The VOLS suck every year.I see FSU drew the Vols in the Semi-finals of the Emerald Classic. November 29.
Seems like FSU should be favored at first glance—will the Vols be decent?
FYI, Purdue and VCU are the other teams in the tourney.
Probably the same way he didn't choke last year. I think it might be a stretch to think he will a consensus COY award again, but he will do just fine.@della come tell us how Ricky won’t choke again this yr.
The Vols will probably kick y'all's ass.I see FSU drew the Vols in the Semi-finals of the Emerald Classic. November 29.
Seems like FSU should be favored at first glance—will the Vols be decent?
FYI, Purdue and VCU are the other teams in the tourney.
Don't you mean the Vols are kicking the cats asses lately and it sucks?The VOLS suck every year.
Lol, I always enjoy a good Della take.Probably the same way he didn't choke last year. I think it might be a stretch to think he will a consensus COY award again, but he will do just fine.
Did y'all manage to avoid Duke this year in the early tourneys?
I'm always here for my feline friends.Lol, I always enjoy a good Della take.
You sound like a jilted lover. Remember, Texas left Barnes, not the reverse. So, don't be jelly over his next relationship.Should have a great January and February.
Barnes' teams never win on the defensive end.
He recruits some great defensive players like Royal Ivey at Texas but his teams never buy into any sort of defensive system.
Rick Barnes at Tennessee is a Peak Sweet 16 coach.
Think they get into the Tournament unless you have 2-3 surprises in the SEC.
They will be a 8, 9 or 10 seed and probably go out in the first round.
Meh, they were good enough to get to a FF last year. Had a complete team, but ran into a scolding hot Purdue team and lost a close game.Should have a great January and February.
Barnes' teams never win on the defensive end.
He recruits some great defensive players like Royal Ivey at Texas but his teams never buy into any sort of defensive system.
Rick Barnes at Tennessee is a Peak Sweet 16 coach.
Think they get into the Tournament unless you have 2-3 surprises in the SEC.
They will be a 8, 9 or 10 seed and probably go out in the first round.
The Vols will probably kick y'all's ass.
The biggest returnee is Rick Barnes, aka: cat killer, 2 star converter, win magnet. Other than that, most of the back court (minus PG).Who returns from last year? Any top 100 recruits?
Jeff, it always throws me off balance when a UK fan gives an unbiased report on the Vols. As I am seldom off balanced, it speaks to the rarity of such an occurrence.Meh, they were good enough to get to a FF last year. Had a complete team, but ran into a scolding hot Purdue team and lost a close game.
They really did get a bad draw.
They look to be in rebuild mode this year, but I think Rick Barnes will have them back on track in 2021.
The biggest returnee is Rick Barnes, aka: cat killer, 2 star converter, win magnet. Other than that, most of the back court (minus PG).
We picked up the #18 recruit and a Sr transfer (big man) along with some 3*'s.
Hey, come on now Della, I've spoken kindly of the Vols quite a few times. Definitely more often than you've been complimentary of my cats.Jeff, it always throws me off balance when a UK fan gives an unbiased report on the Vols. As I am seldom off balanced, it speaks to the rarity of such an occurrence.
Your assessment is accurate.
Lamonte Turner and Jordan Bowden return, both double-digit scorers.
Josiah-Jordan James is a 5-star recruit. Other than that, they're kind of lean, especially in the frontcourt. Wouldn't be surprised if Olivier Nkamhoua (#114 recruit on 247) starts alongside John Fulkerson. Tennessee, at least right now, looks like a bubble team to me.
I formulated some rankings in my head this past week... all the way out to #80. I'll have my official top 50 posted sometime in October. But for now, here are my preliminary preseason rankings of the teams mentioned:
#19 VCU
#22 Purdue
#32 Florida State
#57 Tennessee
The biggest returnee is Rick Barnes, aka: cat killer, 2 star converter, win magnet. Other than that, most of the back court (minus PG).
We picked up the #18 recruit and a Sr transfer (big man) along with some 3*'s.
We didn't get a Sr transfer post. The big man transfer will be a freshman if he gets a release to play this year (has not to date).
My analysis is Tennessee will be a bubble team this year unless we have better post play than it appears we will have. No real experience there and only one guy has ever seen the floor before. The sophomore and junior class at Tennessee have been busts so far and without major steps up, Barnes missed miserably for two years. Signed three post players in those classes: two have transferred (dismissed is what we hear) and one has been there two years and not played a minute. If Fulkerson is our best post player, NIT is most likely.
Good stuff. I think FSU might be closer to 25 than 35, but can't really argue too much.
Interesting that VCU just keeps on keeping on after guys like Shaka and Will Wade leave. But the coaches never seem to match that success elsewhere.
We are kicking y'all's ass GE, but don't worry about it cause we will be kicking a lot of other ass also. Hope that helps.Great info, thank you. Guess I was hoping y'all might be a bit better to boost the SOS and make sure any potential loss wasn't too damaging...
Probably not a big difference between the 25th and 35th best teams. FSU could easily be in the top 25. I think FSU should win this game, better balance and depth. Tennessee does have a decent backcourt, and that sometimes can be enough to at least keep things interesting. But I think UT's frontcourt and bench play is very concerning, and I think the grind of the SEC could take its toll on this team.
FSU will get a high-level opponent in their other game. I know some aren't expecting much from Purdue without Edwards, but their team was very, very efficient. Everyone returning has a PER north of 16, which should be extremely encouraging for any Boilermaker fan. Throw in a 20 ppg scorer from High Point, and you got yourself a legit top 25 team.
VCU is interesting. They're one of those mid-majors that always seems to win. In addition to their two coaches you mentioned, they also had Capel leave for Oklahoma in 06 and Anthony Grant left to take the HC job at Alabama in 09. VCU has just about everyone back, 8 of their top 9 return; they'll have 5 rising seniors in 2020... and they're bringing in a very talented recruit in Nah'son Hyland. This kid has been skyrocketing up the recruiting rankings. He wasn't even a top 300 recruit back in March (now a 4-star recruit). I think he'll be a major factor on this team.
We are kicking y'all's ass GE, but don't worry about it cause we will be kicking a lot of other ass also. Hope that helps.
Destin? That would be pretty cool. I might be able to talk him into going since it is on the coast.You gonna come down to Destin for the game?
Destin? That would be pretty cool. I might be able to talk him into going since it is on the coast.
You going?
It’s the day after thanksgiving, which means it’s also the day before the FSU/UF football game. But given I’m only 2.5 hours away, I will most likely drive over for the game. Especially if it starts before 9pm eastern (it’s in central, by the way).
From my understanding, the games will actually be played in Niceville, FL at a local state college gym. Niceville is on a bay, whereas Destin is on a barrier island, about a 45 min drive away. But there are several other beaches like Choctaw Beach and Fort Walton Beach that are only 20-30 minutes away.
You sound like a jilted lover. Remember, Texas left Barnes, not the reverse. So, don't be jelly over his next relationship.
Meh, they were good enough to get to a FF last year. Had a complete team, but ran into a scolding hot Purdue team and lost a close game.
They really did get a bad draw.
They look to be in rebuild mode this year, but I think Rick Barnes will have them back on track in 2021.
Iowa and Purdue were two good games. The "difference" against Purdue was a foul on a 3 pt shot and nothing more.Were they.
I watched the game and truthfully Tennessee snuck past Iowa and couldn't against Purdue.
In both games it was because of Defense.
Contested shots are different than wide open threes.
Purdue was hot because they were getting good looks.
I get what Barnes was trying to do but truthfully i would have let Edwards shoot them.
I was impressed with Iowa, UT and Purdue. I think all three teams were playing great basketball at the right time.Were they.
I watched the game and truthfully Tennessee snuck past Iowa and couldn't against Purdue.
In both games it was because of Defense.
Contested shots are different than wide open threes.
Purdue was hot because they were getting good looks.
I get what Barnes was trying to do but truthfully i would have let Edwards shoot them.
Iowa and Purdue were two good games. The "difference" against Purdue was a foul on a 3 pt shot and nothing more.
The reason Texas fans could be jelly is they threw away a top tier coach in hopes of getting a John Wooden and it hasn't worked out for them.
Wins, winning percentage and awards. Barnes owns the best winning % of all Texas BB coaches that have coached for any length of time. Barnes is a multiple national coach of the year winner.What makes him top tier?
Tennessee truthfully downgraded a lot more than Texas by losing Pearl
Wins, winning percentage and awards. Barnes owns the best winning % of all Texas BB coaches that have coached for any length of time. Barnes is a multiple national coach of the year winner.
Smart has Texas in the fast lane to nowhere sitting on his .518 overall winning percentage and his losing record against B12 comp. Want to brag about post season? Well you can't, Smart and Texas have been shown the door in both of their ncaa appearances.
I liked Pearl, he is a great coach except, he is a rules breaker. We just don't suffer cheaters and liars, so he had to go. If y'all don't mind a cheater, go after Pearl when you decide to move out of the land of mediocrity.