Tennessee covers and probably wins tonight

[uncfelix]

It seems like all the momentum has been building on the two Big East teams, W Virginia and Louisville. While I think the Mountaineers have truly taken it to the next level, I am not so sure about the Cards. Do they even have an NBA player on their team? Williams is athletic but a very inconsistent shooter. Padgett is a good passer and intelligent but not really NBA material. Watching Louisville this year, I really believe that Pitino has them working hard. The team collectively has a high motor. They are very aggressive on both ends of the floor. Which is interesting because it is very similar to how Tennessee plays the game. And matchups are everything come tourney time. One of the major differences between the two teams is that Tennessee has played several games this year against teams with a similar style. Namely the Memphis game, but also games against Florida and Arkansas, teams that play pretty frenetically and in your face, for better or worse. In the rugged and often slowed down Big East, Louisville's style often served them well...but I don't know that it prepared them for the kind of contest that should occur tonight.

Call me crazy, but I just think Louisville is like a bully that has not been punched in the mouth yet. Unscathed in the tourney so far, I am very curious how they will react to adversity--and there will be some tonight for sure. The Vols played the toughest schedule in the country this year, they arguably had the best regular season of any DI team. This team is not gonna get intimidated like many teams have by the Cards pressure defense. Just don't see it, they are too talented. Remember they should have beat Ohio State last year with the same players and without Tyler Smith. Their win against Memphis in Memphis was imo the most impressive road win in the NCAA's this year. I can forgive their close calls against inferior competition late in the year and in the conference tourney--this happens to a lot of good teams. Pearl is a very good coach with a proven record in the tourney. Remember the runs he made with UW-Milwaukee prior to being hired by the Vols? He will have them motivated.

Now, some may look at the Butler game and see Tennessee as being nearly eliminated and hence vulnerable. Not me. Butler almost made it past Florida last year with a team not as good as this year's team. Butler could have made it to the Final Four this year with a better draw. To me, that was a well played game between two excellent programs. Meanwhile, Louisville looks like world beaters. But they matched up well against both teams they beat.

Teams don't go unscathed in the tourney. Nearly impossible, even a dominant Florida team had some close calls in their tourney runs. And Louisville is not even close to what the Gators had.

3 points is a gift, at worst, this game should be a pickem. The Vols will win or keep it within the number.

[rjb1816]

agreed...louis has not been very good in close games...see last years tourney and this year/big east tourney. tenn however has been very good

[pittviper]

agreed.! but lol at the title when they are like 2.5 point underdogs

BOL
PV

[uncfelix]

Originally Posted by pittviper

agreed.! but lol at the title when they are like 2.5 point underdogs

BOL
PV

Lol, I tend to use the term loosely; as in any way that sucker brings me back cash.

GL to u on your big plays today and tomorrow. I'm tailing ya on West Virginia.

[Swamp-Gator]

GL Unclefelix!! With ya on Tennessee!!

[skippy]

Originally Posted by rjb1816

agreed...louis has not been very good in close games...see last years tourney and this year/big east tourney. tenn however has been very good

LOL

Tennessee turns every blowout victory into a close game.