College basketball analyst raves about Tennessee: ‘They’re Final Four good’

Jan 21, 2023; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; Tennessee Volunteers forward Julian Phillips (2) dribbles the ball against LSU Tigers guard Cam Hayes (1) during the second half at Pete Maravich Assembly Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Here we go again.

Tennessee basketball is no doubt a top 10 team in the country right now and right at the top of the SEC alongside Alabama. The 16-3 Vols have beat Kansas, Maryland and USC and currently rank No. 4 in the AP Poll. By all measures, the Vols are one of the best teams in the country in a year with no true elite CBB squad.

College basketball analyst Seth Greenberg told Paul Finebaum Tuesday that he think this is Rick Barnes’ best team and is “Final Four” good.


This is not a crazy take at face value, but history is not on Tennessee’s side here. Yes, the Vols have the No. 1 defense in the country according to KenPom, a strong group of veteran talent and one of the top freshmen in the SEC, Julian Phillips. But long documented are Rick Barnes’ struggles in March.

Since Barnes was hired at Tennessee in 2015, Tennessee has not made it past the Sweet Sixteen despite immense regular season success. The Vols were the No. 1 team in the country in 2018-19 and fell to Purdue in the S16. Another strong Vols team fell to Loyola Chicago the year prior in the Round of 32.

Then there’s last year’s squad, the same that won Tennessee its first SEC Tournament title since 1979 and fell in the 2nd round to No. 11 seed Michigan.

This team seems different, but that’s been said every year. Do the Vols have a chance to make some noise in March this season or will history repeat itself?

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  • It's simple as this: If we can land our shots, even if we only shoot, say, 40%, we can beat anybody. Then some days we'll have a game where we shoot 20% and go 3 for 21 from deep and lose to a hated rival on our home floor, or to Colorado in Nashville. A tale of two teams.

  • Not so fast my friend. Vesco got dinged up. JJJ isn't truly 100% either and it pretty much runs on him.

    We're good. Not elite.

    Too much water to navigate to get to the Final Four. The seed, the matchups, the bracket, and most importantly, who gets hot when it matters most?

    I don't see this team getting there due to offensive woes, but you just never know. I'll keep cheering for them regardless.

  • TN is absolutely good enough but this season so are 15 other teams. We have lived and died by the 3 and our defense for the most part. Having everyone healthy at the same time will help. The next 4 game stretch will tell a lot but in March is where it gets down to brass tacks. It is way past time for coach to take a team beyond the sweet 16. we will just have to see.

  • Vols look great at this time for sure ! Seems like Barnes largest issue is winning in the tournament… let’s see if this season will be different !

        • But did you win the NCAAB Championship though?

          No?

          Imagine bragging about making the final 4 whilst not even winning the 'ship.

          Poverty program.

        • Imagine proclaiming yourself to be a basketball school while never even making a final 4 or a baseball school while not even making a final since the Truman administration.

        • Doggie 2021…

          Isn’t it interesting that you can’t find the Georgia icon either…

          Folks… this is a typical Georgia dumb a.ss…

          I can not make this up!
          Lol!

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Ethan Stone