Probably, because at any moment during the season their coach could be suspended, arrested and/or fired. Throw those possibilities in with half the team having a chance to be declared ineligible and I get it. There's a reason every bookie I know drives a Cadillac (yeah, I'm old and they are older)Genuinely shocked at LSU below Auburn and Tennessee.
We don’t have the 2 time SEC POY stepping in at the 4. Grant’s offensive production will have to be absorbed by our perimeter players IMHOLooking at the team Plavsic for Alexander looks like at least even or a positive. Hopefully we get an even deal with James for Bone. Turner and Bowden hopefully play well enough to take up most of the Admiral three point shooting and scoring. Then comes the big problem no Grant Williams. Staff tried hard to get a guy that would take up most of that slack didn't succeed. Now all hops are pinned on a freshman, a frenchman, and a guy that has been here seems like forever and played about 10 minutes in Kent. I guess Fulkerson could be vastly improved as well and give us some bigtime play in Grant's position. That is the one position that is a huge concern and if we can get close to the production at that position he gave us we want fall to much. I am going 21 and 10 mainly because of the unknown at the four and also somewhat at the point. If Plavsic has to sit make that 16 and 15.
Does LSU not have a coaching question?It seems to clearly be UK and Florida as 1 & 1a, then everyone else. I guess you could argue that LSU perhaps belongs in a tier by themselves below UK and Florida. But everyone else is in a cluster of teams that have questions about talent, experience, or coaching.
Yeah, maybe. Same be said about Auburn, too, though, and they have the 3rd best odds, so I don't buy that necessarily as the reasoning behind it.Probably, because at any moment during the season their coach could be suspended, arrested and/or fired. Throw those possibilities in with half the team having a chance to be declared ineligible and I get it. There's a reason every bookie I know drives a Cadillac (yeah, I'm old and they are older)
FWIW, and it may not be much, but ESPN has UK and Florida in the top 5 in their Way-Too-Early Top 25. LSU was #25. Auburn was included within the group just on the outside looking in.
Yep, me too. It would seem to me to be a case of Rick Barnes and Tennessee starting to get benefit of the doubt from the media types, which is a great sign of respect. When you lose 4 starters to the NBA, and it is still assumed that you will figure things out in an improved league from a coaching and talent perspective, it's clear you are doing something right.Which as we know is a complete guessing game after the Top 10-15 in college hoops...seems like consensus is Florida and UK the clear Top 2, and then most expect Auburn/LSU/Tennessee in some order to round out the Top 5.
Which if you ask me right now would I take a Top 5 league finish I would 100% be on board with that.
Wow
Washington
Florida State
VCU or Purdue
Memphis
Cincinnati
Wisconsin
Kansas
That’s a tough OC schedule
I still think a pretty good season 22 w’s is where I’m at.
That is, indeed, a brutal schedule. Luckily for us, Memphis and Wisconsin are both at home. Which gives us a distinct advantage. And Cincinatti isn't exactly the toughest arena in the US to play. I don't think we can beat Kansas or Washington on the road, so if we can manage to snag 2/3 wins from UM, Wisc, & Cincy I'll be happy.
That is, indeed, a brutal schedule. Luckily for us, Memphis and Wisconsin are both at home. Which gives us a distinct advantage. And Cincinatti isn't exactly the toughest arena in the US to play. I don't think we can beat Kansas or Washington on the road, so if we can manage to snag 2/3 wins from UM, Wisc, & Cincy I'll be happy.
Everything will be fine this season. Win 18 and a couple will be saying ,'told ya so.' I'd be more concerned with the fan base if they don't see E8s and F4s after a top 5 or better recruiting class. I'm hoping he rewrites his history while he's here and gets the post season monkey off his back. TN fans deserve something GOOD.If I can make a suggestion, I think we should not get too high or too low on this years squad. Let’s have fun with this season, pack out TBA, support these guys and know that this is essentially a transition year, not necessarily a bad season, but a year where we have some ups and downs. We have to stay focused on the direction this program seems to be headed. I just hope everyone predicting 23-25 wins will not go all “football fan” on this team and start calling for heads to roll, if/when we only get 18 or so wins. This program is well on its way to becoming a powerhouse imo, and I have a feeling this season may be a little bump in the road. With all of that nonsense said, I still think we will be very competitive and will have a good season. I just worry about a portion of our fan base if we get in the big dance by the skin of our teeth or don’t even make it at all.
GBO!!
If I can make a suggestion, I think we should not get too high or too low on this years squad. Let’s have fun with this season, pack out TBA, support these guys and know that this is essentially a transition year, not necessarily a bad season, but a year where we have some ups and downs. We have to stay focused on the direction this program seems to be headed. I just hope everyone predicting 23-25 wins will not go all “football fan” on this team and start calling for heads to roll, if/when we only get 18 or so wins. This program is well on its way to becoming a powerhouse imo, and I have a feeling this season may be a little bump in the road. With all of that nonsense said, I still think we will be very competitive and will have a good season. I just worry about a portion of our fan base if we get in the big dance by the skin of our teeth or don’t even make it at all.
GBO!!
If I can make a suggestion, I think we should not get too high or too low on this years squad. Let’s have fun with this season, pack out TBA, support these guys and know that this is essentially a transition year, not necessarily a bad season, but a year where we have some ups and downs. We have to stay focused on the direction this program seems to be headed. I just hope everyone predicting 23-25 wins will not go all “football fan” on this team and start calling for heads to roll, if/when we only get 18 or so wins. This program is well on its way to becoming a powerhouse imo, and I have a feeling this season may be a little bump in the road. With all of that nonsense said, I still think we will be very competitive and will have a good season. I just worry about a portion of our fan base if we get in the big dance by the skin of our teeth or don’t even make it at all.
GBO!!
The “rational fan” thing is what worries me.I don't think any rational fan will be calling for heads should that happen, but Tennessee has never exactly been an entirely rational fanbase. So who knows. I just tend to believe that this roster (and coaching staff) will surprise us. I think 24 wins is entirely doable. Is that my official prediction? No. I'll play it safe and say 22. But I have some real optimism for this season. There are a lot of teams with big "?" this season. A lot of new coaches too. I think Barnes & the Boys will get it done. I just hope this recruiting success in 2020 and 2021 finally translates into real postseason success. That's the big question. This upcoming season will just be fun and with little expectations.