VTTW Board Index

Did a quick search, here is a decent preview

https://247sports.com/Article/Tennessee-vs-Loyola-Chicago-Full-preview-betting-odds-TV-schedule-for-NCAA-Tournament-116308410

Another site had a stats comparison.  Only two things stood out.  Loyola has a much better FG percentage (51 to 46) andVols have much better offensive rebounding (11 to 5).  Everything else is pretty even.

Vols have one of the best FG % defenses in the country, so I like the match up.  Strength vs. strength, and our lower accuracy is offset by off rebounding advantage.

But...I'll be watching to see how well we defend the perimeter and whether we block out on offense.  I think those will be key.

It will be a road environment, too. They had a pretty big section of fans at their game Thursday, and you know all the neutral fans will also be pulling for the underdog.

Here are the Ken Pom stats:

https://kenpom.com/
                                                                                                                                                                                Strength of Schedule       
Rank/Team        Conf    W-L           AdjEM        AdjO    AdjD    AdjT               Luck                 AdjEM           OppO   OppD
11   Tennessee           SEC   26-8          +22.77   114.8 39   92.0   5   66.2   271     +.036    86        +11.33  6   111.6 8   100.3 14   
37   Missouri               SEC   20-12   +15.56   113.2 51   97.6   47   65.7    297      -.021  235        +9.60   30   109.9 40   100.3 15   
38   Kansas St.            B12   23-11   +15.52   112.0 60   96.5   34   65.5    305     +.060    52        +9.52   32   111.4 11   101.9 58   
39   Miami FL              ACC   22-10   +15.46   112.9 55   97.5   45   67.0    231     +.017  128        +8.23   47   109.4 47   101.2 43   
40   Loyola Chi            MVC     29-5        +15.28   111.2 69   95.9   28   65.3    315     +.066    35        +0.47 133 103.8 215   103.3 85   

One very big thing jumps out.  We have the 6th toughest schedule, while they are 133.  So which season has better prepared the team?  Same point about strenght of Opp Offense and Defense (see far right).  Put it this way, our Adjust D rating is 5th in the country, and they on average have faced the 85th best D.   :naughty:

I left some of the other teams in, because they are of interest. Note that they are right next to Miami, so I guess the close game is no surprise.  And look how close their numbers are to Missouri.

I know we lost a close game to Mizzou on the road, but that was a long time ago, and this is a neutral site.  we also lost a close game to Ark on the road, and look how that one turned out on a neutral site.   :naughty:

I know Arkansas was tired out from 3 straight games, but even there, Loyola had a much tougher first game.

We are favored and we should be.

Last thought....I hope the slow starts of the last two games are behind us. 

Wonder what those stats are for Virginia vs Maryland BC?  :biggrin:

This time of year it's a 1 game season each game.

I know.  Believe me, that occured to me.   :naughty:

I don't know about the other stats, but UMCB is now officially the luckiest team, per Ken Pom

https://kenpom.com/index.php?s=RankLuck

 :dielaughing: