The Official Tennessee vs. South Carolina Game Thread, 4:00pm ET, Fox Sports Net

[YankeeVol]

Tennessee Volunteers: 15-14 (7-10 SEC)

vs.


South Carolina Gamecocks: 14-15 (5-12 SEC)

4:00 PM ET, March 7, 2015
Thompson-Boling Arena, Knoxville, Tennessee


Line: UT -4.5
O/U: 122


TV: Fox Sports Net
Radio: Vol Network
Satellite Radio: N/A
Online: WatchESPN

 

[YankeeVol]

This is the final regular-season home game in the careers of Galen Campbell, Ian Chiles, Brandon Lopez and Josh Richardson.

Saturday's pregame Senior Day ceremony is set to begin at 3:40 p.m.

Legendary Vols Johnny Darden and Bernard King will be recognized at halftime Saturday.

Tennessee's strength-of-schedule ranks 14th nationally according to ESPN's BPI.

A win would extend UT's active win streak over the Gamecocks to 16 games.

A win would also give this year's senior class a four-year home record of 52-17 (.754).

 

[YankeeVol]

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[YankeeVol]

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[OrngeJuiceJones]

Sucks being on Fox Sports. I'll have to head to Buffalo wild wings, oh darn.. cold beer and wings!

 

[bigsteve13]

Let's get this W and carry that momentum into the tourney and shock some people. We've beaten LSU and Arkansas so no reason to think we can't do some damage in Nashville.

 

[Sandvol]

Is there a chance the team could make the NIT? Would love to see Josh extend his career.

 

[joevol33]

Would love to see them close out at home with a win.

 

[sport3500]

I hope UT gets another win to further get a chance at an NIT Bid.

 

[BurninOrange]

Is there a chance the team could make the NIT? Would love to see Josh extend his career.

A couple of the brackets have them with the convincing win at LSU. I think that if the win today and win at least one in the SECT then I woyld say they would be a lock for the NIT as a possible 4 or 5 seed. Imo of course

 

[92volalum]

Nit again is a losers bracket n I will be surprised if this team really plays hard if they get in.. just like a few years ago a lot of lip service from the players then they played and just wanted to go home..imo

I would enjoy a win at home and beating the cocks!..lol

 

[iKrager]

Nit again is a losers bracket n I will be surprised if this team really plays hard if they get in.. just like a few years ago a lot of lip service from the players then they played and just wanted to go home..imo

I would enjoy a win at home and beating the cocks!..lol

Two totally different years. The team your talking about ended the conference winning 7/8 games and had some quality wins, they got snubbed for the NCAA tournament and had no motivation to play in the NIT. They just wanted the season to be over. Can't blame em.

This year. We need more time as a team and all the practice time we can get.

 

[MphsBlues]

Let's just take this regular season out with style - and a win.

 

[508mikey]

Sucks being on Fox Sports. I'll have to head to Buffalo wild wings, oh darn.. cold beer and wings!

Its also on ESPN 3 ---- BWW in my area sucks --- they only put Vol games on the smallest TV in the place (ususally a 19 incher) Big 10 and Big 12 garbage gets the big screens -- So I am watching it online --- so much for that ESPN contract (Tulane is on ESPN news :snoring

 

[buzz4tennessee]

Nit again is a losers bracket n I will be surprised if this team really plays hard if they get in.. just like a few years ago a lot of lip service from the players then they played and just wanted to go home..imo

Practically any of the fourteen SEC teams would fair better in the NCAAT than most of the lower tier conference champions, who get automatic bids to the tourney. I know that some of these teams have done well in the past; example, Mercer upsetting Duke last year, however Mizzou beat Florida this year by double digits and LSU, as well.

The NCAA needs to find a fairer way to select for the field!
The late Al Maguire suggested allowing all teams to compete because it would only take a couple of extra weeks and everyone would be satisfied that they were not shunned. Also, it would eliminate the need for conference tournaments.

Thoughts?

 

[CAVol]

^would never happen. Those are my thoughts. There are also plenty of mid majors that would beat the non kentuckys of the SEC.

 

[iKrager]

^would never happen. Those are my thoughts. There are also plenty of mid majors that would beat the non kentuckys of the SEC.

I agree. Honestly, without orange-tinted glasses, I think Tennessee can compete against any mid-major in the country. Typically those mid-majors won't have the same stellar athletes that others schools might have (NC State, Kansas, Bama, VCU). I can justly say that Tennessee would compete with 95% of the mid-majors in the NCAA.

 

[buzz4tennessee]

^would never happen. Those are my thoughts. There are also plenty of mid majors that would beat the non kentuckys of the SEC.

Maybe its time to realign college basketball conferences in the same way that they are aligned in football. How many lower tier teams have made it to the elite eight or the final four in the last 25 years?

Even in hs, there are several classes of schools and every school has a chance to win a trophy. This gives hs'ers a realistic goal to shoot for. This concept would give college athletes a similar opportunity, wouldn't it?

 

[UT_Dutchman]

Let's just get a W today.

 

[RikidyBones]

Maybe its time to realign college basketball conferences in the same way that they are aligned in football. How many lower tier teams have made it to the elite eight or the final four in the last 25 years?

Even in hs, there are several classes of schools and every school has a chance to win a trophy. This gives hs'ers a realistic goal to shoot for. This concept would give college athletes a similar opportunity, wouldn't it?

Well since 1990 there have been 12 in the final four and possibly more depending on your definition of lower tier. With that said then it is fair to reason that there have been more in the elite eight

 

[buzz4tennessee]

Well since 1990 there have been 12 in the final four and possibly more depending on your definition of lower tier. With that said then it is fair to reason that there have been more in the elite eight

I look at the Sagarin rankings and I wonder how many of these 12 were ranked in the top 75. Even at that, this means that only 12% have arrived in the final four in 25 years, and how many of those have cut down the nets?

 

[RikidyBones]

I look at the Sagarin rankings and I wonder how many of these 12 were ranked in the top 75. Even at that, this means that only 12% have arrived in the final four in 25 years, and how many of those have cut down the nets?

It seems youre determined to manipulate the numbers to suit your argument with getting less vague with the criteria. Im not sure thats the best path to altering a current method. You also need to consider that bubble teams get better seeds. The "lower tier" get those 13-16 seeds and have a tougher road to get to a final four than the powerhouses in the 1-3 seeds. Its a little more complicated to explain the lower tier success or lack thereof than a simple count. Jmo. :hi:

 

[Dave1967]

Tennessee will win by 7

 

[buzz4tennessee]

It seems your determined to manipulate the numbers to suit your argument with getting less vague with the criteria. Im not sure thats the best path to altering a current method. You also need to consider that bubble teams get better seeds. The "lower tier" get those 13-16 seeds and have a tougher road to get to a final four than the powerhouses in the 1-3 seeds. Its a little more complicated to explain the lower tier success or lack thereof than a simple count. Jmo. :hi:

I appreciate your input. The only point that I really am trying to make is that the 13 to 16 seeds more than likely would only be competitive in an NIT field. Therefore, calling the NIT a losers tournament gives me the impression that many of the teams invited to it, are as worthy of the NCAA as the 13-16 seeds invited there.

 

[Dallasbowlin]

Kentucky is starting their three walk on seniors, so, #wewantcampbell !!