2025 Target List

[ALock4UT]

Anything on Ament & Burries?

Ament

So far, Ament has taken visits to Notre Dame, Tennessee, Louisville, and Texas and has two more visits ahead with Duke and Kansas State.
Ament isn't expected to make a decision until February or March. Right now we are looking at Duke, Notre Dame, Tennessee, and Louisville as the top contenders.

We will also be keeping a close eye on Kentucky to see if they are able to gain ground on Ament, if they miss on five-star Caleb Wilson, who is announcing this Thursday.

Burries

He's completed visits to Arizona, Alabama, SMU, Oregon, and most recently to Tennessee on Jan. 21.

While nothing is set in stone yet, Burries has also been entertaining the idea of taking two more visits to USC and UCLA.

Right now, there is no presumptive leader but we would classify Arizona, Alabama, Oregon, and Tennessee as the top contenders but if he takes a trip to UCLA or USC, they could become a bigger threat.

Mallory

Since then he has taken two visits to Tennessee and most recently to Maryland.

After reopening his recruitment, Mallory has kept a low profile and kept his recruitment quiet.

Maryland seems to be the biggest threat right now but Tennessee remains an option as does a return commitment to Virginia.

 

[ALock4UT]

Five-star guard Brayden Burries enjoys 'great' official visit with Tennessee basketball (247sports.com)

"I got to see everything pretty much, even though, honestly, the only thing is I didn't know it was that cold," Burries told GoVols247 with a laugh. "But other than that, it was a great visit and a great trip."

Burries was accompanied by his parents on the visit. It added a unique element to the trip given his mother, Hannah Low-Burries, played softball at Tennessee for Karen Weekly in the early 2000's.

"It was pretty unique," Burries said. "It was pretty cool to see her old stomping grounds. It was good for her to reminisce and see her old coach, Coach Weekly, that coached her when she was here. I got to meet her multiple times. After the game last night and today."

"I wanted to see how players responded to each and every coach," Burries said. "It was good. The fans stood out, and like, how all the players were family oriented. The leadership, you know, guys like Zakai Zeigler are just really mature players. You could just see the culture there is different."

"He's a great coach," Burries said about Barnes. "He's going to hold you accountable, and he's going to expect a lot out of you. But most importantly, he'll hold you accountable."

"The whole coaching staff, they came to a few of my games already this year. It means a lot because they were going out of their way to see me play when they don't have to and they're in season, so they could focus on their season, but to see me while you're in season, it means a lot."

The highly-ranked guard has discussed making a potential decision in February. He told GoVols247 he's "not in a rush to do anything."

"It was a great visit overall," Burries said.

-Ben McKee, 247Sports

 

[Lefteye]

-Ben McKee, 247Sports

Mama Low-Burries was here too!!!???

 

[cncchris33]

I'm hoping we aren't slipping with Mallory.

 

[Willy14]

I'm hoping we aren't slipping with Mallory.

I agree, hopefully the report saying that Maryland seems to be the leader isn’t accurate

 

[bleedingTNorange]

 

[MoCo_Vol]

I think Mallory is the one I'd be most confident in, reading tea leaves.

Burries would be a great get, but being a Cali kid and bringing up the weather here...I think he may wanna stay in a warmer area, but his mom's ties to the university could help.

Not sure how many more HS players we'll land with the spots we have. Personally I'd like to see at least 5 and then fill in the rest with portal if need be. But will be a completely new team next year, even if everyone who can does return will still have like 9 spots to fill.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

I think Mallory is the one I'd be most confident in, reading tea leaves.

Burries would be a great get, but being a Cali kid and bringing up the weather here...I think he may wanna stay in a warmer area, but his mom's ties to the university could help.

Not sure how many more HS players we'll land with the spots we have. Personally I'd like to see at least 5 and then fill in the rest with portal if need be. But will be a completely new team next year, even if everyone who can does return will still have like 9 spots to fill.

9 more to fill?

If everyone returns that can that’s 8 returnees, already have 2 signed, so that’s 10.

 

[MoCo_Vol]

9 more to fill?

If everyone returns that can that’s 8 returnees, already have 2 signed, so that’s 10.

I'm only counting Cade, Felix, JP, and Bishop

This 5th year from the NCAA thing hasn't officially happened so I'm not projecting based on that UNTIL it is approved/implemented.

So 9 total spots, 7 left after counting 2 signed already.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

I'm only counting Cade, Felix, JP, and Bishop

This 5th year from the NCAA thing hasn't officially happened so I'm not projecting based on that UNTIL it is approved/implemented.

I got ya…at the same time we can’t go sign like we have 9 open spots if coaches are expecting that to happen.

 

[MoCo_Vol]

I got ya…at the same time we can’t go sign like we have 9 open spots if coaches are expecting that to happen.

Yeah very true, that's why I think 5 total HS spots would be ideal.

Sign 5, return 4 for sure...that leaves 4 open spots to either portal fill or retain new 5th year options.

I feel like Chaz is done either way as he was at North Florida 4 years and then 1 year here so he technically would have reached 5 in 5 either way. Dubar also is already in his 5th year so I think technically he might not get another because he will have used 5 in 5 as well.

So the 4th year seniors that could get a year.

ZZ
Gainey
Mashack
Igor

So with those 4 open spots could all be those guys returning...

 

[KendrickUT]

Also, how are we feeling on Ament? Fading with that one or are we still in it?

Definitely! we still in it..

 

[bleedingTNorange]

Yeah very true, that's why I think 5 total HS spots would be ideal.

Sign 5, return 4 for sure...that leaves 4 open spots to either portal fill or retain new 5th year options.

I feel like Chaz is done either way as he was at North Florida 4 years and then 1 year here so he technically would have reached 5 in 5 either way. Dubar also is already in his 5th year so I think technically he might not get another because he will have used 5 in 5 as well.

So the 4th year seniors that could get a year.

ZZ
Gainey
Mashack
Igor

So with those 4 open spots could all be those guys returning...

Yea, that math maths.

4 underclass returning, 4 super seniors could return, sign 5 (2 already signed) brings you to 13. The move to 15 and the allowing 5th year will create a lot of uncertainty for sure, I would guess that’s why you’re seeing Zyree Collins & Kennedy Okpara being recruited, 2 guys they can probably slow play and still land.

 

[Willy14]

Yeah very true, that's why I think 5 total HS spots would be ideal.

Sign 5, return 4 for sure...that leaves 4 open spots to either portal fill or retain new 5th year options.

I feel like Chaz is done either way as he was at North Florida 4 years and then 1 year here so he technically would have reached 5 in 5 either way. Dubar also is already in his 5th year so I think technically he might not get another because he will have used 5 in 5 as well.

So the 4th year seniors that could get a year.

ZZ
Gainey
Mashack
Igor

So with those 4 open spots could all be those guys returning...

Yea, that math maths.

4 underclass returning, 4 super seniors could return, sign 5 (2 already signed) brings you to 13. The move to 15 and the allowing 5th year will create a lot of uncertainty for sure, I would guess that’s why you’re seeing Zyree Collins & Kennedy Okpara being recruited, 2 guys they can probably slow play and still land.

If all of that happens, it would be odd for us not to take anyone from the portal. It seems Barnes is great at recruiting gems from the portal.

I would think we would at least take 1 or 2 proven players from the portal even in the situation the 5th year thing happens. Would probably search for a Lanier replacement to fill the role of a proven scorer at least. We take all freshman and only returnees I would worry about our scoring next year. Maybe you could assume Gainey could fill that role? But it seems Barnes has worked the portal for a proven scorer since it has opened up like it has.

 

[Chaz-Vol]

Yeah very true, that's why I think 5 total HS spots would be ideal.

Sign 5, return 4 for sure...that leaves 4 open spots to either portal fill or retain new 5th year options.

I feel like Chaz is done either way as he was at North Florida 4 years and then 1 year here so he technically would have reached 5 in 5 either way. Dubar also is already in his 5th year so I think technically he might not get another because he will have used 5 in 5 as well.

So the 4th year seniors that could get a year.

ZZ
Gainey
Mashack
Igor

So with those 4 open spots could all be those guys returning...

We already have 2 in the boat, maybe Mallory, one developmental player (Collins), and one of the 5 stars would be best case scenario for HS recruiting. NIL money wise I don't foresee allocating money to two HS 5 stars.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

If all of that happens, it would be odd for us not to take anyone from the portal. It seems Barnes is great at recruiting gems from the portal.

I would think we would at least take 1 or 2 proven players from the portal even in the situation the 5th year thing happens. Would probably search for a Lanier replacement to fill the role of a proven scorer at least. We take all freshman and only returnees I would worry about our scoring next year. Maybe you could assume Gainey could fill that role? But it seems Barnes has worked the portal for a proven scorer since it has opened up like it has.

If it goes to 15 even with all 8 returning and signing those 5 HS guys that would be 13, that would leave room for 2 portal additions.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

We already have 2 in the boat, maybe Mallory, one developmental player (Collins), and one of the 5 stars would be best case scenario for Hs recruiting. NIL money wise I don't foresee allocating money to two HA 5 stars.

I don’t even see doing it for 1 unless you just can’t beat the price

 

[Willy14]

If it goes to 15 even with all 8 returning and signing those 5 HS guys that would be 13, that would leave room for 2 portal additions.

Ah that makes sense, I missed the part about the 15 scholarship players.

It would be interesting to see if the staff elects for 15 scholarship players next year though. That’s a lot of mouths to feed even if you have 3-5 developmental guys.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

Ah that makes sense, I missed the part about the 15 scholarship players.

It would be interesting to see if the staff elects for 15 scholarship players next year though. That’s a lot of mouths to feed even if you have 3-5 developmental guys.

For sure, definitely why I think you see the Collins & Okpara’s discussed, they’re likely good with being end of bench. I doubt Brown plays much if you’re returning Okpara, Estrella & Phillips in the post, so now you’re likely down to 12 at most. How much would Mallory & Evans as true freshman likely actually play if you’ve got Zeigler returning along with Gainey as well? I would say getting to 10-11 would be rather easy, which is what Barnes would like, and then trimming that to 8/9 by league play.

 

[Willy14]

For sure, definitely why I think you see the Collins & Okpara’s discussed, they’re likely good with being end of bench. I doubt Brown plays much if you’re returning Okpara, Estrella & Phillips in the post, so now you’re likely down to 12 at most. How much would Mallory & Evans as true freshman likely actually play if you’ve got Zeigler returning along with Gainey as well? I would say getting to 10-11 would be rather easy, which is what Barnes would like, and then trimming that to 8/9 by league play.

That’s very true, getting it down to 10-11 would be pretty easy in that scenario.

End of bench: Collins, Okpara, Brown
Spot minutes: Evans, Mallory

Rotation:
Zeigler/Boswell
Gainey/Transfer
Mashack/Transfer
Igor/Phillips
Okpara/Estrella

Basically would need one transfer to replace Lanier. Then another transfer for backup 3 or leave that last spot open and fill with Evans or trim rotation down to 9.

Again, that’s a lot of “what ifs” in that scenario assuming that the 5 year rule gets past and applies to the group of seniors currently and not just for the future. Also assumes that no one transfers and all seniors elect to return, along with Collins, Okpara, and Mallory committing.

 

[Chaz-Vol]

That’s very true, getting it down to 10-11 would be pretty easy in that scenario.

End of bench: Collins, Okpara, Brown
Spot minutes: Evans, Mallory

Rotation:
Zeigler/Boswell
Gainey/Transfer
Mashack/Transfer
Igor/Phillips
Okpara/Estrella

Basically would need one transfer to replace Lanier. Then another transfer for backup 3 or leave that last spot open and fill with Evans or trim rotation down to 9.

Again, that’s a lot of “what ifs” in that scenario assuming that the 5 year rule gets past and applies to the group of seniors currently and not just for the future. Also assumes that no one transfers and all seniors elect to return, along with Collins, Okpara, and Mallory committing.

One must as we've seen the last 2 years is we need a pure scorer next year in some way shape or form. If Ament can be that ok, and if he doesn't come then have to bring in someone from the portal as a 15ppg player since we're going to lose Lanier. Gainey has gotten stronger this year but he's best suited as a sixth man off the bench.

 

[VFL02]

Where are we seeing Kennedy Okpara is being recruited?

 

[Lefteye]

We already have 2 in the boat, maybe Mallory, one developmental player (Collins), and one of the 5 stars would be best case scenario for HS recruiting. NIL money wise I don't foresee allocating money to two HS 5 stars.

.
Edit.. Had a comment on Mallory getting minutes as a freshman and not being a developmental player, but my reading comp failed me. Now, I’ll just say good post.