February is almost over and my #2 Vols took care of business last night against the 'Lil' Tigers, now they'll face the 'Real' Tigers in what should be a fantastic shootout between #1 and #2 on Saturday night. Is anyone else excited about the best three weeks in sports?

I hope Tennessee destroys Memphis. Every analyst has digged on the SEC all year for being weak, and admittedly are somewhat down (looking at you UK). I really don't get too excited for college BBall until about this time of the year. The rule the NBA put in about draft age has really upped the talent and excitement of college ball, since most of these great freshmen would be riding the pine for the Hawks and Grizzlies right about now.

Yeah, the SEC did not look that great early this season, with the exception of UT and Vandy (another TN team!). But they've turned it around, especially KY who is working their way into serious consideration for the Tourney, despite an absolutely pathetic start. I loved Bruce Pearl's dig at Memphis and Conference USA: "We play Florida, not Central Florida. We play Ole Miss, not Southern Miss."

Yeah Bruce Pearl is pretty cool coach, I was hoping that UK might try and steal him, but we got "baby Saddam" instead. Pearl reminds me of a slick used car salesman, so that makes me think he is a good coach. I thought that UK might sneak into the tournament somehow, but that 41 point loss to Vandy did us in I believe.

notre dame baby.

The new rankings come out today. Tennessee will be #1 for the first time in their history. I'm getting goosebumps just thinking about it. Of course, they travel to Vandy tomorrow, so it will probably be short-lived.

I love me some college basketball as well. As usual, I will get a lot of flack for this but my favorite school is hometown UTEP and Duke. I have always been a fan of Coach K since when I was a little kid and I love their rich tradition and enthusiasm. I also got accepted to Duke but foolishly passed it up.

Tennessee will be the number one team but they are definitely not the best team in the country. It was a great game to watch on Saturday night but both the Vols and Memphis have obvious flaws. They are a good team though and I am glad they took care of Memphis.

Another big game on Saturday was Drexel's win over Butler. Both teams should now make the tournament and they could make some noise over worse teams from better conferences.

Some overrated teams are Texas and the aforementioned Memphis, which I think could both lose in the second round of the NCAA tournament.

quote:

Originally posted by Maximum Jack:
Of course, they travel to Vandy tomorrow, so it will probably be short-lived.

This seems to be the prevailing sentiment. I guess the last three #1 teams to play at Vandy have lost to them.

This is UCLA's year. I feel it in my bones. Ben Howland is a tournament mastermind, and Kevin Love is going to push us over the edge. Exciting!

quote:

Originally posted by PaddyG:

quote:

Originally posted by Maximum Jack:
Of course, they travel to Vandy tomorrow, so it will probably be short-lived.

This seems to be the prevailing sentiment. I guess the last three #1 teams to play at Vandy have lost to them.

Not only that, but we absolutely humiliated them a couple of weeks ago in Knoxville. I think it's payback time. Plus, have you ever watched a game at Vandy? You coach from behind the goal. It's a small venue and the fans are right on the court. It's an intimidating place to play for an away squad. I think we can lose at Vandy, and still be in good enough shape to get a #1 seed-- as long as we win out and do well in the SEC tourney.

UT has never gone beyond the Sweet 16, so as long as we make it to the final 8, I'll be happy. I do think UCLA is the team to beat. Or Carolina if they get healthy.

I did this last year and nobody joined, but I can put up another Metacritic Forums ESPN group when the brackets come out and have a little competition.

I'm just hoping my Gators even make the bracket...

quote:

Originally posted by Mike Honcho:
I did this last year and nobody joined, but I can put up another Metacritic Forums ESPN group when the brackets come out and have a little competition.

I don't remember that at all. I am down this year.

quote:

Originally posted by Mike Honcho:
I did this last year and nobody joined, but I can put up another Metacritic Forums ESPN group when the brackets come out and have a little competition.

Do it Mike. I'll try to pay closer attention this year. Even though I have followed college basketball much less this year than previous, I'll give it a whirl.

MJ, a friend of mine went ot Vandy and said the place was pretty crazy. They're also going to try and white out the place tomorrow night.

I'm down for a espn bracket challenge. And maybe an NIT one so I can pick Kentucky to win it.

And I think that playing at Vandy is one of the weirdest experiences for a team. Benches on the ends of the floor? Seats below the level of the court? Craziness.

quote:

Originally posted by Maximum Jack:

quote:

Originally posted by PaddyG:

quote:

Originally posted by Maximum Jack:
Of course, they travel to Vandy tomorrow, so it will probably be short-lived.

This seems to be the prevailing sentiment. I guess the last three #1 teams to play at Vandy have lost to them.

Not only that, but we absolutely humiliated them a couple of weeks ago in Knoxville. I think it's payback time. Plus, have you ever watched a game at Vandy? You coach from behind the goal. It's a small venue and the fans are right on the court. It's an intimidating place to play for an away squad. I think we can lose at Vandy, and still be in good enough shape to get a #1 seed-- as long as we win out and do well in the SEC tourney.

UT has never gone beyond the Sweet 16, so as long as we make it to the final 8, I'll be happy. I do think UCLA is the team to beat. Or Carolina if they get healthy.

It was sweet while it lasted, MJ.

That was a great game last night. I only root against Vandy twice a year, so I'm okay with it. I think it hurt Kentucky more than anyone, because I doubt they will be able to beat UT in Knoxville, which means Vandy will most likely finish ahead of the Wildcats. Those bubble dreams might have been burst last night for KY fans.

quote:

Originally posted by in limbo:
This is UCLA's year. I feel it in my bones. Ben Howland is a tournament mastermind, and Kevin Love is going to push us over the edge. Exciting!

tournament mastermind? so you call getting smacked by the same team 2 years in a row a mastermind? please.

I call making the Final Four two years in a row pretty impressive, yes.

And how is Florida doing this year? Oh, OK.

No way in hell Kentucky is left out of the field with 11 conference wins. As a Pitt fan, I hate to say this, but Louisville is playing the best basketball right now...you can also add Texas to that conversation as they are peaking right now as well. I like UCLA and Louisville for the tourney in any game they can keep the score in the 60's or low 50's. Let's play "for real" or "not for real", and "deserves to be in", "doesn't deserve to be in"

Drake: for real
Butler: not for real
St. Mary's: not for real
Xavier: for real
Davidson: for real

Do they deserve to be in?
UMass: yes
Rhode Island: no
Syracuse: no
West Virginia: yes
Texas A&M: barely yes
Clemson: yes
Miami (FL): yes
Wake: no
Kentucky: yes
Ohio St: no
...there are more, just some off the top of my head.

These teams are overrated:
-Duke
-Memphis...shoot free throws and play in a decent conference and we'll talk.
-Marquette
-Vanderbilt...get them or Marquette off their home court and they're garbage.
-Butler
-Indiana

Has a legitimate shot of winning it all:
UCLA, Kansas, Texas, Louisville, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Michigan State (never count out Izzo, never!)