By Jimmy Hyams
Joe Lunardi likes Tennessee’s men’s basketball team, he just doesn’t love it.
But the long-time ESPN bracketologist does think the Vols have the potential to make a run in the NCAA Tournament.
“I think Tennessee is regular good,’’ Lunardi said at the Big Orange Tipoff Club on Wednesday. “By that, I mean the kind of team that gets in the (NCAA) tournament and wins a game or two. Special is the Elite Eight and beyond.
“Three years ago, that team – with Grant Williams and Admiral Schofield and Jordan Bone — was special. They were Final Four and beyond good. It didn’t break their way in the tournament.
“I don’t think this Tennessee team is at that level.’’
However, Lunardi cautioned not to count out the Vols.
“Most years there is a team in the Final Four from a power conference that flew under the radar with a profile like Tennessee, with really good metrics that suggest they haven’t played their best basketball yet. Do I think it’s going to be Tennessee? Would I bet on it being Tennessee? Probably not.
“All I know is what history tells me, that there will be a team like Tennessee playing very late in the tournament that’s kind of a down ballot in a great conference. So, if you’re a Vols fan, why not us?’’
The Vols have never reached the Final Four. They have made the Elite Eight only once. Their track record in the NCAA Tournament has not been sterling.
But in a given year, you never know.
One thing hurting Tennessee, according to Lundari, is the roster.
“You usually need a couple (of NBA players) to play in April,’’ Lunardi said.
Lunardi initially suggested UT doesn’t have any NBA players. When Kennedy Chandler’s name was mentioned, Lunardi conceded that, but he doesn’t see Chandler being a top 10 or lottery pick in the NBA draft.
On other topics, Lundari said:
*He thinks Gonzaga is the best team in the country, with Auburn a close second. He thinks this Auburn team is better than the 2019 Final Four team because of the inside presence of Walker Kessler and Jabari Smith and overall it is “more skilled, more versatile.’’
*He likes the NCAA NET ratings more than the RPI – the measuring tool that used to be used by the NCAA Selection Committee – because the NET is a “much better measure of how a team is playing.’’ He said the RPI put too much emphasis on strength of schedule and “not enough on how good you were on the court.’’ But, he added, none of the metrics are “flawless.’’
*With Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski retiring after this season. What will college basketball miss most the future hall of famer? “For the most part, a voice of reason,’’ Lunardi said. “By and large, he has been a force for the good of the game and college basketball is better for it. College basketball is beter when Duke is good. … We’re talking about a Mount Rushmore all-time great.’’
*He is very opposed to Loyola Chicago not being allowed to play in Missouri Valley Conference tournament because it is leaving the MVC for the Atlantic 10. He said he doesn’t think the Big 12 will do that to Texas and Oklahoma the year before they depart for SEC.
*Former UNLV coach Jerry Tarkanian, who seemed to always be in the cross hairs of the NCAA, did get have a great one liner, Lunardi said. When Tarkanian was asked why he recruited so many junior college players, he said: “Because their cars are already paid for.’’
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