In every sport there are always turning points, times when a team finally overcomes an obstacle that has notoriously been in their way. This turning points in most cases means future success. Turning Points can come in many different forms. Some are monumental, like Peyton Manning finally winning a Super Bowl, while some have a little less limelight, like Prairie View ending their 86 game losing streak in College Football. Regardless of what stage it is on, they are still turning points. In this article I would like to take a look at 3 teams in my home state of Tennessee that are at very different points in the programs, but must overcome huge obstacles that stand in front of them.
The Memphis Tigers have been on the national scene for ever since John Calipari arrived. With a 181-63 record in the Calipari era, the Tigers have been a force to reckoned with each and every year. Memphis has a big hurdle in its way though, The Final Four. I know that this is a very high expectation, but that is what Calipari expects. If he can lead UMass to the Final Four, then why not Memphis? That is a question that he as well as much of the media has asked over and over again. The good news is that he is getting closer. The past two seasons, Memphis has a combined record of 66-8, which has earned them a #1 and #2 seed in the past two tournaments. In these last two years they have made it to the Elite Eight game, where they have been knocked off. What is it that makes that first elusive Final Four a reality? I'm sure if I had the answer, I would be on Coach Cal's staff and not here writing to you. This might be the year that the Tigers can finally overcome that obstacle and finally get that monkey off their back. Derrick Rose is arguably the best freshmen in the country, and maybe one of the Top Point Guards in the country already. He will lead a deep and experienced team that will probably run circles around the rest of a weak Conference USA or anyone else that wants to get in their way.
PREDICTION: They make the Final Four finally!
The Tennessee Volunteers have spent many years in the cellar of the SEC. I can remember growing up and watching the games, laughing at how bad they were. Two years ago, that all changed. The hiring of Bruce Pearl was probably the greatest coaching move at Tennessee since the hiring of Pat Summitt. Couple his hiring and success with how bad the Tennessee football team has been, and you'll soon find out why Bruce Pearl has become a Cult hero here in Knoxville. The Vols have put back-to-back successful seasons together, going 46-19 in that stretch. The Vols have two obstacles that they have not been able to hurdle, even in their last couple of years. The first is making it into the weekend of the SEC tournament. They haven't played on the weekend in the SEC tournament since 1991. That's a long stretch that Bruce Pearl will do everything in his power to end. The second obstacle is making it past the sweet 16. Pearl has been able to get his kids into the sweet 16 the past two years, but just can't seem to get over the hump. If there was ever a team that could do it, it just might be this one. With the talent they have returning and the Freshmen and transfers coming in, this team is dangerous. If they get over that hump, the Elite Eight might not be the last stop for this team.
PREDICTION: Elite Eight
The ETSU Buccaneers have in the past had some very successful seasons. They have had many great teams throughout the years that either made some noise in the tournament, or by giving some of the top seeds a big scare. The problem for the Bucs is that that play in the lowly Atlantic-Sun Conference. If you want to get to the tournament from the A-Sun you have to win your conference tournament. This is where the Bucs have had some problems. Last year they entered the tournament a heavy favorite. They had just finished the regular season at 22-8, won the regular season title, and were hosting the conference tournament on their home floor. You couldn't ask for a better scenario. They couldn't beat Belmont though, and were gladly welcomed into the NIT. Now the Bucs have a bigger problem. Belmont is back with leading scorer Justin Hare, Gardner-Webb is starting to surprise everyone, and the conference tournament has now been moved to Nashville, right in Belmont's back yard. It's going to be an uphill battle for the Bucs, but junior Guard Courtney Pigram (18.3 ppg) just might be the man to lead this team over that hump.
PREDICTION: Conference title and trip to NCAA's (gotta give my Alma Mater some love!!)
In sports, turning points for an athlete or a program are what defines their future success. If these three teams can overcome what lies before them, then the state of Tennessee will have a bright future in College basketball.
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11 comments:
Who are the other key players for the Bucs this year (besides Pigram)? Any newcomers that they are excited about?
C-Andrew Reed and PG-Dequan Tilley are the other two returning starters. Mike Smith was All Conference Freshmen team last year. Travis Strong is back after redshirting last year. Remember him? He played with Zakee and Gerald. The also got a guy named Kevin Tiggs that was the Division II national player of the year last year. Hed led the team in scoring in the exhibition game. They look really good.
I think it's tough to play in a small conference in college basketball, especially if you've got some talent. Because even if you are highly successful in the regular season, it all comes down to the conference tournament. Lose that and you're going home. The only way to avoid that is to play well over a period of several years and have some success in the NCAA's, like Gonzaga. They built a reputation and now that reputation helps them in the rankings, the NCAA seedings, and helps them recruit.
I agree, but here's the problem. Nobody wants to play good mid-major teams. High ranked teams have nothing to gain and everything to lose from these games. ETSU is trying though. They are going to Dayton, Syracuse, Oklahoma St., and playing Georgia in the Rainbow Classic. Not a bad schedule for a school that small.
True, and if the big programs do decide to give the mid-major their shot, they will only do it on a neutral court or at home. You will rarely, if ever, see a home-and-home deal with a major and a mid-major.
Do you remember when Michigan St. brought Mateen Cleaves and company to the Mini Dome? How often do you see something like that happen now?
Mateen Cleeves!! You're going old school. Didn't Arizona come to the Dome one year too? I can't quite remember. My first Carolina game was at Appy St. You're right, you won't fin d that now.
actually, Mich St. travels to Peoria this year to take on Bradley. I know little of Bradley, but they're not much bigger than ETSU are they? Still rare that it happens.
btw... I'm going to get this out in the open now. I expect very little from Duke this year. While we have finally have more scorers, I still don't see any true help down low to rebound. It could be a long long year. Fortunately, the ACC is way down this year.
is there a better conference than the A-Sun in college basketball? I'm seriously starting to wonder.
th A-Sun might be the best conference. how bout Mercer taking down USC. ETSU had dayton beat, bu got cold in the last few minutes. That's two big wins so far though
Belmont over Cincy isn't as big, but still very notable.
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