The Official Duke/UNC 2018/19 Basketball Thread!!!

[RDU VOL#14]

The Duke conspiracies and hate talk in the BF is fueling me today. It's so comical.

The BF is an even bigger shitshow than a game day football in game thread because they have about half the knowledge of the game basketball and nearly the same passion. Which makes it twice as ignorant.

If Purdue goes up 3-0 with 19 minutes left in the first half the season is ending and the boys didn’t come play and the refs have already missed about 10 calls.

Sorry, but not really sorry.

 

[volfanbill]

The BF is an even bigger shitshow than a game day football in game thread because they have about half the knowledge of the game basketball and nearly the same passion. Which makes it twice as ignorant.

If Purdue goes up 3-0 with 19 minutes left in the first half the season is ending and the boys didn’t come play and the refs have already missed about 10 calls.

Sorry, but not really sorry.

I’ve wanted to say this for five months now. Glad you did.

 

[n_huffhines]

College basketball is easily the most frustrating sport to be a fan of, because the officiating is so bad. When the chips are down, the bad calls will just drive you insane.

 

[05_never_again]

The BF is an even bigger shitshow than a game day football in game thread because they have about half the knowledge of the game basketball and nearly the same passion. Which makes it twice as ignorant.

If Purdue goes up 3-0 with 19 minutes left in the first half the season is ending and the boys didn’t come play and the refs have already missed about 10 calls.

Sorry, but not really sorry.

This, times a million.

It's also funny to see discussions in there as if Tennessee is a quasi-blue blood basketball program, and they s**t on other programs that aren't traditional basketball powers but have had more historical success than Tennessee. A bunch have really let the last 2 seasons go to their head.

 

[volfanbill]

College basketball is easily the most frustrating sport to be a fan of, because the officiating is so bad. When the chips are down, the bad calls will just drive you insane.

Maybe. But the guy Zion went by en route to causing Tacko’s fifth foul never had a set position, nor had right to the area. A foul could’ve been called on the defender, but it would’ve been weak.

Barrett got his arms tangled with the UCF player when they raised up for the board, on the way down, said UCF player moved his arms out of the way. It was nowhere close to a hook and hold. Not even slightly. UCF should’ve been charged with a shot clock violation. Tacko should’ve received his fifth foul two plays prior. He clearly brought his arms down on Zion. As for Tacko’s actual fifth foul, he was in the cylinder AND clearly left his feet.

Someone (and it might’ve been this thread) suggested Roy doesn’t cheat like K and Cal, despite the academic scandal UNC just went through.

Fans are bashing Arkansas as a school that can never win, despite having 739% more historical success than Tennessee.

In summary, it truly is a sh**show reading college basketball discussion on here

 

[n_huffhines]

Did you mean to quote me ^ @volfanbill ?

 

[volfanbill]

Did you mean to quote me ^ @volfanbill ?

Yea. Either you missed the point, are being sarcastic, or are over exaggerating how “bad” officiating is. Any of the three deserved quoting

 

[n_huffhines]

Yea. Either you missed the point, are being sarcastic, or are over exaggerating how “bad” officiating is. Any of the three deserved quoting

wtf

I was commenting in reference to the BF's insanity and why I sort of identify with it a little bit (except I rarely criticize players and never go overboard on coaches). I believe officiating in college hoops is the worst of any major spectator sport. Basketball is just the hardest sport to officiate, and the best guys in the world do the NBA, not the SEC.

 

[volfanbill]

wtf

I was commenting in reference to the BF's insanity and why I sort of identify with it a little bit (except I rarely criticize players and never go overboard on coaches). I believe officiating in college hoops is the worst of any major spectator sport. Basketball is just the hardest sport to officiate, and the best guys in the world do the NBA, not the SEC.

It’s not as bad as anyone on this board likes to pretend it is. Wtf

 

[n_huffhines]

It’s not as bad as anyone on this board likes to pretend it is. Wtf

What major sport has a worse officiating situation than the NCAA?

 

[volfanbill]

What major sport has a worse officiating situation than the NCAA?

The NFL can’t even decide what a catch is. The Super Bowl was tainted by a bad call in the NFC Championship Game. In fact, it can’t go one single playoff season without a bad call that merits three months of conversation. MLB has a made up strike zone determined by who is pitching and what ump is behind the plate. They miss a HR call on an almost weekly basis. The NBA is pure trash. Don’t even pretend like they try to officiate.

The only thing wrong with officiating across the board is that you’re clueless, and you have at worst a 1080p TV that gives you a twenty times better view than the official

 

[n_huffhines]

The NFL can’t even decide what a catch is. The Super Bowl was tainted by a bad call in the NFC Championship Game. In fact, it can’t go one single playoff season without a bad call that merits three months of conversation. MLB has a made up strike zone determined by who is pitching and what ump is behind the plate. They miss a HR call on an almost weekly basis. The NBA is pure trash. Don’t even pretend like they try to officiate.

The only thing wrong with officiating across the board is that you’re clueless, and you have at worst a 1080p TV that gives you a twenty times better view than the official

I think you're misunderstanding me. You're talking about assigning grades to the refs of each sport based on degree of difficulty, and the biggest reason why I am complaining about college hoops is degree of difficulty. It's frustrating to get a bad call against you whether or not the official should have been able to get the call right. The refs are doing a much better job than I could, but that doesn't make the incorrect call any less frustrating.

Bad calls happen in every sport, but basketball is the hardest sport to officiate, and therefore the most frustrating. There were 3 incorrect calls against the Cavs in the final couple minutes of Game 1 of the NBA finals, and those are the best refs in the world. College refs aren't as good as them, and the players are a little more wild and unpolished, increasing the degree of difficulty.

The NFL has some tough calls, yes, but nobody can consistently get charge/block right, and that call comes up a dozen times a game.

 

[volfanbill]

I think you're misunderstanding me. You're talking about assigning grades to the refs of each sport based on degree of difficulty, and the biggest reason why I am complaining about college hoops is degree of difficulty. It's frustrating to get a bad call against you whether or not the official should have been able to get the call right. The refs are doing a much better job than I could, but that doesn't make the incorrect call any less frustrating.

Bad calls happen in every sport, but basketball is the hardest sport to officiate, and therefore the most frustrating. There were 3 incorrect calls against the Cavs in the final couple minutes of Game 1 of the NBA finals, and those are the best refs in the world. College refs aren't as good as them, and the players are a little more wild and unpolished, increasing the degree of difficulty.

The NFL has some tough calls, yes, but nobody can consistently get charge/block right, and that call comes up a dozen times a game.

No, you’re not reading. The only thing wrong with officiating is your fancy TV. You could find missed calls every other play in any sport. Just stop.

 

[RDU VOL#14]

This, times a million.

It's also funny to see discussions in there as if Tennessee is a quasi-blue blood basketball program, and they s**t on other programs that aren't traditional basketball powers but have had more historical success than Tennessee. A bunch have really let the last 2 seasons go to their head.

Volnation (not this site) is so starved for a winner it seems like it’s eating itself. There are so many that have a false idea of what being a “basketball school” is and mock the ones that have great sustained success. I’m not being condescending to Vols, but a basketball school we are not. I’ve been lucky enough to see how both sides live . Duke could make 20 straight bowl games and maybe win the ACC once in football and the fans have zero idea what it’s like to be a football school. Same for Carolina. Game day environments are mostly like going to a Durham Bulls game. I’m not saying they don’t exist, but it’s not the same as Tennessee or just about any SEC school.

 

[volwindy]

Volnation (not this site) is so starved for a winner it seems like it’s eating itself. There are so many that have a false idea of what being a “basketball school” is and mock the ones that have great sustained success. I’m not being condescending to Vols, but a basketball school we are not. I’ve been lucky enough to see how both sides live . Duke could make 20 straight bowl games and maybe win the ACC once in football and the fans have zero idea what it’s like to be a football school. Same for Carolina. Game day environments are mostly like going to a Durham Bulls game. I’m not saying they don’t exist, but it’s not the same as Tennessee or just about any SEC school.

Heck, the environment of a basketball game is much different at Tennessee than Duke, UNC, UK, etc. Noticed it on TV this year even with it being a great home season.

 

[n_huffhines]

 

[05_never_again]

Heck, the environment of a basketball game is much different at Tennessee than Duke, UNC, UK, etc. Noticed it on TV this year even with it being a great home season.

Don't think many Vols fans would admit it, but TBA is quiet. We just aren't a basketball school, even when the basketball team is good. The day after we beat Gonzaga, there was more social media buzz about the OC search.

 

[Regulator]

Another thing about this year’s Tennessee squad is they’re ahead of schedule, IMO. They’re learning how to win on the fly. They almost choked that game away against Iowa, in part, because they haven’t been battle tested. They haven’t won anything of consequence. This is all in spite of having several upper classmen and “experience”. Winning in March is a different animal.

 

[05_never_again]

Another thing about this year’s Tennessee squad is they’re ahead of schedule, IMO. They’re learning how to win on the fly. They almost choked that game away against Iowa, in part, because they haven’t been battle tested. They haven’t won anything of consequence. This is all in spite of having several upper classmen and “experience”. Winning in March is a different animal.

Go ahead and call me Debbie Downer, because I am looking at the negative before it's even happened, but what is going to suck is that unless we go to the Final Four or beyond, we really aren't going to have anything to show for this team we've had the last couple years. We shared a regular season title last year, but that's it. Nice regular seasons, went 4-2 against Kentucky, but no hardware. Rightly or wrongly, teams are judged by conference tournament titles and NCAAT performance, and barring a run at least to the Elite Eight this year, these 2 Tennessee teams haven't excelled there.

 

[Regulator]

Go ahead and call me Debbie Downer, because I am looking at the negative before it's even happened, but what is going to suck is that unless we go to the Final Four or beyond, we really aren't going to have anything to show for this team we've had the last couple years. We shared a regular season title last year, but that's it. Nice regular seasons, went 4-2 against Kentucky, but no hardware. Rightly or wrongly, teams are judged by conference tournament titles and NCAAT performance, and barring a run at least to the Elite Eight this year, these 2 Tennessee teams haven't excelled there.

I think Elite 8 would be a fine accomplishment for this year’s team. Next year, assuming that Grant Williams sticks around, Final Four should be the expectation.

 

[volwindy]

Go ahead and call me Debbie Downer, because I am looking at the negative before it's even happened, but what is going to suck is that unless we go to the Final Four or beyond, we really aren't going to have anything to show for this team we've had the last couple years. We shared a regular season title last year, but that's it. Nice regular seasons, went 4-2 against Kentucky, but no hardware. Rightly or wrongly, teams are judged by conference tournament titles and NCAAT performance, and barring a run at least to the Elite Eight this year, these 2 Tennessee teams haven't excelled there.

I'm right there with you. We got some good wins and are a good team. Okay and? Show me you can win when it matters.

The other thing that bothers me with this team is their dang cockiness. At least I feel like I see it out of them after a big play (haven't even won the dang game yet - @Vandy comes to mind) or after a win. It's one thing to celebrate, but their attitudes just need to chill sometime and focus on the game.

 

[05_never_again]

I think Elite 8 would be a fine accomplishment for this year’s team. Next year, assuming that Grant Williams sticks around, Final Four should be the expectation.

Yeah, I think Elite Eight would be a good result too, but I'd just really love to see this team do something a Tennessee team hasn't done in a really long time, or has never done before. This squad already missed on chances to win an SEC Tournament; we still haven't won one of those since 1979. Making a Final Four would be an accomplishment that our fans would remember forever, although we've only made the Elite Eight one other time, so it isn't like that'd be forgotten easily either.

Either way, a loss today really leaves a bad taste in your mouth with this particular team. If they lose today, they really didn't actually achieve anything "special," IMO. I know that sounds harsh because they're a really good team, especially by Tennessee's standards for basketball, but what people remember in CBB are conference tournament championships and NCAAT runs. Not that year where you shared a regular season title, not that year where you went 15-3 in SEC play, and not that 2-year stretch where you went 4-2 against a big rival. Those things are nice, but you wanna do something people still talk about 25 years from now? Win the SECT. Make it to a Final Four or beyond.

I'm not sure if Final Four next year should be the expectation if Williams sticks around - we're losing Admiral and Alexander - but next year should be another really good year if Grant remains. I think that's kind of unfair to expect any team, no matter how talented they are, to make a Final Four.

 

[volfanbill]

I think Elite Eight should be an expectation for this year. This year's team loses Admiral and Alexander, but still has a solid core and Josiah James should be able to contribute pretty significantly immediately. There shouldn't be a real dropoff IMO. Final Four is a magical accomplishment, but at some point to truly "make it", Tennessee needs to get there. Rick Barnes is five times the coach Frank Martin is, but because Martin snuck into a FF a couple years ago, everyone thinks he's some magically amazing coach.

Final Fours aren't the end all, be all, but they stand out. The only real schools where Final Fours should be the "expectation" are the real blue bloods: Duke, Carolina, Kentucky, Kansas, Michigan St. Any other school, Final Fours are a real accomplishment.

 

[RDU VOL#14]

Yeah, I think Elite Eight would be a good result too, but I'd just really love to see this team do something a Tennessee team hasn't done in a really long time, or has never done before. This squad already missed on chances to win an SEC Tournament; we still haven't won one of those since 1979. Making a Final Four would be an accomplishment that our fans would remember forever, although we've only made the Elite Eight one other time, so it isn't like that'd be forgotten easily either.

Either way, a loss today really leaves a bad taste in your mouth with this particular team. If they lose today, they really didn't actually achieve anything "special," IMO. I know that sounds harsh because they're a really good team, especially by Tennessee's standards for basketball, but what people remember in CBB are conference tournament championships and NCAAT runs. Not that year where you shared a regular season title, not that year where you went 15-3 in SEC play, and not that 2-year stretch where you went 4-2 against a big rival. Those things are nice, but you wanna do something people still talk about 25 years from now? Win the SECT. Make it to a Final Four or beyond.

I'm not sure if Final Four next year should be the expectation if Williams sticks around - we're losing Admiral and Alexander - but next year should be another really good year if Grant remains. I think that's kind of unfair to expect any team, no matter how talented they are, to make a Final Four.

Tonight it one of the most important nights in recent Vol Athletic history. From a perception and real standpoint this game is huge . If we somehow get to the Elite 8 and find a way to get to Minneapolis it would be a huge, huge step. However, if we go out and have a poor showing tonight, no one outside of Knoxville will blink an eye because it would be a typical result.

 

[tennrich1]

Yeah, I think Elite Eight would be a good result too, but I'd just really love to see this team do something a Tennessee team hasn't done in a really long time, or has never done before. This squad already missed on chances to win an SEC Tournament; we still haven't won one of those since 1979. Making a Final Four would be an accomplishment that our fans would remember forever, although we've only made the Elite Eight one other time, so it isn't like that'd be forgotten easily either.

Either way, a loss today really leaves a bad taste in your mouth with this particular team. If they lose today, they really didn't actually achieve anything "special," IMO. I know that sounds harsh because they're a really good team, especially by Tennessee's standards for basketball, but what people remember in CBB are conference tournament championships and NCAAT runs. Not that year where you shared a regular season title, not that year where you went 15-3 in SEC play, and not that 2-year stretch where you went 4-2 against a big rival. Those things are nice, but you wanna do something people still talk about 25 years from now? Win the SECT. Make it to a Final Four or beyond.

I'm not sure if Final Four next year should be the expectation if Williams sticks around - we're losing Admiral and Alexander - but next year should be another really good year if Grant remains. I think that's kind of unfair to expect any team, no matter how talented they are, to make a Final Four.

While I certainly understand and appreciate your points I would stop very short of saying it would leave a bad taste in my mouth. I want to win as much as the next guy but the ride we've been on this year will not soon be forgotten. Usually success and a flop at the end would but not with this team..JMO of course.