Will we ever have an elite program?

#1
BasketvolsFan

BasketvolsFan

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#1
After seeing a half-full arena and about 1/3 of the student section filled last night, I couldn't help but wonder if we will ever develop an elite program with this type of fan support. The elite programs fill it up for every game. Unfortunately, the team intensity matched the crowd.
 
#2
#2
The student section was only a third full behind the goal in the standing area. The whole section to the right of the standing area was full of students. It was a game vs ETSU, so dont expect it to be full. And its finals time for students so many of them are stuck studying and dont have time to go to a bball game. Dont worry once next semester comes around the games will be rocking especially when SEC teams come to town.
 
#3
#3
We have been 4th in attendance the last 4 years. Look at who we have been playing and the economy, having the same problem at elite schools, Roy Williams eluded to it after the win over MSU.

Lack of fan support will not keep UT from being elite.
 
#4
#4
I think to become an elite program, this team will need to get there first; the fans will follow. That being said, UT does have a top 5 attendance on average which really is pretty good. Its finals time and its ETSU, that might be why attendance was low. Now if TBA is like that when Florida or Vandy come to town, then we have a problem.
 
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#5
#5
Consider the context of last night for students:

Finals begin the next day (now today)
Semester projects and papers are soon due
Students value keeping scholarships and staying in school over watching UT v ETSU live when they can have it on in their dorm or apartment.

Unless you have solid attendance stats for "elite" programs showing full attendance regardless of time of year and opponent, I think there are legit reasons for the lack of students last night.

We have the second largest arena in college basketball, when students are not there it is much easier to notice.
 
#6
#6
Filling up the seats is not a sign of an elite program, espeacially this early in the season. Winning in March is a sign of an elite team.


"If you win, they will come."
 
#7
#7
I certainly understand that this is finals time and it has an impact on student attendance. However, we look good on attendance based on tickets sold, not actual attendance. Last night was an example---announced attendance 17,000+. No way was actual attendance even close to that.
 
#8
#8
I have a sizable number of season ticker holders that go to my church. The majority of them will not miss class/service to go to a basketball game. Given it was a Wednesday night, that will sometimes be a factor in attendance.
 
#10
#10
I'll go out on a limb and say 'No' we will never be an elite program. The reason I say that is because of the glaring lack of player development at UT.

I challenge all to name a single player that is markedly better this year from last. Tatum is the only one that seems to have taken a step forward.
 
#11
#11
beavbullvol said:
I'll go out on a limb and say 'No' we will never be an elite program. The reason I say that is because of the glaring lack of player development at UT.

I challenge all to name a single player that is markedly better this year from last. Tatum is the only one that seems to have taken a step forward.
Click to expand...

Chism's postgame seems better this year. He could not have taken it to Purdue like he did last year, imo. Hopson is marginally better, nothing more. Smith is about the same. Maze is marginally better defensively. Tatum is much better this year. JP is much worse this year.

We have had some marginal to moderate improvements with some players but nothing earth-shattering.
 
#12
#12
beavbullvol said:
I'll go out on a limb and say 'No' we will never be an elite program. The reason I say that is because of the glaring lack of player development at UT.

I challenge all to name a single player that is markedly better this year from last. Tatum is the only one that seems to have taken a step forward.
Click to expand...

I agree, I believe we have hit our ceiling under Pearl.
 
#14
#14
We certainly have the tools to do so; great arena, great facilities, large fanbase to pull from, and it seems we finally have an AD that wants a good basketball program (at the very least compared to Doug Dickey).

Now whether it happens under Pearl, I don't know. Right now I'm just hoping to see an Elite Eight appearance sometime soon.
 
#15
#15
BasketvolsFan said:
After seeing a half-full arena and about 1/3 of the student section filled last night, I couldn't help but wonder if we will ever develop an elite program with this type of fan support. The elite programs fill it up for every game. Unfortunately, the team intensity matched the crowd.
Click to expand...

We are already an elite program...Somebody just forgot to tell Pearl and the players! :)
 
#16
#16
Txvol is right... The only way to an elite program is not just to win, but to win in March
 
#17
#17
beavbullvol said:
I'll go out on a limb and say 'No' we will never be an elite program. The reason I say that is because of the glaring lack of player development at UT.

I challenge all to name a single player that is markedly better this year from last. Tatum is the only one that seems to have taken a step forward.
Click to expand...

Hopson, Maze... Look at how Wayne has developed. People used to say Crews was better, and now he's considered underrated as 2nd team all-sec. Don't know what you're seeing, but I've seen 2 sweet 16's and 3 SEC E champs. Ncaa app every year? And now with Hopson and Harris we're recruiting NBA guys? I'll take it. How is Kiffin THE MAN for 7-5 yet Pearl is a chump for his accomplishments? Happy Hannukah haters!
 
#18
#18
OrangeNYC said:
Hopson, Maze... Look at how Wayne has developed. People used to say Crews was better, and now he's considered underrated as 2nd team all-sec. Don't know what you're seeing, but I've seen 2 sweet 16's and 3 SEC E champs. Ncaa app every year? And now with Hopson and Harris we're recruiting NBA guys? I'll take it. How is Kiffin THE MAN for 7-5 yet Pearl is a chump for his accomplishments? Happy Hannukah haters!
Click to expand...

Hopson is no NBA player. Please name the 2 or 3 at that level that couldn't stop him by simply putting a hand in his direction. He is so timid with the ball.
 
#19
#19
You become an Elite program by winning championships. We haven't. Championships are won in March(conference) and April (final 4). Not in December. Why not bring this up around tournament time.
 
#20
#20
Now if we want to talk about Hopson's Potential (ugly P word), then yes, he is NBA material. But if we want to deal in reality, then no, he'd better learn to speak Turkish.
 
#22
#22
OP said attendance would hurt recruiting in a earlier thread,before Tobias Harris signed! Oops! Once the season heats up after xmas so will the crowds. Fixated on attendance, ever go to a game before Pearl? (black curtains)!!! GO VOLS!!!!
 
#23
#23
If you watch current elite teams on television, they have rabid fan support and fill their own arena each time they play. We fill ours for specific games, ie. Florida, Kentucky, Memphis, etc. Can we attract the top players with our current fan base? Seems to me it will be difficult to do so, even though Harris attended a game when we were lucky to have half an arena full. Our fans also are quick to leave, even when games are in the balance and no one knows who will win.
Let's get behind our program, support it, attend games and help it reach the level we all want----that's my point here.
 
#24
#24
This is football country and always will be. Same with Alabama and Georgia. That's why we won't ever get the coach Hatvol wants no matter how much you pay. Be glad we have a competitive program. Also our gym is freaking tough to fill, it's huge.
 
#25
#25
BasketvolsFan said:
If you watch current elite teams on television, they have rabid fan support and fill their own arena each time they play. We fill ours for specific games, ie. Florida, Kentucky, Memphis, etc. Can we attract the top players with our current fan base? Seems to me it will be difficult to do so, even though Harris attended a game when we were lucky to have half an arena full. Our fans also are quick to leave, even when games are in the balance and no one knows who will win.
Let's get behind our program, support it, attend games and help it reach the level we all want----that's my point here.
Click to expand...

By that logic we don't support the football program well either. Attendance and volume is down in football when we play teams like Ohio and Western.

It's still football season as well and we're in a football first conference. Once the conference season starts up that's when you see the crowds and excitement pick up for basketball. And it's still a ton better than it used to be. Used to we were lucky to get 5,000 to show up to early season games like this.
 
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