The announcer in the UT/FLA game just said Tenn and Virgnia are the two best teams in CBB.
- Thread starter hailtoyourvictor
- Start date
That announcer would be none other than Jimmy Dykes. I mean I like him. But his takes aren't akways the best. I can get on board with UT. I've been on their "bandwagon" all year. But I'd personally take Michigan right now. Top is really strong.
UVA is gonna beat them at Cameron next Saturday, IMO.
IDk about that. But I do think UVA is a tough ass match-up for Duke. They'll make it tough on DUke to drive. Force them to shoot from "3". THing is, IF Duke is making them, UVA's in trouble.
The announcer apparently didn’t watch Louisville today. 
The way the media can be, they didn't watch UL win, they watched UNC lose.The announcer apparently didn’t watch Louisville today.
The announcer apparently didn’t watch Louisville today.
He probably just meant "of the teams ranked in the top 25"
Not sure why this is a deal? We can all agree that Duke, TN, Gonz, Mich, UVA have kind of separated themselves with maybe Mich St and KU just behind?
So he thinks 2 of the top tier are the best? Seems a reasonable take to me. Is it noteworthy because those are the two with the least recent success?
So he thinks 2 of the top tier are the best? Seems a reasonable take to me. Is it noteworthy because those are the two with the least recent success?
Is there a point here? Tennessee is just as deserving of that opinion as Duke, UM, or Virginia based on their body of work so far.
I don't see it. I think Tennessee is getting a lot of hype. I am sure they are good, but number 1 good? Nah. Duke, Michigan and Virginia are arguing over that position .
I assume you are only referring to NCAA success. UVA has been one of the most dominant teams in the regular season and conference tourney in the last 5 years.
Duke was within a babies breath of a second loss. Would you think Duke still in the #1 discussion if the ball hadn't bounced off the FSU guy or should Duke be considered #1 regardless of losses?
Like it or not, Tennessee deserves in the conversation until they don't.
If you think Duke losing to FSU would have removed them from the conversation of being the best team, you just don't know basketball. Sure, they would have lost the number one ranking, but it would not have meant that Tennessee would be the better team.
Duke was within a baby's breath of being undefeated.
Didn't say it did. Straw man argument?
If we're going to talk about how close Duke is to two losses, let's also talk about how close Duke is to being undefeated.
And is still 4-1 against the Top 15 (ALL AWAY FROM HOME)
Who else has that many Top 15 wins thus far this season?
If you think that Duke losing to multiple close games to highly rated teams should not effect their perception as to ranking then you are a blind homer.
Let me educate you on NCAA basketball. It doesn't make a damn if you hold 2 hundred previous titles dating back to when the French owned Louisiana, a seasons success is based on what was accomplished up to it's most current game.
However, if you want to talk about potential, that is different. You can say, Duke has the greatest team ever built regardless of how many times they lose based on their potential. A note of warning, you won't get any trophy at the end of the season for squandered potential.
I'm kinda thinking some of these Duke posters are babies...
Read what I said. I said they would lose their ranking. But not remove them from the conversation of being the best team. I think you believe Duke losing to FSU yesterday would have been a bigger deal than most people who have watched college basketball for a while.
I always love it when people say they are going to educate me, then fail to do so. Try again.
This conversation is in reference to Tennessee being in the conversation for #1. So, it is important to keep context in mind. Tennessee clearly belongs in the conversation and someone thinking they are the best is simply a matter of opinion, same as Duke.
You can't educate a rock either, but I wouldn't brag about it.
I think I have been on point. In post #15 you state that UT is not deserving IYO, though you cite nothing to support it. In post #19, you imply Duke losing has not bearing on her perceived best in nation status. You added the arrogant jib, you don't know CBB if you don't know that. I came back with potential thingie and threw in the education piece to take a swipe at your arrogance. You did bring up IYO, what you thought I believed about Duke in post #30. I don't care about Duke, so I made it clear I was only talking in reference to UT. The rest has been fluff.
If I came off as arrogant, it wasn't the intent. The baby's breath comment came off kind of rookie like. Losing a road game against a quality opponent does not mean that another team is better than that team. There are upsets every year. Your arguments have been based on rankings. The comments that sparked this thread were about who the best teams in CBB. And of course it is all opinion based.
I will accept your clarification on arrogance. The baby's breath was chosen over close for color.
My argument being based on rankings to this point was due to you not presenting any fact based evidence to support UT not being worthy of #1 discussion. Since "being #1" or "being the best" is a ranking unto itself, it seemed appropriate.
I have nothing against Duke. I am more connected with Duke than you could imagine.
"Deserve" doesn't always have anything to do w/ it, but logically, yes, UT warrants consideration.
Serious question: What would you say about their body of work so far? The record speaks for itself, and a win over a #1 and competitive loss to a #2 are great and respectable, respectively. That UL win is looking better. Their RPI is really low, though, FWIW. What I've seen of them passes the eye test, but it's a small sample size. What more does their body of work say for them?
It is not so much UT's record as how they have been so dominate in their wins. According to ESPN stats, Tennessee’s +70 margin of victory in its first two conference games is the largest such margin for any major conference team in the last 20 years. Tennessee has not won a game under double digits with the exception of Gonzaga. Tennessee shoots in the 50% and only allows opponents in the 30%
Additionally, UT has depth and has won when her star has an off night. Williams had 4 pts against Mizzou and UT still won by 24.
In summary, UT has the most mature team in CBB. There are more talented teams out there that could beat the Vols on a given night if they put it all together. But, UT is a tough out.
MOV is one of the most useless stats our there
with that said i think UT should absolutely be in consideration for the best team in the country
UT has everything you look for in a team, with no gaping holes
that really hurt saying that
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