Pearl and his style of play is the most important factor. Recruits love it, and it makes life a heck of a lot easier when selling the program...

 

Absolutely, I honestly thought he was a better recruiter than Tubby. Had said for about a year now TN was next to pass us up... (Florida).

I maybe dead wrong on this, and right now I can see an argument with me about this, but I do not see Pearl sustaining success at UT after this season. He honestly reminds me a little bit of Hal Mumme. He has been great for Tennesee basketball, but IMO life after Lofton will be a little tougher. Of course if he keeps landing recruits I maybe wrong.

Pearl and his style of play and getting the kids there that can play it.

I maybe dead wrong on this, and right now I can see an argument with me about this, but I do not see Pearl sustaining success at UT after this season. He honestly reminds me a little bit of Hal Mumme. He has been great for Tennesee basketball, but IMO life after Lofton will be a little tougher. Of course if he keeps landing recruits I maybe wrong.

I was in the I Hate Bruce Pearl fan club before just about everyone that doesn't root for Illinois, but you have to respect what he's building at UT. While having Lofton has accelerated the process, there is no denying the talent is starting to line up to play in his system...

I was in the I Hate Bruce Pearl fan club before just about everyone that doesn't root for Illinois, but you have to respect what he's building at UT. While having Lofton has accelerated the process, there is no denying the talent is starting to line up to play in his system...

 

Agreed. He , BCG, and Billy D are going to have some intense recruiting battles.

First off I am from Mason County so save all the "Homer" comments. I think that Bruce Pearl is an average coach that came into a very good situation with a great player on his team. After Chris graduates, I see Tennessee as a program falling off to being on the Bubble every year, as opposed to a Sweet 16 or better team year in year out.

 

Pearl is a pretty good coach. When Lofton does leave, that doesnt mean Tennessee will be on the bubble every year. Pearl can recruit, and he will bring in some pretty good players and Tennessee will be as good as ever. Look what his UW Milwaukee and Southern Indiana teams did.

I voted "other" bc I just do not consider UT a "National" contender, their records in the SEC tournament and especially the NCAA haveot lead me to believe anything else. Improved under Pearl..............Yes, National Contender.................No.

I voted "other" bc I just do not consider UT a "National" contender, their records in the SEC tournament and especially the NCAA haveot lead me to believe anything else. Improved under Pearl..............Yes, National Contender.................No.

 

Well, they have been on a pretty good run on the last couple of years. The year before Pearl came Tennessee the Vols went 14-17 and of course missed the NCAA Tournament. In Pearl's first season he leaded the Vol's to 8 more wins then what they had to year before, and got the Vol's a #2 seed in the NCAA Tournament. The Vol's did get knocked out in the 2nd round but still, better than what they had done the year before. And last year the Vol's posted a 24-11 record and a trip to the sweet sixteen. They lost to Ohio State(who went on to play in the national championship game) by only one point. They havnen't made a run at a championship, but they are starting to build the team up. With the right draw in this years tournament, if the Vol's could grab a 3-5 seed, you never know what could happen.

^ That is what I meant by "Improved" under Pearl.

^ That is what I meant by "Improved" under Pearl.

 

I know, im just saying they are on there way to becoming a national contender.

TN is going to be a contender for years to come. The recruits love his style of play. Put them in Con USA like Memphis and they'd have 30 wins each year.

TN is going to be a contender for years to come. The recruits love his style of play. Put them in Con USA like Memphis and they'd have 30 wins each year.

 

So would a lot of teams from the SEC, Big East, PAC-10, Big 10 etc. Conference USA is not a good basketball conference.

That being said, UT is a contender because of the coach. He may have caught lightning in a bottle with Lofton but he's been bringing in excellent recruiting classes that fit his style of play and I don't see UT falling off much ing the next few years.

Write this down guys: Tennessee makes a run at the National Championship this year with another 2 seed and automatic bid from the SEC championship. Surprisingly, they dominate inside with the new transfer Smith and Crews, all the while freeing up the perimeter for two time SEC POY Lofton. Kentucky and Florida fight till the end, but neither makes it to the Sweet 16. Lofton catches a lottery pick, plays for the Bobcats a couple years, makes his million, and lives happily ever after.

I know, im just saying they are on there way to becoming a national contender.

:thumb: They may be, only time will tell. Imo just not there yet.