2025 Transfer Portal Thread

[cncchris33]

McKneely was reportedly going to fill the role of Chaz Lanier.

If we are going to get a player to fill that role, I rather it be an all around scorer, slasher and can shoot

McKneely could have filled the "Chaz role" and someone else could have been the all around scorer, though. Those aren't hardwired, predefined roles. Frankly, one of the issues with this year's team was that there wasn't an all around scorer (a 3-level scorer) to open up looks for Chaz. There were games where Lanier was ineffective because he isn't that guy, and no one else was either. He didn't always work hard to get open and he wasn't much of a threat to take his man off the dribble. But, ypu put Knecht and Chaz on the same team...it's lights out for the opponent.

 

[ukvols]

As you said every coach worth his salt is demanding an extensive NIL package and for it to be made clear, the current one won’t attract anyone that we likely will want here, but I’m sure Danny White will address that…but as you say why not address it now is my thing.

Could it be that CRB’s salary is affecting the team’s NIL budget? I suspect the next HC will be paid less upon arrival. I’m very happy that we have CRB, but if the staff salaries will be reduced by a few million while the NIL budget is increased, they could be related. That said - another way of thinking is if you’ll invest that much in a staff, why not spend enough to help them get who they want?

 

[ukvols]

I mean this is just the price you pay to be an “everything school” and especially one that is still dedicated to winning in football. Our money is fragmented. We’re not “all in” on any one particular sport.

While that has its perks, it makes winning at the highest level in any one particular sport incredibly difficult. Football is consuming most of our resources, but even then we’re pouring just enough into everything else that even football doesn’t have the money to pull in top level talent consistently.

That’s what makes what Tony is doing all the more impressive. I don’t think we have one of the best baseball NILs in the sport.

Vitello is the best, but it doesn’t hurt his chances if nobody is throwing crazy money at their baseball roster.

 

[csheaton]

McKneely could have filled the "Chaz role" and someone else could have been the all around scorer, though. Those aren't hardwired, predefined roles. Frankly, one of the issues with this year's team was that there wasn't an all around scorer (a 3-level scorer) to open up looks for Chaz. There were games where Lanier was ineffective because he isn't that guy, and no one else was either. He didn't always work hard to get open and he wasn't much of a threat to take his man off the dribble. But, ypu put Knecht and Chaz on the same team...it's lights out for the opponent.

If we had Chaz and DK on the same team it would have been lights out for everyone. National Champion, no questions asked.

 

[allvolrecruiting]

Hopefully Vandy doesn’t double up our NIL offer

Vandy isn't trying to bring him back. It's not that they don't think he is a good player but they need a physical big with length and they were not going to pay Carey a ton as a role playing 5 at 6'8. Just both sides interests did not line up, no hard feelings on either side

 

[Anti-shunshinepumper]

Could it be that CRB’s salary is affecting the team’s NIL budget? I suspect the next HC will be paid less upon arrival. I’m very happy that we have CRB, but if the staff salaries will be reduced by a few million while the NIL budget is increased, they could be related. That said - another way of thinking is if you’ll invest that much in a staff, why not spend enough to help them get who they want?

If it is affecting it some, it's worth it.
He has helped us land guys that could have got more money elsewhere. Not to mention he routinely gets quality production out of "cheaper" guys.

If you get a coach of Barnes caliber, it's going to cost you. Even if you get lucky and the next guy in is a success for cheaper, as soon as he has any significant success we will have to pay him more, too.
It's just how it is.

 

[NighthawkVol]

How much interest is there (both ways) with Rodney Rice? I like him as a player. Especially since he was just a sophomore this season.

 

[tnvols72]

I would take this kid

 

[omghulkhands]

I would take this kid

Committed to South Carolina

 

[TrumpedUpVol]

Could it be that CRB’s salary is affecting the team’s NIL budget? I suspect the next HC will be paid less upon arrival. I’m very happy that we have CRB, but if the staff salaries will be reduced by a few million while the NIL budget is increased, they could be related. That said - another way of thinking is if you’ll invest that much in a staff, why not spend enough to help them get who they want?

Things change rapidly with all of these legal cases but, right now, Tennessee isn't paying players directly (via NIL or otherwise) so Barnes' salary should have nothing to do with it.

Tennessee just has general NIL difficulties. Lots of other posters are appropriately pointing out that it's tough to focus on a variety of programs, and at the end of the day everything can circle back to "we need more NIL money."

 

[bleedingTNorange]

I mean this is just the price you pay to be an “everything school” and especially one that is still dedicated to winning in football. Our money is fragmented. We’re not “all in” on any one particular sport.

While that has its perks, it makes winning at the highest level in any one particular sport incredibly difficult. Football is consuming most of our resources, but even then we’re pouring just enough into everything else that even football doesn’t have the money to pull in top level talent consistently.

That’s what makes what Tony is doing all the more impressive. I don’t think we have one of the best baseball NILs in the sport.

Maybe not this past year, but I would venture to guess our total roster budget is Top 3 in NIL for baseball. If you rewind 2-3 years I think Tony and baseball were very much tops in the nation, I think Tony was also smart in his contract negotiations to make sure he would continue to have a top NIL budget.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

Could it be that CRB’s salary is affecting the team’s NIL budget? I suspect the next HC will be paid less upon arrival. I’m very happy that we have CRB, but if the staff salaries will be reduced by a few million while the NIL budget is increased, they could be related. That said - another way of thinking is if you’ll invest that much in a staff, why not spend enough to help them get who they want?

Barnes is at what, $5.8? NIL this year was $2.7m from what I heard (going up thir year), so that’s $8.5m total between the 2. We have programs spending $8-$10m on NIL alone, so no, I don’t think his salary is holding back NIL, at least it shouldn’t be.

 

[TrippieRedd]

How much interest is there (both ways) with Rodney Rice? I like him as a player. Especially since he was just a sophomore this season.

That’s my top want now that McKneely went elsewhere. I guess having some familiarity between Gill and Rice can help on the court as well.

 

[Stoerner Fumbles]

That’s my top want now that McKneely went elsewhere. I guess having some familiarity between Gill and Rice can help on the court as well.

There’s interest both ways. We don’t have all the advantages we have with Gillespie. We need to ask uncle daddy for a bigger allowance.

 

[CAVPUT]

Man, I really hope not. We don't have any years to waste with Barnes, and I'd say he is pretty dang focused on at least getting to a final four before he hangs it up.

Actually, I'd say the main reason he is staying at this point is he feels he has Tennessee to the point where we can get to a final four and hopefully even a championship game.
If the reports are true, and he's focusing more on scorers, then that is almost certainly the case.
He probably wouldn't come out loud and say it, but he definitely wants nothing else but to get to a Championship game before he hangs them up.

As far as the those that are unappreciative, there are always going to be those type fans.
So screw them and let's hope we don't end up with a rebuild but rather a reload!

If you're referring to basilio, you'll be disappointed. I suspect Basilio reads blogs and message boards as his "sources". That copy and paste someone posted contained speculation that had been floating around on several UT sites for a bit. Basilio probably thought it sounded reasonable and "broke" the news from his "inside sources". While I can appreciate how Barnes has adjusted to playing the portal, he is what he is. At this point in his career, he's not going to become Pearl or Oates. His forte is defense and high character kids. If one of those types happens to be an elite scorer, Barnes will certainly go for it, butI think next years team will resemble the scrappy bunch vandy had this year.

 

[CAVPUT]

If we had Chaz and DK on the same team it would have been lights out for everyone. National Champion, no questions asked.

We've had dynamic duos at UT before. King/Grunfeld...Lofton/Smith....Williams/Schofield plus others. No guarantees.

 

[NighthawkVol]

We've had dynamic duos at UT before. King/Grunfeld...Lofton/Smith....Williams/Schofield plus others. No guarantees.

None of them went to the Elite 8. Chaz did. DK did…each without the other. With each other, it stands to reason they’d have gone at least one step further.

 

[Stoerner Fumbles]

If you're referring to basilio, you'll be disappointed. I suspect Basilio reads blogs and message boards as his "sources". That copy and paste someone posted contained speculation that had been floating around on several UT sites for a bit. Basilio probably thought it sounded reasonable and "broke" the news from his "inside sources". While I can appreciate how Barnes has adjusted to playing the portal, he is what he is. At this point in his career, he's not going to become Pearl or Oates. His forte is defense and high character kids. If one of those types happens to be an elite scorer, Barnes will certainly go for it, butI think next years team will resemble the scrappy bunch vandy had this year.

Maybe we can get Walter Matthau to coach them…

Give it a minute before you write off next year’s roster as a collection of one-eyed misfits. I think he’ll find a way to put together another good team.

 

[CAVPUT]

None of them went to the Elite 8. Chaz did. DK did…each without the other. With each other, it stands to reason they’d have gone at least one step further.

Can't argue the record, but his hypothetical was too simplistic. Can't ignore the rest of the roster, the matchups and most importantly, the coaching staff. To say those two players on the same team would be a lock for a natty is just a tad hyperbolic.

 

[CAVPUT]

Maybe we can get Walter Matthau to coach them…

Give it a minute before you write off next year’s roster as a collection of one-eyed misfits. I think he’ll find a way to put together another good team.

Who's writing them off? I think we'll be a tough, scrappy bunch of high character kids. We just won't have that superstar or sharp shooter who can take over games. My big point is Barnes is gonna be Barnes. When you get to our age, the hay is in the barn. You are who and what you are. Such a radical change as Basilio is claiming...well...let's just say I don't agree or see that happening.

 

[VolGee4]

Could it be that CRB’s salary is affecting the team’s NIL budget? I suspect the next HC will be paid less upon arrival. I’m very happy that we have CRB, but if the staff salaries will be reduced by a few million while the NIL budget is increased, they could be related. That said - another way of thinking is if you’ll invest that much in a staff, why not spend enough to help them get who they want?

Barnes has been past up in salary by quite a few now. Miller makes $5 million at Texas. Beard got a raise to about $7 million. I haven’t seen the numbers, but I’m guessing Willard and Williams are comparable. Plus, until House officially settles, the school isn’t paying NIL.

 

[Stoked]

Any truth that Gillespie and Rice are roommates? @Stoerner Fumbles @bleedingTNorange

 

[Stoerner Fumbles]

Who's writing them off? I think we'll be a tough, scrappy bunch of high character kids. We just won't have that superstar or sharp shooter who can take over games. My big point is Barnes is gonna be Barnes. When you get to our age, the hay is in the barn. You are who and what you are. Such a radical change as Basilio is claiming...well...let's just say I don't agree or see that happening.

I tend to agree with you that Basillio cuts, pastes and shares more than he researches or pounds the pavement. I don’t know his POV on Barnes. I don’t listen to the TB show. It is true that CRB has put a focus on balanced scoring and players who can get to the basket this off-season. It’s a tough market for that product and we aren’t currently financially equipped. When you have a kid who wants to come here, but can’t because of the money, we need to adjust.

 

[Sudden Impact]

Maybe not this past year, but I would venture to guess our total roster budget is Top 3 in NIL for baseball. If you rewind 2-3 years I think Tony and baseball were very much tops in the nation, I think Tony was also smart in his contract negotiations to make sure he would continue to have a top NIL budget.

Some the baseball NIL budget could be contributed to the scholarships limits available when TV first arrived. 11.3 scholarships awarded. TV spoke out vocally about this nationally before NIL.

 

[Stoerner Fumbles]

Any truth that Gillespie and Rice are roommates? @Stoerner Fumbles @bleedingTNorange

Yes. Gillespie, Queen and Rice are apparently very tight. My naïveté got me excited about Queen after his ESPN interview, but obviously his draft stock is too high. Rice is a strong possibility. In many ways I like his complete game more than McNeely. We’re going to need to solve the money thing.