While we remind you that it's only 36 days until football time in Tennessee, it's also only 112 days until the defending SEC Champions take the floor again at Thompson-Boling Arena.
The 2008-2009 schedule was released today, with times and television to be determined. Remember when the Vols used to play schools you'd never heard of? Not anymore:
2008-09 Tennessee Basketball Schedule
Sat 11/15 - vs UT Chattanooga
Tue 11/18 - vs UT Martin
Fri 11/21 - at Middle Tennessee
Thu 11/27-Sun 11/30 - Old Spice Classic (Orlando)
Gonzaga - Georgetown - Maryland - Michigan State
Oklahoma State - Siena - Tennessee - Wichita State
Wed 12/03 - vs UNC Asheville
Sat 12/13 - at Temple
Tue 12/16 - vs Marquette (Nashville - SEC/Big East Challenge)
Sat 12/20 - vs Belmont
Mon 12/29 - vs LA Lafayette
Sat 01/03 - at Kansas
Wed 01/07 - vs Gonzaga
Sat 01/10 - at Georgia
Tue 01/13 - vs Kentucky
Sat 01/17 - vs South Carolina
Tue 01/20 - at Vanderbilt
Sat 01/24 - vs Memphis
Wed 01/28 - vs LSU
Sat 01/31 - vs Florida
Wed 02/04 - at Arkansas
Sat 02/07 - at Auburn
Wed 02/11 - vs Georgia
Sat 02/14 - vs Vanderbilt
Wed 02/18 - at Ole Miss
Sat 02/21 - at Kentucky
Wed 02/25 - vs Mississippi State
Sun 03/01 - at Florida
Thu 03/05 - at South Carolina
Sun 03/08 - vs Alabama
Thu 03/12-Sun 03/15 - SEC Tournament (Tampa)
NCAA First & Second Round Sites - March 19-22
Boise - Dayton - Greensboro - Kansas City
Miami - Minneapolis - Philadelphia - Portland
NCAA Regional Final Sites - March 26-29
Boston - Glendale - Indianapolis - Memphis
NCAA Final Four - April 4-6 - Detroit
Under Bruce Pearl, the Vols have moved from relative obscurity to national relevance in three short years. And while the '08-'09 Vols must replace program mainstays Chris Lofton and JaJuan Smith, the Vols scored big in both recruiting (Scotty Hopson) and on the junior college circuit (PG Bobby Maze).
The new faces will combine with returning starters J.P. Prince, Tyler Smith, and Wayne Chism.
The Vols will look different in the upcoming season, no doubt—the shooting touch simply isn't there (on paper, at least) for the Vols to be jacking up threes at the rate they've enjoyed the last three seasons with Lofton and JaJuan around.
But the team should be more physical, while maintaining the athleticism that Pearl's "controlled chaos" system demands.
If it's true that the Vols don't rebuild anymore, this schedule will test that that theory for sure. Nonetheless, the Vols should open as a preseason Top-20 pick and will have a chance to earn their keep on a national stage in '08-'09.
We now return you to your regularly-scheduled football conversation.
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4 months ago
I enjoy your writing. The way things have been going lately, I now hope the football team does well while I expect the basketball team to do well. This team will be the most athletic team in Tennessee's history. Believe it or not, the first three years, Bruce's players didn't exactly fit his style to a T. These players should do just that. Better rebounding and full court play will result as the trifecta decreases. The schedule is again murderous.
Prediction: 25-5 (13-3 sec) with losses to Kansas, Old Spice finalist, Kentucky, Vandy and Ole Miss.
(I wish Pearl was on the democratic ticket in November)
4 months ago
Enjoyed the article, good read. Brian I do disagree with you on some points. I think Tennessee will beat Kansas simply because Kansas lost a ton of players from last year. Chalmers, Arthur, Kahn to name a few. I think Tennessee will struggle early just because of the losses they suffered and the fact that the new players have got to mesh with the team.
But I think that by the end of the year Tennessee will be right up there in the Top 10 just because of how athletic they're going to be. Will's right. This will be the most athletic team Tennessee has ever had in basketball.
I also think they're better suited for a run in the tournament because they will have more size. While great scorers, Lofton and JaJuan struggled to guard the 6-5, 6-6 shooting guards. Hopson, Woolridge, and Tatum are all over 6-5 and will be better suited to guard the taller more athletic wing players.
4 months ago
Predicted scoring leaders:
T. Smith -14
J. Prince -13
S.Hopson -12
B.Maze -12
W.Chism -10
C.Tatum -9
Very, very balanced attack
4 months ago
I believe all 6 of these players have a chance to lead the team in scoring. Cameron Tatum lead the Rocky Top league. Course that was just the Rocky Top league.
4 months ago
25-5 was also my from-the-hip thought on the season when I first looked at the schedule, and I think it's similar to Brian's breakdown - two out of conference, probably one of them in Orlando because we just don't win tournaments, and something like 13-3 in the SEC. I see no reason the Vols can't go undefeated at home for the third consecutive year.
Chemistry is always my first question when you put these guys together - two years ago, Tennessee was playing its best basketball at the end of the year. Last season, JP Prince couldn't find the right role and we were still playing point guard by committee at crucial times. I think they'll need to feel out the rotation, which will again be super-competitive. But right now, it's hard to go against Maze-Hopson-Prince-Smith-Chism.
More than anything else...the idea that under Bruce Pearl, we could lose Lofton and Juanny, then lose Duke Crews and Ramar Smith, and potentially be better the next year? Absurd. Welcome to major college basketball.
4 months ago
That's a tough schedule. We don't have much of a let up in Fayetteville this year either.
Just wanted to mention though, that Tenn has grown to be one of the programs I respect more than any others my Hogs play against. Great coach and great job building the program. You guys definately have something to be proud of and should be competitive for a very long time. Should make for some good Hogs v. Vols match-ups.
Nice article.
from 4 months ago
That's always good to hear, especially from an Arkansas fan. The TN-ARK matchup from the SEC Tournament last year was one of the most enjoyable games to watch last season, even if the Vols came up on the losing end.
4 months ago
The brackets for the Old Spice Classic were announced today:
Tennessee vs. Siena
Georgetown vs. Wichita State
Michigan State vs. Maryland
Oklahoma State vs. Gonzaga
4 months ago
Looking forward to the Ole Miss vs. Tennessee matchup in Oxford this year.
It went down to the wire last year and adding some key players should help Ole Miss compete even more and actually make it to the big dance from last year's disappointing ending (however OM did end up in NY for the NIT final 4).
from 4 months ago
I was at that game, a great one in Knoxville...first one Ole Miss had lost all season right? And at the time, I was sure we'd be seeing those guys again in the finals of the SEC Tournament because it was so even throughout. The Rebs have good pieces and the SEC West will probably be there for the taking again.
about 1 month ago
I think Pearl breaks through and takes the Old-Spice tourny. Tenn gets massive media attention and will be defeated in four SEC games...Arkansas, Florida, Kentucky, and Vandy. I also think Memphis gets us in a close game. Evans will be a beast for them...he has been prepared his whole life by a close family of brothers and will dominate for Memphis. (see E-60) I also predict that young talent will post L's with Kansas and Gonzaga. Then Tenn rebounds, gains momentum and wins SEC tourny. A #4 seed in Bracketology. They will defeat a top ACC contender to reach the Elite 8, then losing a close game. Hopson and Smith leave.
Pearl will continue to land top recruits, not 8th graders like Kentucky though...lol, 2 years from now Tennessee will have a men's basketball championship...and Pearl will sign a huge deal...making it official he is to stay in Knoxville....wow there's a prediction...your thoughts????
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