NCAA Tournament Team

[GRRN7MAXIMS]

I think this team has the personnel to play against any style of team in the country unlike some of the other UT rosters over the Barnes era. If you think about the FAU game last year, we had to go from playing a physical Duke team to pivoting one round later to a 4 out 1 in or sometimes 5 out run and gun, undersized FAU team. When a team like an FAU started hitting some shots from the perimeter, who on here felt confident in last year's roster to be able to go blow for blow in a contest like that? Fast forward to this years team. I do not think their is a style of game that we will not be able to adjust and overcome on the fly. We have perimeter shooting, slashing guards, and also are more physical than some school's football programs. If you want to say that we lack a dominant offensive presence in the paint, I can't disagree but the sets we run allow our big men to be successful with easy buckets. I know we took an L last night but dam, I learned we won't get bullied by anybody and we can be versatile. This team reminds me of one of those Scott Drew Baylor teams that had crafty but tough guards, a couple perimeter threats, and some big men that could run and defend.
I think this year's team has the DNA and depth to manage the March Madness gauntlet.

What are your thoughts on this team and the tournament vs teams of the past for Barnes and the Vols!

 

[Berry4Heisman14]

We aren’t 100% yet, Ziegler is recovering, we can assume awaka isn’t 100% and vescovi will find his groove sooner than later. In the past teams Barnes had we peaked early and everyone slowly caught up. We haven’t played our best basketball yet,

 

[Lukusw]

I agree.

 

[K-town Vol Fan]

The problem is still the same. Long cold streaks. I thought Gainey and DK would solve it, but they didn't. When the game was in the line and we needed to score we couldn't. As usual. If its not fixed before tournament time, going to be another early exit. Sucks.

 

[Lankykong]

The problem is still the same. Long cold streaks. I thought Gainey and DK would solve it, but they didn't. When the game was in the line and we needed to score we couldn't. As usual. If its not fixed before tournament time, going to be another early exit. Sucks.

Something tells me Vescovi won’t shoot 0% from 3 very often.

Overall, I think people are drawing too much from a game against the best team in the country and a game that had the most free throws of probably any game we’ll play all year

 

[rgvol]

Vescovi is a shooter he will get it going sooner rather than later

 

[DooleyOrangePants]

The problem is still the same. Long cold streaks. I thought Gainey and DK would solve it, but they didn't. When the game was in the line and we needed to score we couldn't. As usual. If its not fixed before tournament time, going to be another early exit. Sucks.

You could be right, but really, this was one game with a lot of odd, weird, and downright ridiculous stuff going on. There's too much talent on this team and we've seen some flashes of things turning a corner to think this is anything other than just an off game.

 

[VolsSportsFan]

Here's what I think: It's November.

 

[THEONLYTENISEE]

Anyone know our strength of schedule?

 

[K-town Vol Fan]

Something tells me Vescovi won’t shoot 0% from 3 very often.

Overall, I think people are drawing too much from a game against the best team in the country and a game that had the most free throws of probably any game we’ll play all year

I know it's early but with this team there shouldn't really be moral victories. I know "oh, it was against one of the best teams in the country" eventually needs to stop being an excuse and we need to actually win.

 

[Lankykong]

I know it's early but with this team there shouldn't really be moral victories. I know "oh, it was against one of the best teams in the country" eventually needs to stop being an excuse and we need to actually win.

I’m fine with us losing them in the regular season and then winning in March for a change. Maybe now we’ll have ideas for how to deal with Purdue or Kansas if we have to face them again because usually it’s harder to beat the same team twice in the same season

 

[orangemadam]

If I had to bet now, I would project UT in S1 and no further.

We have FF roster, but I also remember the past history. Depends on our matchup.

If we face a team with a formidable post, we can't go far. Don't want to play the
Purdues or Kansas type until FF.