Down the stretch - projections

[volinbham]

How will we finish in the conf.?

8-8 would be good IMHO.

2 tough home games, 2 reasonably tough away games, 1 away game we should win.

I think we'll beat USC, should be Bama but could easily lose the other three.

Going 3 of 5 would be very strong.

[hatvol96]

Originally Posted by volinbham

How will we finish in the conf.?

8-8 would be good IMHO.

2 tough home games, 2 reasonably tough away games, 1 away game we should win.

I think we'll beat USC, should be Bama but could easily lose the other three.

Going 3 of 5 would be very strong.

There's absolutely no reason we shouldn't beat a Georgia team playing without Mike Mercer.

[utvol0427]

I don't see any reason that we shouldn't go 4-1 down the stretch.

[VolHolt]

I'd like to think we'll be going 5-0, but then again who doesnt

[TN Vol 0320]

Alabama will be tough. BIG, BIG, BIG.

[volinbham]

Florida and Bama will bring power inside games (at least in terms of size/strength).

[VOLinthaATL]

Originally Posted by volinbham

Florida and Bama will bring power inside games (at least in terms of size/strength).

Agreed and unfortunately that is our biggest weakness...

[TN Vol 0320]

But we ARE getting better. Chism did a GREAT job on Morris last night. The problem with Florida and Bama is that they will bring 2 posts his size into the starting lineup. And both can play.

[allvol]

Next: at South Carolina 2-8 SEC, 1-4 home
Vols will get their first conference road victory of the season.

vs Alabama 5-5 SEC, 1-4 Road
So far, Alabama hasn't just been losing on the road, they've been getting blown out. Vols should win.

at Arkansas 4-6 SEC, 3-2 Home
The Vols have shown they have a hard time winning on the road. This one will be tough. On a neutral court, the Vols would definately win. If the Vols get the road monkey off their back at S.Carolina, they'll win this one too.

vs Florida 10-0 SEC, 5-0 Road
The Vols beat Florida twice last season, so they know they can hang with them. They also scored 54 second half points at Florida. I think Florida may be too talented for the young Vols to win this one.

at Georgia 6-5 SEC, 4-1 Home
Georgia has done well this season, but is now without their second leading scorer. They are not good enough to overcome that loss. Vols win this one.

My prediction: Vols finish 4-1.... which makes the overall record 22-9, 10-6 SEC.... finishing 2nd in the EAST.

[ukvols]

Originally Posted by allvol

Next: at South Carolina 2-8 SEC, 1-4 home
Vols will get their first conference road victory of the season.

vs Alabama 5-5 SEC, 1-4 Road
So far, Alabama hasn't just been losing on the road, they've been getting blown out. Vols should win.

at Arkansas 4-6 SEC, 3-2 Home
The Vols have shown they have a hard time winning on the road. This one will be tough. On a neutral court, the Vols would definately win. If the Vols get the road monkey off their back at S.Carolina, they'll win this one too.

vs Florida 10-0 SEC, 5-0 Road
The Vols beat Florida twice last season, so they know they can hang with them. They also scored 54 second half points at Florida. I think Florida may be too talented for the young Vols to win this one.

at Georgia 6-5 SEC, 4-1 Home
Georgia has done will this season, but is now without their second leading scorer. They are not good enough to overcome that loss. Vols win this one.

My prediction: Vols finish 4-1.... which makes the overall record 22-9, 10-6 SEC.... finishing 2nd in the EAST.

I'll take that.

[Osama bin Lofton]

Originally Posted by TN Vol 0320

But we ARE getting better. Chism did a GREAT job on Morris last night. The problem with Florida and Bama is that they will bring 2 posts his size into the starting lineup. And both can play.

Our guards and forwards need to continue driving at those big guys to get them into foul trouble early. This seemed to be a big help against KY.

Also, Ramar Smith needs to review tape of how C.J. Watson worked over Joakim Noah last year. That might help, especially if he sticks his ugly kisser out like this:

[therickbol]

Originally Posted by volinbham

Florida and Bama will bring power inside games (at least in terms of size/strength).

I do not really see it as that much of a weakness at this point. Especially not when Chism is in the game. With him out we are pretty weak with interior defense. But, Chism plays great man-to-man post defense. He has faced the best big men in the country already this season. Florida I agree is a very tough challenge down low, but its not just because of our post defense, its because they are a tough challenge down low for ANYBODY. With Alabama, I do not think their interior play is anywhere near the level of some of the teams Chism has stood up against.

[orange+white=heaven]

Originally Posted by allvol

My prediction: Vols finish 4-1.... which makes the overall record 22-9, 10-6 SEC.... finishing 2nd in the EAST.

Assume this is correct, tack on two wins in the conference tourney, and you wind up with....

4seed in the dance.

[DowntownVol]

Originally Posted by orange+white=heaven

Assume this is correct, tack on two wins in the conference tourney, and you wind up with....

4seed in the dance.

Correct, and I'll definitely take that. However, for whatever reason, we have royally sucked in the SEC Tournament for, oh, the last 15 years or so.

I see a 3-2 finish as more likely - wins over South Carolina, Georgia, and either Arkansas or Alabama. Remember, 'Bama dominated us last year; their size and athleticism create all kinds of matchup problems. Arkansas is tough to predict, because you never know which version of that team will show up. Hopefully the "bad" Hogs.

[lawgator1]

Originally Posted by orange+white=heaven

Assume this is correct, tack on two wins in the conference tourney, and you wind up with....

4seed in the dance.

I like you for the 5-6 region.