2024 Transfer Portal Thread

#979
#979
Awaka portaling feels weird. Don’t get that. He never struck me as a money-first type of guy and he is poised to take on a very large role in the post next year. I would have been less shocked if you told me Cade Phillips was the big hitting the portal.
 
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#981
#981
TheMookieMonster said:
Awaka portaling feels weird. Don’t get that. He never struck me as a money-first type of guy and he is poised to take on a very large role in the post next year. I would have been less shocked if you told me Cade Phillips was the big hitting the portal.
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Wait? What? Huh? No way.
 
#984
#984
onfocusgovols said:
What we really need to be worried about is Tobe Awaka. As I guess you all knew DJ & FAD was a given... but Awaka: He's being recruited hardcore and we want him to stay without a doubt. Only if he hits the portal that is when we would pursue another true big. I just don't want to see that guy leave but I'm hearing that's the one we need to be worried about at the moment unfortunately. Hopefully Zeigler & staff can convince him to stay.
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We have been fortunate so far and kept the ones we wanted to keep. This one would hurt.
 
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#985
#985
onfocusgovols said:
What we really need to be worried about is Tobe Awaka. As I guess you all knew DJ & FAD was a given... but Awaka: He's being recruited hardcore and we want him to stay without a doubt. Only if he hits the portal that is when we would pursue another true big. I just don't want to see that guy leave but I'm hearing that's the one we need to be worried about at the moment unfortunately. Hopefully Zeigler & staff can convince him to stay.
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Please tell me you're hearing this from that idiot Basilio. That way I know we're in good shape with Awaka.
 
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#986
#986
As much as I love Awaka, I could easily understand him leaving. He can go to many schools, get a bulk of the minutes at center and dominate. He would be an all star at a mid-major.

Unfortunately, college basketball is devolving in who has the tallest big. If you want to compete for a championship you need a 7 footer at minimum. Many are crapping on Aidoo, but he dominated most of his matchups where the big was 6'10 or under.

Awaka, while he makes up for his size with his physicality and rebounding ability, it is simply too much to expect him to consistently beat out guys bigger than him. At least at another school he can give them really good production against smaller bigs.
 
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#987
#987
onfocusgovols said:
What we really need to be worried about is Tobe Awaka. As I guess you all knew DJ & FAD was a given... but Awaka: He's being recruited hardcore and we want him to stay without a doubt. Only if he hits the portal that is when we would pursue another true big. I just don't want to see that guy leave but I'm hearing that's the one we need to be worried about at the moment unfortunately. Hopefully Zeigler & staff can convince him to stay.
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I think the fact that Awaka mentioned in an interview that his parents haven’t come to Knoxville from NY to watch him play is probably something that weighs on his mind too. Might be considering going to a basketball program closer to home?
 
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#989
#989
Updated list, removed Edwards with his commitment to Louisville, added Aaron Scott & Cade Tyson. Bolded names are ones we’ve had some level of contact with, unbolded names are guys with connections to the program and/or staff but haven’t verified connection to this point.


-Javian McCollum Oklahoma State 6’1” 170lbs 1 year
-Malik Mack PG Harvard 6’1” 170lbs 3 years
-Chaz Lanier SG North Florida 6’4” 175lbs 1 year
-Jayden Stone G Detroit Mercy 6’4” 180lbs 1 year
-Marcus Tankersley G Detroit Mercy 6’4” 193lbs 2 years
-BJ Freeman G UW-Milwaukee 6’6” 200lbs 1 year
-Darlinstone Dubar G Hofstra 6’6” 207lbs 1 year
-Aaron Scott G North Texas 6’7” 190lbs 1 year
-Cade Tyson F Belmont 6’7” 200lbs 2 years
-Saint Thomas F Northern Colorado 6’7” 200lbs 1 year
-Tucker Anderson F Central Ark 6’9” 190lbs 3 years
-Eric Dailey Jr. F Oklahoma State 6’8” 230lbs 3 years
-Malik Dia F Belmont 6’9” 240lbs 2 years
-Rueben Chinyelu Washington State 6’11” 245lbs 3 years
 
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#994
#994
With the departure of Dillione you’ve got nobody 6’6”-6’8” except for Awaka, who pretty clearly is a 5 in todays game. Can Estrella, Aidoo & Phillips give you some stretch 4, probably, but not sure that’s a nightly thing and it gives you no versatility. To me it’s pretty evident you’d probably likely to add 2 guys (now having room for at least 3) in that 6’6”-6’9” mold who are true 3/4 types with perimeter game to give you that versatility in lineups.
 
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#996
#996
Would Barnes and his staff have any interest in any Arkansas players that could potentially hit the portal?
 
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