Not being a homer but if anyone on the committee watched the game yesterday they would conclude that UT isn't a "play-in" team.
I think 3 of the 4 play-in games are set: Dayton, BYU, and Xavier. The last spot is a tossup between Tennessee, SMU, and Nebraska. Considering we have a higher RPI than both of them, I feel like we might get lucky and avoid the play-in. Plus, the committee would avoid pitting us up against Xavier for the 3rd time this year.
I think we're better than SMU... barely, but still better.
Regardless, based on RPI which is so dear to the committee, we're higher than they are which has more weight
Why? We lost because of ourselves. Not because of Florida. It's crazy that if we make the tourney, we haven't been in the top 25 in three seasons and this year is weakest of the three seasons' résumés. One thing that baffles me is how a 12 loss SEC team can be safely in when given the state of the conference. If we got passed over the last two years with better résumés, I wouldn't be shocked if we see we are safe and we wind up not getting in.
UF is the #1 overall seed in the tourney and UT went toe to toe with them and have stepped up their game. And yes, the committee looks at that.
I don't think anyone is really worried about Tennessee not making the tournament. The question is play-in game or not
And for a third year staff with a system in its third year with the most talent this staff has had in its three seasons vs a team this staff has owned coming into this year, a "moral victory" playing the number one team close isn't a plus for us. I don't see how this excuse is being used so often all of the sudden.
We have a higher RPI than Xavier, and we beat them on a neutral court. If it's between us and Xavier, that alone should be the deciding factor. Plus, a Xavier/Dayton matchup in Dayton would be a huge local draw. It's just going to suck for whoever has to play Dayton should they be one of the last 4; a home game for them