The history of Tennessee hoops

[EZE]

You mean like the Florida game when we dominated them with 2 of our best 3 players out the entire game?

20-5. 2 seed. We're not that good

What I think a lot of folks don’t get…is that this is not just a Tennessee issue…it’s just the state of college basketball in the modern era as a whole.

Nearly every team struggles with the things our fans complain about. It’s not so much of a coaching issue as a talent issue. Put simply, the best players don’t stay long enough in college basketball to make lasting impacts.

I’m older, and I remember the days when Jordan, Ewing, Sampson, etc. stayed with their college teams at least 3 years. That doesn’t happen with the best players anymore. And as a result, the level of play today is nowhere close to the period before high school draftees and one-and-dones.

Now, throw in the transfer portal, and consistency takes another hit.

For examples, look at the players Zeigler has seen come and go at UT. We would be loaded if they had stayed.

 

[hUTch2002]

You can still do that, for the most part. Most bracket contests don’t include picking the winners of the play-in games. I love having two more days to watch tournament games. Those I know who have attended the First Four in person say it’s a blast and sets the tone for the first weekend - kind of like a cocktail reception prior to a huge gala.

Yeah, I still prefer 64 and you’re right about the picks but it’s weird putting Boise State/Indiana or whoever into the Sweet 16. But that’s literally my only gripe and that’s very minor. I do hope we don’t keep expanding though.

 

[SGMVols]

90% “lucked” into a Final Four? Kentucky, Florida, Arkansas, and LSU have a collective 20 Final Fours and 6 national titles since 1981. Stop making up narratives.

The Bama, Auburn, and SC FFs were pretty much luck. None of those were anywhere near a top 4 team in the country during the regular season

 

[stillwater5]

It’s because it’s the same dance every time out with Barnes

The other UT went through the same old thing.

 

[VolCalls]

The Bama, Auburn, and SC FFs were pretty much luck. None of those were anywhere near a top 4 team in the country during the regular season

The top 4 teams in the country almost never make the Final Four. It’s only happened once in the history of the tournament.

 

[Stoked]

I don’t like UK either, but to say they haven’t won a tournament game in over five years is false. In the last five years they’ve won four (3 in 2019, 1 in 2023).

2020
2021
2022
2023
2024

Is 5 years, but you are right they did win one in 2023 vs Providence.

 

[VolCalls]

2020
2021
2022
2023
2024

Is 5 years, but you are right they did win one in 2023 vs Providence.

Nobody won a tournament game in 2020. The last five NCAAT were 2024, 23, 22, 21, 19.

 

[chuckiepoo]

Nobody won a tournament game in 2020. The last five NCAAT were 2024, 23, 22, 21, 19.

But six years.

 

[NighthawkVol]

Not the only game we lost for same reason. A top 15 team minus 2 starters that also lost to Vandy,Arkansas, and Clemson. No way to spin it, two losses to them when we were favored in both. I may be wrong but I think we were favored in every loss we had this year except Auburn. Thats not a good trend.

We were favored at Florida? If that’s the case, then the oddsmakers simply didn’t have enough information. No one should be favored at Florida.

 

[SicEmSmokey33]

You may be right about Florida, i dont remember. We were undefeated at the time so im not sure.