volimhtown
03-05-2007, 01:28 PM
As a life-long Vol fan, it's still very weird to even utter that question in terms of basketball. But, I'm curious as to what everybody else thinks. Last year was the honeymoon...the Vols were perhaps undeservedly rewarded with the #2 seed despite fading down the stretch, survived a scare in the opener, and were shocked (haha) by Wichita State in round #2.
This year, however, are the Vols poised to be talking Elite 8 or even Final 4 OR even NT?? Unlike last year, the Vols have much better depth, have looked even stronger down the stretch, and seem to be clicking at the right time. Don't underestimate the wins on the road at Arkansas and Georgia to close out the season as well. Those were HUGE in terms of confidence bolsterring.
I think it starts in the SEC tourney. Right now, the Vols are poised to garner a #4 or #5 seed which would potentially match them with a #1 seed in the Sweet 16. A run of the table in the SEC Tourney, however, could garner the Vols a #3 seed which would delay a matchup with #1 for another round which could be big!!
Two big potential stumbling blocks...
1. Free Throw Shooting... I know that this has become synonamous with College Basketball these days, but it has cost the Vols at least 2 wins that I can think of. The Vols had back to back games (at Vandy and at Ohio St) won if they could only make their free throws.
2. Lack of Inside Size... The Vols do a great job hiding this weakness by playing incredible pressure defense, but this may eventually be their undoing in the tourney. The Gators destroyed the Vols in the middle in Gainesville earlier this year.
All that aside, should they remain healthy, I don't think that there's any reason this team can't make a deep run in the tourney. They've proven they can match up and play with anybody. Lofton's injury MAY have been the best thing that could have happened to this team. It made the yougsters grow up quick and these guys jelled as a team.
So, I'm curious as to what you all think!!
GO VOLS!!
This year, however, are the Vols poised to be talking Elite 8 or even Final 4 OR even NT?? Unlike last year, the Vols have much better depth, have looked even stronger down the stretch, and seem to be clicking at the right time. Don't underestimate the wins on the road at Arkansas and Georgia to close out the season as well. Those were HUGE in terms of confidence bolsterring.
I think it starts in the SEC tourney. Right now, the Vols are poised to garner a #4 or #5 seed which would potentially match them with a #1 seed in the Sweet 16. A run of the table in the SEC Tourney, however, could garner the Vols a #3 seed which would delay a matchup with #1 for another round which could be big!!
Two big potential stumbling blocks...
1. Free Throw Shooting... I know that this has become synonamous with College Basketball these days, but it has cost the Vols at least 2 wins that I can think of. The Vols had back to back games (at Vandy and at Ohio St) won if they could only make their free throws.
2. Lack of Inside Size... The Vols do a great job hiding this weakness by playing incredible pressure defense, but this may eventually be their undoing in the tourney. The Gators destroyed the Vols in the middle in Gainesville earlier this year.
All that aside, should they remain healthy, I don't think that there's any reason this team can't make a deep run in the tourney. They've proven they can match up and play with anybody. Lofton's injury MAY have been the best thing that could have happened to this team. It made the yougsters grow up quick and these guys jelled as a team.
So, I'm curious as to what you all think!!
GO VOLS!!