Haven't We Seen This Tennessee Team Before?

I knew I'd seen this team before. My college basketball passion has admittedly tamed a bit since its 90s peak. But, even I can feel tournament time around the corner, so our college hoops-watching regimen has become a little more disciplined lately. We at least want to be partially educated come tourney time.

Which takes us to last night's UT/Vandy game. The Vols spent three days at #1. Maybe they'll get another chance to visit later this season. Here's the thing, though. I don't know about y'all, but this didn't feel like that much of an upset. One of the reasons why? I've seen this team before.

I've watched Pearl and the Vols a few times this season. I love watching them play basketball. The players match the intensity of their head coach. They run up and down the floor full-tilt for 40 minutes. They've got an incredibly athletic starting five. They play great defense. And, most importantly, they look awesome in the all orange with the white headbands.

And while no team is flawless (most certainly not this season), the Vols bring back memories for me of two teams: the 1999-2000 Cincinatti Bearcats and the Arkansas Razorbacks of the early 90s. Tell me there's not something about these Vols reminiscent of Huggins's crew of Martin, Mickeal and DeMarr Johnson. Yes, I know Kenyon Martin went down and it ain't apples to apples but that team wasn't going all the way either. The 2007-08 Vols also trigger memories of the 1991 Arkansas Razorbacks. Another #1 seed heading into the tourney...remember Todd Day, Lee Mayberry and the Big "O?" That team made it to the Elite Eight and no further.

From a fan who is admittedly no longer fanatical about college hoops, that's the feel I get from this year's edition of the Tennessee Volunteers. Frightening athleticism? Yup. A terror for teams without multiple ballhandlers on the floor? Yup. A squad that can run you out of the gym with a few spurts? Absolutely. But a final four team? I'm not buying it quite yet.

Although they've got size, my gut tells me that lack of a real halfcourt inside-out game is going to get them as soon as the shooting touch disappears (not that any team who shoots in the 30% vicinity is going to beat anybody decent come March). At times, this team appears lost if Lofton is not on his game and playing the floor general role.

We'll see what happens in a few weeks...but, as much as I enjoy watching the orange, I'm not feeling the offensive depth, versatility that can provide the consistency necesssary to make a multi-game run to the Final Four.

Are we off? Shower down your college hoops knowledge upon us.