TEAM: Tennessee Volunteers
REGION: East
LAST WEEKEND: Defeated 15-seed American, 7-seed Butler
NEXT GAME: Louisville Cardinals
Tennessee got here because: They outlasted their opponents. While the American game shows a 15-point victory, it was a closer than the score indicates. As for Butler, the Volunteers escaped with a 5-point win. Both and American and Butler had little problem attacking Tennessee pressure; a potential omen as they prepare for a peaking-at-the-right-time Louisville.
What the Sweet 16 really means: For a team that is thinking Final Four, it had better not mean a damn thing besides another stepping stone toward their goal. Because of their play in the SEC Tournament and the first two Big Dance games, many are thinking the Vols have already peaked. If they have, this will be yet another season Tennessee doesn’t get past the Sweet 16, something the men’s basketball team has never done.
If anything, the Sweet 16 should symbolize everything Bruce Pearl is trying to change in Knoxville.
Chances to Reach San Antonio: If the team that played and beat Memphis starts showing up, the Volunteers have a great chance to get to their first-ever Final Four. However, if you look at their last four performances - South Carolina, narrow victory; Arkansas, defeat; American, closer than it should’ve been; and their close game against Butler - and compare them to the way Rick Pitino has his team playing, their chances don’t look stupendous by any means.
Of course, if Lofton gets hot, all bets about Tennessee’s finish are off.
REGION: East
LAST WEEKEND: Defeated 15-seed American, 7-seed Butler
NEXT GAME: Louisville Cardinals
Tennessee got here because: They outlasted their opponents. While the American game shows a 15-point victory, it was a closer than the score indicates. As for Butler, the Volunteers escaped with a 5-point win. Both and American and Butler had little problem attacking Tennessee pressure; a potential omen as they prepare for a peaking-at-the-right-time Louisville.
What the Sweet 16 really means: For a team that is thinking Final Four, it had better not mean a damn thing besides another stepping stone toward their goal. Because of their play in the SEC Tournament and the first two Big Dance games, many are thinking the Vols have already peaked. If they have, this will be yet another season Tennessee doesn’t get past the Sweet 16, something the men’s basketball team has never done.
If anything, the Sweet 16 should symbolize everything Bruce Pearl is trying to change in Knoxville.
Chances to Reach San Antonio: If the team that played and beat Memphis starts showing up, the Volunteers have a great chance to get to their first-ever Final Four. However, if you look at their last four performances - South Carolina, narrow victory; Arkansas, defeat; American, closer than it should’ve been; and their close game against Butler - and compare them to the way Rick Pitino has his team playing, their chances don’t look stupendous by any means.
Of course, if Lofton gets hot, all bets about Tennessee’s finish are off.
1 comments:
Why do I always pay attention to the subplots in these photos? You give me a picture of Chris Lofton, and the first person I notice is Wes Miller.
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