Bad news for Tennessee

[Justavisitor]

Here's what Realtimerpi shows

01-03 at South Carolina 12-1 (0-0) 24 72-74 L - Scouting
01-06 Georgia 12-1 (0-0) 27 63-59 W - Scouting
01-10 Missouri 11-3 (0-0) 93 83-61 W - Scouting
01-13 at Florida 11-3 (0-0) 30 74-72 W - Scouting
01-17 at Auburn 11-2 (0-0) 79 75-70 W - Scouting
01-20 Alabama 10-3 (0-0) 104 84-60 W - Scouting
01-24 at Vanderbilt 10-3 (0-0) 17 74-73 W - Scouting
01-28 Notre Dame 11-1 (0-0) 10 75-67 W - Scouting


Another interesting observation is that the same site projects UConn to beat ND by 40.

 

[Alydar]

They have the talent and ability to beat them all when playing their game, but will have a slip up, as young teams do, along the way.

If, by "their game" you mean how they usually play, I couldn't disagree more. If, however you refer to the absolute best they can be then perhaps they can win them all.

LV fans have been wondering for years now why they haven't played up to their " talent and ability ".

Maybe they have.

 

[msf22b]

If Realtimerpi has UConn winning Saturday by 40, I would take their UTenn prognostications with a grain of salt.
Anyone believe in the tooth fairy?

 

[Justavisitor]

If, by "their game" you mean how they usually play, I couldn't disagree more. If, however you refer to the absolute best they can be then perhaps they can win them all.

LV fans have been wondering for years now why they haven't played up to their " talent and ability ".

Maybe they have.

Knowledgeable Lady Vol fans realize they sustained too many injuries to key positions and they finished about where they should have. The injury depleted roster had alot to do with what they achieved. The team was built to be anchored by Kelley and Vicki. Both were plagued by injuires. The point guard spot was to be led by Cait and Avant, but both had their careers halted due to injury, leaving TN with point guards that had never played the position prior to arrival at TN. Success is as much dependent on remaining injury free, as anything else. At the end of the season, TN played Baylor just as well as every other lucky loser, but unfortunately they lost enough games along the way to land in Baylor's bracket again. The only fans wondering why they didn't make it further are the ones that unrealistically think any player can be replaced and not skip a beat.

Try removing Dolson (true center), Stewart (athletic, long forward), Hartley (starting point guard), and Jefferson (back up point guard). Move KML and Banks to share point guard duties and make your 6'2" Tuck the center. Then lose Faris to almost fatal incident. This is pretty much what happened to TN and you reach a point where you can't hide the gaping holes.

As for this year, fans feel this team is well on their way to being a really good team with a realistic shot at making the E8 and being a top 5 team next year.

 

[Justavisitor]

If Realtimerpi has UConn winning Saturday by 40, I would take their UTenn prognostications with a grain of salt.
Anyone believe in the tooth fairy?

The margin is ridiculous, but they're right more times than not about the Wins vs. Losses.

 

[doggydaddy]

Knowledgeable Lady Vol fans realize they sustained too many injuries to key positions and they finished about where they should have. The injury depleted roster had alot to do with what they achieved. The team was built to be anchored by Kelley and Vicki. Both were plagued by injuires. The point guard spot was to be led by Cait and Avant, but both had their careers halted due to injury, leaving TN with point guards that had never played the position prior to arrival at TN. Success is as much dependent on remaining injury free, as anything else. At the end of the season, TN played Baylor just as well as every other lucky loser, but unfortunately they lost enough games along the way to land in Baylor's bracket again. The only fans wondering why they didn't make it further are the ones that unrealistically think any player can be replaced and not skip a beat.

Try removing Dolson (true center), Stewart (athletic, long forward), Hartley (starting point guard), and Jefferson (back up point guard). Move KML and Banks to share point guard duties and make your 6'2" Tuck the center. Then lose Faris to almost fatal incident. This is pretty much what happened to TN and you reach a point where you can't hide the gaping holes.

As for this year, fans feel this team is well on their way to being a really good team with a realistic shot at making the E8 and being a top 5 team next year.

First it was "baby vols" and youth that was the reason for them not performing to their "expected" level. Then it was injuries.

We are back to youth AND injuries.

They are what they are.

 

[Bestiarius]

They have the talent and ability to beat them all when playing their game, but will have a slip up, as young teams do, along the way. That's my reason for not picking a game. I expect young teams to lose focus at times. If they play true to their ability and no more INJURIES, they will win 'em all.

ESPN News: DD SURGES AHEAD: This latest turn in the pre-contest sparring makes DD the winner . The unwillingness of Justavisitor to predict the single loss turned the Pre Contests Sparing Event, in DD's favor. Lagging behind because of the number of games discrepancy, DD made a stunning comeback on the eve of the first game in the series.

 

[Alydar]

Knowledgeable Lady Vol fans realize they sustained too many injuries to key positions and they finished about where they should have. The injury depleted roster had alot to do with what they achieved. The team was built to be anchored by Kelley and Vicki. Both were plagued by injuires. The point guard spot was to be led by Cait and Avant, but both had their careers halted due to injury, leaving TN with point guards that had never played the position prior to arrival at TN. Success is as much dependent on remaining injury free, as anything else. At the end of the season, TN played Baylor just as well as every other lucky loser, but unfortunately they lost enough games along the way to land in Baylor's bracket again. The only fans wondering why they didn't make it further are the ones that unrealistically think any player can be replaced and not skip a beat.

Try removing Dolson (true center), Stewart (athletic, long forward), Hartley (starting point guard), and Jefferson (back up point guard). Move KML and Banks to share point guard duties and make your 6'2" Tuck the center. Then lose Faris to almost fatal incident. This is pretty much what happened to TN and you reach a point where you can't hide the gaping holes.

As for this year, fans feel this team is well on their way to being a really good team with a realistic shot at making the E8 and being a top 5 team next year.

There's no denying that Tenn has had players go down over the last 4 years. That doesn't change the fact that many LV fans have been saying that the team lacks "heart" every time they lose a game. H*ll, even the coaches have said that after many games for the last few years. I'm simply suggesting that those comments were due to over-exuberant expectations. I've read posts lately that favorably compare Russell to Parker. Too many LV fans are trying to wish themselves another NC with statements like that.

I also agree with you that barring further injuries the LV's can realistically be considered an E8 team. But there is a large gulf between E8 and FF. Getting to the E8, if you are a 1-4 seed, means you have to beat teams seeded 5+, which are teams ranked 17+. That isn't exactly top notch competition. If Tenn is a 3 or 4 seed they will face a 5 or 6 seed in the S16. If they manage a 2 seed they would face a 7 seed, which is a team currently unranked. My own feeling, which I stated prior to the season, is that Tenn was young & undersized, not only in terms of height, but also in physical strength, and that the season would wear down their young frontcourt. Unfortunately they have also lost 2 starters to injury. Hopefully they get Burdick back for March. But her absence only puts more of a paint burden on Harrison and makes my prediction more likely.

 

[doggydaddy]

4-4 for me.

L - @ #18 South Carolina
L - #10 Georgia
W - Missouri
W - @Florida
W - @ Auburn
W - Alabama
L - @ Vandy
L - #5 Notre Dame


7-1 for you.

? - @ #18 South Carolina
? - #10 Georgia
? - Missouri
? - @Florida
? - @ Auburn
? - Alabama
? - @ Vandy
? - #5 Notre Dame


Care to fill in the question marks?

Not a good start for the Dogster....looks like Tennessee will handle USC. Nice game by them tonight. I may have to rethink how highly I value some of these SEC teams. USC is not very good. I have no idea how they played Stanford so close.

 

[latione2009]

There's no denying that Tenn has had players go down over the last 4 years. That doesn't change the fact that many LV fans have been saying that the team lacks "heart" every time they lose a game. H*ll, even the coaches have said that after many games for the last few years. I'm simply suggesting that those comments were due to over-exuberant expectations. I've read posts lately that favorably compare Russell to Parker. Too many LV fans are trying to wish themselves another NC with statements like that.

I also agree with you that barring further injuries the LV's can realistically be considered an E8 team. But there is a large gulf between E8 and FF. Getting to the E8, if you are a 1-4 seed, means you have to beat teams seeded 5+, which are teams ranked 17+. That isn't exactly top notch competition. If Tenn is a 3 or 4 seed they will face a 5 or 6 seed in the S16. If they manage a 2 seed they would face a 7 seed, which is a team currently unranked. My own feeling, which I stated prior to the season, is that Tenn was young & undersized, not only in terms of height, but also in physical strength, and that the season would wear down their young frontcourt. Unfortunately they have also lost 2 starters to injury. Hopefully they get Burdick back for March. But her absence only puts more of a paint burden on Harrison and makes my prediction more likely.

Actually making the elite 8 would mean you're(supposed to be) a 1or 2 seed not 4. Which means beating teams ranked 9+. 1to4 seed would be sweet sixteen. But this team is playing elite 8 ball with FF potential based on bracketing.

 

[Husky1964]

UT has been second rate for 15 years except for the Parker years when they made the and won. Compare their 15 year record and ours, we don't lose to BALL STATE in the Dance!!!!!!!

 

[EricSD]

Actually making the elite 8 would mean you're(supposed to be) a 1or 2 seed not 4. Which means beating teams ranked 9+. 1to4 seed would be sweet sixteen. But this team is playing elite 8 ball with FF potential based on bracketing.

I think he meant the teams were in the rankings 1-4. the teams ranked 5-8 are the ones generally who receive the 2 seeds and are expected to make the elite 8.

I also agree Tennessee should make the sweet 16, and they have a 50-50 chance to make the elite 8. I could see them losing, tho, to a team like PSU, Maryland, etc. we will see where they end up ranked at the end of the year and if they get a 2 or a 3 seed.

 

[magical2]

I think he meant the teams were in the rankings 1-4. the teams ranked 5-8 are the ones generally who receive the 2 seeds and are expected to make the elite 8.

I also agree Tennessee should make the sweet 16, and they have a 50-50 chance to make the elite 8. I could see them losing, tho, to a team like PSU, Maryland, etc. we will see where they end up ranked at the end of the year and if they get a 2 or a 3 seed.

Dont be surprised if they have 8 to 11 losses entering March Madness!
The only question is how over rated is the SEC??
Ira

 

[EricSD]

Dont be surprised if they have 8 to 11 losses entering March Madness!
The only question is how over rated is the SEC?? Ira

Tennessee won't have more than 6 losses by the end of SEC play. I hate to admit it but they are much better than I thought, at least so far.