A thought about our lack of SECT success

[BanditVol]

During the Pearl run, we often had the championship wrapped up prior to the tourney.  And failing that, we were always a lock for the dance.  Pearl never missed the tourney.

Taking that into account, Pearl might not have given a flip about the SECT.  He may have wanted to rest the team for the real tourney.  Or even if he did, the team probably wasn't that motivated.

All of which tells me that given this streak we are on, the SECT struggles might not apply this year.

Hopefully we can win out in the regular season and not need any help from the SECT, but if we just keep playing the way we are, I think we do well in the SECT.  Heck, we are beating all the teams we would play.

I don't really believe in the "we are cursed in a particular event or venue" thing.  Didn't think much of the so-called Georgia Dome curse in football and I think we struggled with the SECT under Pearl simply because it was mostly irrelevant.  I say we do well in the SECT this year, but we will see.

[Black Diamond Vol]

Except that last year's team was in an identical position to this year, and they laid a big fat egg in their first and only SECT game (and that terrible out of bounds call at the end didn't help, either).

[BanditVol]

Except that last year's team was in an identical position to this year, and they laid a big fat egg in their first and only SECT game (and that terrible out of bounds call at the end didn't help, either).

Last year's team was not on a streak like this though.  Not even close.   

[Black Diamond Vol]

Last year's team was not on a streak like this though.  Not even close.   

That team went 8-1 down the stretch after a 10-12 start. Pretty comparable.

[Creek Walker]

That team went 8-1 down the stretch after a 10-12 start. Pretty comparable.

Yep. Very similar. I fully expect to be disappointed again.

[Black Diamond Vol]

Yep. Very similar. I fully expect to be disappointed again.

The two teams are remarkably similar.  In addition to both getting hot late, both had but one quality OOC win (UConn and Wichita State, respectively).  Both had a couple near misses in OOC play (Duke and Memphis, Georgetown and UVa).  The biggest advantage this year's team has is the lack of bad OOC losses.  Last year they lost early games to Austin Peay, Oakland, and College of Charlston, and that was just too much to overcome.  For that reason alone, I think we're in better shape heading into the SECT this year (assuming they take care of business in these last 3).  But I still have no confidence once they tip off in Nashville.  I know that believing in "curses" goes against all logic, but this thing spans 30 years and 7 coaches.  Good teams and bad.  UT just can't get it done in the SECT.  I'll believe otherwise when I see it.

[Creek Walker]

Which year was it during the Houston era that Tennessee suddenly got hot in the tourney? I was thinking we advanced all the way to the championship game, but maybe it was just the semifinals. If I remember correctly, we finally lost to a very good Georgia team.

[Black Diamond Vol]

Which year was it during the Houston era that Tennessee suddenly got hot in the tourney? I was thinking we advanced all the way to the championship game, but maybe it was just the semifinals. If I remember correctly, we finally lost to a very good Georgia team.

I think it was 91.  And it was Bammer with Horry, Sprewell, Robinson, etc.

[101stDad]

I think it was 91.  And it was Bammer with Horry, Sprewell, Robinson, etc.

Yep, it was 1991.  UT had to play Ole Miss in a play in game just to get in to the tourney.  The tourney was played at Memorial Gym in Nashville.  I think UT ended that season something like 10-22. 

I watched part of the championship game on a TV at Disney World.  Our kids were 6 and 2 at the time, and that was our first trip to Disney World. 

[Creek Walker]

That's right, the loss was to Alabama. Georgia was one of the teams UT upset.

That one and the Corey Allen putback miracle win over Kentucky are my two lasting moments from the Houston era.

It still amazes me that any coach could have Alan Houston, Corey Allen and Lang Wiseman on the same team and only win 4 games.

[Black Diamond Vol]

That's right, the loss was to Alabama. Georgia was one of the teams UT upset.

That one and the Corey Allen putback miracle win over Kentucky are my two lasting moments from the Houston era.

It still amazes me that any coach could have Alan Houston, Corey Allen and Lang Wiseman on the same team and only win 4 games.

Between UT, Bammer, and LSU with Jackson, Roberts, and Shaq, there were some real underachievers in the SEC at that time.  Bammer and LSU especially had Final Four talent or better.

[101stDad]

Between UT, Bammer, and LSU with Jackson, Roberts, and Shaq, there were some real underachievers in the SEC at that time.  Bammer and LSU especially had Final Four talent or better.

Yeah, only Dale Brown could fail to win any kind of championship with Shaquille O'Neal and Chris Jackson on his team. 

[BanditVol]

That team went 8-1 down the stretch after a 10-12 start. Pretty comparable.

7-2 actually.  I will grant you that I didn't think it was quite that good, so I will amend what I said about it not being close.

This streak is still more impressive to me.  Last year the only impressive win down the stretch was beating Florida on the road, and maybe an OT win at LSU.   Just glancing at it, I would say last year's schedule down the stretch was a bit easier.

This year just feels different.   I really think we will do well in the SECT, but we will find out. 

Right now, I will be very happy if we beat uga on the road Saturday.  IMO that is the biggest hurdle in the regular season left.  Missouri is in a slump it seems.