Talking points: the SEC Tourney looms edition

by Joel Hollingsworth on Mar 12, 2009 7:43 AM EDT in Rocky Top Talking Points

Tennessee basketball

The Vols enjoy a bye for the opening of the SEC Tournament in Tampa today. This tourney is one aspect of Tennessee's recent historical basketball curse that has proven immune to the healing touch of Bruce Pearl. Up until last year, the team hadn't even advanced to the weekend for 13 years. Even last year, when we made the semis, it was only to suffer an upset loss to Arkansas. Is this the year we'll see some success in the tournament? Stay tuned. We'll play the winner of Vandy-Alabama tomorrow night. Each tourney win could mean a half-seed higher in the NCAA Tournament.

Tennessee football

The top cornerback in the nation, Lamarcus Joyner from Fort Lauderdale, has "knocked Tennessee to the curb" after receiving an offer from Southern Cal.
Who needs Orson Charles when 6'8", 250-pound tight end Brian Vogler is in the next crop of recruits?
Hmm. Arian Foster was not with his former teammates doing the Pro Day thing at Tennessee yesterday. He's going to do it later in California. Veek! Interpret as you see fit.
Lane Kiffin has identified the offensive line as the weak link on the team, and Vlad Richard wants to do something about it. So does Cody Pope.
The QBs and WRs are trying to develop some much-needed chemistry. It's not that there wasn't chemistry last year, it's just that it was the kind that disintegrates the high school biology lab and gets Mr. C terminated post-haste.
The Google of Football's defensive scheme calls for a nose guard and a defensive tackle instead of a right and left defensive tackle. Big Dan Williams will be the nose guy this year, most likely, which means he'll be lining up off one of the center's shoulders instead of opposite the offensive guard. Through the magic of Monte's contextual advertising, this Talking Point wishes to remind you that you can Protect your Broken or Injured Nose, Stay Active! Quick Shipping! by visiting ithacasports.com.

Lady Vols basketball

The Lady Vols has never failed to make the Sweet 16, and they don't intend to break that streak.

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Contextual Advertising FTW

by rblakeh on Mar 12, 2009 9:02 AM EDT reply actions

:O

Who needs Orson Charles when 6’8", 250-pound tight end Brian Vogler is in the next crop of recruits?

Again, I add: :O

Wanna hear some music?

by samhitch on Mar 12, 2009 11:36 AM EDT reply actions

Not to be a downer, but the downer would note:

If we don’t get someone like him, then we would need OC.

by David Hooper on Mar 12, 2009 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions

And back to optimistic:

Dang, that’s a big guy!

by David Hooper on Mar 12, 2009 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions

Wasn't sure where to bring this up...

I’m thinking UCLA and Tennessee should be interesting this year. We both went 4-8 and are rebuilding, and last year’s game was a nail biter for both sides that could have gone either way. I know UCLA is going to have a rock solid defense this year. Our offense is still a big question mark, but we have talent at the skill positions. How do you guys think Tennessee is going to look?

By the way, I was at the Rose Bowl last year and have to say that the Vols fans I talked to there seemed pretty classy. Maybe I can convince my wife to take a trip to Rocky Top with me this year :)

by captainqtp on Mar 12, 2009 5:30 PM EDT reply actions

hey, qtp

This works as well as anywhere.

Right now, I don’t have a read on the UCLA game. The optimist in me likes to think that they’ll get things rolling on all cylinders and turn in another home-and-home stand like they did against California in the previous two years. But after whiffing on last year’s projections so badly, I think I need to wait a bit.

UT’s defense should be in great shape. We have a lot of skill – especially in the secondary – and the lack of D-line depth shouldn’t be a concern by the second game of the season. I think they’ll be the early heart and soul of the team.

Offensively, we’ll have to wait until after the Orange and White game (our spring scrimmage) to make any real educated guesses. We don’t know who our quarterback is. We’re loaded with running backs. The tight end position is thin, and the offensive line is a huge question mark, depth-wise. At WR, we have a lot to look forward to, especially if one or two of the incoming freshmen can pick up the system quickly.

So basically, UT and UCLA are in very similar positions. And I guess that makes Florida our equivalent of your USC. Hmm…

by David Hooper on Mar 12, 2009 5:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Thanks for the info

It should be a fun match up. I’m really looking forward to that game. Thanks for the info. USC won’t be a national championship contender in 2009… at least, I have my doubts. They lost a couple key coaches in the offseason and 6 of their starting front 7 from last year are gone. However, they are absolutely loaded on offense. In any case, I think a number of PAC-10 teams this next season will have a shot at beating them, and I hope its us.

UCLA’s strongest positions are probably the front 7 and tight end, followed by receivers and defensive backs. At O-line and QB, I don’t think anybody here knows what is going to happen yet. Right now, if our O-line can just manage average, UCLA will be pretty happy.

by captainqtp on Mar 12, 2009 6:05 PM EDT up reply actions

I am hoping we exact revenge

But I will not rest easy with Norm Chow as an OC. That game will have a lot of interesting story lines. MKiffin vs Chow, LKiffin vs Chow would be two of them.

by rblakeh on Mar 12, 2009 7:13 PM EDT up reply actions

But I think the game will be a good one

And I think it will be a big indication of the direction of both programs, at least for that season.

by rblakeh on Mar 12, 2009 7:14 PM EDT up reply actions

I think it'll be a fun game, too.

There’s no reason for any animosity between the two teams. Both are still retooling after a coaching change and both have much bigger fish (relatively speaking) they’re going after. Hopefully, both teams will be able to pin their ears back and just go for it.

by David Hooper on Mar 12, 2009 10:50 PM EDT up reply actions