TAMPA, Fla. — The math used to determine the NCAA men’s basketball tournament’s seeding didn’t add up for Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl on Sunday night.
“It’s a little confusing to me,’’ Pearl said. “The RPI (rankings) hurt our league, yet it didn’t help us.
“Our RPI was 23 and our strength of schedule was No. 2.’’
And yet, the Vols (21-12) head to East Region site Dayton, Ohio, for a Friday game as a No. 9 seed to play No. 8-seeded Oklahoma State (22-11). Tipoff is 12:25 p.m. (TV: WVLT).
A Sunday game against East Region No. 1 seed Pittsburgh — which has the No. 1 RPI in the country — likely awaits the winner of UT’s game with a tipoff at 2:50 p.m. or 5:20. The Panthers (28-4) open in Dayton against East Tennessee State (23-10).
“We’re not looking ahead, I can guarantee you that,’’ said Pearl who has guided the Vols to the NCAA tournament in all four years of his UT tenure. “Oklahoma State has about the 19th RPI; they’re probably the toughest No. 8 seed in the tourney.’’
The Cowboys went on a season-ending run that included wins over Big 12 powerhouses Texas (68-59) and Oklahoma (71-70) before they fell to eventual conference tourney champion Missouri (67-59) on Saturday.
“Oklahoma State won eight of its last 10 and they shoot 38 percent from three,’’ Pearl said. “They’re very guard oriented and very athletic.’’
The Cowboys run a four-guard offense — just like the Mississippi State team that defeated the Vols 64-61 in the St. Pete Times Forum on Sunday afternoon to earn the SEC’s automatic bid.
The Bulldogs (23-12) were given a No. 13 seed while regular-season SEC champion LSU (26-7) is a No. 8 seed.
The bubble burst for SEC teams Florida, South Carolina and Auburn.
“I’m very disappointed for the SEC to only get three teams in,’’ Pearl said. “At that, your league champion (LSU) is an eight seed, with all of their tradition, and we’re a nine seed.’’
The SEC has gotten at least five teams in the NCAA tournament since 1996, when four teams were awarded berths. The last time the SEC had as few as three teams invited to the NCAA tournament was 1990.
The Vols have played two games against Oklahoma State. UT lost to the Cowboys in Oklahoma City 89-73 in Pearl’s first season (2005) before avenging the loss in Nashville the following year with a last-second 79-77 victory.
UT point guard Bobby Maze, who started his career at Oklahoma, will be matched up once again with Oklahoma State’s Byron Eaton. Eaton, a 5-foot-11, 210-pound point guard, averages 14.1 points and 5.5 assists.
“I remember him; he liked to talk,’’ Maze said. “He can’t talk to me. We beat them when we played him back then.’’
Maze, who also expressed disappointment with UT’s seed, was one of only a few players to talk with the media.
The Vols filed out of the team hotel shortly after watching the selection show and headed for the airport to catch their flight back to Knoxville.
Pearl said the team will head to Dayton on Wednesday.
“We’re fortunate to have a Friday game,’’ Pearl said. “We’ve got a lot of work to do.
“Our backs are up against the wall again.’’
Familiar Faces: Oklahoma State assistant coach Chris Ferguson was on the UT basketball staff from 1997-2005. Team doctor Val Gene Ivan spent 13 years as the head physician for the UT men’s athletic department.
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Comments » 447
88volgrad writes:
No Sweet 16 this year.
gainesville_vol writes:
What a horrible placement and draw. Total disrespect as a 9 seed.
1963volfan writes:
tough draw go vols
geniuspearl writes:
better take a bus. Much cheaper than plane,which means less money wasted.
iowavol writes:
Got our challenge now. Focus boys, move the ball around and rebound strong.
kdawg1964 writes:
This team has the ability to win it all, but they don't have the focus or mental toughness to win 5 games in a row. You get 2, at the most 3 good games then they stink up the court. I'm saying 1 win then loose the 2nd round.
MANVOL writes:
we got what we deserved...learn how to play at a consistant level...one and done sad to say..it will take a miracle to win the first round..
CLKVOL writes:
damn, 9 seed?
so much for the no. 2 sos
we should take the memphis approach, play nobody and win 30 games and get a higher seed
kdawg1964 writes:
florida Who? what seed is Florida in the NCAA tournament?
therewillbeorange writes:
Let's hope we play inspired. Gonna be tough. Go Vols.
orangebass writes:
can you say one and done?
zigvol writes:
man I thought 7 seed at least tough break
chrisw2967 writes:
#1 or #9 seed doesnt really matter , just lace them up and play ball and if your good enough you will advance.this team is capable of advancing, it just depends which tenn team shows up.
kdawg1964 writes:
With this team I don't think it matters how much support they get. It looked like a pretty full house at TBA on there last home game and they didn't play very inspired. This has been a very frustrating team to follow this year.
SandySpringsVol writes:
A top 25 RPI equates to a 9 seed? Even if they'd won this afternoon, they probably wouldn't have been better than an 8. And their second matchup is against #1 Pitt. What a screw job.
Vols need to use this at motivation. If they play how they're capable, they can beat OSU and give Pittsburgh fits.
MANVOL writes:
sorry i have championed their cause all year but not after today and that pathetic effort i dont know if we we can beat ETSU....
CoachFulmer writes:
Its a good year when Kentucky and Florida can't make the Tourney. Have fun in the NIT fudge pirates. ETSU and UT in the same bracket, nightmare. Hope the Vols get inspired and kick some Cowboy a55.
GO VOLS!
orangebass writes:
I hope Memphis makes it to title game.. and CHOKES AGAIN.
wantingthevols2win writes:
The Vols got robbed..! Number 2 Strength of Schedule and the Vols got a 9 seed......Robbed!
Ironcity writes:
Sec and UT get trashed. If your going to be a 9th seed, our match ups are pretty good all things considered. Ok St's best player turned his ankle pretty bad on Friday or Saturday and Pitt doesn't have a marquee shot blocker which seems to really bother our guys. Additionally Coach Pearl has beaten Pitt before when he was at Wisconsin Milwaukee.
harvo12#250673 writes:
TN has had close losses to higher seeded teams. They have the capability. They can still make it to the Sweet 16, believe that or not, I just don't think they will.
Tough loss to Memphis
Tough losses to Zaga
Tough loss to LSU
A loss to Kansas (got down at the start, then neither lost nor gained any ground)
A win against Marquette
This team can surprise some people.
scvols writes:
Anything can happen. I would love to see all 3 SEC teams make it to the sweet 16, then tell everybody to kiss our SEC's you-know-what...
Volsforbetterorforworse writes:
It doesnt matter if they win it all, or go out in the first round. Our wishy washy fans are terrible. I see one guy post a good comment one day and a negative one the next. We should be behind these young men no matter what quit being so negative.
orangebass writes:
THE SEC SUCKS !!!
this coming from a CUSA team, thanks hoops22 you gave me a reason to laugh today.
Truevol writes:
Hoops 22! You have to be upset given the fact you won your terrible conference tournament and did not lose a conference game all year and still could not get a #1 seed. I think the committee understands a terrible conference and a mediocre team at best in Memphis. Tiger High is in trouble with no 3-point shooters and no real test the past two months. BTW if you think you can get to a Tennessee fan by talking trash about basketball, you are completely wrong. UT is and always will be a football school and going to the tourney in basketball is just a plus. Memphis only has one thing to look forward to all year, God knows its not there football team. Good luck in the tourney, I wish Memphis State well. I used to be a fan when they actually played in a reasonable conference.
TooLegit2Quit writes:
This Hoops22 kid is adorable, quit your trolling/spamming. You are terrible at it. As for our seed, we got what we deserved, I think we can take Oklahoma State, the game against Pitt could be fun.
VolJunkie writes:
Nope, unfortunately I think we played ourselves into this one. I think we can beat OSU, but IMO Pitt will be the NC.
Go Vols!
StroVol writes:
I'll take it! Ok state sucks. Pitt will be tough, but their history in this tourney leaves alot to be desired
zigvol writes:
Well said sir
MANVOL writes:
Slive did nothing to help us or SEC. we played a tough schedule for no reason lets go the memphis route, play the catholic girls league ( no offense to catholic girls league) win 30 games and get a 2 seed...
Ironcity writes:
I am not sure what you guys are looking at but this team plays hard. Not smart but hard. The reality is if your best player can't enjoy the moment and relax then its going to always going to be tough. Tyler has got to start playing with some confidence and some smarts. If he doesn't do it we can't expect anyone else.
I do believe we blow Ok State out. Even as bad as we played today we not only had a chance we should have won the game.
davidray31#232814 writes:
The Vols can beat osu. SEC got disrespected pretty bad. But all three teams can win the first round games.
vols4ever93 writes:
hoops22 the SEC is about Football 1st and Bball 2nd besides M town beat UT by 1 hardly a just cause to talk smack, imo
invisiblekid writes:
Tough draw, OK ST is a balanced team. 4 guys scoring in double figures and 6 guys getting 3+ rebounds a game. The first 3 off the bench average between 6-8 ppg.
Anderson is the leading scorer and 3rd in the Big 12 in scoring at 18 ppg with a very good 3 point %. Muonelo is averaging 7 rpg at 6'5".
They have something the Vols don't, a good consistent back court. Won't be surprised to see the Vols one and done. Not trying to hate on the guys, just being realistic. OK ST matches up well with their strength being our weakness in the back court.
CLKVOL writes:
you wouldnt have a 2 seed if you had played anybody..
your only decent victories came against Gonzaga and Tennessee..
With losses to Syracuse, Georgetown, and Xavier..
when you play good teams, you lose.
memphis wins 1st round and then gets beat by maryland..
tnmantravel#531151 writes:
such tweetering twits
gohawks1 writes:
Alas, it's just not in the cards this year.
MrBamSeydu writes:
All I'll say is this:
Tyler Smith is best served coming back next year. In no way is he ready for the NBA, way too inconsistent. You can't drive into the lane and spin 13 times and shoot a funky looking jumper in the NBA. It may work SOMETIMES in the SEC, but it isn't a consistent game to bring to the NBA. He needs to work on the 3-ball and more work on mid-range, dribbling, and cutting down on stupid plays.
Wayne Chism is a toss up. He's the best player on the team by far, but a 2nd team All-SEC player won't be a lottery pick. He could be 1st team and top-15 pick next year.
yabadabadoo1026 writes:
totally agree--seeding means nothing if your intent is to go all the way and not just see how far you can advance before bowing out----you got to be the last guy standing no matter if you start as a 1 or start as a 16
bugman (Inactive) writes:
they'll get blown out first round
volball7222 writes:
It doesnt matter.........each team has to win to continue. ETSU will give Pitt a good game if they play their game. They are fast and can shoot the ball.....wait and see.
vols4ever93 writes:
hoops22 im just saying, UT and Memphis play again and i'll take the vols
tnman1025 writes:
memphistom, are you being serious? What are the details of this?
OrangePower11 writes:
UF has been good a total of 5 seasons in their illustrious history. UF is irrelevant in basketball. I agree with you on Kentucky though, it's better for all of college basketball when they are doing well.
The main difference is that Kentucky will not stay down for long.
WestTennVol writes:
yeah great showing from Conference USA as well
coltvol33 writes:
Idiot. Hoops22 (tu-tu??) Shouldn't you be over on the women's message board?
ncvol17 writes:
you are still a Tiger High fan in 'conference usa' at the end of the day...sure you'll beat a couple low seeds until you get to a real team,, but win or lose.. you are still a Tiger High fan...Think a fan of a real conference - Big 10, PAC 10, Big 12, ACC, or SEC would een talk to you in person? Maybe a MEAC fan...
ctownvol writes:
Wake up dude. You're a Memphis fan. You and your little school are sad pitiful excuses. Say what you want, but you're still Memphis. And that ain't much to be proud of.
yabadabadoo1026 writes:
we werent robbed--SOS means nothing unless you beating some of that strenth--we got 1 quality win--Marquette
vols4ever93 writes:
your more than likely right but you can't count out any team that makes it to the tourney who knows mabay they get better as it goes along
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