2024 Transfer Portal Thread

[CAVPUT]

I had high hopes for Aidoo this year and he played very well in a few games. However, he disappears when he is matched up with strong, tall, and good offensive/ defensive players. I doubt he will be able rot gain. another 20 pounds of muscle and learn how to dunk a basketball.

Obviously, you've never dunked. Those rims will burn and bruise your wrists somethin' terrible. Aidoo can't risk something like that on a nightly basis. Are you nuts?

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

I’ll try and update OP with names Tennessee has been linked to and provide any info I can, for fairness to players/programs I won’t speculate on prospects not yet in the portal.

@bleedingTNorange

Lots of clutter in here ATM. Is there a current list? Lanier sounds like somebody that would lift VN’s spirits and create hope for another S16 or EE in 2025.

 

[CAVPUT]

Yeah Lanier is a CG that mostly plays the 2, would be a good option for Santi’s role. He might be a guy that wants guarantees of playing time though, which we don’t really give anyone.

With this years version of Vescovi, just about any name in the portal could give you more production offensively. Lanier would simply have to be a complete and utter bust to not be an upgrade. Vescovi's head went haywire this year for some reason. Lanier, if has a pulse at all, can help us offensively. He certainly looks much more athletic. The question is his desire and ability on defense. Maybe the new Barnes will accept something less than a lock down defender for the offensive pop? He did with Knecht. Lanier has good numbers and certainly isn't shy about shooting it. I'd take him and plug him into Vescovi's slot right now. ZZ, Lanier, Mashack....I right like the sound of that.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

Could a mod pin this thread? At least until the drive by posters go back to wherever they’ve come from and the board activity settles down a bit.

BTW, it’s cool to see the positive newbies far outnumbering the negas, trolls, and LOTMs.

 

[CAVPUT]

Could a mod pin this thread? At least until the drive by posters go back to wherever they’ve come from and the board activity settles down a bit.

BTW, it’s cool to see the positive newbies far outnumbering the negas, trolls, and LOTMs.

Hey now. I freely embrace the nega label due to decades of heartbreak. I will even admit to enjoy trolling some easy marks on this board, but no one can say I'm a drive by type of poster. I'm more like a bad case of prickly heat that you just can't get rid of...always hanging around...annoying.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

Hey now. I freely embrace the nega label due to decades of heartbreak. I will even admit to enjoy trolling some easy marks on this board, but no one can say I'm a drive by type of poster. I'm more like a bad case of prickly heat that you just can't get rid of...always hanging around...annoying.

You’re certainly not a newbie or a drive by.

Your trolling might could make the next 7 months go by faster.

 

[CAVPUT]

You’re certainly not a newbie or a drive by.

Your trolling might could make the next 7 months go by faster.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

2024 College Football Transfer Portal

2024 College football Transfer Portal

247sports.com

 

[CNeagleVolFan]

Wonder if we will offer Devin Carter (Providence)

Dude abused UCONN, Creighton, etc. all year.

19.7ppg, 8.7rpg, 3.6apg
Also averages 1.0 block and 1.8spg

Is he even in the portal?? lol. Is he entering the draft?? Seems highly unlikely that we get him lol

 

[johnfnkelly]

Obviously we were a finalist first time around, not sure we’ve got the rim but he’d fill that big/physical post many have asked about…

Really liked him as a prospect but he looks like a less coordinated version of Awaka. He’s not better than any big on our roster and I’m sure he wants to play immediately.

 

[CNeagleVolFan]

Saw we contacted BJ Freeman from Milwaukee. Any traction with him? Hes a solid wing that would be an adequate replacement for Knecht.

 

[MoCo_Vol]

With this years version of Vescovi, just about any name in the portal could give you more production offensively. Lanier would simply have to be a complete and utter bust to not be an upgrade. Vescovi's head went haywire this year for some reason. Lanier, if has a pulse at all, can help us offensively. He certainly looks much more athletic. The question is his desire and ability on defense. Maybe the new Barnes will accept something less than a lock down defender for the offensive pop? He did with Knecht. Lanier has good numbers and certainly isn't shy about shooting it. I'd take him and plug him into Vescovi's slot right now. ZZ, Lanier, Mashack....I right like the sound of that.

I actually think Lanier is more Mashack than Santi... in that he was playing more before this season because of his defense. He played in 31 games his sophomore and junior season and averaged 20 mpg, but took less than 4 shots a game. You only play a guy that much when he's adding value on defense like Mashack for us and like Santi this year.

 

[CAVPUT]

Is he even in the portal?? lol. Is he entering the draft?? Seems highly unlikely that we get him lol

I think it's highly unlikely that we'd target a kid at Providence. Having said that I think he'd be vying with Lanier for Vescovi's spot anyway and that's who I think we add as a SG. I'm on record as saying that we need a physical big to pair with Estrella. I'm also wondering if we have a plan at PG behind ZZ next season? I know Boswell eventually will be the choice, but will he be capable enough as a true FR to step in and spell ZZ? Or worse, could he be the answer if ZZ got injured?

 

[CAVPUT]

I actually think Lanier is more Mashack than Santi... in that he was playing more before this season because of his defense. He played in 31 games his sophomore and junior season and averaged 20 mpg, but took less than 4 shots a game. You only play a guy that much when he's adding value on defense like Mashack for us and like Santi this year.

Well, Lanier is more athletic than Vescovi. Moderately bigger and appears more physical. He's over 50% from the field and 44% from 3pt. 88% from the line. All are better than Vescovi. Granted, it's different caliber of league, but I feel confident that he'd be a superior replacement for this years version of Vescovi. And if he's good enough to actually be considered draftable, that speaks volumes. Vescovi might play in Europe but no way he's NBA level. He'd be an upgrade. I see Carr being the likely choice to take Knecht's spot. Could be wrong tho...usually am.

 

[MoCo_Vol]

Well, Lanier is more athletic than Vescovi. Moderately bigger and appears more physical. He's over 50% from the field and 44% from 3pt. 88% from the line. All are better than Vescovi. Granted, it's different caliber of league, but I feel confident that he'd be a superior replacement for this years version of Vescovi. And if he's good enough to actually be considered draftable, that speaks volumes. Vescovi might play in Europe but no way he's NBA level. He'd be an upgrade. I see Carr being the likely choice to take Knecht's spot. Could be wrong tho...usually am.

Yeah I'm a big fan of Lanier I think him and Mack (PG from Harvard) are the two best additions we can make of the guards bTo has mentioned mutual interest in. I also think Carr has some serious potential as well, might not be as good as driving or dribbling as DK but could be better defensively.

I think replacing JJJ is going to be the hardest part...ideally I'd like to see us find a 6'8" athletic guard/forward body to accomplish it. Doesn't have to be a strong physical body like Awaka but someone that can hold their own and guard the switch on high screens.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

Yeah I'm a big fan of Lanier I think him and Mack (PG from Harvard) are the two best additions we can make of the guards bTo has mentioned mutual interest in. I also think Carr has some serious potential as well, might not be as good as driving or dribbling as DK but could be better defensively.

I think replacing JJJ is going to be the hardest part...ideally I'd like to see us find a 6'8" athletic guard/forward body to accomplish it. Doesn't have to be a strong physical body like Awaka but someone that can hold their own and guard the switch on high screens.

We won’t get another JJJ. TN just needs to replace lost skills and it doesn’t necessarily be one to one. Mashack can do what Perimeter JJJ brought and maybe Phillips can help a lot replacing Paint JJJ. Or a transfer could do some of both.

 

[MoCo_Vol]

We won’t get another JJJ. TN just needs to replace lost skills and it doesn’t necessarily be one to one. Mashack can do what Perimeter JJJ brought and maybe Phillips can help a lot replacing Paint JJJ. Or a transfer could do some of both.

Yeah I'll be shocked if we see next year's squad have 5 players clocking 25 or more MPG like we did this year. Might still only really be an 8 man rotation, but I think replacing all the production/skills will require more minutes split over more guys.

 

[CAVPUT]

Yeah I'm a big fan of Lanier I think him and Mack (PG from Harvard) are the two best additions we can make of the guards bTo has mentioned mutual interest in. I also think Carr has some serious potential as well, might not be as good as driving or dribbling as DK but could be better defensively.

I think replacing JJJ is going to be the hardest part...ideally I'd like to see us find a 6'8" athletic guard/forward body to accomplish it. Doesn't have to be a strong physical body like Awaka but someone that can hold their own and guard the switch on high screens.

I'd love to see Mack sign on, but I think finding a PG to sit behind ZZ in the portal isn't likely. That kid wants to play and he wouldn't here. I think it's Boswell or bust behind ZZ next year. Hope he comes along quickly. Barnes will need to force feed him early. As for JJJ's replacement, unless I'm misreading the tea leaves that BTO is laying down, I think Saint Thomas is the likely choice. About the same size. Strong player. Might be more productive than JJJ offensively but not up to his level on defense. From what I've read, he will need work defensively and he has an injury history. So, in my mind, I see Lanier for Vescovi. Thomas for JJJ. Boswell is the PG behind ZZ. Considering the departures plus I think we lose 2 more to the portal and add Boswell, that would leave us 2 spots to use. One of those would certainly be a physical post which will be the hardest to find. The other would be the best shooter I could lay hands on. Problem is how do you sell a shooter with ZZ, Lanier, Mashack, Gainey, and Carr on board?

 

[Stoerner Fumbles]

I'd love to see Mack sign on, but I think finding a PG to sit behind ZZ in the portal isn't likely. That kid wants to play and he wouldn't here. I think it's Boswell or bust behind ZZ next year. Hope he comes along quickly. Barnes will need to force feed him early. As for JJJ's replacement, unless I'm misreading the tea leaves that BTO is laying down, I think Saint Thomas is the likely choice. About the same size. Strong player. Might be more productive than JJJ offensively but not up to his level on defense. From what I've read, he will need work defensively and he has an injury history. So, in my mind, I see Lanier for Vescovi. Thomas for JJJ. Boswell is the PG behind ZZ. Considering the departures plus I think we lose 2 more to the portal and add Boswell, that would leave us 2 spots to use. One of those would certainly be a physical post which will be the hardest to find. The other would be the best shooter I could lay hands on. Problem is how do you sell a shooter with ZZ, Lanier, Mashack, Gainey, and Carr on board?

There are no tea leaves until this week’s one on ones with RB and players. My perception of who stays/goes is definitely shifting, but it’s guesswork until they have a two-sided talk. We have big upside on the team, but the development time needed is gray. Dillione is such a different/better player than his minutes suggest. He is a very good and versatile defender, and can score from the one spot. He was killing it over the Summer, but was a mess after returning from his foot injury. DJ was playing in preseason, but blew it with grades and attendance. Estrella was playing stretch and shooting threes from the baseline early, but grew hugely over the season as a physical defender and back to the basket guy. His hand speed is slow. His foot work is overwrought. He can be very good. Carr has a big spotlight syndrome and is a guy who gets hot with pressure. That’s exciting. Cade is underrated. Not sure how you keep him engaged unless you can really upgrade his minutes. He’s going to be good. Aidoo is tricky. He was sick this week, but that doesn’t explain the softness with bigger guys. You can’t put that much weight on his frame or suddenly make him a beast. In a traditional 4-5 set, with Awaka, that may relieve pressure and get him more space. That said, other teams will be in his ear, saying we don’t understand him and that he’s being used incorrectly. They may be right. He does care. Seeing him walk of sobbing yesterday lets you know he didn’t want to let the team down. Again, hard to judge what is flu, what is Edey, what is tentativeness. He’s a weird fit, but a loss if he goes. The core is ZZ, Awaka, Mashack, and the other pieces are TBD. Lanier has had more contact than anyone. Hes a plug and play. It’ll be interesting to see where this goes. The next two weeks, they’ll be some moves that will let us know what’s next.

 

[CNeagleVolFan]

W

I think it's highly unlikely that we'd target a kid at Providence. Having said that I think he'd be vying with Lanier for Vescovi's spot anyway and that's who I think we add as a SG. I'm on record as saying that we need a physical big to pair with Estrella. I'm also wondering if we have a plan at PG behind ZZ next season? I know Boswell eventually will be the choice, but will he be capable enough as a true FR to step in and spell ZZ? Or worse, could he be the answer if ZZ got injured?

With all due respect the player of the year in the big east would be the immediate star of our team next year. Playing off ball with Zeigler would be a huge benefit for him too.

 

[CAVPUT]

There are no tea leaves until this week’s one on ones with RB and players. My perception of who stays/goes is definitely shifting, but it’s guesswork until they have a two-sided talk. We have big upside on the team, but the development time needed is gray. Dillione is such a different/better player than his minutes suggest. He is a very good and versatile defender, and can score from the one spot. He was killing it over the Summer, but was a mess after returning from his foot injury. DJ was playing in preseason, but blew it with grades and attendance. Estrella was playing stretch and shooting threes from the baseline early, but grew hugely over the season as a physical defender and back to the basket guy. His hand speed is slow. His foot work is overwrought. He can be very good. Carr has a big spotlight syndrome and is a guy who gets hot with pressure. That’s exciting. Cade is underrated. Not sure how you keep him engaged unless you can really upgrade his minutes. He’s going to be good. Aidoo is tricky. He was sick this week, but that doesn’t explain the softness with bigger guys. You can’t put that much weight on his frame or suddenly make him a beast. In a traditional 4-5 set, with Awaka, that may relieve pressure and get him more space. That said, other teams will be in his ear, saying we don’t understand him and that he’s being used incorrectly. They may be right. He does care. Seeing him walk of sobbing yesterday lets you know he didn’t want to let the team down. Again, hard to judge what is flu, what is Edey, what is tentativeness. He’s a weird fit, but a loss if he goes. The core is ZZ, Awaka, Mashack, and the other pieces are TBD. Lanier has had more contact than anyone. Hes a plug and play. It’ll be interesting to see where this goes. The next two weeks, they’ll be some moves that will let us know what’s next.

Shocked to hear those comments about Dillione defensively. Guess all I have to go on is an extremely small body of work. Honestly, I'd already written him off as being the next DJ Burns as the player who transfers out and blossoms for another program. In my feeble mind, I have our 3 outgoing players plus Dillione, Jefferson and Aidoo out the door. Interesting to think of Estrella as a stretch option. Figured him as a strictly "finesse" post type which is why I hoped for some physicality from the portal at the post. Gonna be a long 2 weeks. Kinda exciting tho. Won't lie...I'm anxious to turn the page in some respects.

 

[CAVPUT]

W

With all due respect the player of the year in the big east would be the immediate star of our team next year. Playing off ball with Zeigler would be a huge benefit for him too.

I was actually speaking to the relationship between the coaches. Not at all doubting the conference or the kids obvious talent.

 

[TrippieRedd]

We won’t get another JJJ. TN just needs to replace lost skills and it doesn’t necessarily be one to one. Mashack can do what Perimeter JJJ brought and maybe Phillips can help a lot replacing Paint JJJ. Or a transfer could do some of both.

Kobe Johnson from USC seems like the “closest” thing to JJJ, but I don’t think we’re interested

 

[pimo1]

With this years version of Vescovi, just about any name in the portal could give you more production offensively. Lanier would simply have to be a complete and utter bust to not be an upgrade. Vescovi's head went haywire this year for some reason. Lanier, if has a pulse at all, can help us offensively. He certainly looks much more athletic. The question is his desire and ability on defense. Maybe the new Barnes will accept something less than a lock down defender for the offensive pop? He did with Knecht. Lanier has good numbers and certainly isn't shy about shooting it. I'd take him and plug him into Vescovi's slot right now. ZZ, Lanier, Mashack....I right like the sound of that.

I don't think Barnes really gave up anything with Knecht he was a plus defender and was definitely bought in. I think he made some serious money coming to UT and the thing that mostly stood out to scouts is gonna be the fact he put effort into being a defender.

 

[Chaz-Vol]

There are no tea leaves until this week’s one on ones with RB and players. My perception of who stays/goes is definitely shifting, but it’s guesswork until they have a two-sided talk. We have big upside on the team, but the development time needed is gray. Dillione is such a different/better player than his minutes suggest. He is a very good and versatile defender, and can score from the one spot. He was killing it over the Summer, but was a mess after returning from his foot injury. DJ was playing in preseason, but blew it with grades and attendance. Estrella was playing stretch and shooting threes from the baseline early, but grew hugely over the season as a physical defender and back to the basket guy. His hand speed is slow. His foot work is overwrought. He can be very good. Carr has a big spotlight syndrome and is a guy who gets hot with pressure. That’s exciting. Cade is underrated. Not sure how you keep him engaged unless you can really upgrade his minutes. He’s going to be good. Aidoo is tricky. He was sick this week, but that doesn’t explain the softness with bigger guys. You can’t put that much weight on his frame or suddenly make him a beast. In a traditional 4-5 set, with Awaka, that may relieve pressure and get him more space. That said, other teams will be in his ear, saying we don’t understand him and that he’s being used incorrectly. They may be right. He does care. Seeing him walk of sobbing yesterday lets you know he didn’t want to let the team down. Again, hard to judge what is flu, what is Edey, what is tentativeness. He’s a weird fit, but a loss if he goes. The core is ZZ, Awaka, Mashack, and the other pieces are TBD. Lanier has had more contact than anyone. Hes a plug and play. It’ll be interesting to see where this goes. The next two weeks, they’ll be some moves that will let us know what’s next.

Agree with building around Awaka, Mashack, and ZZ. With those 3 as the core, adding offense is the most important things for balanced roster next year especially losing Knecht. It really would stink to lose Aidoo no doubt but probably Barnes decision will be if he thinks he's maximized all he can get out of Aidoo or is the potential growth of Estrella where he goes.