Posted by schymtz on March 8, 2008 at 9:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

So isn't it to Tennessee's advantage for Duke to beat Carolina tonight in terms of seeding and not simply knocking them out of a #1 beauty contest. It would be great to play in Greensboro as the East #1 seed.

Posted by VolJunkie on March 8, 2008 at 9:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I think if Duke wins, they move into the top 4, with UNC dropping 1 or 2 places. UCLA does not belong in the top 5 but the pollsters love them and they will stay. I think a UNC win helps the Vols chances for a #1 seed ... that was really hard to write, I despise UNC!

Just my opinion, I could be wrong ...

Posted by rbatten9 on March 8, 2008 at 9:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Ridiculous if UT doesn't get a one seed with non-conference schedule.

Posted by EDis4UT on March 8, 2008 at 9:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Looks like we also could be playing the Gamecocks Friday also, regardless what happens tomorrow.

We'll play the (E5)SC vs.(W4)LSU winner in the SEC Tournament.

Pretty good opening draw I think.

Posted by schymtz on March 8, 2008 at 9:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

VolJunkie, you may well be exactly right. I was even wrong about the site this year. I would like to move Duke and NC out of Carolina for the dance, though.

Posted by schymtz on March 8, 2008 at 10:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Lady Vols up 11 at the half; Duke trailing 41-52. UCLA sure has had the breaks last two games. Even ETSU had a T called in the closing seconds an lost to Belmont. I love pulling for UT to win rather than hoping for help, but help never hurts.

Posted by EDis4UT on March 8, 2008 at 10:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"I would like to move Duke and NC out of Carolina for the dance, though."

I would too schymtz, if they do it will be a first. That's one thing that has always bugged me - year after year the committee ALWAYS tries their best to keep NC or Duke or BOTH playing in their backyard. Total BS.

Posted by VolJunkie on March 8, 2008 at 10:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

ED, I agree, but year after year, that is the one constant you can count on when the brackets are announced.

Posted by schymtz on March 8, 2008 at 10:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Best Quote of Pearl in the article: "We've been saying 'SEC championship.' UCLA wasn't thinking Pac-10 (title), Memphis wasn't thinking Conference USA (title). So we have to catch up in that sense.''
SO "FINAL FOUR or Bust!" This coach get's it! Accomplishments seldom exceed goals and dreams!Tennessee BELONGS in the Final TWO: WIN the NCAA!

Posted by murrayvol on March 8, 2008 at 10:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It's not "BS" ED. It's politics. The perfect scenario in many (if not most) minds and I'm speaking of talking heads, pollsters, & bracketologists (i.e. Jerry Palm) would be thus.
UCLA (West)
Kansas (Midwest)
Duke or Carolina (East)
Memphis (South but the Vols kinda screwed that up)

Disagree w/Mr. Palm. If the Vols beat SC on Sunday to finish 28-3, 14-2 plus #1 RPI, they deserve a 1 seed regardless of what happens in the SECT. But it sure doesn't mean they'll get one.

Posted by Hunter on March 8, 2008 at 11:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

We will finish the season #1 in the RPI even if we drop two straight. That tells me that we deserve a #1 seed as much or more than anyone else. We WILL be a #1 seed, and if the cards fall as they could, we will be THE #1 seed. RTYAB!

Posted by schymtz on March 8, 2008 at 11:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Dicky V was talking about how this Carolina win over Duke wraps up the #1 East seed for Carolina unless they lost in the first round of the ACC. He also said UCLA and Memphis were the other #1 seeds with Kansas and Tennessee fighting for the last #1 I did notice earlier that in their "Power 16" he rated Tennessee lower than all other ESPN folks.

Posted by tenuscvol on March 8, 2008 at 11:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

you'd think that Duke and NC just played the NC game the way ESPN is talking this game....

...I wasn't impressed with either one and look forward to seeing the Vols show em how it's done...

Go Vols!

Posted by EDis4UT on March 8, 2008 at 11:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I know it's politics, but year after year you just get sick & tired of NC/Duke going in the east bracket. IF UT can grab the #1 seed - send UT to the east, send NC to the south. I know it won't happen. Just because it's politics doesn't make it fair.

Look at me complaining what region UT should go to! #1 seed at that! Four years ago I would be happy if we was a #16 seed. Let's just TCB tomorrow and let the chips fall where they may.

GO VOLS!!!!!!!!

Posted by BillVol on March 8, 2008 at 11:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Love the Final Four talk. The SCAR game is just another game to get out of the way before we start our march to San Antonio.

Posted by tigervol9802 on March 8, 2008 at 11:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I like what coach is saying, but tomorrow will probably be my last time to get to see these guys play in person. I probably will tear up.

I'm worried about the match-up Friday. SC's knocked us out of the tournament on Friday 3 times in the last ten years, and LSU is playing a lot better and we just don't match up well with them for some reason. I don't get it, but we always struggle. We need to win tomorrow and then get to Sunday in the SECT to lock up a 1 seed.

And anybody that doesn't think UNC is a good team either needs to take their orange colored glasses off or quit giving your opinion because you have no clue what you are talking about.

Posted by mparker on March 9, 2008 at 12:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)

OMG, could espn drool over Duke and UNC any more??? It wasn't even a very good finish. And then, to interview Coach K and Coach Williamsn ad nauseum....

Hate to break it to 'em, but DOOK does NOT look all that great. UNC looks like they have springs in their shoes...those men can jump!

Anyway, it was really a bit much for the postgame garbage.

I kept waiting to see the UCLA luck shot, but didn't see it 'cause I got bored. Apparently the Cal player got mugged to fore the turnover.

Posted by ClockworkOrange on March 9, 2008 at 1:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Watch out Vol Fans!!!!!!!!!!!

ESPN seems like theyre on a mission to hype up Kansas and boost them to a #1 seed. We seem like were going to get scrizewed over and have duke and kansas get picked for #1 seeds before we will. Ive been listening to ESPN radio and it seems like all the droids that are on the air are following the directive to jock Kansas as a #1 seed. Plus you know by law dookies are obligated to get a #1 seeding. We need to win to stay in top 3 or 4. Lets go and beat those gameCOCKS on Sun!!!

Posted by EDis4UT on March 9, 2008 at 3:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)

There is a lot conference tournys to be played out.

Screw what the talking heads at ESPN thinks. They will do anything to get ratings on ESPN with their pre/half/post game coverage.

Posted by ClockworkOrange on March 9, 2008 at 4:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)

amen ed---but they've got their name on that poll and we saw their influence (Paging Mr Woodson..). From a Vol fan living in Charlotte, I just pray that they get seeded in the east and play rds 1&2 in Raleigh/Durham and then the sweet 16 here at the bobcats arena. Party at my crib if they do!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by pdhuff on March 9, 2008 at 6:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Beat SC. Period. Then play who's next. Period.

Posted by cphil on March 9, 2008 at 7:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)

It's been obvious ever since ESPN engineered the screwing of Peyton Manning in the "Who Cares" Award that they have no respect for, and more likely, disdain for UT. I fully expect we'll get a number two seed regardless because, like it or not, ESPN can and does influence such decisions. I agree with pdhuff, let's just start wherever we're placed and take care of them one game at a time.

Posted by tigervol9802 on March 9, 2008 at 8:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)

You guys are so right.

ESPN hates us so bad that we were only on one of its networks 10 times this season.

The men got to be one of their Gamedays this year.

The women would have gotten a Gameday, but that is anothet story.

That they didn't do the first TV timeout in the 07 Florida game so they could show Summitt's cheerleading routine. (TV 101 - commerical time equals how they pay the bills.)

These guys don't have nearly as much influence with this selection as you guys want to have so you can blame them if we don't get a 1.

The Manning thing is over a decade old. He lost. It sucked. I was as angry as anyone else. But frickin get over it. I'd say he's had a decent pro career. He's won some game they call the Super Bowl. He's made a gazillion dollars in commercials. His wife don't look half bad. I'd say he survived and did OK for himself. When you people continually harp on it, it makes you look like an idiot Bama or Kentucky fan.

Posted by schymtz on March 9, 2008 at 8:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)

tigervol, I think you are right. All the hype comes from years of impact on the national scene. Tennessee suprised and disappointed many folks two years ago with a #2 seed, then were knocked out in the Sweet 16. Tennessee's post season record over the years does not scream post season success. Pearl wants to change that and so do most fans on these pages. To do just that pdhuff says what matters: "Beat SC. Period. Then play who's next. Period." Goals are great, but games are won one possession at a time. GO VOLS! BEAT SC!

Posted by schymtz on March 9, 2008 at 9:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I show my historical ignorance, but where did the "Play-In" game come from in the field of 64. I know it has been around quite a while, but not the history. It ain't our game to worry about though. GO VOLS! BEAT USC! If it helps to know, Kansas whipped A&M soundly. Only thing the Vols can do about that is BEAT USC!

Posted by garyfmtn on March 9, 2008 at 9:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The play in game started about 5 or 6 years ago....It is played between the lowest ranked teams to make the "Dance"....The game is played on Tuesday night before the first weekend of the tournament and the winner gets the opportunity to knock off the overall Number 1 seed......Therefore, it is a Field of 65

Gary
Knoxville

Posted by middlegavol on March 9, 2008 at 10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

But Tiger, to deny that ESPN has great power in the world of broadcast sports is pretty foolish as well.
I may watch their channels all the time, but I still keep an eye out for the knife they hold in the other hand.
I remember prior to the Memphis game their 'experts' were pretty dismisive of our chances to win and they seemed to get a lot of pleasure out of the Vandy loss. It may all be in my head, but the only reason it is there is because of the Peyton thing. 'Screw me once...

Posted by EDis4UT on March 9, 2008 at 10:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Q: When did the "play-in" game start?

A: The game was first played in 2001, when the Mountain West Conference, which had split from the Western Athletic Conference in 1999, received an automatic bid for the first time. Under NCAA rules, a new conference must serve a two-year probationary period before receiving an automatic bid to the tournament. Once the Mountain West Conference received its own bid (the WAC retained its bid), the number of teams in the field increased from 64 to 65, requiring one team to be eliminated before the tournament entered its traditional 64-team bracket format. The NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Championship accommodated this change by eliminating an at-large bid, decreasing from 34 to 33, rather than adopting the play-in game.

Although analysts’ initial reactions to the concept were skeptical, the first game, played on March 13, 2001, was a success, and few complaints have been heard since. One reason for these positive comments is the fact that the game is played on a Tuesday night, during which no other games are played (the first round of the tournament starts the following Thursday). Thus, the play-in game assumes a greater prominence than most first-round games, both to the viewing public and to scouts. Recently, Syracuse University coach Jim Boeheim has advocated for an expansion of the tournament from 65 to 76 teams, which would include play in games for all of the 16th and possibly 15th seeded teams. The expansion of play in games faces logistical challenges and lukewarm acceptance from NCAA President Myles Brand and the corporate and media partners of the NCAA.

No this explanation didn't roll out my head after I had my first cup of coffee.

Courtesy: WIKIPEDIA - the free online encyclopedia!

Posted by Plasticman on March 9, 2008 at 10:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)

As I was driving and listening to a syndicated National Sports talk show last night (I think it was Fox Sports), they were discussing #1 seeds and they mentioned UCLA, DUKE, Kansas, UNC and for others fighting for a chance at a #1 they mentioned Texas, Wisconsin and UCONN, I almost had a wreck when we didn't get mentioned!! It's obvious we still do not receive respect nationally in BB. I hope we can take care of business this year and fix that little problem. Wisconsin and Uconn, are you kidding me!!

Posted by elmdayoh on March 9, 2008 at 10:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)

You dont know how many times this year I have watched the Vols and had to turn off the sound as the announcers were so biased aganist UT. ESPN also made me sick.
What are you guys talkin about "Peyton Thing"???

Posted by SFOrange on March 9, 2008 at 10:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Pearl understands UT has a disadvantage when it comes to securing a #1 seed...that dispite a 27-3/SEC champ season--we're, well, new to this. Sports writers and commentators talk UNC, Duke, UCLA and Kansas because its easy/top of mind and its what the "people" want. UT can get into this conversation by winning the SEC tourney. IF UT gains a #1 seed and IF they advance into the Elite 8 or beyond---they we may start to get on the radar where those other teams have lived for years.
How far can this team take UT's program? It'll be years before we know that. Go Orange.

Posted by cltvol on March 9, 2008 at 11:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I would rather them get a 2 in charlotte than a 1 anywhere else. Orange fans would show up in 1000's in charlotte. That is better than in 100's elsewhere.

Posted by EDis4UT on March 9, 2008 at 11:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I rather get a #2 seed and make to the Elite 8 or beyond, than get the #1 seed and have all these "experts" start screamin' & yelling on how UT didn't deserve it - and we choke to a team we should beat.

Remember, that's what happened in 2006 when we grabbed the #2 seed. After UT squeak by the #15 seed (Winthrop?) and got thumped by #7 seed Wichita St. All of the ego maniacs "experts" were saying WE TOLD YOU! WE TOLD YOU! HAHA! UT had no business being a #2 seed.

I predict if we get a #1 seed we'll hear the same garbage. Oh well. This time I think we'll have a better shot of shutting up the critics!

Posted by cphil on March 9, 2008 at 11:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)

elmdayoh, in Peyton Manning's senior season, he was the hands down favorite to win the Heisman Trophy. The "experts" at ESPN pushed Charles Woodson, defensive back from Michigan for the award. A lot of the media people from the northeast and midwest jumped on board with ESPN and ultimately Woodson won with Manning coming in second. The excuse ESPN gave at the time was another SEC quarterback, Danny Wuerffel from Florida, had won the award the year before so they shouldn't give it to Manning.

Posted by pjhaddix on March 9, 2008 at 11:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)

FYI, we watch today's game for free online at http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaab/college... . I know it's not broadcast up here in Indiana.

Posted by King30 on March 9, 2008 at 11:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)

My time to chime.
First, I'll get the Peyton thing out of the way. It sucked. It still sucks. And it will always suck.
Unfortunately, ESPN provides probably 90% of the info that sportswriters and announcers get, as well as we fans. Connecticut based and northeast influenced. Could you imagine if the Big East was the "ACC" of college basketball. OMG. It's bad enough that two of their top three basketball analysts are ACC alums (Hubert Davis of NC and Jay "I don't have a clue" Bilas of Duke).
How, someone please tell me, can the #4 team in the nation with the #1 RPI not be mentioned with the possible #1 seeds.
No respect, as usual.
No respect...YET!
C'mon Vols! Kick butt today and win the SEC tourney and make them respect us!
Luckily, the 2A tournament committee will know what's up. Won't they? They're not in Bristol, are they...

Posted by pjhaddix on March 9, 2008 at 11:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm not sure why the post cut off the last word of that link, since it was in the preview. It is "collegebroadcast".

Posted by mparker on March 9, 2008 at 1:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Ok, the Peyton thing....
THe UT PR campaign was NOT good, and got to HONEStly BE TOO MUCH!!! All you saw was how goody goody Peyton was, how he was the surefire Heisman guy, there was NO WAY for anyone else to win...

And then he played a not-so-good game against his biggest opponent. CPF, in his typical CONSERVATIVE fashion, did not start Jamal Lewis, and keyed on Peyton. Peyton tried to make plays he couldn't physically do.

Meanwhile, Woodson got lots of 'underdog' sympathy, and 'first defensive player' sympathey, and HE MADE GREAT PLAYS.

I was talking to a non-biased fan at the time, and he told me this: Peyton looked like a robot, and Woddson looked a race car: sleek, smooth, fast.

America can be fickle that way.

Posted by schymtz on March 9, 2008 at 2:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Thank you all who addressed the "play-in" game. I had to sign out just after I posted. I'm watching the end of the FLA at KY game - each trying to do to the other what each one tried on us. FLA is playing like UT would on the inbounds. KY's coach under current circumstances plays like Ray Mears. KY won. suprise-suprise. Time for UT: GO VOLS#1! Beat em!

Posted by mparker on March 9, 2008 at 2:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I think UT is a 2-seed. Why?

Well, UNC is a lock. Kansas is a lock. Memphis (sigh) is a lock, despite losing at home to an 'inferior' team.

The only POSSIBLE stumble would be UCLA, but, hell, I don't even know if they have a pac-10 tournament.

I know Bruce wants a 1 seed, but realistically a 2 is what will happen.

Posted by CatScratchFever on March 9, 2008 at 3:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

mparker. A number one seed would certainly give you that "feel good" kind of thing, but really there is not a lot of difference between a 1 and a 2 seed in the quality of the opponent you will face. If a 2-seed gets you closer to home, I would take it every time.

Posted by mparker on March 9, 2008 at 3:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

af1, i think CBP is looking at historical probability charts.

You are completely accurate in your post.

Posted by mparker on March 9, 2008 at 3:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I just watched Chris go out, and it really raises a lump in your throat.

I can't believe it it time for him to graduate.

Posted by EDis4UT on March 9, 2008 at 4:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

HAIL VOLS!
Way to pour it on and step it up in the 2nd Half!

HAIL ALL THE SENIORS!

ALL of you guys will be sorely missed!

HAIL COACH PEARL!

Great halftime adjustments, as usual!

HAIL GAMECOCKS!

Beat LSU!!!!!!!!

GO VOLS!!!! SEC CHAMPS!!!!!!!

TWO straight seasons undefeated @ TBA!!!!!!!!!

ON TO ATLANTA!

Posted by schymtz on March 9, 2008 at 4:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

AirForceOne: Congrats to the 'Cats for whippin''gators at Rupp. Looks like you guys got MISS or GA. I thought UK played FLA about the same way as they played UT in Knoxville - shades of Ray Mears! You guys can shoot!

Posted by EDis4UT on March 9, 2008 at 4:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

gatornation: STFU! Go back cheering for you're real team the memphis tiggers.

mparker: Kansas(lock)? Really? We'll see how they do in their tournament.

UNC: yep, I agree.

memphis: Yes. Because they are playing the tournament in memphis. What a freakin' joke!

UCLA: After yesterday, I will say they're a lock.

That's okay I'll take a #2 in the east.

Posted by jimr07 on March 9, 2008 at 4:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

gatornation--i must place you with all the other idiots that think they know everything. Do you have inside knowledge about the seedings? You might be right, but you do not know. so coming on this board just shows what a fool you are.
My favorite team is whoever is playing florida.

Posted by rbatten9 on March 9, 2008 at 4:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

gatornation, again how many titles did you have before Donovan and Spurrier? Enlighten me please.

Posted by jimr07 on March 9, 2008 at 5:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

nafslov--Peyton Manning is an average quarterback? do you keep up with the NFL? do you realize he is on pace to break every record Brett Favre has set?

Posted by Plasticman on March 9, 2008 at 5:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Vols should be a #1 seed as long as they win at least 1 game in SEC TOurney. With their RPI (#1) AND SOS (#2) as well as their road wins at Memphis, Xavier, Gonzaga, Miss. St. No other team in the country can claim thos type of road wins, which plays heavily in seeding. UNC is a lock, Memphis is probably a lock, the other 2 spots are between UT, Kansas and UCLA. Comapre the RPI and road wins of these 3 and you will see why TN should be a #1 ahead of them.

Posted by Plasticman on March 9, 2008 at 6:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

A little bit envious this season huh, Gator? Especially since your Gators are about to become the first National Championship team NOT to get in the NCAA Tourney the next year. Embarrassing!!

Posted by splinterdand on March 9, 2008 at 6:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It's interesting when you compare AirForceOne, obviously a Kentucky fan to the foaming-at-the mouth GatorNation. I know a lot of people around here don't like Kentucky, but they have a lot more class than UF and their fans have a much better basketball acumen than do rabid Florida fans. By the way AF1, your post about a 1 vs. a 2 seed makes a lot of sense. I think Tennessee right now (before the conference tournaments) has earned a number one seed (toughest schedule, #1 RPI), but I wouldn't be disappointed with a #2. That could also motivate the players to want to prove themselves.

Posted by rbatten9 on March 9, 2008 at 7:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Wow did you know that UF had no chance at winning the National title because they lost to an unranked UT team in 2005-2006? They also didn't win another one because they played like suck last year to end the regular season. I guess they didn't win anything at all if you go by that retarded logic.

Did you also know that before Donovan got at UF they had only one sec conference title and no national title? Did you also know that before Spurrier arrived at UF they had no conference titles? Why UF just sucks if you go by their history before Donovan and Spurrier got there.

Just because we sucked in the past doesn't mean it won't change because it will. If Donovan and Spurrier changed Florida, Pearl will change Tennessee.

Posted by jimr07 on March 9, 2008 at 7:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

nafslov--you are entitled to your opinion. Tee has had a stellar pro football career and when did i ever say anything about Mears. i also do not share your opinion about him. I have officially placed you in the idiot club.

Posted by jimr07 on March 9, 2008 at 7:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

gatornation--how many more times are you going to mention your national championships. i think most of us know that. they had the best team money could buy

Posted by jimr07 on March 9, 2008 at 8:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

gatornation---blah, blah, blah. are you an ass hole to come on here constantly berating tennessee. my favorite team is whoever plays florida.

Posted by jimr07 on March 9, 2008 at 8:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

gatornation---by the way. you have me confused with someboday that gives a s**t.

Posted by splinterdand on March 9, 2008 at 10:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Thanks for continuing to prove my point, Gatorbrain.

Posted by Musicman74 on March 9, 2008 at 11:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

gatornation, two and done! no ncaa tourney for uf this year. Nit maybe? This will not be the last year Tennessee will rule the SEC in Basketball. We have some good players coming in next year. CBP know what he is doing. IMO Tennessee will be the next Kentucky, in basketball.
GO BIG ORANGE!!!

Posted by LadyVolsEighTimes on March 10, 2008 at 12:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Florida pays Donovan $4.2 million a year, and they are fighting to try and stay outta the NIT. Hell Austin Peay is going Dancing.