The Official Halfcourt Trap UT Preview: The Nonconference Schedule.

#1
hatvol96

hatvol96

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#1
Once again, Tennessee plays a nonleague slate that takes a backseat to none. By my count, depending on who the Vols end up facing in Orlando, UT could play 10 teams perfectly capable of winning their league title. Here are some of the highlights:
Tennessee-Martin. The return of Lester Husdon and Marquis Weddle gives the Skyhawks a legit shot at winning the OVC. When I spoke to him beofre practice began, Coach Bret Campbell was rightfully optimistic about his squad.
MTSU. Off their strong finish, the Blue Raiders come into the season as one of the Sun Belt favorites. This will be a dicey road trip for a team looking for point guard answers.
Siena. Ask Vanderbilt about the Saints. Another difficult draw for a group looking for a floor leader.
Belmont. Coach Rick Byrd will bring an experienced, brilliantly drilled team to Knoxville. Talking to him in September, I got the impression that he feels this team will be comparable to the one that took Duke to the buzzer in the NCAA Tournament.
Kansas. On the road. On national television. Against the defending champs. In one of college basketball's cathedrals. It doesn't get any better.
Gonzaga. Mark Few's bunch are a chic pick to reach Detroit. Last year's game was a good one. Expect more of the same.
 
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#6
#6
UTvol1fn said:
Marquette?
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I think they are going to be the biggest disappointment in the Big East. They're a tough matchup for UT because they have quality, experienced guards. I'd be far more excited about this game if Tom Crean were still on the opposing sideline. I have serious reservations about Buzz Williams. Also, they have absolutely no shot of winning their league.
 
#10
#10
hatvol96 said:
If by surprise you mean being a team that finishes 12th in their league and goes to the NIT, you're right.
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12th? No way.. here's how i see the big east finishing up this year

1. UCONN
2. Louisville
3. Notre Dame
4. Pitt
5. Villanova
6. West Virginia
7. Marquette
8. Syracuse
9. Providence
10. Georgetown

Providence will be a one and done in the tourney
 
#11
#11
getyopopcornready said:
12th? No way.. here's how i see the big east finishing up this year

1. UCONN
2. Louisville
3. Notre Dame
4. Pitt
5. Villanova
6. West Virginia
7. Marquette
8. Syracuse
9. Providence
10. Georgetown

Providence will be a one and done in the tourney
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Providence has no chance of finishing ahead of Georgetown. Cincinnati will also finish ahead of them. They need to pray that DePaul doesn't find a compliment to Dar Tucker and Mack Koshwal and that Keon Lawrence doesn't get cleared to play at Seton Hall. Otherwise, they can enjoy finishing 13th or 14th.
 
#12
#12
getyopopcornready said:
12th? No way.. here's how i see the big east finishing up this year

1. UCONN
2. Louisville
3. Notre Dame
4. Pitt
5. Villanova
6. West Virginia
7. Marquette
8. Syracuse
9. Providence
10. Georgetown

Providence will be a one and done in the tourney
Click to expand...

I think Georgetown will finish in the top half of the Big East.
 
#16
#16
hatvol96 said:
They've got two players. That gets you nowhere near the top half of the Big East.
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They have a good group of players. Wainwright cannot bring them together.....

BTW, Marquette has been successful in years past with less than 2 talented players.
 
#17
#17
Big Train said:
They have a good group of players. Wainwright cannot bring them together.....

BTW, Marquette has been successful in years past with less than 2 talented players.
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If you think McNeal, Matthews, James, and Hayward aren't talented, let me know. I'll go ahead and move you to my ignore list and save myself time.
 
#21
#21
hatvol96 said:
Once again, Tennessee plays a nonleague slate that takes a backseat to none. By my count, depending on who the Vols end up facing in Orlando, UT could play 10 teams perfectly capable of winning their league title. Here are some of the highlights:
Tennessee-Martin. The return of Lester Husdon and Marquis Weddle gives the Skyhawks a legit shot at winning the OVC. When I spoke to him beofre practice began, Coach Bret Campbell was rightfully optimistic about his squad.
MTSU. Off their strong finish, the Blue Raiders come into the season as one of the Sun Belt favorites. This will be a dicey road trip for a team looking for point guard answers.
Siena. Ask Vanderbilt about the Saints. Another difficult draw for a group looking for a floor leader.
Belmont. Coach Rick Byrd will bring an experienced, brilliantly drilled team to Knoxville. Talking to him in September, I got the impression that he feels this team will be comparable to the one that took Duke to the buzzer in the NCAA Tournament.
Kansas. On the road. On national television. Against the defending champs. In one of college basketball's cathedrals. It doesn't get any better.
Gonzaga. Mark Few's bunch are a chic pick to reach Detroit. Last year's game was a good one. Expect more of the same.
Click to expand...

Good stuff Hat...How far do you see KU getting this year?
 
#24
#24
hatvol96 said:
If you think McNeal, Matthews, James, and Hayward aren't talented, let me know. I'll go ahead and move you to my ignore list and save myself time.
Click to expand...

Hayward, Mathews and McNeil were studs. Where were the supporting players? I actually watched these players play against some of the best competition, and a lot of times their teammates did little or nothing. (Cadougan is going to be an absolute beast at the collegiate level though.) Now if your saying the same success that team accomplished with those 3, can't be accomplished with Depaul who has Walker, Poscic, Koshwal and Tucker? It is about the same talent level. The COACHING is what makes them into superstars, and a winning program. I'm not against you Hat, just stating Depaul has the same advantages as Marquette has had, they just can't put it together like Creen or most likely "Buzz" will do.
 
#25
#25
Big Train said:
Hayward, Mathews and McNeil were studs. Where were the supporting players? I actually watched these players play against some of the best competition, and a lot of times their teammates did little or nothing. (Cadougan is going to be an absolute beast at the collegiate level though.) Now if your saying the same success that team accomplished with those 3, can't be accomplished with Depaul who has Walker, Poscic, Koshwal and Tucker? It is about the same talent level. The COACHING is what makes them into superstars, and a winning program. I'm not against you Hat, just stating Depaul has the same advantages as Marquette has had, they just can't put it together like Creen or most likely "Buzz" will do.
Click to expand...
Dominic James is about to be the all time leading scorer in Marquette history.
 
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