NighthawkVol
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Back in 2017, South Carolina, with a very good defense, finished tied for third in the SEC with a 12-6 conference record. They were a one and done in the SEC Tournament, losing to 5 seed Alabama after getting the double bye. They ended up being a 7 seed in the NCAA Tournament and advanced to the Final 4 before losing to 1 seed Gonzaga, finishing 26-11. Along the way, they defeated 10 seed Marquette, 2 seed Duke, 3 seed Baylor, and 4 seed Florida.
That team was led by Sindarius Thornwell, a top 30 recruit who had been a good, but not great player for South Carolina. He finally became a stud his senior year and really carried them through that tournament, playing lights out on both ends.
I see a lot of similarities with this Tennessee team and Josiah Jordan James. James has been a good player, but is just now turning it on to be the player he was thought to be as a recruit. He plays well on both ends of the floor and has an exceptional all around game. He's a tremendous leader. This team will probably finish about 3rd or 4th in the SEC, just like that South Carolina team. Their calling card is defense, just like that South Carolina team. One difference is, Tennessee will likely be a much higher seed than 7.
The NCAAT is about which teams and players put it together at the right time. This Tennessee team is trending that way and its doing so in large part because its leader and, dare I say, best all-around player (at least ceiling-wise) is hitting his stride.
That team was led by Sindarius Thornwell, a top 30 recruit who had been a good, but not great player for South Carolina. He finally became a stud his senior year and really carried them through that tournament, playing lights out on both ends.
I see a lot of similarities with this Tennessee team and Josiah Jordan James. James has been a good player, but is just now turning it on to be the player he was thought to be as a recruit. He plays well on both ends of the floor and has an exceptional all around game. He's a tremendous leader. This team will probably finish about 3rd or 4th in the SEC, just like that South Carolina team. Their calling card is defense, just like that South Carolina team. One difference is, Tennessee will likely be a much higher seed than 7.
The NCAAT is about which teams and players put it together at the right time. This Tennessee team is trending that way and its doing so in large part because its leader and, dare I say, best all-around player (at least ceiling-wise) is hitting his stride.
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