Vols most likely a 10 loss team heading into NCAA tourney…

[whobethis16]

I hate to think this way but we may be a 10 or 11 loss team. JJJ ankle probably keeps him out a few more weeks, tough schedule left and I have a weird feeling about the Phillips injury, It kind of reminds me after Hurd got yelled at by Jones in the Georgia game, he disappeared, Barnes got on Phillips hard at Vandy and some of these high star guys have trouble with hard coaching , hope I am wrong.

If Phillips has trouble with hard coaching, why the hell did he agree to come here? It's no secret Barnes coaches hard.

 

[NighthawkVol]

With how they've played overall the last 6 or so games, I see at least 2 Ls between A&M, Arkansas, and Auburn. Call me negative, whatever, but it's been garbage basketball in 5 of the last 6 and they eked out one of those because Auburn just happened to be more garbage that day.

Bad Tennessee? Yes. But Bad Tennessee won’t show up for every game. If Good Tennessee shows up, they win all 4. But that’s highly doubtful.

 

[whobethis16]

Bad Tennessee? Yes. But Bad Tennessee won’t show up for every game. If Good Tennessee shows up, they win all 4. But that’s highly doubtful.

Hence why I didn't say they'd lose all 4. But with what they've done the last 6, 2-2 is not unfeasible, the inconsistency will keep them from winning the SECT, so that's 10 losses.

 

[whobethis16]

Bad Tennessee? Yes. But Bad Tennessee won’t show up for every game. If Good Tennessee shows up, they win all 4. But that’s highly doubtful.

"Good Tennessee" has shown up 1 time in 6 games. You think it's going to immediately come back over these last 4?

 

[GoVols15]

We have the talent to beat a #1 team. Just not consistently.

Exactly! This team has a great defense, average to below average offense but is not mentally tough enough to play CONSISTENTLY! Last years team played better overall. Coaching will not fix it at this point! We could get to the sweet 16 or lose in the first round. Not a championship caliber team. Sad. Next year maybe?

 

[TheBigOne10]

I hate UK. That’s all

 

[brockytop]

So you’re predicting Tennessee will lose at least 2 of its last 4 regular season games before losing in the SECT. That’s possible, but not a certainty.

Just as we overreacted to the Bama win, we’re gonna overreact to this loss. The truth is in the middle. Guessing Tennessee goes 3-1 to finish the regular season and wins a game in the SECT before losing. That’s 24-9. Probably a 3 or 4 seed.

I didn’t overreact to the Bama win because I never held an inclination whatsoever they’d beat KY on the road, especially assuming no JJJ or JP.

Yeah, IMO TN will neither beat A&M nor Auburn on the road and will lose in the SECT (most likely after one win). That equates to 10 losses. If that holds the Vols will have lost seven out of last 11 games.

 

[plumbervol]

3 or 4 seed IMO. I also expect KY to make some major noise in the tourny even with Coach Cal as their coach.

 

[rdk4121]

I'm pretty sure the furthest we ever made it in the tournament was when we were a 5 seed, so honestly why not just be a 4/5 at this point.

That team honestly feels a lot like this one. We're talented but have struggled at times. I still feel like we could be set up for a deep run, as we can certainly beat anyone (just look at Bama, Texas, and Kansas for reference).

Look if we don't get beat on back to back buzzer beaters no one is even concerned about the Kentucky loss. It's really that simple. Let's just move past it. We didn't have two starters today, which turns out is important even if we managed to beat Bama without them. Maybe Mashack can start bringing us some more offense down the stretch as well.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

I'm pretty sure the furthest we ever made it in the tournament was when we were a 5 seed, so honestly why not just be a 4/5 at this point.

That team honestly feels a lot like this one. We're talented but have struggled at times. I still feel like we could be set up for a deep run, as we can certainly beat anyone (just look at Bama, Texas, and Kansas for reference).

Look if we don't get beat on back to back buzzer beaters no one is even concerned about the Kentucky loss. It's really that simple. Let's just move past it. We didn't have two starters today, which turns out is important even if we managed to beat Bama without them. Maybe Mashack can start bringing us some more offense down the stretch as well.

Most years a #1 or #2 seed would be really valuable. There’s so much parity this year it isn’t as critical. It’s just going to determine the order of the most challenging games. The 3rd opponent could easily be easier than the 2nd. A #1 would be great to possibly avoid Houston, Purdue, or Bama or Kansas rematches. But that’s not going to happen.

 

[Rocky Top T]

You don't even have to stop those two--as they're not exactly 25 point scorers. They can get their points and we're still anemic because we have
/nobody/ else who is an even halfway dependable scorer.

If I'm Barnes, I'm reading the riot act to ON and Key--get your heads out of your shorts and start making some shots.

ON has been good in 4 years, don't think he will start now

 

[Johnnyreb#VFL]

It’s craY to think 24-9 is a 3 or 4 seed but our SOS, quality wins (and maybe a little defense?) are redonkulous. Dam I’m getting excited to see what this team does in sec and NCAA tourney

 

[Johnnyreb#VFL]

They are in my final four already bc why not

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

It’s craY to think 24-9 is a 3 or 4 seed but our SOS, quality wins (and maybe a little defense?) are redonkulous. Dam I’m getting excited to see what this team does in sec and NCAA tourney

Unless we’re at full strength going into the SECT, an early exit this year won’t bother me much.

I agree with whomever posted that the SEC needs to wrap up the SECT on Saturday. TN has been in 3 recent finals and that is a disadvantage going into the NCAAT. Especially when they refuse to improve your NCAAT seed based on conference tournament results.

 

[Johnnyreb#VFL]

Unless we’re at full strength going into the SECT, an early exit this year won’t bother me much.

I agree with whomever posted that the SEC needs to wrap up the SECT on Saturday. TN has been in 3 recent finals and that is a disadvantage going into the NCAAT. Especially when they refuse to improve your NCAAT seed based on conference tournament results.

Def true. I get the sentiment. This team has overachieved this year with the loss of Chandler. And the overall program under Barnes is in GREAT GREAT SHAPE. Imo.
BUT I think we get hot in the sec tourney. I am a glass half full hope springs eternal type of guy. And for the record I won’t get overly despondent if we get bounced in either tourney early. I just see the potential and want to enjoy the madness

 

[ColinS]

So you’re predicting Tennessee will lose at least 2 of its last 4 regular season games before losing in the SECT. That’s possible, but not a certainty.

Just as we overreacted to the Bama win, we’re gonna overreact to this loss. The truth is in the middle. Guessing Tennessee goes 3-1 to finish the regular season and wins a game in the SECT before losing. That’s 24-9. Probably a 3 or 4 seed.

We have been awful on the road lately and we still have Auburn and Texas A&M coming up. Add an SEC Tournament loss and that's 3 more as the most likely scenario.

 

[sechamp2012]

I didn’t overreact to the Bama win because I never held an inclination whatsoever they’d beat KY on the road, especially assuming no JJJ or JP.

Yeah, IMO TN will neither beat A&M nor Auburn on the road and will lose in the SECT (most likely after one win). That equates to 10 losses. If that holds the Vols will have lost seven out of last 11 games.

You may get your wish.

 

[TrippieRedd]

Getting a 5 seed and it's going to look like the 21 season.

We play against some scrub ass 12 seed and lose. Remember Oregon State? Those bastards ****ed the easiest chance we had of getting to an Elite 8

They played Ok St., Us, then Loyola Chicago...smh

 

[jarnol32]

Tennessee is inconsistent because Tennessee is not that good. Good teams are consistent. Now, could they get hot and play well in the SEC tournament and NCAA tournament. Yes.

How did a team that’s “not that good” beat Alabama, Texas,Kansas, and Auburn… Just an asinine statement.

 

[IndianaVol]

I hope it's not a 5-seed because a 12-seed has often beaten a 5-seed at the big dance.

Agree. I woild like to see a couple people f wins here at the end of the season to lock into a 4 rather than a 5.

Seems like the selection committee keeps an eye out for those 'dramatic' 5/12 matchups and UT this year would fit that category based on the inconsistency.

 

[joevols89]

Def true. I get the sentiment. This team has overachieved this year with the loss of Chandler. And the overall program under Barnes is in GREAT GREAT SHAPE. Imo.
BUT I think we get hot in the sec tourney. I am a glass half full hope springs eternal type of guy. And for the record I won’t get overly despondent if we get bounced in either tourney early. I just see the potential and want to enjoy the madness

5 seed and 4th in the conference would not be overachieving this year. It would be about what was expected.

 

[whobethis16]

How did a team that’s “not that good” beat Alabama, Texas,Kansas, and Auburn… Just an asinine statement.

Auburn sucked more than Tennessee. If you think that game is evident Tennessee is "that good" you live in La La Land.

 

[Sudden Impact]

Here is my Prediction

Finish the season at 2 -2 and as a 3 seed in the SEC Tourney 1-1 (3-3)

NCAAT a 3 Seed and get a great bracket draw. Advance to Elite 8 and that is where the dream ended last night. So TBD.

With the great bracket advance to final 4 and maybe I can continue the Dream tonight.

Of course JJJ and Phillips are back and all players are well rested, so who knows.

That's my story and I am sticking to it.

 

[CAVPUT]

Here is my Prediction

Finish the season at 2 -2 and as a 3 seed in the SEC Tourney 1-1 (3-3)

NCAAT a 3 Seed and get a great bracket draw. Advance to Elite 8 and that is where the dream ended last night. So TBD.

With the great bracket advance to final 4 and maybe I can continue the Dream tonight.

Of course JJJ and Phillips are back and all players are well rested, so who knows.

That's my story and I am sticking to it.

I've been saying it for a while now, but with the 1/2 seed out of the equation, I'd cut minutes as much as possible and rest this team. Rely on the bench and take your lumps now. No matter what happens from here on out, we're in the 3-5 range. Any opponent we'd draw at that level will be more than capable of sending us home. Get folks healthy and rested and see what happens in the NCAAT. Don't give a hoot about the SECT. A deeper run than expected would be the only way to take some of the sting away from the way this season is concluding.

 

[Savannahbayvol]

Frankly, I'd rather see them go in as 4 th or 5th seed. It's less pressure and they seem to play better as an underdog. And it makes it sting less when they lose to Stoneybrook or Colgate

Exactly , with Barnes and the Programs record in March Madness I think the only way we could make a run is to come in completely under the radar like a 5 or 6 seed.