USA Today Says Vols Gonna Lose in First Round

[Volador]

Let's hope Coach Barnes has a real big Bulletin Board in the Locker Room in Orlando, as this should fire up the boys enough to win their first game.

No. 13 Louisiana-Lafayette vs. No. 4 Tennessee
Even before losing point guard Zakai Zeigler to a season-ending injury, the Volunteers struggled mightily at times to run their half-court sets. Their defensive continuity has also been affected, which showed in their SEC tournament quarterfinal loss to Missouri. Enter the Ragin’ Cajuns, the Sun Belt champs with a variety of weapons like big man Jordan Brown (19.4 ppg, 8.7 rpg) and sharpshooter Greg Williams, a 40% marksman from three-point range. This looks like another chapter in the unfortunate postseason history of Tennessee coach Rick Barnes, who has had more than his share of disappointing finishes, including just one Sweet 16 appearance in the past four tournaments despite the Volunteers being no worse than a No. 5 seed.

Additional Rajun Cajun News for this season:

* Played only One top 25 team, and lost to Texas 72-100
* They played always tough teams like Centenerary, Harvud, Loyola, Louisiana Christian, Samford, McNeese and well, need I list more powerhouse basketball teams??
* Their 7 losses came on the road
* They played ZERO SEC or ACC Teams

We are not going to run away with any NCAA game however, I feel very confident that CRB can get the Vols successfully across the finish line for this first game.

 

[Voldog1998]

We could easily lose tomm I don’t think we will but with the bipolar nature of this team and the up and down play it wouldn’t be a shocking upset if we go down tomorrow night.

 

[BallerVolFan]

I’m liking our chances more and more.

 

[NighthawkVol]

Let's hope Coach Barnes has a real big Bulletin Board in the Locker Room in Orlando, as this should fire up the boys enough to win their first game.

No. 13 Louisiana-Lafayette vs. No. 4 Tennessee
Even before losing point guard Zakai Zeigler to a season-ending injury, the Volunteers struggled mightily at times to run their half-court sets. Their defensive continuity has also been affected, which showed in their SEC tournament quarterfinal loss to Missouri. Enter the Ragin’ Cajuns, the Sun Belt champs with a variety of weapons like big man Jordan Brown (19.4 ppg, 8.7 rpg) and sharpshooter Greg Williams, a 40% marksman from three-point range. This looks like another chapter in the unfortunate postseason history of Tennessee coach Rick Barnes, who has had more than his share of disappointing finishes, including just one Sweet 16 appearance in the past four tournaments despite the Volunteers being no worse than a No. 5 seed.

Additional Rajun Cajun News for this season:

* Played only One top 25 team, and lost to Texas 72-100
* They played always tough teams like Centenerary, Harvud, Loyola, Louisiana Christian, Samford, McNeese and well, need I list more powerhouse basketball teams??
* Their 7 losses came on the road
* They played ZERO SEC or ACC Teams

We are not going to run away with any NCAA game however, I feel very confident that CRB can get the Vols successfully across the finish line for this first game.

Did they say it with a bar graph or pie chart so stupid readers could understand?

 

[VolFreakJosh]

Anybody could lose to anybody in March

Wow, thanks for clarifying that USA Today!

 

[Hoosier_Vol]

Very easily could loose first round. In my opinion there isn't one single first round game including the #1 seeds that I'd bet my house on this year.

 

[tennrich1]

Anybody could lose to anybody in March

Wow, thanks for clarifying that USA Today!

That was my EXACT thought when I saw this. Unbelievably ignorant stuff! Of course…USA Today has zero journalistic credibility.

 

[ArdentVol]

Did they say it with a bar graph or pie chart so stupid readers could understand?

great response
they bought newspaper where i once worked and now own many major dailies in southeast/\
the quality of all have fallen dramatically
all have dumbed down

 

[Woodlawn VOL]

Everybody wanting to pile on Vols. I love it, the team just needs to stay focused and take it all in. No chance so we may as well play loose and all out. Choke out the Cajuns early Vols! Come out ready! GBO

 

[volfeeva]

They are probably basing that on our last 4 trips to the tournament we lost to lower rated teams. And the meltdown at the end of the regular season.

 

[Volfan1000]

Today's News Sentinel had an article by beat writer Mike Wilson that stated that Barnes has no pressure on him and his squad in this tournament.

 

[Illinoisvolfan2]

I think we win but don’t cover.

 

[tdd]

We could easily loose tomorrow. We could also win by 40 (see both South Carolina games) then loose to Duke by 40. This team is just so hard to watch. You just never know which team will show up. I hope we win but I wouldn’t bet the farm on it. I just hope Barnes figures out that we can call a timeout if needed. Go VOLS!!

 

[Tenacjim]

I’ve seen several “expert brackets” that have us losing. Seems to be the “sexy upset pick” for the first round….a$$hats all!

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

We could easily loose tomorrow. We could also win by 40 (see both South Carolina games) then loose to Duke by 40. This team is just so hard to watch. You just never know which team will show up. I hope we win but I wouldn’t bet the farm on it. I just hope Barnes figures out that we can call a timeout if needed. Go VOLS!!

TN only lost by double digits three times and the worst of those was 13. But you’re thinking Duke might win by 40 and Barnes doesn’t know how to use his time outs effectively. Okay.

 

[Clad in Big Orange]

Based on trends, we should play well tomorrow then fade on Saturday.

 

[ITSGR82BATNVOL]

Let's hope Coach Barnes has a real big Bulletin Board in the Locker Room in Orlando, as this should fire up the boys enough to win their first game.
If Barnes needs to post bulletin board material, in order to get his team fired up to play any match madness game, neither he nor his team deserve a bid in the first place.

 

[VOLtaism]

Longwood II

 

[TWVol]

Well, I just did auto fill on my ESPN bracket, and it says TN will win the whole thing. I’m rolling with it.

 

[calban]

I could see them getting caught looking ahead to Duke, but hoping they get focused in time to pull this one out. they've had no trouble getting up for the NAME teams like Duke who they'll CRUSH if they get there. then hoping Memphis sneaks by Purdue for another spirited match up with Penny.

 

[Johnnyreb#VFL]

Vols have the potential to bust a lot of brackets once they beat LA then Duke, if Duke gets past OR

 

[LordBolton]

USA Today's reader must be very intrigued by this possibility.

 

[KTrain]

I think the Vols smother them on D but any team that can shoot the 3 well can win hit 10 like Missouri that's 30 points in 10 possessions you could match that 10 for 10, on 2s and still be behind 10. I say that to say it could happen but live by 3 and die by the 3 could lose by 30 if not hitting.

 

[JohnWardForever]

We could easily loose tomorrow. We could also win by 40 (see both South Carolina games) then loose to Duke by 40. This team is just so hard to watch. You just never know which team will show up. I hope we win but I wouldn’t bet the farm on it. I just hope Barnes figures out that we can call a timeout if needed. Go VOLS!!

DUKE (A 5 seed vs 12 seed ORU, Better watch it---History does repeat)

 

[VolunteerCeltic]

How will Volnation react to a first round loss this tourney and what will their feelings be on Barnes?