CBS Sportsline Hoops Top 25...

[TennNC]

Yeah, bringing in Carmelo Anthony just killed Syracuse. Marvin Williams really hurt UNC as well.

Point taken about Carmelo, but what has the Cuse done since then? And please don't count last year's miracle run at the end of the season.

And Marvin Williams certainly helped the 'Heels, but they also had 4 other NBA players on that team who played together for 3 straight years - IMO that had more to do with their NCAA Championship than 1 year of Marvin. There's a risk in placing 1 superstud above all others on the team - and what you're risking is the team. It worked for Syracuse. It probably won't work all the time, though.

Overall, this brings up an interesting topic - do you recruit kids who really want to play college ball or kids who are just prepping themselves for the pros? I know it's an old topic, but one that reveals a reason I'm way more into UT hoops than UT football - our football team seems to be more of a training ground for the NFL, whereas the basketball team seems to be more about playing college. I want to cheer for players who really want to be there, not players who are mostly biding their time until they start making some serious dough.

 

[TennNC]

IMO, a little of both. Their schedule is ranked 66th, which is horrible for mostly OOC games. I expect them to have a decent ACC season, making the NCAA tournament, and being bounced early. hat will have more insight.

I live in ACC country, and people here are just starting to take note of Clemson - They crushed South Car. and UGA, but I think winning at FSU was their best win so far. And though they've won some close games (showing they can pull out a 'W'), they'll lose some games when they have to play UNC, Md., Virginia, Va. Tech, BC...

 

[volfan2024]

I could 15 but 9 is too high.We will know pretty soon after a few more SEC games under our belt.I hope I'm proven wrong.

 

[OWB]

While I think that 9 is probably too high, I can't really say that's it's not either. Who knows? This is a scrappy Vols team that has won some games against good competition. Plus, the freshmen are getting better from game to game.

We'll see how it unfolds, but like everyone says, the rankings mean squat in basketball. About the only place I can see them doing some good is with future recruits.

I like how this team usually finds a way to win though. Survive and advance.

 

[VolinArizona]

I think this team is already better than last season's team. If Ramar Smith reverts back to early season form, then we aren't.

His 13/7/6 against Miss State is really really really good.

 

[hatvol96]

IMO, a little of both. Their schedule is ranked 66th, which is horrible for mostly OOC games. I expect them to have a decent ACC season, making the NCAA tournament, and being bounced early. hat will have more insight.

66th out of 300+ isn't that bad a nonconference schedule.

 

[hatvol96]

Schedule or talent?

Clemson=Better than people think, not as good as their record would indicate.

 

[VolinArizona]

66th out of 300+ isn't that bad a nonconference schedule.

Crap, I swear to God I meant to put "isn't"

 

[jakez4ut]

9 is probably a bit to high, but i'm like Hat on this, there aren't many teams that have better resume right now. they've got some really good wins and the two losses weren't to nobodies.

OSU wont' hurt either way, especially playing there.

the key is to win more than we lose in coference. it'd be nice to get a couple of wins against some of the teams from the West...ARK, AL, LSU....would think that we should be able to beat ARK...not a gimmie and hopefully 1 of the two vs. Bama and LSU.

split with the good teams in the EAST and sweep the ones we're supposed to....21-23 wins this season, a top 15 ranking and probably a 4-6 seed.

that'd be good.