Posted by dfreeman on March 3, 2008 at 1:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Wow! I guess Memphis schedule is catching up here isn't it?? With a #4 ranking and winning out, we'd be a #1 seed lock right??

Posted by cdonsbach on March 3, 2008 at 1:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

We'll destroy them all!
I don't think Memphis should be ranked higher than the VOLS, and I don't think UNC or UCLA are very good.

Posted by RockyTopRooks on March 3, 2008 at 1:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

boo.

Posted by cdonsbach on March 3, 2008 at 1:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

We're still #1 in the RPI, which would give us a #1 over-all seed come tourny time.

Posted by Ironcity on March 3, 2008 at 1:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Seems fair to me. Lets win the SEC this week and let the polls play out.

Posted by volroadwarrior on March 3, 2008 at 1:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It seems the media wants any excuse not to leave us at #1. The turkey on ESPN said he would vote Memphis #1 over UT. This is after we beat them on their floor and we had to play Vandy and Kentucky.
Who do they play--Southern Miss and Houston? I don't know if we are the best team in the USA, but ranking Memphis over UT does not seem logical.

Posted by PennVol on March 3, 2008 at 1:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

We should definitely be a #1 if we win out, even if the teams above us also win out. That would mean a win at Florida and 1-2 good wins in the SEC tourney (such as Miss St and/or Vandy).

What region would we be in if Memphis and UNC are also #1?

Posted by sjt18 on March 3, 2008 at 1:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The sky is falling... get out your pitch forks...

Just kidding. UT is in a good position to be a 1 seed.

cdonsbach, I grew up in NC... and absolutely hate UNC. I hate them worse than any UT fan I've met hates Bama. That I would even say this probably surprises people who've seen me post here on football.

Nonetheless, the guys with a passive looking male sheep as a mascot (doesn't that make you wonder?) are a very, very good basketball team. They are one of the most talented UNC teams I've seen in my 30+ tortured years of watching them.

Posted by dirtdobber1 on March 3, 2008 at 1:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This is a bunch of CRAP! COACHES POLL ALWAYS SCREWS THE VOLS! Maybe the AP will give us some light. Dont disagree with UNC being number 1, but VOLS should be #3 at worst.

Posted by dirtdobber1 on March 3, 2008 at 1:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This is a bunch of CRAP! COACHES POLL ALWAYS SCREWS THE VOLS! Maybe the AP will give us some light. Dont disagree with UNC being number 1, but VOLS should be #3 at worst.

Posted by Kwitcherbellyachin on March 3, 2008 at 1:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Consensus: all that matters is that two weeks from Sunday, we have a #1 seed.

Posted by wagee12 on March 3, 2008 at 2:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Southern Miss played Memphis tough, this after Dorsey attempted to start another fight before the tip-off. I'm predicting right now that the Vols will go deeper into NCAA even if they don't have Ramar Smith and Duke Crews available.

Posted by utfpmd on March 3, 2008 at 2:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

No way we should be behind Memphis after beating them in their house.

Posted by elmdayoh on March 3, 2008 at 2:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The "Turkeys" on ESPN and CBS make me sick. You know how many times I have to watch Vol games with no sound??? Aslo, last Sunday the ESPN announcer on SportCenter was giving his top 5 games of the weekend and the UT/Memphis was #2. HE had the Kent State/St Marys game #1. After all the ESPN hype that the UT /Memphis game was the "Game of the Year". They all make me sick!! GO VOLS!

Posted by marc_ash on March 3, 2008 at 2:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

hmmmm, so Memphis loses to us and fall 1 spot...yet we lose to a top 15 team and fall to 4 behind memphis. Well, good thing the rankings don't mean much. Finish up strong and win the next 2 and I think a #1 seed is in the future for the Vols.

Looks like a joke falling behind memphis.

Get ready for UF. Go Vols.

Posted by marc_ash on March 3, 2008 at 2:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

hmmmm, so Memphis loses to us and fall 1 spot...yet we lose to a top 15 team and fall to 4 behind memphis. Well, good thing the rankings don't mean much. Finish up strong and win the next 2 and I think a #1 seed is in the future for the Vols.

Looks like a joke falling behind memphis.

Get ready for UF. Go Vols.

Posted by volroadwarrior on March 3, 2008 at 2:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I don't think the coaches like Coach Pearl because of his style and the fact that he BEATS them.

Maybe Coach Pearl can use this as motivation to get that chip on our shoulder going into the tourneys. Tournament wins and the SEC championship are what count anyway.

Posted by volunteerdee on March 3, 2008 at 2:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

3. Memphis (6) 28-1 717

4. Tennessee 26-3 695

The overall season wins/losses says it. We will win Wed. night and next Sunday and be a #1 seed at tourny time. GO VOLS!!

Posted by mparker on March 3, 2008 at 2:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

agree, this is why polls are garbage. just ask any college football fan over the years.

No, UT shouldn't be No. 1. But, yeah, they should be ahead of a Memphis team that got beat at home and barely escaped at UAB.

While it doesn't really make a hoot in hell, it just goes to demonstrate why polls suck, and why March Madness is so danged great.

I am waiting for Jim Delaney, the commissioner from the big tin, and the Ohio State prez to outlaw March Madness so the big tin can get a lock on THAT championship game the same as they have for ncaa football.

Posted by tnbanker_govols on March 3, 2008 at 2:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Polls mean very little in this stage of the game. Just have to grit our teeth and bear it for now. Let them worry about the polls but I'm worried about the Tourney. The Vols are playing okay but not to their potential right now. They are really needing someone to step up in the point guard position. That needs to take place before the tourney begins. GO VOLS!

Posted by GlennMaxwell on March 3, 2008 at 2:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It might be different if UT had dominated the Memphis game, but it was a 4-point win that was in doubt until the end. Everyone who's honest knows that game could have gone either way. In light of such an even matchup, followed by Tennessee losing to No. 18 a couple of days later, it just stands to reason they're going to drop below Memphis when Memphis won both of its games this week. That's how the polls work; Tennessee isn't going to be rewarded for losing. Get over it. I'm sure Memphis will be a No. 1 seed barring an unexpected loss; Tennessee might be depending on how they and several other teams finish out the season.

Posted by HotlantaVol on March 3, 2008 at 2:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Okay Vols. The only thing we can control is how we play on the court. Everything else will just sort itself out. We have the RPI advantage and several quality wins (including some kick-@$$ road wins, always a committee factor) on our season resume. WHEN we win out, we should have a #1 seed locked up.

Posted by hallsguy on March 3, 2008 at 2:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I agree with TnBanker.I wouldn't worry about the rankings.I would worry about the fact that one way to beat us is to slow the game down.There is not a team in the country that can run with the Vols.LSU and KY showed what happens when they pass the ball around and get the last second shot off and make it.I was amazed at Ky's luck.Vandy did the same.Right now,we are in an offensive slump with the half-court.Let's hope around tourney time we break out.It's just a matter of time before Lofton,J.Smith,and Howell find their range.If J.Smith and Howell find theirs,then other teams can't concentrate on Lofton like they have in the last three games.We had a hard time in the paint against Vandy and KY and that shouldn't happen.

Posted by superk on March 3, 2008 at 2:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

No offense guys, but after driving up from Atl yesterday for the game. I went away thinking UT is a pretender rather than a contender. I seriously doubt that they will advance beyond the sweet 16.

Posted by yabadabadoo1026 on March 3, 2008 at 2:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

cdonsback----get off the Koolaide or booze--how
can you say that UNC and UCLA arent very
good??
dirtdobbler---does it really make any difference
whether we are 3 or 4???---i dont
think so

Posted by utallvol on March 3, 2008 at 2:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

What's the deal with Ramar and Duke are they suspended

Posted by brownsvillevol on March 3, 2008 at 2:48 p.m.

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Posted by CatScratchFever on March 3, 2008 at 2:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I would not get too hung up on polls. Do they really matter in the end? Not much. The RPI is a more reliable indicator of where a team stands as far as seeding goes and at this stage of the season, that is what is most important.

Whether you get a 1 or 2 seed, there is not a lot of difference in the quality of opponenent you will face. In fact, I would rather have a 2 seed and play close to home than a 1 seed and be more removed from my fan base. My point is, the AP and USA Today polls are irrelevnent unless that is the prize you are seeking. I think I would have bigger fish to fry if I were tennessee.

Posted by CJVolNMemphis on March 3, 2008 at 2:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

yeah wagee12- what's the issue with smith and crews?

Posted by General_Watermelon on March 3, 2008 at 2:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm with yabadabadoo. Anyone who says UNC and UCLA are not any good is missing a screw or drunk.

Posted by bleed_orange on March 3, 2008 at 2:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Let's get them Gators Wednesday night! It will be a very hard win. FL really neady a win bad for a NCAA bid. It will be another physical game. But if it is a close game- I think TN wins. Right now TN would be #1 seed in the East SEC Tourney playing the winner of #5E-SC/#4W-LSU. Let's win out then beat LSU this time in the SEC Tourney. Then TN would probally play Vandy or Arkansas to go to the SEC Finals to play MSU or KY. ESPN new NCAA Brackett has TN as a 1 with a tough AZ/K ST match-up 1st Round. It's almost March Madness! GO VOLS!

Posted by stroker on March 3, 2008 at 3:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

We need to win out in reg season. Rankings now do not matter,my opinion.

Posted by KnoxVol_in_TX on March 3, 2008 at 3:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I gotta say...its pretty wonderful that we can get upset about not being #3 or #2. Three years ago that would've been a joke.

Just happy our boys are doing so well. Granted, I have seen them play better than they have lately (including @ Memphis), but they will get it together.

It's truly a wonderful thing to have a good basketball team!!! Go VOLS!!!

Posted by GreerVol22 on March 3, 2008 at 3:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

No one seems to be mentioning that other teams have figured out how to beat our system. Look for Florida to foul the crap out of us everytime down first ten minutes. Question is, do we get memphis refs or Vandy refs??? We had memphis refs against KY and they let us play and we squeaked out by the grace of a few missed shots. I look to really frustrated by halftime against Florida unless we're shooting 60%+FG.

Posted by juicetke on March 3, 2008 at 3:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Who cares people! Let me know what are ranking is in April. Then I will care.

Posted by murrayvol on March 3, 2008 at 3:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Win - go up! Lose - go down. That's kinda how polls work. And it doesn't always reflect what you or someone else did two weeks ago.

The difference in fb & bb is there's always March Madness (at least for the lucky and the strong).

Posted by KingsportVol on March 3, 2008 at 3:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Heres to the Big man on campus!CP you are awesome!Top 5 is nothing to be ashamed of.Go Big Orange!Destroy Florida

http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index...

Posted by GreerVol22 on March 3, 2008 at 3:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

and by the way, the sexy ranking is to get UCLA and UNC back up their. Memphis is still every networks media darling and Kansas and the Dukies must be 1-2 seeds every year, its is an NCAA rule you know.

The Kentucky game anouncers were so pro KY it was sickening. All they knew how to do was make fun of Bruce's coat and his bare chest. Hard times with the refs the next few weeks will bring.

Posted by MOOREVOLS on March 3, 2008 at 3:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I agree Greer. We're not playing well at all right now, so I don't feel real good about any road game, especially at Florida. Hopefully we'll figure out how to hit a few 3's and actually finish at the rim more than once or twice against Florida. If we don't, it could be a long game for Tennessee.

Posted by 87UTVOL on March 3, 2008 at 3:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Memphis plays Tulsa and Southern Miss. We play No. 14 Vandy at their place and Kentucky, with a 10-3 SEC record) at home. The Vols have a RealTime RPI SOS of No. 2. Memphis comes in at No. 40 with few tough games over the entire season (us being one of 'em). Memphis is a good team. Maybe a Top 10 or better team when all is said and done. But for right now, they should not be ranked above the Tennessee.

Like always, the Vols just need to win. While I don't like being stuck below the Tigers, it will all take care of itself in the end...if we win.

Posted by MemfrisVOL on March 3, 2008 at 3:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

yall are way too worried about memphis. they lost one game to the team that would immediatly become number 1 (us). they (memphis) are right where they should be and so are we. stop worrying about memphis an "everybody screwing UT." no one is out to get us/you so shut up. we shouldnt have let Vandy beat us. They are not as good as we made them look. GARNGE

Posted by Volchaz on March 3, 2008 at 3:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Playing against the Kentucky/Vandy Stallball is going to make us a better tourney team. Better to take our lumps upfront than in tourney time. Gotta make those freethrows. Govols, beat UF.

Posted by C123456 on March 3, 2008 at 3:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

These polls tell us more about the voters than it does the teams in the polls.

Posted by GlennMaxwell on March 3, 2008 at 3:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Don't play a worthy opponent?

LOL. Either you're unaware of who we played this year other than Tennessee or just don't mind making stuff up. Just like there's only a "win" and "loss" column, there's only one No. 2 spot in both polls, and it isn't occupied by Tennessee.

One point on which we might be able to agree is that it means nothing, anyway, just as the Memphis-UT game meant nothing except bragging rights. We'll see what happens when it counts in the tourney.

Posted by CJVolNMemphis on March 3, 2008 at 3:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm sure Memphis thinks that game meant nothing. It's not like they lost the undefeated season or a regular season winning streak or a home court winning streak. Maybe that game meaning nothing was the reason they hid under their jerseys after the game and refused to talk to all the national reporters that were there.

Posted by GerryOP on March 3, 2008 at 3:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

At this time of the year all that matters is the last six games of the season. Win 'em and we'll be 2007 NCAA Champs.

Posted by GerryOP on March 3, 2008 at 3:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Duhhhh, probably should have said 2008 National Champs.......

Posted by GlennMaxwell on March 3, 2008 at 3:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Right, CJ .. that game meant so much to us that we would rather have won it than have the No. 1 tourney seed that we're all but certain to have. Get real. If we play again in the tourney (as I hope we do), we'll win the one that matters. In the meantime, you're welcome to the bragging rights, which I guess you then have to hand off to Vandy. LOL.

Posted by brownsvillevol on March 3, 2008 at 3:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

maxwell its not that you haven't played some good non con games its that your confrence is one of the weakest in the nation

Posted by brownsvillevol on March 3, 2008 at 3:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

dont see how fool we beat vandy by 20 at home they barely beat us by 3 at their house

Posted by volssam on March 3, 2008 at 3:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Glenn --
You say the Mem-UT game was evenly matched....that the game could've gone either way, but you are forgetting that the game was on your home floor in front of a wild and crazy loud crowd (I was there), and Memphis jumped out of the gate and was nailing everything they threw up from downtown....and yet we still weathered the storm and came out on top....so to me, if we were on a neutral court, UT win at least 7 out of 10 times. And if you look at the supposed good games Memphis has won -- Gonzaga and GTOWN, they've both been at home....We've beaten Memphis (as mentioned above) and Xavier and Gonzaga on the road....so to me-while TN may not should be #1, there's no way Memphis should be ahead of us. GO VOLS -- I think even IF we lose Wed night, if we at least make it to the SEC championship game, we're a # 1 seed.

Posted by CJVolNMemphis on March 3, 2008 at 3:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I didn't realize that getting beat in Knoxville by 20 would give Vandy bragging rights but if you say so......

Also, when Memphis beats someone on the road that is respectable, let me know. Guess you'll tell us next year.

Posted by GlennMaxwell on March 3, 2008 at 3:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"Your conference is one of the weakest in the nation."

Yes it is, Brownsville. We're clearly head and shoulders above everyone else in it. That's why we're about to go undefeated in conference play for the second consecutive year. All that means in that until we get into a stronger basketball conference (which will happen eventually), we'll have to be content with running the conference and pairing that with a strong non-conference showing to achieve a high ranking and high seeding -- just like this year.

Posted by THE_VOL on March 3, 2008 at 3:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Just as it was last week, this is the most worthless, irrelevant information on the planet. In case anybody hasn't noticed we're down to "just win" time!

GlennMaxwell - wake up and smell the coffee! If those outstanding road performances Tiger High is racking up against S.Miss, UAB, etc etc etc continue, THUG U won't even make the Final Four!

Bottom line is neither one of these teams is playing all that great right now and both sides would do well to just STFU and play.

Posted by brownsvillevol on March 3, 2008 at 3:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

max thats why a team with 2 losses jumped you guys did you really think they would reward you for playing ina weak confrence

Posted by utallvol on March 3, 2008 at 3:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Glenn Maxwell Please name the tought teams ya'll played? Your schedule face it is weak. We play in a conference that's a lot tougher than the C-USA. RPI and SOS both reflect that. 2 times defending champs are out of The SEC not c usa. And you are right we'll see in the tourney. Do you think you record would be the same in the SEC? I know we would be undeated if we played in the C'USA: UTEP, Houston, UAB, yeah real good teams. WOW you tiger are so tough.

Posted by GlennMaxwell on March 3, 2008 at 3:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Oh, please. Stop talking like the SEC is a basketball powerhouse. We're not talking football. In basketball -- outside of Tennessee this year and Kentucky every other year -- heck yeah, Memphis would easily be competing for first.

(I know Florida had a good couple of years, but they're back to being as crappy as ever.)

Posted by utallvol on March 3, 2008 at 4 p.m. (Suggest removal)

47 game home winning streak, snapped yeah that game meant nothing, I guess everyone in the locker room had something in their eye? Play someone 1st than make a good argument. Step up to a real conference.

Posted by brownsvillevol on March 3, 2008 at 4:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

what confrence is going to accept you?

Posted by yabadabadoo1026 on March 3, 2008 at 4:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

ty fritter but be careful and realise your reputation here is at risk agreeing with an objective, unbiased, fairminded guy as myself--lol

Posted by utallvol on March 3, 2008 at 4:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Name the tough teams Mem has played Top Dog? Quit dodging the ???

Posted by pjhaddix on March 3, 2008 at 4:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Michigan State is who got royally snubbed by ESPN after beating Indiana by 30 yesterday. They actually dropped in the polls, and IU was still ranked one above them. (They were only 3 spots higher before the game.) So they should feel worse about their ranking than we do. (And I'm married to one.)

Posted by CJVolNMemphis on March 3, 2008 at 4:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Listen everybody...In all fairness, Memphis can't help what conference they are in. But who would want them in their conference? The Big East took DePaul, Marquette, and some other schools who don't even play football when they expanded a few years back. What does this mean....Memphis has nothing to offer. They don't bring in any revenue or have a big fanbase or any on campus facilities.

Also, has anyone ever seen and blue and gray tiger? At least Auburn and LSU have one tiger color.

Posted by brownsvillevol on March 3, 2008 at 4:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

maybe swac

Posted by brownsvillevol on March 3, 2008 at 4:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

maybye yall should join the wac or meacc or mac or macc or horizon with butler or miss vall con with drake but i'd shoot for a-10

Posted by dopedawg on March 3, 2008 at 4:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You can do it guys!!!!!!! Win out the SEC and go on to bigger and better things. Keeping the faith!!!!

Posted by vols76 on March 3, 2008 at 4:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I don't know what most of you all are smoking...but I don't see us winning any tourney.....we cannot make free throws in clutch.....if we could we would have beat Vandy, and Memphis and KY would not even have been close.

Posted by marc_ash on March 3, 2008 at 4:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

GlennMaxwell,

first off nobody gives a rats tail what you think. We know how the polls work, and they work about as well as in college football....well, you wouldn't know about that would you...memphis is just a basketball school right?

memphis won their next 2 games because they were home games and against tulsa and barber college state. So don't talk to us about you high powered wins the next 2 games, I ain't buyin what your sellin.

Who cares what the polls say, UT will grab a #1 seed if they can take care of business the next 2 games. Great OOC schedule this season and a win over tiger high. UT just keeps winning that game and the memphis borders have just opened up!

Posted by mparker on March 3, 2008 at 4:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

superk: I thought so too, but I watched the whole game on tape. UT is not playing very good ball, but are still winning againts hard-playing competitors in tight games.

The NCAA'a are different, and one hot player can carry you a ways.

Posted by MOOREVOLS on March 3, 2008 at 4:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

vols76 -- We did make free throws in the clutch against Memphis. That's why we won. J.P. Prince hit 4 of 4 and Lofton hit 2 of 2 in the last 30 seconds or so to win the game. Now, you're right about Vandy and Kentucky.

Posted by marc_ash on March 3, 2008 at 4:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

superk,

That's why it was a good thing you went back to ATL. If the Vols are such pretenders, save the gas money and support GA tech. Sure they aren't pretenders now are they?

Posted by bshone on March 3, 2008 at 4:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You know you're in a good spot when you lose a game this late in the season and you're still ranked #4 (three spots ahead of where you were ranked in the preseason - #7). At least up until today, we have certainly exceeded expectations. The Vols will be fine, and there is no better way to prepare for a tournament of any kind than to play the type of schedule we have played over the past two weeks. Aside from Florida, the Vols won't see an atmosphere like they did at Memphis and at Vanderbilt for the remainder of the season. GO VOLS!

Posted by mparker on March 3, 2008 at 4:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

glennmaxwell:
the argument is this: UT went to Memphis and beat them, ending their win streak and home court dominance. UT could not QUITE get it done at Vandy, a top-20 team who plays like a top-5 team at home.

Memphis had a cupcake home game with asluT. These things should be takne into account by voters.

Posted by jamcdaniel79 on March 3, 2008 at 4:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

poll means nothing. I like the disrespect.

we are not ready to be number 1....doesn't mean we are not number 1.

Posted by Volssux on March 3, 2008 at 4:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Posted by cdonsbach on March 3, 2008 at 1:47 p.m.

We're still #1 in the RPI, which would give us a #1 over-all seed come tourny time.

If UT is still #1 in the RPI you will not be the #1 overall seed because it is still set by humans not computers. What the polls show today is that there is not love for the State of Tennessee. No one can expect UT to stay ahead of Memphis because of the human element in the polls, you lose you fall. But that being said, Memphis should be 2 and UT should be 3. I am so glad for the Tourney being around to fix this!!

Posted by marc_ash on March 3, 2008 at 4:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

maxwell,

The SEC may not be a "powerhouse" as you say, but CUSA sure as hell isn't. Tell me, how many championships have come out of CUSA?

The SEC is a MUCH better conference than most in the country. ACC IMO is top of the list. Big East is pretty good too. Big 10 has declined for years since the early to mid 90's. CUSA has never been good period.

Yes, please answer UTALLVOL and list the top teams you've beaten...and be sure to put their ranks at the time you played....if calculations are correct, you've beaten 1 (Georgetown)...maybe Arizona was ranked at the time, but I don't think so...I know USC and Gonzaga weren't.

Posted by VolJunkie on March 3, 2008 at 4:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

#4 is still sweet and validates the progress this team has made. Glen and other Memphis posters: we beat you at your place, the polls don't erase that, thanks for playing, we have lovely parting gifts for you.

UT is a legit #1 seed though they may benefit from being a 2, it's all speculation anyway. Beat UF and send our Seniors off right this weekend.

GO VOLS!

Posted by marc_ash on March 3, 2008 at 4:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

gatoraidenation,

Did you beat UT this year? Are you ranked in the top 25? Are the gators going to make the tournament? How about winning the SEC?

Just checking?

Posted by Volssux on March 3, 2008 at 4:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

marc_ash- Memphis had to play Tulsa and Southern Miss, not powerhouse schools but a little better than the Barber College but again if who win you don't drop. That is why the RPI has some say on who makes the Tourney, but its more to justify the last schools in and the questionable seedings. As long as Memphis is #1 in Little Rock I am happy.

Posted by IPOrange on March 3, 2008 at 5:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

gatornation, here's a headline for you:

FLORIDA STRUGGLING TO MAKE DANCE

Associated Press
Originally published 04:48 p.m., March 3, 2008
Updated 04:48 p.m., March 3, 2008

Good luck in the NIT, aka "Not Invited Tournament".

Posted by vols76 on March 3, 2008 at 5:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Moorevols....you are right, that is why we did win against Memphis....

Posted by Volssux on March 3, 2008 at 5:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

marc_ash-

The past is the past so how many championships doesn't matter but if you want to look at the past, how many Final Fours and championship games has UT played in?

When looking at it that way does it really matter?

Posted by CJVolNMemphis on March 3, 2008 at 5:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Memphis will have a cake-walk in the tourney as usual. They have only beaten 1 major-conference school in the NCAAs the last 2 years combined and that was because the ref decided the outcome by calling a foul late in that game. Don't worry Memphis, the tourney will look just like your schedule this year: a bunch of crappy non-conference teams.

Posted by TurboFan on March 3, 2008 at 5:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

If one team played the top ten teams and the bottom ten teams and the other team played the middle 20 teams so that both had the exact same SOS and RPI, who would be the better team?

Both Memphis and UT have played a handful of top 20 teams and won. Both qualify as good teams. Who cares which drag-ash team they also played.

Polls are a farce.

Posted by KENVOL on March 3, 2008 at 5:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I think it is FUNNY Memphis fans say that our game didn't matter. Better tell the players for Memphis who wouldn't even talk to the press after the game they were so upset. If they would have won it would have been a different story. And for us to be a "football" school we seem to own Memphis in Basketball. If I were them I sure would be embarrassed to get beat by a "football" school.

Posted by GreerVol22 on March 3, 2008 at 5:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

mcbrim, your right. I am. Let 'em play and it will be OK.

I suppose you enjoy watching roundball like we saw in Nashville huh? Let me get you a straw for your sweet tea.

Posted by Retiredvol on March 3, 2008 at 5:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hey guys it really doesn't matter. What matters is who is number 1 at the end of the season. UT plays an unbelieveable schedule but whether you are #1 Seed or #2 seed really makes no difference. Look at the brackets. What bothers me the most is that the Vols are having a difficult time putting these teams away. We should have beaten Kentucky by 20 points. Why it was so close I don't know why but of course the teams we played maybe we are tired who knows? I hope they don't overlook Florida and are mentally and physically prepared for this one. Florida is overdue and we are exhausted. We should know Wednesday if we are the Champs of the SEC.

Posted by VolnDothan on March 3, 2008 at 6:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Who cares? We got to #1. We'll finish strong in the SEC and in the tournament. Great improvement with Pearl and our Vols!

Posted by ggriggs939 on March 3, 2008 at 6:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Some appear to have forgotten that the "polls" are nothing more than a popularity contest. When there is extreme jealousy by other coaches, the VOLS will not fare too well. That has been the situation for several years. NC, Memphis, and ULCA are 'fair-haired' children on the basketball scene and will always get more votes than most everyone else, if they show any ability. Like the 'mackeral snappers' of south bend in football,
they have voters with a vested interest in the polls. Kinda like the prediction of three heisman popularity contests for a quarterback a few years back.

Posted by ggriggs939 on March 3, 2008 at 6:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Just wait and see the bracketing. Whichever bracket the VOLS are in will have the most difficult path to the final four and will include at least one other SEC team. Then therem will be one bracket in which an SEC team does not appear to guarantee that the final four does not wind up with four SEC teams in the final four.This is another example of the vested interests in the operation.

Posted by pdhuff on March 3, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I've given this a lot of thoughtful musing and believe the answer is......

Beat the Gators. The rest will take care of itself.

Posted by brownsvillevol on March 3, 2008 at 6:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

gg this is not true the tournament always seeds confrences in that if ut is the highest sec seed then if there is more than 4 sec teams they will seed the weakest sec team in our bracket

Posted by yabadabadoo1026 on March 3, 2008 at 7 p.m. (Suggest removal)

ggriggs-------another paranoid conspiracy theorist----bwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahh everybody hates us!!

Posted by sidwalkvol on March 3, 2008 at 7:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

can someone tell me why Dorsey does not get more T's? I mean, who else does that kind of in-your-face stuff and does not get slapped for it? Talk about your thugs...and, if you watched closely at the end of the MSU game, crybabies...

Did he not try to start another fight the other night? Geez.

Posted by dopedawg on March 3, 2008 at 7:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Is there a problem with Ramar and Duke?? What do you mean wagee12?

Posted by ballewville6 on March 3, 2008 at 8:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

double standards when ucla,memphis and north carolina lost at home to either unranked or lower ranked teams and duke and kansas lose they only dropped 1 or 2 spots ,so why does tennessee drop 3 after losing to 14 ranked vandy and vandy has a 20 sumthing home court win streak.we should not have dropped no futher than 3rd, we should be ranked ahead of memphis we just beat them on their home court.we just dont get any credit.no team in country could have played back to back road games at memphis and vandy and won both of them,but none of the teams mentioned besides tennessee would drop so far for losing to a lower ranked team on road.when duke beats carolina tennessee will drop to 5th to make sure duke is 3 and carolina 4 ,and if ucla losses at home against stanford they wont drop from top 4.the ncaa coaches and media have the 4 they want as top seeds ranked but can they stay cause carolina and duke one will lose 2 more games and the other one will lose atleast 1.it is a joke to drop ut that far it took duke losing 2 in a row to get them out of top 5 but there back,the polls always suck i told everyone it would happen before it did.because tennessee is not a media darling,and what is the deal in atlanta rumar has ramar smith and duke crews out for season for grades if so why arnt 2 y players out elsewhere does memphis have someone take classes for there dummies and same goes for the other teams except duke we know they have higher standerds to get in and play.

Posted by powellvoter on March 3, 2008 at 8:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

gatornation,
Wait till the bracket comes out and look for Fl and you can sing the whole song,"Already Gone".
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!

Posted by Colliervol on March 3, 2008 at 8:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Polls don't really concern me a lot except when it comes to seeding. (And I don't really care where we finish as long as we get a 1 or a 2 seed.) Win out and it will be a 1 seed for sure with our RPI. Lose a game or two and it should be a 2 seed. My main concern is the team getting its shooting touch back. Very spotty lately.

North Carolina is as good a choice as anybody to go to #1. They haven't lost as recently as Memphis and Tennessee and they are the absolute darlings of the media (well, them and Duke). Those two will get the benefit of the doubt every time when it comes to the polls. Just the way it is.

As far as grades go, I would think that would just be a rumor. If they were eligible from fall semester and have played all this semester, how would they be ineligible for the tournament? Grades for this semester won't be out until May. Maybe I'm missing something. Now, having said that, their eligibility for next fall may be up in the air but I would think the grades would have to be final before that could be determined.

Posted by jimr07 on March 3, 2008 at 9:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Just finished watching a replay of the Kentucky game and I am glad i did not watch it live. I would have thrown the t.v. out the window. How can you blow a 15 point lead. well, we won.
There was a time during the game that it appeared that the crowd was watching a duplicate bridge tournament.

Posted by creepykev on March 3, 2008 at 9:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Remember when Green was coach and one of our guards was ruled academically ineligible right before tournament time? Higgins was his name maybe?

Posted by Colliervol on March 3, 2008 at 9:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You may be right kev. But I'm just not sure how they can do it mid-season. In football, they always have to wait until the first semester grades come in before ruling them ineligible for bowl games. Like I said, maybe I'm missing something. Guess we'll find out.

Posted by SFOrange on March 3, 2008 at 9:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I love it..."Vols DROP to #4".
Are we never satisfied?

Posted by thevol on March 3, 2008 at 9:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

There is a rumor going around that Crews and Ramar could be declared academically ineligible for the postseason. Just an internet rumor right now.

Posted by volsfan92 on March 3, 2008 at 9:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

CBP is taking Florida seriously. GO VOLS!!

Posted by Plasticman on March 3, 2008 at 9:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Thevol, if you're correct on this rumour, we're in big trouble come toruney time. I hope they have their grades in order!!

Posted by mun4life on March 3, 2008 at 10:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

we got point guard daniel west

Posted by murrayvol on March 3, 2008 at 10:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

creepykev: It was Jon Higgins and it was before tournament time. But I think Buzz was the coach. Don't know the details but it did happen.

Posted by LargeOrange on March 3, 2008 at 11:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

What is everybody whining about, there is nothing wrong with #4 at this point in a BB season, 1,2,3 and 4 are all equal in the NCAA tourney. I think we are lucky to be still #4 after losing to a lower ranked Vanderbilt and then barely beating a unranked KY at home with their best player out with a stress fracture. I know I will probably get blasted for not drinking the kool-aid, but get real, we are not playing like a top 5 team right now. Hopefully CPF will figure out how to get these guys to play a half court game and to hit key free throws, or we will have a short dance in the big one.

Posted by dfreeman on March 3, 2008 at 11:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

mcbrim - Pearl knows his way around down there! He owns Billy D a.k.a. Eddie Munster!! If TBA is known as the Summitt, then that place in Gainesville must be the pitts!!

Posted by andy112382 on March 3, 2008 at 11:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Bottom line: Just take care of business in the tourney, that's all that matters.

GO VOLS!!!

Posted by pdhuff on March 4, 2008 at 9:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)

mcbrim1998- do you still want us to keep Fulmer?

Hate to see you get diverted off message. Was kinda getting used to it. Read Phil's book, Stay The Course.

All are welcome.

Posted by Volssux on March 4, 2008 at 10:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)

bossvol351-

I want Memphis to be the #1 seed playing in the 1st round out of Little Rock. I have Little Rock Tickets so that is why I want Memphis there.

Posted by GreerVol22 on March 4, 2008 at 10:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)

mcbrim, some obscure Florida laws that you really should observe.

Men may not be seen publicly in any kind of strapless gown.

However, this one might be worth it in "you're" case.
If you hit a pedestrian you are fined $78.00.

Posted by Tennisajoke on March 4, 2008 at 11:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)

For the guy who has no idea why Memphis is ahead of Tennessee...obviously the pollsters look at the Overall and the fact of the matter is, is that Tennessee played better than Memphis one night and then go and donk off a game at Vandy who lost their following game. You can't say, "who did Memphis play, Southern Miss and UAB, we had to play Kentucky"....well idiots....UAB beat Kentucky so they are clearly a better team and Kentucky was playing without MEEKS and PATTERSON and were dominating that basketball game. Be quiet and understand the tournament is all that matters...I realize the tradition of Tennessee basketball just started, but you get no respect if you have NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER made an elite eight

Posted by GerryOP on March 4, 2008 at 11:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)

What's this dude from 'Crocland yakking about? Haven't we beat Florida 4 of the last 5 times we played them? 3 out of 4 their NC years?

Posted by mparker on March 4, 2008 at 12:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Brian Bernatsky:

Prattle all you want, dude. The really simple fact: Memphis got beat at home by a team that didn't play a very good game. Memphis was well-rested, in its home arean, and stayed in the game because of one player, Rose. Your inside paly is horrible, so you have some really big worries.

UT's loss came on the road to a team that is undefeated at home in 2007-2008. Memphis played its game against asluT, a team with a sub-500 league record, on Wenesday. UT played Vandy, a team with a top-20 ranking and strong conference record, on Tuesday night.

What all this telss me is this: neither Memphis nor UT is playing very good ball at the moment. That Memphis is rated ahead of UT is pretty odd, except in the world of pollsters.

All in all, Memphis has more worries than UT. It takes a lot more to beat UT, UT has more offeensive weapons. Put a lockdown guard on Rose, and Memphis is in deep, deep trouble.

Posted by Orangeblood13 on March 4, 2008 at 12:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Bah, We never got any respect in the polls and Calipari is the darling to ESPN, so yeah have your 3rd place ranking, but the new elite basketball team is the VOLS in Tennessee, Memphis knows it, Vandy knows it and soon, the Nation will no it. Take your shots at us, get your laughs out, doesn't matter, we'll be ready come SEC tourny time and NCAA tourny time.

Take care of business boys

Posted by EDis4UT on March 4, 2008 at 12:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

<sigh> I see the memphis thugs have reappeared. We won, you choked. We are better than you in EVERYTHING! 12-7 vs. Willie's World. You played those sissies Tulane and Southern Miss. We played Vandy (ranked) and Kentucky.

The whole country thinks Calamari is a joke.

BTW, great job with that mass murder last night making the national news.Nobody gives a crap about memphis outside Shelby Co. ESPN loves Pearl. I glanced at your thug board, I'm waiting for the next anti-semitic post on Pearl to appear any second.

I guess Big Brother didn't travel to that crime ridden crap hole to kick little brother in the mouth hard enough.

You people are the bottom of the barrel. Your players, fans, coach, and city take pride in that.

Glad to see zander is off probation and was welcomed back with open arms after Thug Jr. personally threatened a UT fan on the thug board.

But what do you expect.

Posted by murrayvol on March 4, 2008 at 12:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm guessing all our Memphis visitors saw the ESPN pregame poll on who would win the game:

(Natl. voters) UM 53% UT 47% I expected a bigger spread.
(Tenn. voters) UT 68% UM 32% Lot of hearts in those #s.

Don't know about Coach Cal's claim to be America's team but the #s show from the mountains to the Big Muddy Tennessee belongs to the Vols.

Posted by 1974Vol on March 4, 2008 at 3:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

McB - A question on what you and gator nation think about the upcoming game. Will Billy try to run with the Vols, or go the "run the clock" route ala' KY & Vandy? I admired him for running with us in Knoxville and the Gators hung tough until about the 6:00 minute mark, then they just ran out of gas and got blasted. The current "strategy” for beating the Vols seems to be to play slow down basketball on offense and on “D” smother Lofton and J Smith and foul everyone else. Its hard to think of the Gator’s going “Ugly Ball” but it does give them the best chance to win. How do you think Billy D plays it?

Posted by Volssux on March 4, 2008 at 3:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

mparker

What are you talking about? Clamp Rose and Anderson and Kemp come in. Considering UT was losing with 30 seconds left in the Memphis game I would not say they have more offensive weapons. Both teams have a similar make up and similar problems so don't think you are head and shoulders above Memphis, playing 10 times if would be 6-4 either way.

Posted by Volssux on March 4, 2008 at 3:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

murrayvol

Again, huh?

Take Tennessee out of the equation and the National numbers are even higher for Memphis. But the truth is that ESPN could care less about UT or Memphis. There is a HUGE Carolina bias and that will not change until there are more Memphis UT games that set ratings records game after game.

Posted by GeneralTony on March 4, 2008 at 4:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Let Digger Phelps talk about his beloved tarheels all he wants. I'd rather him talk about every team in the top 10 besides Tennessee. I'd rather play the role of the underdog and these teams in the top 5 have something in common EXCLUDING TN. They all rely on a primary scorer for most of their offense. That's what I love about my Vols, we share the rock and win games as a team. I'll take my Vols over any team in the top 5 ANY day of the week.

Posted by MemfrisVOL on March 4, 2008 at 6:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

mcB, youre gonna wear a Lady Vols jersey!?

Posted by richvol on March 4, 2008 at 8:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I am so proud of what Tennessee has accomplished this year. However, after a period of time, teams are beginning to realize how to more effectivly play us. We need to adapt on the floor to this style of play a little better. If we are going to be in a slower paced game, then we definately need to value each possession instead of just running down the floor and throwing it up. At least wait until someone is in position to rebound.

The other thing I'm concerned about is not finishing at the rim. How many layups can a team miss? Working the ball inside, especially when they are in foul trouble is smart, but if we get that close then dunk it. J.P. is a great athlete but he needs to get in the weight room so he can cram it in the hoop instead of missing layups.