2024 Transfer Portal Thread

[TrippieRedd]

Freeman would be a huge get. Scoring machine

 

[lostsheep]

I would say a middle ground is also plausible

Fair point

 

[MoCo_Vol]

I mean there's a very good chance we'll be adding 3 or 4 players in the portal.

So we're replacing more than just DK...and if we can upgrade the offensive output that Santi and JJJ have offered we don't need a 20+ a night guy. Might benefit us to have 4 or 5 players scoring 10+ next year.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

I mean there's a very good chance we'll be adding 3 or 4 players in the portal.

So we're replacing more than just DK...and if we can upgrade the offensive output that Santi and JJJ have offered we don't need a 20+ a night guy. Might benefit us to have 4 or 5 players scoring 10+ next year.

To me that’s the most likely best case and what you’re looking for, a more balanced offense that maybe doesn’t have a DK but has 5-7 options that can give you near double figures.

 

[GoodTimeVol]

He's not wrong. Way too many times did we, as a team, wait around for DK to be the only source of offense. Even more prominent in games where ZZ was ineffective. Aidoo was too inconsistent and not assertive enough, offensively, on most nights against sizable frontcourts. JJJ, Gainey, and Santi had moments, but nothing consistent. The Purdue game was a great example of it. The UK game at home, as well. DK going for 40 doesn't matter if the rest of the team combines for 20. All @berryvol is saying is that more options replacing DK isn't necessarily a bad thing.

We lost 9 games all year and fell 2 games short of the title game. A few open looks go down and that “narrative” is dumb just like using Perdue as an example when Edey scored more than half of their points.

Great players score the most for a reason not because they are ball hogs but because they shoot the best percentage at a high clip so you generally want the offense to go through them it is no different than every great team in basketball.

The problem was the supporting cast did not show up against Perdont and hit their open shots like they have done before and it hurt us, but if you actually have watched our games I can point to plenty of times where DK wasn’t the primary scorer and we still won… Teams have bad games but it didn’t dissuade me in my thinking that this Tenn couldn’t win it all, sometimes you just don’t have it on certain days.

So no he isn’t right and neither are you it’s a casual take that provides no context other then using the Perdont game as an example which is completely hypocritical lol

 

[berryvol]

Ah yes using the Kentucky narrative that DK was are only scoring threat on offense and then using the Purdue game where one player scored more than half their points…that’s quite the argument lol

If you’re going to argue just for the sake of arguing (seems to be your entire purpose on this site) maybe you should have a more compelling thesis than “doyyyy Kentucky fan doyyyyy Purdue sucks doyyyy”

 

[GoodTimeVol]

If you’re going to argue just for the sake of arguing (seems to be your entire purpose on this site) maybe you should have a more compelling thesis than “doyyyy Kentucky fan doyyyyy Purdue sucks doyyyy”

I went into way more detail to explain

We lost 9 games all year and fell 2 games short of the title game. A few open looks go down and that “narrative” is dumb just like using Perdue as an example when Edey scored more than half of their points.

Great players score the most for a reason not because they are ball hogs but because they shoot the best percentage at a high clip so you generally want the offense to go through them it is no different than every great team in basketball.

The problem was the supporting cast did not show up against Perdont and hit their open shots like they have done before and it hurt us, but if you actually have watched our games I can point to plenty of times where DK wasn’t the primary scorer and we still won… Teams have bad games but it didn’t dissuade me in my thinking that this Tenn couldn’t win it all, sometimes you just don’t have it on certain days.

So no he isn’t right and neither are you it’s a casual take that provides no context other then using the Perdont game as an example which is completely hypocritical lol

 

[MoCo_Vol]

To me that’s the most likely best case and what you’re looking for, a more balanced offense that maybe doesn’t have a DK but has 5-7 options that can give you near double figures.

Yep, and all 4 of the Final Four teams have at least 4 players averaging at least 10 points per game.

 

[berryvol]

To me that’s the most likely best case and what you’re looking for, a more balanced offense that maybe doesn’t have a DK but has 5-7 options that can give you near double figures.

I don’t expect us to turn into UCONN overnight obviously, but their balanced scoring this season has been a big reason you don’t see them have off nights offensively. They have 5 guys capable of getting you 20-30 on occasion, but each of them are going to have, typically efficiently, 10-15 every time out. Couple that in with Johnson or Diarra giving you a good 5-10 off the bench each night and you’re golden. I think we can have 5 guys averaging double figures next season, but do we have multiple guys that are capable of popping off for 20+ every few nights? Right now we have 1 in ZZ, maybe 2 in Gainey (and it would help if he could be a consistent 10 point guy off the bench). Adding even 1 guy from the portal capable of doing that would be a massive boon to our offensive outlook next season. 2-3 of them and we shouldn’t take a step down, even without DK.

 

[berryvol]

I went into way more detail to explain

I couldn’t even read that because I was laughing so hard at your Purdue puns. Absolutely hilarious. You should go on tour.

 

[onfocusgovols]

These two guys are ours to lose at the moment...both going through the NBA process but are both expected to return. Lanier + Thomas. Both are humble high quality character guys who interview extremely well .. Thomas is a much better defender and all around more versatile than Cade... Chaz Lanier is an extremely efficient shooter and bucket getter from all over the court, much more efficient than guys like BJ Freeman. But yeah those are the two guys who we are seeing as favorites to be Vols. Btw I love the forum! I'm glad to be here... Im just a huge basketball guy so I don't follow any other sports. Grateful to be here guys

 

[GoodTimeVol]

I couldn’t even read that because I was laughing so hard at your Purdue puns. Absolutely hilarious. You should go on tour.

Might educate you to read and have more basketball knowledge moving forward rather than be ignorant and spout lame Kentucky and Bama fan narratives, but hey to each their own

 

[berryvol]

These two guys are ours to lose at the moment...both going through the NBA process but are both expected to return. Lanier + Thomas. Both are humble high quality character guys who interview extremely well .. Thomas is a much better defender and all around more versatile than Cade... Chaz Lanier is an extremely efficient shooter and bucket getter from all over the court, much more efficient than guys like BJ Freeman. But yeah those are the two guys who we are seeing as favorites to be Vols. Btw I love the forum! I'm glad to be here... Im just a huge basketball guy so I don't follow any other sports. Grateful to be here guys

Welcome aboard!

 

[tev.sm]

Yes, also if we could somehow convince Mack to come off the bench for a year we would be set at pg for the next 3 years but idk how willing he would be to do that.

I agree with this, definitely would be beneficial to have a backup PG option.
I was not a fan of ZZ playing 40 mins against Creighton, especially with the tight turnaround to face Purdue less than 48 hrs later.
I get that CRB and the coaching staff trusts him, and he's capable of playing that many minutes but it also increases the risk of him getting injured... again.

 

[TrippieRedd]

These two guys are ours to lose at the moment...both going through the NBA process but are both expected to return. Lanier + Thomas. Both are humble high quality character guys who interview extremely well .. Thomas is a much better defender and all around more versatile than Cade... Chaz Lanier is an extremely efficient shooter and bucket getter from all over the court, much more efficient than guys like BJ Freeman. But yeah those are the two guys who we are seeing as favorites to be Vols. Btw I love the forum! I'm glad to be here... Im just a huge basketball guy so I don't follow any other sports. Grateful to be here guys

ZZ
Lanier
Shack
Thomas
Aidoo/Awaka

Not a bad lineup at all

 

[GoodTimeVol]

These two guys are ours to lose at the moment...both going through the NBA process but are both expected to return. Lanier + Thomas. Both are humble high quality character guys who interview extremely well .. Thomas is a much better defender and all around more versatile than Cade... Chaz Lanier is an extremely efficient shooter and bucket getter from all over the court, much more efficient than guys like BJ Freeman. But yeah those are the two guys who we are seeing as favorites to be Vols. Btw I love the forum! I'm glad to be here... Im just a huge basketball guy so I don't follow any other sports. Grateful to be here guys

Glad to have you aboard refreshing to have actual information on possible transfer portal additions rather than reading casual takes on Rick Barnes offense.

 

[Stoerner Fumbles]

Might educate you to read and have more basketball knowledge moving forward rather than be ignorant and spout lame Kentucky and Bama fan narratives, but hey to each their own

After you post the most illogical basketball post of the day, you want to “educate” people? When is the first class and how can I sign up?

 

[GoodTimeVol]

After you post the most illogical basketball post of the day, you want to “educate” people? When is the first class and how can I sign up.

What’s illogical about it? Lol would love to hear your knowledge…plus I have all day Thursday is an easy day at work for me and of course berryvol liked your post who had no rebuttal for my argument lol

 

[berryvol]

After you post the most illogical basketball post of the day, you want to “educate” people? When is the first class and how can I sign up?

We lack the baseline understanding of the game for what his class would entail. It would blow our tiny minds to realize that someone has unlocked the full 100% brain potential of basketball knowledge.

 

[Stoerner Fumbles]

We lack the baseline understanding of the game for what his class would entail. It would blow our tiny minds to realize that someone has unlocked the full 100% brain potential of basketball knowledge.

Maybe next year.

 

[GoodTimeVol]

We lack the baseline understanding of the game for what his class would entail. It would blow our tiny minds to realize that someone has unlocked the full 100% brain potential of basketball knowledge.

Maybe next year.

Lol you both have no rebuttal so you just deflect because I put berryvols narrative on its face..classic

 

[Stoerner Fumbles]

What’s illogical about it? Lol would love to hear your knowledge…plus I have all day Thursday is an easy day at work for me

Sounds good. I can’t imagine anyone giving you work that isn’t easy. As for your logic, DK was a much better player when the offense was balanced. When he was the sole option, most teams had a way to slow him down. When we became too static and too dependent on DK, teams doubled him high and low, and often dropped their 5 to stop the drive. He is an exceptional player. He was better and we were better when he played in the offense, and we moved the ball well. Other players can’t “step up” if they are just trying to get him the ball. As an example we stopped screening low, rolling and cutting to the basket. We just screened for DK and gave him the ball. That was something they could defend, no matter how good he is.

 

[Lefteye]

If you’re going to argue just for the sake of arguing (seems to be your entire purpose on this site) maybe you should have a more compelling thesis than “doyyyy Kentucky fan doyyyyy Purdue sucks doyyyy”

been a minute since I saw good doyyyy!! All I'm hearing now are the Waterboy's teammates. lol

 

[walkenvol]

I don't think you read my post. I'm agreeing with you that it's an overreaction but just let them have their overreaction. Aidoo is a good but not great player. As another post said let them dream for a few days.

I’m going to push back against morons who insult our players. I don’t welcome your advice to not comment on their ignorance. If that bothers you, the put me on your ignore list.

 

[GoodTimeVol]

Sounds good. I can’t imagine anyone giving you work that isn’t easy. As for your logic, DK was a much better player when the offense was balanced. When he was the sole option, most teams had a way to slow him down. When we became too static and too dependent on DK, teams doubled him high and low, and often dropped their 5 to stop the drive. He is an exceptional player. He was better and we were better when he played in the offense, and we moved the ball well. Other players can’t “step up” if they are just trying to get him the ball. As an example we stopped screening low, rolling and cutting to the basket. We just screened for DK and gave him the ball. That was something they could defend, no matter how good he is.

I agree with what you said however I was responding to this post below…we ran the offense to precision every game however when the supporting cast didn’t meet their averages in scoring on the year or didn’t make wide open shots we then deferred to DK to be our offense and we were two games away from the title game in retrospect. Bringing up the Purdue game is hypocritical when they essentially relied on one player as well… the narrative that the offense was too reliant on DK is simply not true…

“Agreed. If you get Lanier and Tyson and both can average 10-12 a night on 38-40% three point shooting, as well as our current pieces continuing to improve, you’re likely in just as good, if not better, a spot than we were this year. Loved DK, but would like to see a more balanced scoring effort next season - it was nearly impossible for us to get back into an offensive flow all year once we deferred to DK, even on a short spurt (Purdue game a shining example of this)”