David Climer has a good column today debating who was the best team in the state.   The Vandy-UT game tomorrow is a battle for the #4 spot.  

The top three are Belmont, MTSU, and Memphis.  All three lead their conferences (Memphis and Southern Miss are both undefeated in C-USA).  MTSU has a great win over SEC leading Ole Miss, but Belmont beat MTSU head-to-head.   In terms of RPI, Belmont is higher than MTSU, who is higher than Memphis.   

I am pretty impressed with Belmont this year.   I have been an OVC fan most of life, and I didn't think Belmont would be able to lead that division (though they haven't played Murray yet).   MTSU is also equally impressive.

It's a bit sad that these other schools have passed Vandy and UT this season, but hopefully it is a goal for both of these teams to get better and get back to that level.

I would agree, Vandy and UT are not nowhere near the best teams in the state right now. Got some work to do.

We very well may, but I think they beat us 6 or 7 out of 10, and Belmont beats us 8 of 10. Both are better and that should never be IMO. Just for giggles, how do you guys think Belmont would do in the SEC this year? I say they would be the 2nd or 3rd best team in it, though the height and athletic teams would take their toll after a while.

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--- mathknapp wrote:



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I agree historically that VU and UTjr are better programs. I don't thing even the most ardent MT and Belmont fans would disagree with that. I think what the column and OP meant is that they have surpassed both this year. I don't think there's any doubt about that one either.

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--- vandyalumninyc wrote:

Vanderbilt and Tennessee are the stronger programs. Both teams might be down/rebuilding this year, but the majority of years they will be superior. Vanderbilt is 28-5 against MTSU and Vandy has never lost to Belmont (4-0 under Stallings). All of these hypothetical matchups are essentially meaningless.



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Welcome to the discussion! You will soon find that many topics here are hypothetical and essentially meaningless but it is fun just the same.

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--- vandyalumninyc wrote:

Vanderbilt and Tennessee are the stronger programs. Both teams might be down/rebuilding this year, but the majority of years they will be superior. Vanderbilt is 28-5 against MTSU and Vandy has never lost to Belmont (4-0 under Stallings). All of these hypothetical matchups are essentially meaningless.



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Best basketball team in the state?  Marc Gasol and Rudy Gay combined for 53 tonight.  I think they have the best team in the state by far.

MTSU are probably close to dead-even.

That's it! BELMONT is STEALING the BEST RECRUITS from US!!

What's their coach telling them? A little nod nod, wink wink, handshake under the table?