Rocky Top Talking Points: second chances edition

by Joel Hollingsworth on Feb 12, 2007 7:36 AM EST in Tennessee Volunteer Basketball

Of course everyone will be talking about Wayne Chism's monster game against Vandy on Saturday, but here are a couple of other points to mix into the water-cooler conversation today:

Coach Pearl had better find a 24-hour dry cleaner stat, as he'll need the orange jacket again tomorrow night when Kentucky comes to town. UT is asking fans to paint the town orange. As Corn from a Jar pointed out yesterday, Tennessee should solidify an invitation to the NCAA Tournament if it wins three of its final six games, which would get them to that elusive 20-victory mark and a 50-50 record in the SEC. The final six games are:
- Kentucky, Tuesday, 2/13/07 at 7:00 p.m. (ESPN);
- at South Carolina, Saturday, 2/17/07, 3:30 p.m. (ABC);
- Alabama, Wednesday, 2/21/07, 8:00 p.m.; (Lincoln Financial)
- at Arkansas, Saturday, 2/24/07, 1:00 p.m. (Lincoln Financial);
- The Abomination, Tuesday, 2/27/07, 9:00 p.m. (ESPN); and
- at Georgia, Saturday, 3/3/07, 4:00 p.m. (no t.v.)
Three wins against that schedule is by no means a given, but the odds look a lot better than they did a week ago. Take a stab at predicting the Vols' record over its final six regular season games over on the new poll on the right sidebar.
The Tennessean is reporting that Brandon Warren has bolted Florida State and is trying to transfer to Tennessee to play for the Vols. You may recall that Warren, the top high school prospect in the state of Tennessee a year ago, shunned the Vols to play for the Seminoles. He's hoping to win a hardship appeal to the NCAA so that he will be eligible to run through the T next season.

Now, off to your day.

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Well

I think .500 is a good goal and we should get it, but I know we are in as of now. Our RPI is like 24 isn't it?

by Smitty @ Rocky Top Talk on Feb 12, 2007 8:56 AM EST reply actions

I'm pretty sure...

If the season ended today, Tennessee would be in. UT's RPI is very high (#14, unofficially, as of Sunday) and has been despite the Vols' struggles in January.

But, RPI isn't everything, and if Tennessee doesn't end at .500 in the SEC, there could still be a pretty strong case against them in March.

The problem is that the way the schedule shakes out, the Vols will probably have to win at least one, maybe two road games to have a 50/50 record in the SEC. Other than Florida, SEC road teams are only 13-43 in league play, including Tennessee's 0-5 road record.

Bottom line, Tennessee needs to finish strong to guarantee a spot in the tourney.

by CornFromAJar on Feb 12, 2007 11:33 AM EST up reply actions

Vols are in if...

they can upset Kentucky, Bama, OR, The Abomination and win against SoCar, Arkansas, AND Georgia.
Plus they need to advance deeper in the SEC tournament than they did last year to solidify a good seed.
Right now, ESPN has their RPI at 13 (great) and their strength of scedule at 6. Plus, those wins over Texas, OK St. and Memphis are looking really good right now.
But for now, the BasketVols are almost a lock for the NCAA's.

***Rockytop Tennessee***

by Volorado on Feb 12, 2007 4:53 PM EST reply actions