The Official 2025 March Madness Discussion Thread

[Pepe_Silvia]

Reading the last couple pages of this thread could make you think we were playing the Lakers next week.

 

[CornbreadVol]

I asked a week ago if we’re likely to not see many upsets due to the transfer portal and the mid-majors no longer having that one superstar who can carry a team to 1-2 wins over the big boys. Looks like that may well be the case.

Unless something changes, the upset possibilities will now reside mostly with lower seeded major programs (like Arkansas) beating higher seeded major programs.

I just think it’s one of those years. Very similar to 2017…I think that we have gotten very spoiled the past few years with major upsets however I don’t think that mid majors are dead in march madness. Sometimes the top teams just win, like they’re supposed to.

 

[ABtheVolsfan92]

On the bright side, UK fans have nothing to look forward too after basketball season is over with.

most of their fans on TV look like they have poor hygiene and no life outside basketball. Very embarrasing really

 

[KeyVol14]

Definitely did not want to play UK again. Hopefully the defense shows up this time

 

[DocVOLiday]

All chalk in our region - top 4 seeds still alive

 

[MoCo_Vol]

Great a 3rd game with Kentucky…

Hopefully we whoop that ass this time

 

[VolFreakJosh]

I just think it’s one of those years. Very similar to 2017…I think that we have gotten very spoiled the past few years with major upsets however I don’t think that mid majors are dead in march madness. Sometimes the top teams just win, like they’re supposed to.

NIL and the transfer portal hurt the lower tier teams.

You’ll see less upsets in the future of this tournament.

 

[HeuperDrive]

Pains me to root against an upset but I think it’s best if Maryland wins vs Colorado State. Think they have a much better chance of beating Florida.

 

[Chaz-Vol]

Great a 3rd game with Kentucky…

Hopefully we whoop that ass this time

Only good thing about this is there will be no shortage of motivation for vols. They know what Kentucky is good at and got whooped twice. If vols can't get energized for this then that's trouble

 

[Vols919]

Win or lose I'm still going to complain about the Midwest Region being the only one who has to play S16/E8 games in a non-basketball arena. And awful luck with Purdue/Kentucky getting a de facto home game.

 

[Orange.]

Out: The tournament is so fluky.

In: The tournament is too predictable.

 

[ABtheVolsfan92]

This sounds terrible but mostly I want to make the final 4 so we can send Barnes off the right way. We are losing everyone next year and he is going to be 71 years old, It's time for new blood in the program I feel personally. But he has earned every right to coach as long as he wants

 

[Orange.]

Win or lose I'm still going to complain about the Midwest Region being the only one who has to play S16/E8 games in a non-basketball arena. And awful luck with Purdue/Kentucky getting a de facto home game.

The football stadium decision really pisses me off. The NCAA sucks. There needs to be a rule that basketball is played in basketball arenas. That is such a stupid rule to be needed, but it’s needed. And it just happens to be where the NCAA has its headquarters.

The Big 10 should be forced to play football in gyms next year.

 

[cncchris33]

I asked a week ago if we’re likely to not see many upsets due to the transfer portal and the mid-majors no longer having that one superstar who can carry a team to 1-2 wins over the big boys. Looks like that may well be the case.

Unless something changes, the upset possibilities will now reside mostly with lower seeded major programs (like Arkansas) beating higher seeded major programs.

I can see where you're going and it isn't a bad theory, but there are still plenty of new options in the portal every year that trandfer up, meaning that there are still good players at the lower levels every year. But, maybe those teams are missing the experience and leadership as those players are transferring at an earlier age, and that is the difference we are seeing. Seems possible.

 

[cncchris33]

The football stadium decision really pisses me off. The NCAA sucks. There needs to be a rule that basketball is played in basketball arenas. That is such a stupid rule to be needed, but it’s needed. And it just happens to be where the NCAA has its headquarters.

The Big 10 should be forced to play football in gyms next year.

Money grab, obviously, but it is stupid.

 

[Orangeslide]

Reading the last couple pages of this thread could make you think we were playing the Lakers next week.

Nope, we are playing the boogie man……… gotta punch them early. Slow start will give them confidence. They are a solid team and I hate them. I’d rather play them with cal, but unfortunately he moved on (to the sweet 16) Pope runs excellent stuff offensively and they are improving defensively. It’s time for us to put up or shut up. If they knock us out, their fans will let us know we are their b—t-h. Buy many on here said our lack of depth and scoring droughts would doom us and sweet 16 was our ceiling. The pressure is on us to win this game. KY playing with house money and a huge fan base at the game to support them. Our players better knock them on their ass early and try to get them out of rhythm, live ball turnovers by us will lead to transition 3s for them. ZZ has to play his best game and stay out of foul trouble.

 

[BigOrangeFanatic]

Reading the last couple pages of this thread could make you think we were playing the Lakers next week.

Definitely not the Lakers. But defintley a team that gives us big problems. Definitely wouldn't be betting on us to win for sure. They shot 50% from 3 both times we lost to them and hit double digital 3s. We have to score a lot more next week if we want to have a chance.

 

[cncchris33]

This sounds terrible but mostly I want to make the final 4 so we can send Barnes off the right way. We are losing everyone next year and he is going to be 71 years old, It's time for new blood in the program I feel personally. But he has earned every right to coach as long as he wants

A shame you won't be watching next Friday.

 

[Anti-shunshinepumper]

I asked a week ago if we’re likely to not see many upsets due to the transfer portal and the mid-majors no longer having that one superstar who can carry a team to 1-2 wins over the big boys. Looks like that may well be the case.

Unless something changes, the upset possibilities will now reside mostly with lower seeded major programs (like Arkansas) beating higher seeded major programs.

Arkansas, in reality, is a MUCH better team than their seed. Getting Boogie Fland back after they were probably under seeded, just adds to that.
And now speculation is they will get their leading scorer Adou Thiero, back.
They are have a ton of fire power for an 11 seed.
Won't surprise me at bit if you see them make the Elite 8. Honestly, I wouldn't be shocked to see them make it even further than that

 

[Orangeslide]

Great a 3rd game with Kentucky…

Hopefully we whoop that ass this time

We certainly got a lot to prove. They owned us first 2 games with the same game plan. I think pope is smart enough to realize if it ain’t broke don’t try to fix it. We better bring our A game and maximum effort. They would love to bounce us our go 3-0 against us. It pains me to even say that. Hope we can knock them back to reality.

 

[Anti-shunshinepumper]

A shame you won't be watching next Friday.

 

[VolsSportsFan]

The football stadium decision really pisses me off. The NCAA sucks. There needs to be a rule that basketball is played in basketball arenas. That is such a stupid rule to be needed, but it’s needed. And it just happens to be where the NCAA has its headquarters.

The Big 10 should be forced to play football in gyms next year.

Do they pass out binoculars for some sections? Seems like it would be like watching ants play.

 

[VolCalls]

The football stadium decision really pisses me off. The NCAA sucks. There needs to be a rule that basketball is played in basketball arenas. That is such a stupid rule to be needed, but it’s needed. And it just happens to be where the NCAA has its headquarters.

The Big 10 should be forced to play football in gyms next year.

I get it - I’ve been to a regional at Lucas Oil and if you aren’t in the 100 level, you’ll heavily rely on the video boards to follow what’s happening. Even when they only use half of the stadium, which is the case here, most of the fans are still far away from the action. My suggestion is to drink up and enjoy the party.

 

[Anti-shunshinepumper]

We certainly got a lot to prove. They owned us first 2 games with the same game plan. I think pope is smart enough to realize if it ain’t broke don’t try to fix it. We better bring our A game and maximum effort. They would love to bounce us our go 3-0 against us. It pains me to even say that. Hope we can knock them back to reality.

You'd like to think our players will be out for blood. I believe they at least be playing with a chip on their shoulder/ something to prove.
Gotta believe that gives us a slight edge if nothing else. Extra motivation will not be needed for this game.

I just hope Igor relaxes some and starts playing with more confidence. He's had a few big games this year, and there is no better time this year for him to have another one.

Chaz seems to be shooting with much confidence. Gainey has been pretty much the same. He may miss a couple early, but usually gets it going. Shack is , well Shack, so not worried about him. ZZ should be ready, and I hope he decides to dribble penetrate this game. He can 100% do it if he will.
Felix needs to be ready to score/post up, and stop putting the ball on the floor. I worry about that one just a little. I think he will show up and out on D, tho.
Dubar played good against KY, so hopefully he gives us something good in Indy. Same for Cade, he definitely could give us a big boost off the bench.

IMO, the only real X factor is how will Igor play?
Will he finally break out of his funk this game?

 

[Anti-shunshinepumper]

Some people were talking about the possibility of the SEC being overrated this year, but they have 6 teams in the S-16 already, and if Alabama and Ole Miss win then half of all the teams in the S-16 will be SEC teams.

8 out of 16 would be pretty impressive if you were to ask me. I'd say we end up at least 7 out of 16 ( Ole Miss up 10 on Iowa State atm, tho), because Bama most likely beats St. Mary's.
Still, not too shabby.