For those that cannot make it to Knoxville, the UT website says this game will be on FSN at 7:30pm, Nov 18. It will be the first regular season game for each team.

Prediction: ETSU will convincingly beat UT.

I have expressed my disgust with this game from the get-go. I see no reason to play the big awringe when we are coming off a terrible season and let them shun us when we have a good team. I say if there can't be a home and home, they can take a hike.

Just my opinion, others' mileage may vary.

BucDoc, I agree with you as far as having (or not having) a home-and-home series goes. I guess they are too good to come to our place. And...I also think they have been ducking us for the last several years. I do not think it's a coincidence that they decided to play us this year after our implosion last year.
Nevertheless, I feel confident about this year's squad and I think that we are going to embarrass them. Our success, though, is absolutely contigent on playing competent defense. Just by virtue of having a full roster will improve our defense, but that will not be enough in and of itself. It will have to be a collective effort because they simply don't have a Wadood on the team. However, it can be done. If we continue to give up 80 point/game, we're in for a very long season...I can't live through another one like that!

I hope ETSU tears them up!!

I like your optimism BucFaithful, but I would be happy with just a 1-point win. As far as getting them to come to JC, I wouldn't be holding my breath. Although this new UT coach seems to want to schedule statel schools, I don't see UT going on the road in-state...except maybe Memphis. Look, years ago when Mich St came to play in JC we had to play 2 times at their place for that to happen. Some we have played at their places many times and never gotten them to return the favor (i.e., CLemson, Syracuse, etc.). The only big one was NC State years ago and that was helped by Les Robinson. And you see what happended then! That's exactly why the big schools don't want to come. There is simply nothing in it for them except a possible loss. What if some DivIII or NAIA school wanted us to travel XXX miles to their place to play them? That unfortunately is the problem with being in a small conference and market. And yes this would still be true if we were in the Socon.

Good points.

But ut is not a good basketball team. To mention them in the same breath as Michigan State is a slap to the folks of Michigan. If ut were a Michigan State, I might understand but they have been a poor team playing in a BCS conference. Not saying this about you 88, but Joe Sportsfan in America doesn't know the big names from the good teams. That leads us to the problems we have in college sports today.

Doc, I don't remember saying UT was a "good" team. I mentioned Michigan State "in the same breath" because they are one of the few big schools (not necessarily big name basketball programs) that has come to JC to play (oh and BTW I could give a rat's a** what someone from Michigan St thinks ) Anyway, since UT is not a good team, that is even more reason for ETSU to beat them, right? Especially at their place.

When Michigan State came to ETSU to play, they were a big name and good basketball team. I respect them for fulfilling their obligation to the fans of the TRI. At the same time remember that Kansas bought out their obligation to come to Johnson City?

I'd rather play App or Western with a home and home contract than ut. Just my opinions, and I know that many folks would say they are outside of the norm :)

Is there any word of, or if, we are getting any money for playing at UT? Just courious.

I freaking hate UT. They were contracted to play us in Zakee and Jeralds last year, but they backed out. Probably pretty smart on their part. I cant WAIT till that game.

UT probably figures they have nothing to gain by coming up here. Most bigger schools feel that way.

UT would schedule a different SoCon or OVC type at home for 4 straight years then play us a 3 for 1 at home. Why ? Because they can. We have no leverage. Always have to win on the road.

I would like to reverse the question.

With ut coming off the season they had last year, even as bad as ETSU was last year, what does ETSU have to gain by playing ut this year (on the national basketball scene)?

If ETSU wins it will be spun that ut is just feeling its way with a first year head coach. If they lose, (and by some stretch win the A-Sun tourney), it will hurt the seeding in the NC$A$A tourney.

It all gets back to knowing the good teams from the big names, and joe sports fan doesn't.

Just my opinions, others' mileage may vary.

Interesting question.

Perhaps some edge in recruiting over them ? Maybe not as we don't seem to go after the same players.

Pride ? Not to be underestimated. A loss hurts theirs more than ours I suspect. Home court advantage if nothing else.

I guess King College could ask the same about playing us.

Once again, any money guarantees ?

I would think Tennessee and its fans are looking at this game as a game "they should win" and ETSU and its fans should be looking at this game as a game "we must win." Regardless of how well a large conference school is playing or has played in the past, it is important whenever ETSU plays one of these guys to play well and hopfully win. The bottom three schools every year in the ACC, SEC, Big10, Big East, etc., still would give the top three ASun teams headaches just on size and depth alone. As for seeding in the NCAA, I don't think it matters. The ASUN rep will always be a 15, maybe 13 at best.

Although I would rather play UT at full strength, this news is a major plus for ETSU. Especially if Patterson is not available.

<a href='http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=2180452' target='_blank'>UT Suspensions</a>

I don't think King College could ask the same thing of us because of the difference in division. We are a Division I basketball school (ETSU) playing a Division I basketball school (UT). The difference is the lack of respect in the current and previous conference affiliations. I think King being in a lower division makes a difference.

Interesting news about UT players. I agree '98, I would rather play them at full strength so that they cannot weasel their way out of a loss. It looks as if Pearl is cleaning house down there.

In terms of the potential impact, if we win, I think it would give us considerably more credibility. No, UT is not an upper-echelon team, but nevertheless, they are an SEC team an that certainly holds a alot more credence than an ASUN team. It's all about perception. To achieve any sort of credibility, respect and exposure, we are going to have to convincingly dominate in the ASUN (like we did in the SOCON in '03-04) and win quality non-conference games.

I am not suggesting this will happen, however. I'm simply stating that these are the ingrediants to return to some notoriety.

I also think a win would help with recruiting. It does seem as if we recruit differenct players, but I could see a scenario where a win could tip the balance for a recruit trying to make a decision, especially an in-state player.

Quote: "I also think a win would help with recruiting. It does seem as if we recruit differenct players, but I could see a scenario where a win could tip the balance for a recruit trying to make a decision, especially an in-state player. "

Probably would help us possible steal a player from UT, but might help us more to compete against UTC, Tenn Tech, Appy etc for those players considering all of those schools. If you win your conference and beat a few bigger schools you get the edge over your competitors.

<span style='color:orange'>Let's just beat em for the fun of it ! </span>