Final thoughts on UT-Vandy and looking ahead to Arkansas

Here are my final thoughts on Vandy's 72-69 win over UT last night.
1. Memorial Gym is beginning to develop a reputation as one of the most difficult places to play in collegiate basketball. While places like Cameron Indoor, Rupp Arena, and Allen Fieldhouse are the nation's premier home courts, the two games on ESPN this year and the win over Florida last year on CBS are causing people across the country to take notice. Once we hang some SEC Championship (or possibly National Championship) banners up in the rafters we can talk about it being up there with the big boys. Until then I will continue to forgo my academic responsibilities to go and yell like a madman in support of my 'Dores.
2. UT will not lose again and the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee will still award them a #1 regional seed.
3. Vanderbilt will probably lose at least one of their three remaining games.
4. UT needs help at point guard. Bad. Jordan Howell is streaky at best and does not show the maturity or the poise to run UT's offense in pressure situations. Ramar Smith, who had a fantastic freshman season, is in the midst of a sophomore slump. I think it's probably because he switched from cornrows to the fade. The lack of competence at the point has lead to UT's struggles in the half court. As we saw last night, when UT is unable to generate easy baskets with their press and push the tempo of the game they are much easier to defend. This is a solid defensive team, there is no doubting that. But when a team shows patience enough to make them work every time down the floor the UT offense is not nearly as explosive.



Looking ahead to this weekend:

The Commodores travel to Fayetteville to take on the Razorbacks of Arkansas in what should be a red-flag game if you're of the black and gold persuasion. The road woes of Vanderbilt are well documented (dropping 4 straight on the road to Florida, Ole Miss, UK, and UT to open SEC play). The 'Dores did redeem themselves somewhat taking care of business in Athens and Columbia, but I for one would like to see Vandy win at Arkansas and Alabama a week later (with a win over Mississippi State sandwiched in between) to finish out conference play.
It's safe to say we're no longer playing for just a bid to the Big Dance. I think this team has a realistic shot at a 3-4 seed. Winning the last three conference games, with two of those on the road, and winning at least 1 (I really want us to win the whole darn thing) game in the SEC tourney squarely places us among the 16 best tournament teams. There's a lot of ball left to be played but the 'Dores are white hot at just the right time.

UT gets UK at home in what will be a revenge game for them after the Wildkitties knocked them off at Rupp on January 22nd. UT gets an extra day of badly needed rest for this one. Look for the Vols to run the 'kitties out of the gym to take out some frustration from Tuesday night. While UK has long been out of the tournament picture in my estimation a loss at UT will effectively end their tournament dreams. Vandy also moves into second place in the SEC East with a UK loss and a win at Arkansas.

Still riding high from last night. Somebody pinch me.

Go 'Dores!