Will we ever have an elite program?

#77
#77
BasketvolsFan said:
You are right---fan support and attendance at games has absolutely nothing to do with having an elite program. Most of the top basketball schools have little to no fan support or attendance when they play---perfect logic.
Click to expand...

Makes perfect sense to me.

Championships = Elite Program

I don't see anyone cutting down the nets in April for winning an attendance title. TBA sells out when elite programs are there.
 
Last edited:
#78
#78
Attendance doesn't really matter for the purposes of whether or not UT is an elite program. Duke plays in a high school sized gym every year and they are elite. Being top 5 or top 10 in attendance does not mean you are elite. Having meaningful banners in your arena, churning out great players, building up a national program is what does it. Kentucky, UNC, Kansas, Duke, Syracuse, UCLA, Uconn, these are elite programs. I'm sorry but UT just isn't there yet. They have been good for the past 3-4 years, but that doesn't make you elite. UT has come a long way from where they were. Be happy.
 
#81
#81
I remember the Wade Houston years and where the Vols are now.... a thread like this makes me laugh ;)
 
#83
#83
growski82 said:
Attendance doesn't really matter for the purposes of whether or not UT is an elite program. Duke plays in a high school sized gym every year and they are elite. Being top 5 or top 10 in attendance does not mean you are elite. Having meaningful banners in your arena, churning out great players, building up a national program is what does it. Kentucky, UNC, Kansas, Duke, Syracuse, UCLA, Uconn, these are elite programs. I'm sorry but UT just isn't there yet. They have been good for the past 3-4 years, but that doesn't make you elite. UT has come a long way from where they were. Be happy.
Click to expand...

The programs you name fill their "gym" every game they play regardless of the size. Syracuse is larger than UT. No question that winning ultimately determines an elite program. The emphasis of this post is can you recruit elite players and build an elite program with poor fan support---I don't think so.
 
#84
#84
BasketvolsFan said:
The programs you name fill their "gym" every game they play regardless of the size. Syracuse is larger than UT. No question that winning ultimately determines an elite program. The emphasis of this post is can you recruit elite players and build an elite program with poor fan support---I don't think so.
Click to expand...

Conditionally agree about importance of fan support, but I would not classify UT attendance as "poor".

Attendance, among a myriad of other things, factor into recruiting elite players. However, fans at a game aren't going to raise season scoring averages or change team principles. The bottom line is that most "elite players" likely have a chance of getting to the next level, and they'll want to play for a coach that can help them become the best player possible within the team's system. Once that happens consistently, you'll get your championships, which translates into higher attendance, consistent national exposure, etc.
 
#85
#85
I think we are actually saying the same thing--at least conditionally. I happen to believe that strong fan support does help a program, helps the team win, helps in recruiting, and ultimately helps a program become elite. Every thing goes together. Without outstanding players, winning, etc. fan support is not strong. We are winning and consistently making the tournament now and still can't fill our arena except for certain games--that's the point.
 
#86
#86
BasketvolsFan said:
I think we are actually saying the same thing--at least conditionally. I happen to believe that strong fan support does help a program, helps the team win, helps in recruiting, and ultimately helps a program become elite. Every thing goes together. Without outstanding players, winning, etc. fan support is not strong. We are winning and consistently making the tournament now and still can't fill our arena except for certain games--that's the point.
Click to expand...

Agreed.

Everything, to an extent, goes hand in hand. I think East Tennessee is still slowly recognizing UT's MBB legitimacy. To a number of people living here, it will always be football season year around. Others are just now catching the fever. I think that continued success will solve the attendance issue over time.
 
#87
#87
Our recruiting class this year is currently rated 6th nationally. Perhaps we are getting the necessary talent to bring the fans to the arena. Next year will be a rebuilding year, but if we can bring in top talent we should be fine.
 
#88
#88
growski82 said:
Being top 5 or top 10 in attendance does not mean you are elite. Having meaningful banners in your arena, churning out great players, building up a national program is what does it. Kentucky, UNC, Kansas, Duke, Syracuse, UCLA, Uconn, these are elite programs. I'm sorry but UT just isn't there yet. They have been good for the past 3-4 years, but that doesn't make you elite.
Click to expand...

Neat thing is that one coach can take a program and make it elite. Take away Pitino and UK is still elite, same for Kansas, UNC Duke and UCLA, but take away Boeheim and Calhoun and neither school is "elite".

If Bruce decides to stick around here in Knoxville for 20 years, I think he can bring UT to elite status. He has had glaring deficiencies so far in some aspects of X's and O's that are apparent to basketball coaches and not apparent to most fans. That is also why a lot of the people on here seem as condescending as gnostics. They think that if you do not see that we are failing in some fundamental parts of halfcourt offense and defense that you do not understand basketball at all. They cannot imagine that some people think that Bruce had to play the hand that he was dealt and are withholding judgment as to whether his player friendly coaching can take us to the Final Four until after he has had a few great recruiting groups back to back.

2010 and 2011 are shaping up to be the best years talent wise Bruce has ever had as a coach. That is exciting for those of us who are fans of both the basketball program and the coach.
 
#89
#89
I believe so. I think if Pearl can get decent pg's and put a few players in the league, we could have plenty of talent. It depends on what he does with the talent but I'm a big believer in coach Pearl. Also, attendance is suspect in the first couple of months anyways. Didn't you see the Roy outburst when UNC didn't fill their stands. Uconn and Texas both haven't exactly "sold out" every game this season either.
 
#90
#90
MikeHamiltonFan said:
Neat thing is that one coach can take a program and make it elite. Take away Pitino and UK is still elite, same for Kansas, UNC Duke and UCLA, but take away Boeheim and Calhoun and neither school is "elite".

If Bruce decides to stick around here in Knoxville for 20 years, I think he can bring UT to elite status. He has had glaring deficiencies so far in some aspects of X's and O's that are apparent to basketball coaches and not apparent to most fans. That is also why a lot of the people on here seem as condescending as gnostics. They think that if you do not see that we are failing in some fundamental parts of halfcourt offense and defense that you do not understand basketball at all. They cannot imagine that some people think that Bruce had to play the hand that he was dealt and are withholding judgment as to whether his player friendly coaching can take us to the Final Four until after he has had a few great recruiting groups back to back.

2010 and 2011 are shaping up to be the best years talent wise Bruce has ever had as a coach. That is exciting for those of us who are fans of both the basketball program and the coach.
Click to expand...

If the next two years results in recruiting elite talent and we still can't become an elite program and go further than the Sweet 16, what is our defense of the program at that point?
 
#91
#91
BasketvolsFan said:
If the next two years results in recruiting elite talent and we still can't become an elite program and go further than the Sweet 16, what is our defense of the program at that point?
Click to expand...

1. The Solar System.

2. Global Warming.

3. Burt Reynolds.
Posted via VolNation Mobile
 
#92
#92
BasketvolsFan said:
If the next two years results in recruiting elite talent and we still can't become an elite program and go further than the Sweet 16, what is our defense of the program at that point?
Click to expand...

It's still better than Buzz Peterson. That's all the sheep care about, anyway.
 
#93
#93
In case you were wondering the student tickets were "sold out" for this game. The new process for student tickets is you have to reserve tickets through the website and only so many are made available. Therefore most students reserved tickets to this game and didnt go. Its retarded.
 
#94
#94
Tennessee in the top 10 in the new polls and we have so many whiners. IDK what you expect out of UT basketball, but I've been loving the Bruce Pearl era.
 
#95
#95
Most every one has been pleased with the Bruce Pearl era. However, our fan base hasn't always responded by supporting the Vols by attendance at games. There are many of us who are generally happy,but feel we need some adjustments in order to reach truly elite status.
 
#96
#96
BasketvolsFan said:
If the next two years results in recruiting elite talent and we still can't become an elite program and go further than the Sweet 16, what is our defense of the program at that point?
Click to expand...

At that point I will say that Bruce is a great promoter and a great recruiter and does not appear to be anything more than a good coach. I am hoping he will prove to be great, but you are asking if his best classes talent wise 2010 and 2011 do not produce anything if I will defend him based on a record of lots of regular season wins and then flameouts in the tournament and the answer is no.
 
#97
#97
Thanks MHF, you are actually starting to deal with reality. I hope he does well and wins every game, but without adjustments in the half-court offense and defense, along with a team that plays with greater intensity than we've seen in the last two games, it isn't likely.
 
#98
#98
I'm convinced if we don't do it this year, it will be another long-dry-spell, possibly even to the point of cracking the top 25 again.
 
#100
#100
Next years team will be very young at several positions, especially at post. I don't think we will start out as a top 15 program.
 
New posts
You must log in or register to reply here.

VN Store



Back
Top