by them one time or another this week lol

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

Still Funny. You’re the one getting emotional and throwing insults at me. I’m not invested in Gonzaga and I’m not the one who is clearly emotional about this topic. You can keep screaming as loud as you want but your take is just wrong. Calling them a good but not great team over the last decade and discounting what Few has done over the past 20 years is just poor judgment….probably because you don’t like them. No skin off my back.
I get it - you don’t like them because they play in a weaker conference on the west coast. Not disagreeing. But that has nothing to do with the level of that program. They are absolutely a top 5-8 program in America….as evidenced by their ncaa tourney streak, recruiting, results on the court etc. they are currently in the same group as Kansas Duke etc. it may only last until Few leaves, but they’re absolutely a top program.

Look again at who started with slinging the insults.

I’ve said it multiple times. Gonzaga has a huge advantage. Unfortunately you’re having difficulty with your reading comprehension. I never said that I don’t like them. That’s just another flaw in your thought process.

You said that you were dropping it. Twice. Yet your emotions just won’t let it go and accept that my opinion is what it is. Gonzaga has a huge advantage with their situation. Especially the advantages that come from being in that very mediocre conference. In 2021-22 they were 3-3 versus P-5s. 5-4 versus ranked opponents. Yet they were voted as top 5 or better over the entire year. They weren’t great.

 

[Kas232323]

Look again at who started with slinging the insults.

I’ve said it multiple times. Gonzaga has a huge advantage. Unfortunately you’re having difficulty with your reading comprehension. I never said that I don’t like them. That’s just another flaw in your thought process.

You said that you were dropping it. Twice. Yet your emotions just won’t let it go and accept that my opinion is what it is. Gonzaga has a huge advantage with their situation. Especially the advantages that come from being in that very mediocre conference. In 2021-22 they were 3-3 versus P-5s. 5-4 versus ranked opponents. Yet they were voted as top 5 or better over the entire year. They weren’t great.

I never once insulted you or became emotional. I stated your arguments about these so called advantages were awful, which they are. You’ve personally attacked me in multiple posts. I’ve never done that to you nor did I respond to the juvenile nature of the insults.
If it’s so much of an advantage for Gonzaga then why wouldn’t there be more Gonzaga’s in college basketball now or ever? Why can’t St Mary’s or SF or numerous other schools in weak conferences on the west coast do what Gonzaga is? FYI….that’s a rhetorical question. The answer is pretty obvious.