Tennessee Men's Basketball
Ready for some March Madness mathematics?
Consider Tennessee's scenario where the NCAA men's basketball tournament seedings are concerned.
UT sits No. 13 in the most recent RealTimeRpi.com ratings, theoretically on the brink of a No. 3 seed in one of the four NCAA regionals.
But the way the SEC tournament sets up, the Vols (23-7, 11-5) find themselves at a disadvantage opening with LSU (11-19, 2-14) at 3:15 p.m. Thursday in Nashville.
Even if Tennessee wins, it ultimately loses ground in the all-important RPI rankings by playing the Tigers.
LSU has an RPI of 222 - which damages the Vols' strength of schedule portion of the RPI formula, which ranks 20th.
A win over the Tigers would put the Vols into a second-round game (3:15 p.m., Friday) against the hottest team in the SEC, Ole Miss.
The Rebels (21-9, 9-7) remain on the bubble, listed Sunday night among ESPN bracketology's "first four" teams out of the field despite their four-game win streak.
But Ole Miss, by virtue of being the No. 2 team in the West Division, gets a bye before playing the UT/LSU winner.
UT coach Bruce Pearl was a proponent of the SEC revising its seeding for the conference tournament even before this season started.
"I've always been in favor of them seeding it based on record,'' Pearl said on his post-game radio show following Saturday's win over Mississippi State.
The Big 12 Conference seeds its teams 1-12 based on record, and in the Big East, the top two teams get byes while the third- and fourth-place team get byes.
In the Vols' case, their 11-5 league mark makes them the clear-cut No. 3 team in the SEC.
But the way the SEC seeds its tournament, the top two from each division get a first-round bye regardless of conference record. Having a bye lessens the likelihood of playing an RPI-killer like LSU.
Even if UT were to beat LSU, and then Ole Miss in the second round, it would at best be an RPI push; the Rebels are No. 56 in the RPI ratings.
It boils down to this: the Vols won't likely jump to a No. 3 seed unless they get to the SEC title game, which would likely require them to beat Kentucky along the way.
Where's Wayne?: The Vols handled Mississippi State 75-59 on Saturday, despite getting only one point from senior post Wayne Chism.
Chism ran into foul trouble in the first half but played 25 minutes, going 0-of-4 shooting from the field while pulling down six rebounds.
Chism scored 14 in the win over Arkansas, but in the previous two games against Kentucky and Florida, he scored eight and seven points, respectively.
Pearl sees a few reasons for Chism's scoring drop.
"Wayne is absolutely the focal point of our opponents' scout,'' Pearl said. "It's also important to consider Wayne is playing a lot more forward now with Brian (Williams) and Kenny (Hall) playing at center. Wayne was at center more when Renaldo (Woolridge) was playing.''
Pearl said it's also possible Chism might be pushing a bit.
"There's no one I've coached in my career who would like to stay and play for me 10 years, or be a seventh- or eighth-year senior more than Wayne,'' he said. "I think there might be a part of Wayne that's stressing out that it's going to be over soon.''
All that said, Pearl said he's not overly concerned.
"I'm not concerned about Wayne because he's been through so much already,'' he said. "Wayne also played well against LSU and Ole Miss.''
Chism had 20 points and seven rebounds in the 59-54 win at LSU and 26 points and 12 rebounds in the Vols' 71-69 overtime win against the Rebels.
Chism and walk-on Quinn Cannington are the winningest seniors in UT history with 99 victories.
Scotty Called It: It was suggested to UT sophomore Scotty Hopson following the Vols' 73-62 loss at Kentucky that his team would do well to finish the final six games 3-3.
"No way,'' Hopson said. "I think we'll probably go 5-1.''
What did Hopson know then that others didn't?
"I felt our guys had a lot of determination after that Kentucky loss,'' Hopson said. "We wanted to get some wins, especially some tough ones on the road.''
Tennessee 69, South Carolina 57 men's…
Tennessee 60, Connecticut 57 men's…
Tennessee 73, Georgia 62 men's…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 50
Southland writes:
hey as long as chism steps back up when the NCAA starts He is beat up so it is easy to see why his production is down. Hey, as long we are winning it really doesnt matter who is doing the scoring. Tenn played good but Miss. St flat out had no heart in Sat. game. I am glad to admit I was wrong. I thought we would win 2 out of the last 6. 5-1 is just plain awesome Sure wished we could put a beat down on Vandy but Vandy is good and will do pretty well in the tournament
tnaseevol writes:
Who cares that much? TN is going to win the SEC!! If they keep up the way they're going, no one will stop us!!! we've just got to be positive!! After the SEC it's on to the NCAA Champions! Think win..win...win....GBO
Lostvolinhighweeds writes:
Beating LSU won't benefit U.T.'s postion?
I suppose NOT beating them would?
Somehow, I think the logic is flawed.
Beating L.S.U. is the only way U.T. can put itself in a position to move up. I know it's a long shot, but if we win the tourney, especially by beating both U.K. AND Vandy, a one seed is possible. I base this on right now, U.K. is considered a one. If we were to beat them again, how can you seed them ahead of the team that beat them twice? Call me a kool-aid drinker if you like, but I will believe that is exactly what's going to happen until it doesn't!
Go Vols!
1974Vol writes:
Just beat whoevers on your schedule and the rest will take care of itself. And maybe just don't beat LSU, hammer them. I know the commuters don't count blow out wins but the NCAA seeding committe would take notice of say 104-62
volsr4me writes:
The only problem is will they think like human's or let the computer's think for them ?
Just thinking out loud. GBO
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Just win, then win again.
Deep breath and win again......
JMO...
blazeglory07 writes:
If we win the SEC tournament,there is no way I think we get a #1seed, but we will get a #2seed.
Down_The_Field writes:
it doesn't matter where we're seeded, we'll eventually have to beat a good team.
we've already beaten 2 expected #1 seeds.
GBO!
nocleats writes:
^Troll^
VolJunkie writes:
They say opinions are like a-holes; everybody has one. I suspect this guy has multiple opinions therefore he must also have multiple ... hmmmmm, could explain a lot.
The big road win on Saturday was huge. Off to Nashville to take care of business and a likely rubber match with UK on Saturday. I know, play them one at a time, but this is March and there is madness in the air.
Go Vols!
CrankE writes:
On the other hand, losing to LSU could hurt the seeding, right? Maybe just focus on taking it one game at a time and winning each one.
I too think that the SEC tournament seed plan is bogus. But don't start complaining too loud or Mike Slime will might fine us.
jakethevolguy writes:
Atta boy, Roy. Give um he!!
Fryinpansvols writes:
I agree mostly. I agree with your logic that regardless of who we play winning can only help our cause for our seeding. Losing to LSU in the 1st round would hurt. I honestly think right now we are a #3 at best, but probably more like a #4 seed. If we can win the first two rounds of the SEC Tournament then we might get a #3. Heck, I want to win the whole tournament and get some payback on Vanderbilt if they make it to the championship game. What I don't agree with you (Lostvolinhighweeds) on is a #1 seed if we win the SEC Tournament. I would love nothing more than a #1, but UT has never had one even a couple years back when we had the #2 RPI and beat Memphis, we still got a #2 Seed in the hardest region. But lets just take it one game at a time. Its going to be a tough road for our Vols who are playing their best ball of the season and it should be an interesting SEC tourney if nothing else. GBO and beat LSU!
Cldvols1 writes:
I see a troll on our site and I take that as a compliment, so thank you! UT is obviously doing something right for someone to come on here and bash our squad. As far as the seeding goes I'm down for whatever, cuz whoever we play we've gotta beat. Personally I'd like to see em go all the way to the Finals. Realistically though they've been too inconsistent to make it there so I predict they make it to the Sweet 16 maybe Top 8. Here's to hoping my prediction's wrong. Go Vols!!!
Fryinpansvols writes:
Hey Troll, how are you doing today? Like others have said you need to remove vol from your screen name, because your no true UT fan. GBO and beat LSU!
Fryinpansvols writes:
Another thing, does anyone really think CBP has read this article or told his players to lay down in the SEC Tourney? I would say not. I think he has probably done the opposite and that is to get them ready one game at a time, but a team goal to win the SEC Tournament! GBO and beat LSU!
GerryOP writes:
Just win 'em all and don't worry about the seeding. Win babeeee, just win!
uwishuwereassmartasme (Inactive) writes:
Dude,
Get some sleep. Both your logic and your typing/spelling are terrible.
crappieking writes:
You sir, are an idiot first and foremost. Please take the word "VOL" out of you're screen name. You do not deserve it. I see your time better spent slicing your wrist.
BIVOLAR_BEAR writes:
The RPI doesn't need improving, UT will have a shot at the 3 seed with 2 wins..25 wins would help regardless what people think..That bunch from Ole Miss gave UT fits at TBA, but I like the Vols in the rematch..GBO!!
BIVOLAR_BEAR writes:
This actually makes sense, UT will probably be the 4th seed in the tough Midwest bracket..That would mean beating Purdue and Kansas..I hope I'm wrong and it's the South region..
CDRKen writes:
Rest the same way Indy blew a perfect season chance to get beat in the Super Bowl?! Go prove yourself and do it the hard way. Stay hungry, play smart, play hard and don't let your guard down to rest until it is all over.
golfballs03 writes:
As Vol fans, we should realize that RPI is pretty much meaningless. We were #1 a couple years ago and got a 2 seed. The selection committee does whatever they want to. They don't really follow the RPI as close as they would want you to believe.
CDRKen writes:
They deserved to catch phooey for that! This is the reason I hope college FB does not go to a playoff. I don't want to pay good money to go to a game that does not mean anything. As for Indy and NO, that SB win would pale in comparison to the immortality of 19-0. Ignorant fans.. I don't think so. It's not all about the money.
lomas98 writes:
I know technically their SOS will lower, but I thought the NCAA concentrated more of SOS during the regular season. You can't control who you play in the conference tournaments. I have never seen a team win a conference tournament and it was broken down by who they beat to get there. A conference tournament championship would still mean the same thing if TN beats LSU, Ole Miss, South Carolina, and GA instead of playing through KY and Vandy for it. I think we are a 4 seed as of now and only losing to LSU or beating KY could potentially change that. I would love to be in a 3 spot if possible because then a possible 2nd seeded opponet in the sweet 16. I would love to play the 2's instead of the 1's at that point.
RoyaltyVol#280778 writes:
Any win helps! Even though beating LSU may not help our RPI, its a win that will get us one step closer to the SEC tourney championship game. I would love to see us win the SEC tourney, then we could go into the NCAA tourney with the confidence needed to finally get us to the final 8 and beyond. GBO!
BIVOLAR_BEAR writes:
Just hope he knows to cut the length of the arm..
LadyVolsEighTimes writes:
Ya get into a weird area in all the thoughts on changing the way the tourney is set up. It is sorta like the SEC Championship game in Football, there has been many a time when the the number two team in the East or West had a better record than the the number one in the other Division.
(Remember the Big 12 two years ago when it had three teams ranked in one division, yet an unranked and far poorer team went to the Champ Game.)
In the near future I just can't imagine a year in which the East will not have three or four of the Superior SEC teams.
VolunteerLifer writes:
It is what it is. We have to suck it up and play LSU, then Ole Miss, and then Kentucky, and if we are still standing, most likely Vandy (although Vandy could get beat beforehand, given their lousy performance against SC) That's what we have to do to get a higher seed. I think playing four games in four days is a daunting task against any competition, much less those teams. The deck is stacked against us, and its unlikely to happen for us. As long as these guys give it their all and use this tourney to improve and tune up for the nationals, I'll be happy.
PennVol writes:
My prediction for NCAA seeding:
Lose to LSU or Ole Miss in SEC = #5 seed
Beat LSU/Ole Miss and lose to Ky = #4 seed
Lose in SEC championship = #4 seed
Win SEC = #3 seed
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
Just for clarification, are these the highest possible seeds we can get? Because our seeding is going to depend also on how the teams ahead of us in the polls do.
BIVOLAR_BEAR writes:
I think UT has earned a 4 seed right now..If they get to the rubber match game with UK, they will secure a 3 seed..If UT beats UK and Vandy for the SEC title, they could be in line for a 2 seed..
GerryOP writes:
For all of you Steven Pearl fans and haters:
http://shoppernewsnow.com/aWest.aspx
1vavolfan writes:
What a meaningless article.RPI is only one determinant in tournament seating, just look at how the Vols were seeded the last 2 years.To think that beating a good Ole Miss team wouldnt help is ridiculous.
OrangeVeins writes:
So did the Saints....they didn't join the pro bowl festivities either? That means nothing...they BOTH rested their players?!
licknpromise777#651578 writes:
Unless we lose to LSU we most likely earn a #4 seed which gives us an easy opening game against a #13 seed..All the possible #13 seed teams are pretty bad; so a #4 seed sets us up nicely..As far as the SEC tourney goes sometimes having a first round bye tends to hurt your momentum..If we use our size and get a lot of easy points in the paint the team will be fresh for game 2..Most bracket predictions show us a #4 seed in the West which is perfect;Being a #5 seed would be very bad because most of the possible #12 seed opponents are upsets waiting to happen
CoverOrange writes:
Conundrum: A team plays and beats the top 10 and bottom 10 has a RPI of x. Another team plays and beats the middle 20 teams and has a RPI x also. Which is the better team?
Thought of the day: If your sights are set on getting to the final game then seeding doesn't matter. If you measure success based on how far you go, seeding matters.
tdvol1989 writes:
Not gonna happen. Be positive and stay positive, but there will not be a 7 loss #1 seed, even if several top teams lose in their tournaments. With a title win and key losses, we are a longshot at a #2. If we beat KY, I believe they are still a #2. It's that "body of work" thing. They had a better season record-wise than we did.
Who cares what we get seeded as long as it isn't that dreaded 8/9 with best case scenario playing a #1 Seed in Round 2? I think we are safe on that one. I am much more interested in winning the SEC Tournament, especially with a win over Vandy in the Title game. That would help us alot confidence wise.
Plan on a #5 Seed with a loss to a desperate LSU team (not looking likely with the way we are playing). A #4 with anything else, but a SEC Tourney Championship Win. It is all good to me. We are playing well at the right time and Pearl has discovered some really good combinations. With a little improvement on the perimeter, we really have a good shot to go beyond the Sweet 16.
But, I really want an SEC Tourney Title. I have never seen that happen.
schymtz writes:
GO VOLS! BEAT LSU, Ole Miss, Vandy, and UK, One at a time!
I've tried finding a "printable" SEC Men's bracket on-line and with dozens of Google hits, all of the first page comes back as a "Your Computer in is danger of crashing" ad or malware.
1. Anybody else run into this?
2. Where can I find a printable bracket?
beartn#223846 writes:
I don't think the RPI matters that much. We are always seeded well below where our RPI ranking is. When we were the #1 RPI team with the highest rating since Duke from 8 to 10 years earlier, our reward was a 2 seed against the overall #1 seed UNC. My guess is that we will be no higher than a 5 seed, and maybe a 6.
VolWoman writes:
Same here. If it's like the women's tournament, they won't have the bracket on the SEC site until tomorrow. I don't understand what's so hard about getting it up on the tournament site.
volboy81 writes:
I know...right! This Griffin or Griffith guy is THE MOST NEGATIVE NELLIE EVER! UT could be 40-0 shutting out every opponent and he'd be whining about something! Nothing anyone at UT does is ever any good...all he does is find fault, condemn, complain and criticize.
PennVol writes:
In my opinion, these are the highest we could get. I don't think the selection commmittee rates the SEC very high and we're 2-4 against Ky/Vandy/Fl so far. We also had bad losses at So Cal and Ga. It would probably take beating both Ky and Vandy in the SEC (which also gives us a 7 game winning streak) to get to a #3 seed.
Lostvolinhighweeds writes:
You may well be correct and I'm not going to poke out my lip and refuse to watch no matter what seed we get. But I like my version better and at the risk of repeating myself, let me reiterate. I will continue to believe untill it doesn't happen. Go Vols!
murrayvol writes:
I admire you for believing Lostvol but there's no chance Tennessee gets a 1 seed. Too many good teams (who won't be losin' before Selection Sunday) between the Vols and a 1. Maybe next year.
wildcatbasketball writes:
I respect your comment but disagree. Based on your thoughts does UT deserve to be a higher seed than Vanderbilt since Vandy beat UT twice. This is not how the seedings work my friend.
orangecountyvols writes:
The game with LSU may be shaping up as a close one unfortunately. Tigers have won 2 of last 3, will be fired up, and it might just be a tough one for U T to be excited about, but I hope that's not the case.
Insasmuch as the trolls are concerned, on the John Adams article re Tyler Summitt/Kamiko Williams, I yielded to the temptation to not address one such troll. I agree with you about the trolls masquerading with Vols in their screen
names. Oh well, consider the source and let's enjoy what we have and GO VOLS.
Of more important matters, just play em' one at a time........give it your best shot, and that's all we ( Vol fans ) can ask.
stevefrommemphis writes:
I've followed Tennessee basketball for over 40 years, and Chism is one of my handful of favorite players ever. I spent at least the first two years saying: "Don't shoot the 3, don't shoot the 3," but Chism finally convinced me that he can shoot the 3! He has always been a good representative of the school, the team, and the State of Tennessee. He is a very talented player, and I hope he has a long and successful career in the NBA.
bigpapa writes:
Mike Griffith,
You are useless. Why don't we seed the sportwriters in the area and see who comes out on top? Out of 20 writers, I would seed Griffith #32. He hates UT, never gives them credit for anything, and feels that any win was a result of the opposition having a bad game.
He loves to convince us of his outstanding knowledge of sports, but ask him if he ever played sports at the collegiate level. Mike, you have no credibility and as far as this story goes, I haven't found one other sports writer who agrees with you about the RPI. They do agree that the SEC tourny seeding is flawed, but nothing else. Please take your girly, whiny voice somewhere else.
LSG410EC83 writes:
Thanks for the post and link. Excellent article. I know Steven is not the most talented player we have, but if the rest of the team played with the intensisty and hustle that Steven does, we would be virtually unbeatable.
Share your thoughts
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.