Do the numbers add up to a Final Four for the Vols?

#1
ukvols

ukvols

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#1
Not according to ESPN's Andy Glockner.
ESPN - Final Four teams win big, shoot and defend 2-pointers well - Men's College Basketball

I honestly don't disagree with him. Our defense is all-or-nothing, and we get out-rebounded by everybody. I know I'm not the only one on VN who is concerned by that. Still, there is a saying that "Games make stats, stats don't make games." There's certainly more than one way to outscore the opposition.

We are what we are, and it's highly possible that we enter the SEC tournament with no more than 5 total losses. Given the things we do well (score points and force turnovers), maybe that other stuff won't matter so much. :crossfingers:
 
#2
#2
I think come tournament time we will be playing like a Final Four team.
 
#5
#5
You never know about the tournament. I guess thats why its the best thing going.
 
#6
#6
tvolsfan said:
Unfortunately, I don't think the SEC will have us "battle tested."
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This is one year that I'm glad the Memphis game is in late February. Normally, I'd prefer to not have a game like that during conference play, but with the SEC down, we'll need that game to make us more "battle-tested."
 
#9
#9
Isn't it a little early for Final 4 predictions yet?

Teams are just now starting their conference schedules.
 
#10
#10
tvolsfan said:
Unfortunately, I don't think the SEC will have us "battle tested."
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SEC teams have not played well this year so far, but you know the intensity heats up during conference play, and the road games will still be fierce. Someone else noted the Memphis road game in late Feb. too. That, coupled with memories of tough games away from TBA against WVA, TX, WKU, Xav. and Gonz., will make us battle-tested enough IMO.
 
#11
#11
we clearly have the ability to make the final 4. some of it comes down to chance, hence they play the games rather than take the chalk. I certainly like our chances to get to the final eight (depending on our draw, because in the end, it's all about luck of the matchups) and in a single game, anything can happen.

Foul trouble will never be a problem (and it dooms many a tourney dreams) and playing twice in a weekend will help us. We should have generally fresher legs than everyone else.

Our lack of D, rebounding and FT shooting will rear their heads at some point. Let's just hope we can run through them.
 
#12
#12
BigPapaVol said:
we clearly have the ability to make the final 4. some of it comes down to chance, hence they play the games rather than take the chalk. I certainly like our chances to get to the final eight (depending on our draw, because in the end, it's all about luck of the matchups) and in a single game, anything can happen.

Foul trouble will never be a problem (and it dooms many a tourney dreams) and playing twice in a weekend will help us. We should have generally fresher legs than everyone else.

Our lack of D, rebounding and FT shooting will rear their heads at some point. Let's just hope we can run through them.
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Agreed. I've thought this since we lost to TOSU to end the season last year: making the Elite 8 will be a success - anything after that is gravy.
 
#13
#13
I definitely think UT has a realistic chance to make the Final Four. If the tournament were held right now, you'd probably be a 2 seed and there's one or two of them in the FF every year.

I do, however, think that the article is right about the defensive issues and many folks have alreayd commented on that. I don't have a ton to add since I haven't watched but a few minutes of you this year.

I will say that Florida about 6 years back was fielding teams very similar to this year's UT team -- a lot of guard play, pressing full court, steals, three's, etc. And every year -- until we truly had inside presence -- we made a disappointingly early exit from the tournament. I maintain that this is because, in the tournament, they traditionally seem to let the players play and call games pretty loosey goosey. I'm just saying that if you have one bad shooting night with the style of play that you appear to have adopted at this point then you can be beaten by a team that rebounds well.
 
#14
#14
lawgator1 said:
I definitely think UT has a realistic chance to make the Final Four. If the tournament were held right now, you'd probably be a 2 seed and there's one or two of them in the FF every year.

I do, however, think that the article is right about the defensive issues and many folks have alreayd commented on that. I don't have a ton to add since I haven't watched but a few minutes of you this year.

I will say that Florida about 6 years back was fielding teams very similar to this year's UT team -- a lot of guard play, pressing full court, steals, three's, etc. And every year -- until we truly had inside presence -- we made a disappointingly early exit from the tournament. I maintain that this is because, in the tournament, they traditionally seem to let the players play and call games pretty loosey goosey. I'm just saying that if you have one bad shooting night with the style of play that you appear to have adopted at this point then you can be beaten by a team that rebounds well.
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Last year we would probably would have been in the Final Four if we held on to the lead against Ohio St. And this years team is alot better than last years. So there no reason to think that we won't top that this year.
 
#15
#15
VOLNBAMA said:
Last year we would probably would have been in the Final Four if we held on to the lead against Ohio St. And this years team is alot better than last years. So there no reason to think that we won't top that this year.
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Yeah but you didn't.

Also, you don't know what the injury status of the team will be. And you need to see what the draw is.

I agree that UT has the potential to get there right now but its all guesswork at this point.
 
#16
#16
free throws, we would have made it last year. ft will also be the difference this year in the close games-make them or go home.
 
#17
#17
The team has definitely elevated its level of play recently in order to take down Xavier and Gonzaga, which is a good sign. Williams, I think, will be a crucial component - how quickly can he mature, can he stay out of foul trouble, etc. Come tournament time, we'll need him to be a force inside, and we certainly need all the rebounding help we can get, as Chism just doesn't seem to want to be all he can be in that area (or any area, really, other than taking ill-advised 3's.)

My overall take: if Lofton finds his mysteriously missing shot, this is a Final Four team.
 
#18
#18
the day Lofton is deadly again, if ever, nobody, and I mean nobody, wants to play the Vols.
 
#19
#19
DowntownVol said:
The team has definitely elevated its level of play recently in order to take down Xavier and Gonzaga, which is a good sign. Williams, I think, will be a crucial component - how quickly can he mature, can he stay out of foul trouble, etc. Come tournament time, we'll need him to be a force inside, and we certainly need all the rebounding help we can get, as Chism just doesn't seem to want to be all he can be in that area (or any area, really, other than taking ill-advised 3's.)

My overall take: if Lofton finds his mysteriously missing shot, this is a Final Four team.
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He can do that if they keep banking in. :)
 
#20
#20
DowntownVol said:
The team has definitely elevated its level of play recently in order to take down Xavier and Gonzaga, which is a good sign. Williams, I think, will be a crucial component - how quickly can he mature, can he stay out of foul trouble, etc. Come tournament time, we'll need him to be a force inside, and we certainly need all the rebounding help we can get, as Chism just doesn't seem to want to be all he can be in that area (or any area, really, other than taking ill-advised 3's.)

My overall take: if Lofton finds his mysteriously missing shot, this is a Final Four team.
Click to expand...

Williams will continue to make Chism better IMO. I don't know if they ever play at the same time, but Williams is a huge, active body down low who wears down opponents and takes some of the defensive pressure (banging) off Chism. Childress also is also a valuable physical presence even if his lines aren't that great.
 
#22
#22
I know one thing if they make it I'm going! Ive already been looking for packages!!!
 
#23
#23
My boyfriend turned me into a huge Vol fan & he said he was going to take me to the Final Four!!! Lets go Vols!! :)
 
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