Getting to 20?

[Neyland Law Vol]

None of us thought or expected this team to even have a chance at the NCAA at the start of the season. I was just looking forward to seeing a hard fighting team compete and maybe sneak into the NIT.

But here we are! 3 weeks into January and we have a legitimate shot. Sitting at 12-5, 4-1, and in 2nd place in the SEC.

Given the SEC's reputation nationally, we likely need 20 wins to get in. Can we do it? We need 8 wins out of these remaining games:

01/24/15 vs. Texas A&M * Knoxville 1:00 p.m. ET
01/27/15 at Arkansas * Fayetteville, Ark. 9:00 p.m. ET
01/31/15 vs. Auburn * Knoxville 12:00 p.m. ET
02/03/15 vs. Mississippi State * Knoxville 7:00 p.m. ET
02/07/15 at Georgia * Athens, Ga. 12:00 p.m. ET
02/11/15 at Vanderbilt * Nashville, Tenn. 7:00 p.m. ET
02/14/15 vs. LSU * Knoxville 4:00 p.m. ET
02/17/15 vs. Kentucky * Knoxville 7:00 p.m. ET
02/21/15 at Ole Miss * Oxford, Miss. 7:30 p.m. ET
02/26/15 vs. Vanderbilt * Knoxville 7:00 p.m. ET
02/28/15 at Florida * Gainesville, Fla. TBA
03/04/15 at LSU * Baton Rouge, La. 7:00 p.m. ET
03/07/15 vs. South Carolina * Knoxville 4:00 p.m. ET

Do you think we can get 8 more? Which games do we have the best shot in? Are there certain teams we match up better or worse with that could affect our ability to get 8 more wins?

Go VOLS!

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

19-11 and 1-1 in the SECT puts TN right on the bubble.

 

[Neyland Law Vol]

19-11 and 1-1 in the SECT puts TN right on the bubble.

Agreed. That's why I think the team needs 20 to have the ticket to the NCAA locked in. But the question is can they get there at this point? They have certainly given themselves an opportunity to get there. They need 8 more wins.

 

[grobin4300]

I think we get 4 or maybe 5 (max) wins out of the remaining games

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

Better go 3-1 in the next four to have a chance.

 

[volroadwarrior]

I believe 6 more wins are a stretch. Schedule gets harder and lack of depth could take its toll. Not sure how the NCAA deal will affect things.

 

[Neyland Law Vol]

Looking at the schedule it is hard to find 8, but given how this team fights, I am not going to say its unlikely.

For the home games, besides UK, I am worried about LSU, and TX AM will give us a game. But I think we can get 6 of 7 at home (beating Tx am, Barn, Miss st, Vandy, LSU, & USC; losing to UK).

Then finding the two additional road wins?

 

[B-sideVol18]

Better go 3-1 in the next four to have a chance.

This.

 

[VolPack22]

I thought there was an outside shot at the tourney and realistically thought we could finish anywhere from 3-8 in the SEC considering the level of competition in the may be at its lowest point in years. At the moment there is only one tourney worthy team in the conference at that's because it's the best team in the country but we usually get at least 3 in so hopefully we finish out strong because every game except Kentucky is winnable. If we finish with 20+ wins Donnie will be a strong candidate for conference and national coach of the year.

 

[SJAVol32]

I believe 6 more wins are a stretch. Schedule gets harder and lack of depth could take its toll. Not sure how the NCAA deal will affect things.

Playing zone should continue to help. I think we can steal some.

 

[YankeeVol]

Well I didn't see us sitting at 4-1 in the SEC thru 5 games so anything is possible. I could see us getting to 20. We play as well as we have against Arkansas and SC(first 37 minutes) and we can beat anybody.

The only game I think we have almost no chance is Kentucky.

 

[PackersVols91]

The road games at Florida and Vandy are definitely winnable.

 

[Neyland Law Vol]

Better go 3-1 in the next four to have a chance.

Agreed. I think we can do that.

 

[terrypedigo]

3 weeks ago I thought Kentucky would beat us by 50, but the way they are playing, we might be the one to bring that NBA team down.

 

[Neyland Law Vol]

The road games at Florida and Vandy are definitely winnable.

Those are probably the two I would target also. Crazy to say @UF is one of the most likely road wins at this point. They have been playing poorly, but still have tons of talent on that roster.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

Might could get the win at Florida. They've not lived up to their billing.

 

[Volstylexx]

Well I didn't see us sitting at 4-1 in the SEC thru 5 games so anything is possible. I could see us getting to 20. We play as well as we have against Arkansas and SC(first 37 minutes) and we can beat anybody.

The only game I think we have almost no chance is Kentucky.

KY has been taken to the wire by three sec teams already. We get them at home, no reason we couldn't beat them.

 

[Neyland Law Vol]

The road games at Florida and Vandy are definitely winnable.

Also, Vandy's crazy home court layout always makes it a tough place to get a win.

 

[hatingbamaisawayoflife]

01/24/15 vs. Texas A&M * Knoxville 1:00 p.m. ET ...win
01/27/15 at Arkansas * Fayetteville, Ark. 9:00 p.m. ET ..???
01/31/15 vs. Auburn * Knoxville 12:00 p.m. ET ..win
02/03/15 vs. Mississippi State * Knoxville 7:00 p.m. ET..win
02/07/15 at Georgia * Athens, Ga. 12:00 p.m. ET ..???
02/11/15 at Vanderbilt * Nashville, Tenn. 7:00 p.m. L
02/14/15 vs. LSU * Knoxville 4:00 p.m. ET ..Win
02/17/15 vs. Kentucky * Knoxville 7:00 p.m. ET ..L
02/21/15 at Ole Miss * Oxford, Miss. 7:30 p.m. ET ..??
02/26/15 vs. Vanderbilt * Knoxville 7:00 p.m. ET ..Win
02/28/15 at Florida * Gainesville, Fla. TBA ...???
03/04/15 at LSU * Baton Rouge, La. 7:00 p.m. ET L
03/07/15 vs. South Carolina * Knoxville 4:00 p.m. ET..win

I think that is best case

 

[YankeeVol]

KY has been taken to the wire by three sec teams already. We get them at home, no reason we couldn't beat them.

I said almost no chance. I'm not saying we can't, just that I'm not expecting a win.

 

[Dave1967]

None of us thought or expected this team to even have a chance at the NCAA at the start of the season. I was just looking forward to seeing a hard fighting team compete and maybe sneak into the NIT.

But here we are! 3 weeks into January and we have a legitimate shot. Sitting at 12-5, 4-1, and in 2nd place in the SEC.

Given the SEC's reputation nationally, we likely need 20 wins to get in. Can we do it? We need 8 wins out of these remaining games:



Do you think we can get 8 more? Which games do we have the best shot in? Are there certain teams we match up better or worse with that could affect our ability to get 8 more wins?

Go VOLS!

I think Tennessee finishes 21-9 with losses to Arkansas,Georgia,Kentucky and LSU

 

[calban]

KY has been taken to the wire by three sec teams already. We get them at home, no reason we couldn't beat them.

Earlier in the season I thought that was a crazy statement.
Not so much lately.

 

[Tumbleweedvol]

I don't think 20-10 gets us in unless there is a UK scalp on the floor. I think there are some winnable games. The teams that look tough for us are UGA, LSU, Kentucky, Arky and Ole Miss on the road. Vanderbilt in Nashville is going to be tough as well. This team has resiliency so I'm not sure you can count them out of any game. We're on a ride we couldn't imagine would happen at the beginning of the year. :good!: GBO!

 

[hatingbamaisawayoflife]

Kentucky waaaaaaaaaay too big and lanky for our undersized team.

 

[Neyland Law Vol]

I think Tennessee finishes 21-9 with losses to Arkansas,Georgia,Kentucky and LSU

Would be an amazing season if this turned out to be true. :dance2::rock: