Premature Hoops BlogPoll: No. 7, Tennessee

This week, FanHouse is taking a way too early look at the top teams heading into 2007 with a BlogPoll decided on by our college hoops bloggers. It's a time-honored filler for the off-season, and who are we to buck tradition? Today we look at teams 10 through 6.

Say "Tennessee" and you tend to think of three things: Tennessee football, women's basketball, and Peyton Manning.

Men's hoops coach Bruce Pearl wants to change that, and in two years he's made a big dent in the traditional alignment of the SEC East. Beating Kentucky twice and Florida thrice since his installation as head coach, Pearl has already won the eastern division (first year) and brought Tennessee to second place in '07. The Vols also made a run into the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament, losing a heartbreaker to Ohio State after enjoying a 19 point second-half lead.

Bruce Pearl's '07 squad might be the best ever to take the court in Knoxville. Guards Chris Lofton, Ramar Smith and Jujuan Smith (no relation) might be the best backcourt in the conference while sophomores Wayne Chism (6' 9") and Duke Crews (6' 8") were an awesome front-court duo as freshman.

The popular expectation is that the battle for SEC supremacy will be centered around Tennessee and Kentucky, and that's a fair bet. At the moment, Tennessee is holding all the cards and anything short of an SEC championship will be a serious disappointment.

Why they should be ranked here: What's not to like? One of the best coaches in the NCAA, Bruce Pearl, with the best shooter in the SEC (and possibly the nation) Chris Lofton, a fast and powerful front-court, and great guard play? Ding! I'll take the Final Four meal with fries. And biggie-size that, please.

Why they should be ranked higher: A Top 10 ranking is about as good as you can get for a team which was completely off the national radar two years ago. The teams ahead of Tennessee return more experience but there's no reason the Vols can't ball with anyone in the country.

Why they should be ranked lower: Tennessee doesn't have as much depth as they'd like to have, especially at the post. '07 frosh Brian Williams (6' 9") will be a widebody to give some fouls down low, but freshmen rarely make an impact in the SEC. The Vols are also one Chris Lofton away from being transformed from potentially great to slightly above average.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

7-12-2007 @ 1:55PM

Gamecock Man said...

This team is good. A serious national title contender if Lofton stays healthy. With Florida depleted (although reloaded), they should have no trouble taking the SEC.

I wish we could trade Dave Odom for someone like Pearl...

7-12-2007 @ 1:46PM

Unsilent Majority said...

Actually I think of Smokey. And how much I'd enjoy seeing he and UGA go at it in Vick's backyard.

/joking

7-12-2007 @ 1:49PM

Steven said...

Actually UT has plenty of depth in the post thanks to two transfers, Tyler Smith and JP Prince from Iowa and Arizona. Smith was All-Freshman big 10 last year. He will not have to sit out a year due to a medical hardship and will most likely be starting instead of Crews. Also, Childress (6'9") played close to twenty minutes a game last year and had the 2nd highest 3-point % on the team.

7-12-2007 @ 2:02PM

Steven- I hate to be the one to have to tell you...but JP isn't all that good.

7-13-2007 @ 7:21PM

IUBB said...

You didn't mention Tyler Smith (Iowa transfer). He will push them over the top.

7-13-2007 @ 12:59AM

sonsofsammalone said...

I've watched all of their Summer League games, and JaJuan and Tyler Smith are the best they have...Chris can shoot, but what else...Also freshman cameron tatum is about 6'8 and can shoot...he will be great...josh tabb who came off the bench last year as a defensive help has developed his offensive game...j.p. prince IS THAT good...but the key is tyler smith...they had jajuan last year, but you add tyler to that team and they are going to be really good...they are really deep...so that's not their weakness....if i had to pick a weakness i'd say they are undersized, but they make up for it in quickness and DEPTH...they are a very deep team...they'll go at least 11 deep...if that's shallow what's deep?

7-13-2007 @ 8:08AM

Jack said...

Lofton is a great shooter but he can't guard anyone. It all depends what the rest of the team can get done. They do look as if they are the team to beat in the SEC. UK will have to get more out of their seniors to be able to run with UT. Crawford and Bradley can't close a game, if they learn to do that it should be an awesome finish between the Vols and Cats.

7-13-2007 @ 12:30PM

Brandon said...

What else can Lofton do?? Did you watch Lofton last year? He blew by everyone off the dribble, and he got to the line more than double the times he did the year previous. Also the comment about Lofton's D is pathetic. The only thing spotty about his D is help defense. 1 on 1, Lofton is a very good defender and will "rip" you at anytime. Since all Lofton can do is hit threes, I guess he averaged 7 a year last year since he averaged around 21 ppg.

Also, no mention of the potential greatness of Ramar Smith. Ramar Smith is a potential NBA lottery pick next year. Noone realizes that, but if he shows just half of the improvement he did last year, his game will be unbelievable.

Wayne Chism is going to be a beast especially with this offseason with Tony and Bruce. If you watched him, this kid has amazing post moves. However, we just got to get him to stay away from the perimeter.

Tyler Smith is another NBA prospect that will succeed in this system. He has length, speed, and a good inside-outside game. He will average about 15-18 pts. this year.

7-13-2007 @ 7:01PM

TMoney said...

If you don't think Chris Lofton can do anything but shoot, check out this highlight. It has alot of him doing what he does best...shoot the three. But pay particular attention to the clip at the 20 second mark (him hitting a floater over Greg Oden...ever heard of him?) and the 2:18 mark (him crossing up a Memphis guard and overall making him look silly). On second thought, just fast-forward to the 2:18 mark and then go back and edit your comment. Kid can ball.

7-13-2007 @ 7:03PM

I'm an idiot...here is the link.

7-13-2007 @ 7:04PM

Darn you...here it is.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IB8AzilRuZs

7-14-2007 @ 10:39PM

Damn did I miss something a floater in the lane over Oden. You have to be the idiot if thats D or well maybe you dont know anything about the game Did you coach or play.