Tournament Seeding

[TNVOLFN]

It appears we're on track for a #2 seed, according to Joe Lunardi. The problem I see with that is there's a Big 10 team lurking somewhere in every #7 vs #10 matchup, which puts us on a collision course with a Big Ten team in the round of 32.

Would you rather be a #3 seed if it meant we avoided the Big Ten the first weekend? Also, why do we always struggle with Big Ten teams? I know we beat Maryland, but they've fallen far since our game.

 

[SouthknoxTN07]

Mid January and you are worried about this

 

[therickbol]

Mid January and you are worried about this

You know they only time I am not worried about something.....its when I realize I am not worried about something. That is pure panic mode for me. I gotta find something to panic about quickly!

 

[Sudden Impact]

You know they only time I am not worried about something.....its when I realize I am not worried about something. That is pure panic mode for me. I gotta find something to panic about quickly!

Good Answer and it was a Good Question as well.

 

[TNVOLFN]

Mid January and you are worried about this

Trying to start a discussion on a discussion board, crazy, I know...

So, please use your cool, level head to explain why we struggle with Big Ten teams and whether or not you'd rather avoid one in the first weekend, kind sir.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

Trying to start a discussion on a discussion board, crazy, I know...

So, please use your cool, level head to explain why we struggle with Big Ten teams and whether or not you'd rather avoid one in the first weekend, kind sir.

Do you have Barnes’ matchups and results against B10 teams while at Tennessee handy?

 

[bleedingTNorange]

Also, on bracketmatrix they have a B10 team listed at 5, 6, 7, 8x2, 9, 10x2 and 11x2…not sure how you strategically plan to avoid all of those matchups?

 

[wtmvol]

It appears we're on track for a #2 seed, according to Joe Lunardi. The problem I see with that is there's a Big 10 team lurking somewhere in every #7 vs #10 matchup, which puts us on a collision course with a Big Ten team in the round of 32.

Would you rather be a #3 seed if it meant we avoided the Big Ten the first weekend? Also, why do we always struggle with Big Ten teams? I know we beat Maryland, but they've fallen far since our game.

Let me put your mind at ease...

Not only do we have a bad historical record against the Big 10 in the NCAA Tournament...we have a bad record against every single power conference out there, minus teams in the current Big East, so does it really matter?

(using current conference alignments)
Big East: 3-0
A10: 2-2
Big 10: 3-7
ACC: 1-7
American: 0-1
Big 12: 0-2
Pac 12: 0-1

 

[Volprofch05]

Let me put your mind at ease...

Not only do we have a bad historical record against the Big 10 in the NCAA Tournament...we have a bad record against every single power conference out there, minus teams in the current Big East, so does it really matter?

(using current conference alignments)
Big East: 3-0
A10: 2-2
Big 10: 3-7
ACC: 1-7
American: 0-1
Big 12: 0-2
Pac 12: 0-1

Part of the reason for that is because teams that make it into the NCAA tournament tend to be pretty good

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

Do you have Barnes’ matchups and results against B10 teams while at Tennessee handy?

Assuming it’s not a rhetorical question -

2016/17:
Lost to Nebraska

2016/17:
Lost to Wisconsin

2017/18:
Beat Purdue

2018/19:
Beat Iowa
Lost to Purdue

2019/20:
Lost to Wisconsin

2020/21:
No games v B10

2021/2022:
Lost to Michigan

CRB is 2-5, but those were all pretty good Big Ten teams. Plus TN was emerging from an enormous dumpster fire those first couple of years.

 

[TNVOLFN]

Assuming it’s not a rhetorical question -

2016/17:
Lost to Nebraska

2016/17:
Lost to Wisconsin

2017/18:
Beat Purdue

2018/19:
Beat Iowa
Lost to Purdue

2019/20:
Lost to Wisconsin

2020/21:
No games v B10

2021/2022:
Lost to Michigan

CRB is 2-5, but those were all pretty good Big Ten teams. Plus TN was emerging from an enormous dumpster fire those first couple of years.

This is what I was offering Up for discussion: would you rather have a higher seed, but a big ten team most likely waiting 2nd rd, or a lower seed with a Big East team possibly waiting? Also, why does CRB struggle with Big Ten, is it just coincidence that its always been against a really good team or is it something else?

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

Add the win over Maryland this season. 3-5. 3-3 if omitting those first two Barnes teams that missed the NCAAT.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

This is what I was offering Up for discussion: would you rather have a higher seed, but a big ten team most likely waiting 2nd rd, or a lower seed with a Big East team possibly waiting? Also, why does CRB struggle with Big Ten, is it just coincidence that its always been against a really good team or is it something else?

Any draw from a top level P-5/6 will be a difficult matchup. There are other variables that are probably more relevant. Lucky bounces. Poor, inconsistent, and unpredictable officiating. Matchups. Injuries and illnesses. The venue - a higher seed, unless it’s Dook or UNC getting games an hour from campus, typically will have a hostile crowd. The higher seeds CAN be facing de-facto home team advantages versus lower seeds. TN isn’t a team that gets special considerations like blue bloods or major market teams might often receive. A #2 seed for TN isn’t necessarily the equivalent of a #2 seed by one of the “chosen” programs. Ratings are more important than fairness when matchups and seedings are determined.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

This is what I was offering Up for discussion: would you rather have a higher seed, but a big ten team most likely waiting 2nd rd, or a lower seed with a Big East team possibly waiting? Also, why does CRB struggle with Big Ten, is it just coincidence that its always been against a really good team or is it something else?

Take out his first 2 years with a depleted roster and he’s .500 against some really good teams, not sure I would call it a struggle.

Also, Big10 teams are littered on every seed line as I pointed out, so who says a 3 seed avoids a B10 team?

 

[TnVol!]

Get the highest seed you can get.

 

[Vols till I fall]

Mid January and you are worried about this

This is the time to start thinking about the tourney

 

[Vols till I fall]

No doubt UT is on the path for a 1 seed.

It's definitely attainable

 

[vol94]

Mid January and you are worried about this

The OP didn’t say s/he was worried but asked a legitimate question regarding preference of being a 2 or 3 seed and facing a Big 10 school in March Madness.

So it is a topic of conversation and a legitimate question, regardless of it being January.

 

[vol94]

Trying to start a discussion on a discussion board, crazy, I know...

So, please use your cool, level head to explain why we struggle with Big Ten teams and whether or not you'd rather avoid one in the first weekend, kind sir.

Don’t even try my friend and spend your energy elsewhere and w those who are willing to discuss the topic.

Michigan was more athletic than TN and I was concerned the minute I saw the bracket. Purdue was a good shooting team and beat us.

The Big 10 has been known for yrs as a conference with quality jump shooters and physical players.

It’s a great question and I may actually research the findings of prior games vs Big 10 opponents. Good question.

 

[vol94]

Also, on bracketmatrix they have a B10 team listed at 5, 6, 7, 8x2, 9, 10x2 and 11x2…not sure how you strategically plan to avoid all of those matchups?

At the end of the day every team want the best seed. You make a good point as eventually TN, and every other team who advances, must play those in the Big 10 and other conferences. There isn’t a way to avoid playing a Big 10 team, etc.

 

[vol94]

Assuming it’s not a rhetorical question -

2016/17:
Lost to Nebraska

2016/17:
Lost to Wisconsin

2017/18:
Beat Purdue

2018/19:
Beat Iowa
Lost to Purdue

2019/20:
Lost to Wisconsin

2020/21:
No games v B10

2021/2022:
Lost to Michigan

CRB is 2-5, but those were all pretty good Big Ten teams. Plus TN was emerging from an enormous dumpster fire those first couple of years.

Thanks for taking the time to post your research. Michigan was a bad matchup. The loss to Purdue hurt but both teams were even. That ridiculous foul @ the end of the game gave Purdue three foul shots and forced O/T. I don’t recall either Wisconsin loss. Ugh- - not fun getting older- .

I haven’t followed the Big 10 this yr so not sure how we match up against them. The teams who make the tourney from Big 10 usually have athletic guards who can play a half court game.

 

[vol94]

This is what I was offering Up for discussion: would you rather have a higher seed, but a big ten team most likely waiting 2nd rd, or a lower seed with a Big East team possibly waiting? Also, why does CRB struggle with Big Ten, is it just coincidence that its always been against a really good team or is it something else?

I think it’s all about match ups and we’ve faced more Big 10 teams than any other conference in the 2nd round. In other words, the same result may have occurred if TN faced a ACC team in the 2nd round. I think it’s all about the match ups. We lost to teams who had athletic guards and to teams who had a half court offense. Plus, Barnes’ teams are notorious for going scoring droughts they last up to 4 min. That will hurt a team in March as every possession is so important.

 

[vol94]

Take out his first 2 years with a depleted roster and he’s .500 against some really good teams, not sure I would call it a struggle.

Also, Big10 teams are littered on every seed line as I pointed out, so who says a 3 seed avoids a B10 team?

Good points.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

Thanks for taking the time to post your research. Michigan was a bad matchup. The loss to Purdue hurt but both teams were even. That ridiculous foul @ the end of the game gave Purdue three foul shots and forced O/T. I don’t recall either Wisconsin loss. Ugh- - not fun getting older- .

I haven’t followed the Big 10 this yr so not sure how we match up against them. The teams who make the tourney from Big 10 usually have athletic guards who can play a half court game.

I was worried about having Michigan in the bracket as soon as I saw it. Their record caused them to be seeded much lower than they would have been if the seeds were simply based on how good teams were. They had nothing to lose. They were on a mission.

 

[Stoerner Fumbles]

In 19, Tennessee vs Purdue was a toss-up. Purdue vs UVA was a toss-up. UVA Auburn was a toss-up. Had Kline not had a 100% half from 3, we win. 50/50 we then beat UVA and similar odds vs Auburn. Those were razor thin matchups to the championship. That team was as good as any team that year. Full stop. We lost. Blame Barnes? Stick your finger in a light socket? Your choice. The loss to Michigan was a terrible matchup with Dickinson, and again a single shooter had the night of his life. Frankly Michigan was a team that was built for the long haul, and perhaps the worst possible early draw. We needed a run of good shooting to go the distance. This year, we have a very deep team with a stellar defense and a propensity to pay the piper in injuries to key players. Oddly, I think this is good for building depth, but we’ll need JJJ, Santi and ZZ healthy to make a run. We also need to string together good nights on offense and get the right matchups. That’s not coaching, it’s other variables. All that said, if you don’t appreciate this staff, this coach, and this run of teams, you’re just stupid. We lost Schwartz. I thought we’d see a big drop in scouting, team defense and flow. We’re actually better. I dream of Chandler on this team. I think we all know that would be a potential tournament winner. I’m riding with these guys though. They’re resilient and flexible and they play together. Don’t count them out.