Bruce Pearl appears to be the real deal, as far as implementing a system that can work for your talent level to achieve at exceptional levels.

I had thought that the team would struggle this year to be competitive, but you have to like the fire they have shown, keeping together through a tough patch with the Lofton injury, along with several heartbreaking single possession losses... Great poise, and excellent execution and free throw shooting in crunch time against Kentucky tonight.

I think the bracketologists now have to move the Vols into their "Lock" categories -- a good run in the conference tourney -- semis -- could bump them up to as high as a six seed. Lofty thoughts for a team that has spent a good hunk of the season out of the top twenty five, but the "good wins" and close losses to teams with superior talent make it a realistic possibility. I must admit though, we may be hurt come Selection Sunday by the stratospheric rating last year...