The Official #1 Tennessee @ Illinois Game Thread, 5:30 PM ET, FOX

[Bigorangefan 98]

I really don't expect a win, but that's ok. This will be an excellent gauge for SEC road games.

Vols only favored by 1 n half is a slap in the face…. We play our usual defense n just shoot ball on average .Vols by 10

 

[bleedingTNorange]

Vols only favored by 1 n half is a slap in the face…. We play our usual defense n just shoot ball on average .Vols by 10

Tell me you don’t understand college hoops without telling me you don’t understand college hoops

 

[Clad in Big Orange]

Vols only favored by 1 n half is a slap in the face…. We play our usual defense n just shoot ball on average .Vols by 10

On paper I agree, but it's very difficult to win games against good teams on their court. Especially with the #1 target - this is a "storm the court" game for Illinois.

 

[walkenvol]

On paper I agree, but it's very difficult to win games against good teams on their court. Especially with the #1 target - this is a "storm the court" game for Illinois.

Or a “hit the exits early” game for Illinois!

 

[Clad in Big Orange]

Or a “hit the exits early” game for Illinois!

Would love to see that!

 

[Bigorangefan 98]

On paper I agree, but it's very difficult to win games against good teams on their court. Especially with the #1 target - this is a "storm the court" game for Illinois.

Agree playing their will be tough, just think this Barnes team has that it factor this year .

 

[VolsSportsFan]

We were no. 1 for about 4 weeks in 2019

It's really weird to me that people seem to forget that, when it was just 5 years ago and lasted way longer than in 2008. I get the 2008 situation was a bit different because it was a pretty epic matchup with Memphis but still, that lasted really like 3 days because we lost to Vandy on the Tuesday after.

 

[ttocswob]

GBO let's make some ill noise...

Even for a dad joke, that was sick...

 

[tbones0711]

Gonna be a dog fight right here.

yep......Illinois has 2 european players that can both shoot and rebound well. They also have a great coach. UT will have to play as they did against Baylor to get this W, imo.

 

[kiddiedoc]

pretty epic matchup with Memphis

Slight understatement.

That was long before the insane ticket price explosion, and seats were going for $1000s.

 

[Illinoisvolfan2]

I really wish we’d do a home and home with Illinois in football. I’d love to see VolNation take over Memorial Stadium

 

[VolsSportsFan]

Slight understatement.

That was long before the insane ticket price explosion, and seats were going for $1000s.

I remember both Peyton and Eli were there.

 

[Volfan2012]

Were a one point favorite, but a lot of talking heads are picking us to lose today. Should be a good game and one we need going into the SEC. Hopefully we play well and win.

 

[Just a VolinTears]

Never easy in Champaigne. Get it done fellas

 

[therealitytheory]

Vols only favored by 1 n half is a slap in the face…. We play our usual defense n just shoot ball on average .Vols by 10

I got us -1 @ draftkings...easy money imo. I don't get the pessimism- we start 4 seniors and a Jr. All talented and battle-tested. It won't be Louisville all over again but I don't think it'll be close.

 

[knoxvol52]

I really don't expect a win, but that's ok. This will be an excellent gauge for SEC road games.

Close but I believe Vols win. Defense is the difference.

 

[omghulkhands]

Illinois is 16 on KP

The crowd is going to be electric.

Gonna be fun

 

[imw8n4u]

What other orange schools are there to play? It seems we've scheduled a bunch with OOC (VA, SU, Ill., Miami)

Mercer, Sam Houston State, Clemson, Cal State Fullerton, Cambell, Bucknell and Princeton are who I can think of.

Ok St and Oregon State are 2 others. Not to mention TX.

 

[BernardKingGOAT]

On paper I agree, but it's very difficult to win games against good teams on their court. Especially with the #1 target - this is a "storm the court" game for Illinois.

I look at this game as kind of a "no lose" situation. If we win, and I want us to drill them, that's great. If we lose, it's not that bad of a loss

 

[sami]

This should be an excellent test and will give us a better idea of just how real and elite this team potentially is.

Way too early to say that. This group is still getting to know one another, and Dubar and Carr are yet to be worked in as part of the rotation. It's a great test, but we'll know a lot better how good this team could be come February.

 

[Jack Burton]

Illinois is 16 on KP

The crowd is going to be electric.

Gonna be fun

Yep. With that #1 beside our name we’re gonna get everyone’s best shot.

 

[VolsSportsFan]

The key to winning is....we need to score more points than the other team.

I spent all night researching that one.

 

[volmoon]

Great opportunity to play as a #1. Forget the ranking and win.

 

[YankeeVol]

 

[BernardKingGOAT]

Time to get an adult beverage poured and partake in a little recreational flower. Get the mind right and juices flowing