Down goes #1...

[Power T-Rev]

Well I don't think UVA should be #1, they just seem like a team that could fold at any minute. UK while hot, and put a whoopin on us, I'd still like to see a bit more from them, plus they have too many loses if you ask me.

Now Gonzaga on the other hand, they've been consistent all year long. They're good offensively and defensively. They're a more complete team I think than the other two, hell they're probably a more complete team than us. Yes I know we beat them, but overall as a team they just look better.

if I were ranking the top five I'd go like this.

1. Gonzaga
2. UVA
3. UK
4. UT
5. Nevada

I'd drop Duke to sixth cause they apparently are a completely different team without Zion. That can't be overlooked. Plus I think UK and UVA could be swapped, I see no real difference between the two.

That won't happen though.

It'll probably look more like this

1. Gonzaga
2. UVA
3. UK
4. UNC
5. Duke
6. Tenn

 

[jeblevins]

That shoe took a knee so quickly they should rename it the Air Kaepernick. lol

 

[mrmax86]

That won't happen though.

It'll probably look more like this

1. Gonzaga
2. UVA
3. UK
4. UNC
5. Duke
6. Tenn

My guess (Assuming UT gets a quality win Saturday):

Scenario 1 (Zion out 2 weeks)
1. Duke
2. UVA
3. Tennessee
4. Gonzaga
5. UK
6. UNC

Scenario 2 (Zion shuts it down for the year)
1. UVA
2. Tennessee
3. Gonzaga
4. Duke
5. UK
6. UNC

 

[overseasorange2]

Great. Now they have the opportunity to jump UNC above us too. We gotta win Saturday.[/QUOTE]

Probably not. With the usual UT luck, LSU just lost an unexpected home loss. They will be fired up. Just like KY last week.

 

[rbvol]

I doubt Duke would have beaten UNC with Zion last night. They were scoring on Duke at will right under the basket. Duke looked terrible on defense!

 

[Roustabout]

Just posted this in another thread:

Duke obviously not #1. You can't logically put any other team other than Tennessee back at #1, especially if they get a quality win Saturday in Baton Rouge.

I'm genuinely interested in hearing legitimate arguments as to why UVA, Gonzaga, or UK would be more deserving to take their place.

I don’t understand why UT has a bad night and it’s an anomaly and Duke has one and it’s evidence they are overrated.

It’s irrelevant. The number 1 team will be crowned at the end of the NCAA tourney. I’d say there are about 10 teams that could win it all and UT is one of those. I expect to see a good bit of shuffling in the top 6 over the next month.

 

[utvols74]

Tobacco row is E$PN favorites in basketball - just like it was with major-media before E$PN was created.
Big 10 and PAC 10 are E$PN favorites in football - just like it was with major-media before E$PN was created.

Nothing new under the sun, my son.

 

[JCP201]

They'll blame the loss on Zion's injury and the drop won't be much.. Doesn't matter that everyone is losing players and banged up.

 

[Good2bavol]

Zion's shoe: Nike is going to have fun explaining this one.

I was thinking the same thing. Little Chinese NIKE slave didn't stitch properly. I hope they don't hurt her.

 

[Good2bavol]

Well I don't think UVA should be #1, they just seem like a team that could fold at any minute. UK while hot, and put a whoopin on us, I'd still like to see a bit more from them, plus they have too many loses if you ask me.

Now Gonzaga on the other hand, they've been consistent all year long. They're good offensively and defensively. They're a more complete team I think than the other two, hell they're probably a more complete team than us. Yes I know we beat them, but overall as a team they just look better.

if I were ranking the top five I'd go like this.

1. Gonzaga
2. UVA
3. UK
4. UT
5. Nevada

I'd drop Duke to sixth cause they apparently are a completely different team without Zion. That can't be overlooked. Plus I think UK and UVA could be swapped, I see no real difference between the two.

ESPN will rank like this:
1. Duke
2. Duke
3. Duke
4. Duke
5. Duke

 

[mrmax86]

I don’t understand why UT has a bad night and it’s an anomaly and Duke has one and it’s evidence they are overrated.

It’s irrelevant. The number 1 team will be crowned at the end of the NCAA tourney. I’d say there are about 10 teams that could win it all and UT is one of those. I expect to see a good bit of shuffling in the top 6 over the next month.

It just GRINDS MY GEARS that we can't get no respect.

 

[Good2bavol]

For the conspiracy people out there.... Have you ever seen a new shoe break at the stitches? What if Coach K knew they were not going to beat UNC and the cut the stitches so it looked like an injury? This way they have an excuse for losing and it would help Duke keep a number 1 seed. Huh...huh... LOL!

 

[MKvolunteer]

Tennessee isn’t going back to #1 this week. 0% chance of that happening

yeah the only way Tennessee get back to #1 is winning out unfortunately

 

[OWB]

That won't happen though.

It'll probably look more like this

1. Gonzaga
2. UVA
3. UK
4. UNC
5. Duke
6. Tenn

UK has zero business at 3. Just my opinion.

 

[VolAmerican]

Just posted this in another thread:

Duke obviously not #1. You can't logically put any other team other than Tennessee back at #1, especially if they get a quality win Saturday in Baton Rouge.

I'm genuinely interested in hearing legitimate arguments as to why UVA, Gonzaga, or UK would be more deserving to take their place.

Maybe VA or Gonzaga, but not Kentucky. VA has only lost to Duke twice who was in the top 2 at the time. Gonzaga has only lost to Tennessee and North Carolina. Tennessee has only lost to Kansas and Kentucky. IMO those should be the Top 3. Kentucky had a few bad losses to Seton Hall and Alabama. Duke now has had losses to Syracuse, Gonzaga, and North Carolina. I think Duke will remain in the top 4 just based on the media's opinion that talent-level alone they are the best team. Sorry to say, but I feel as though Tennessee will stay put. Media just isn't favorable to them, and views them as overachievers that don't belong. They will have to prove them wrong this weekend at LSU.

 

[tbones0711]

First off Duke without Zion is not very good. UNC didn't even play that well. Their best freshman had 2 points, their second best freshman went 3/14 from the floor. UNC shot 2/20 from 3, a brutal 10%, while also being on the road and still won by 16. Duke just can't shoot 3s, that's been pretty consistent all year. That's why Syracuse beat them last time, and probably will do it again Saturday at Syracuse. Either way, if we beat LSU and Kentucky. we should be sitting right back at #1 come that following Monday.

When dook lost to 'Cuse at home it was because Tre Jones went down, their so-called "defensive-leader" at that time. Coach K is actually more honest than the jokes calling themselves broadcasters. CRB doesn't make any excuses either but the refs put K. Alexander on the spot and the whole team in Rupp. This treatment by the media has put the chip back on UT's shoulder. I doubt very seriously that UK is gonna come into TBA and pull that out-physicaled crap again with the blessings of the refs. I just got the gut feeling things are setting up very favorable for our Vols down the stretch. I'm by no means an expert on BB but seems to me like UK didn't do well against UT's zone and if UT plays that way again and doesn't allow passes to get inside they should fare a lot better. Shooting wise, I doubt we ever shoot that bad again for the rest of this year.

 

[tbones0711]

UK has zero business at 3. Just my opinion.

Aurburn will dust 'em at Rupp if both teams play the same way they did in their last game.

 

[tbones0711]

Duke will drop to 3rd and UNC will move ahead of Tennessee, even if we beat LSU

That'll keep that ole chip on the shoulder. Just what UT needs to happen. The media makes us better by under-rating us,IMO.

 

[LittleCat]

My guess (Assuming UT gets a quality win Saturday):

Scenario 1 (Zion out 2 weeks)
1. Duke
2. UVA
3. Tennessee
4. Gonzaga
5. UK
6. UNC

Scenario 2 (Zion shuts it down for the year)
1. UVA
2. Tennessee
3. Gonzaga
4. Duke
5. UK
6. UNC

Injuries are part of the season. I don't get why you alter rankings based on how soon a player comes back. Rank them based on resume and move them base on what they have done in that week.

 

[LittleCat]

Take the names away. Team A has 2 losses, both to top 5 teams. Team B has 3, (1 to an unranked team, another to a school Team A beat), and lost their best player maybe for the year.

Except SOS and quality wins count too.

 

[mrmax86]

Injuries are part of the season. I don't get why you alter rankings based on how soon a player comes back. Rank them based on resume and move them base on what they have done in that week.

Because the voters will change their mindset of how "good" Duke is, based on the presence of Zion.

 

[tbones0711]

Well I don't think UVA should be #1, they just seem like a team that could fold at any minute. UK while hot, and put a whoopin on us, I'd still like to see a bit more from them, plus they have too many loses if you ask me.

Now Gonzaga on the other hand, they've been consistent all year long. They're good offensively and defensively. They're a more complete team I think than the other two, hell they're probably a more complete team than us. Yes I know we beat them, but overall as a team they just look better.

if I were ranking the top five I'd go like this.

1. Gonzaga
2. UVA
3. UK
4. UT
5. Nevada

I'd drop Duke to sixth cause they apparently are a completely different team without Zion. That can't be overlooked. Plus I think UK and UVA could be swapped, I see no real difference between the two.

It's really a cluster at the top and too many variables to consider today. After Sat. things will be better to visualize like how teams respond. Many teams are just flat out tired and some are showing signs of getting their 2nd wind. LSU is tired, so is UT and hopefully UK. UF and Auburn are showing signs of re-emerging and both have the coaching and talent. Duke is tired. Had to battle back hard against Louisville and got slammed by NC which had a good chance of happening anyway. UT doesn't need to be in the top 4. You'll have to put UNC ahead of Duke and shouldn't be able to move UVA ahead of Duke, etc.... UT just needs a hard fought win at LSU for now.

 

[LittleCat]

Because the voters will change their mindset of how "good" Duke is, based on the presence of Zion.

I agree. But should they? Did voters change their mind on UK when Quade transferred? I don't think you change how you grade a team on injuries and departures. Just how they play and win.

 

[mrmax86]

I agree. But should they? Did voters change their mind on UK when Quade transferred? I don't think you change how you grade a team on injuries and departures. Just how they play and win.

Should they? No. Do they? I think they do.

My thought is if Zion is out for the remainder of the year, Duke finishes with 4 losses, and either/both of our teams pass them.

 

[dougvolfan]

Duke got beat by 16 at home. I dont care if Zion went out with injury or not, they need to drop in the polls further than #3. I would like to see #4 or #5 but the duke suckups will try to keep them in top 3.