'21 WA PF Paolo Banchero (Duke Commit)

[VolGee4]

To everyone suggesting money was involved, isn't UT landing the likes of Springer, Johnson, and Chandler A LOT more suspicious than Banchero going to Duke?

Eh, not necessarily. The accusations surrounding Duke are going to be out there because of the information that has come from the Zion litigation. There was information that came out about Marvin Bagley during the FBI investigation. You can also go back to Corey Maggette. While Duke was supposedly not involved (got paid by AAU or HS coach), he was still being paid before/while in college.

Keon and KC are from TN, and Springer played on Bobby Maze's AAU team. I have no doubt that many high level basketball players are offered incentives, but there are legal ways of doing it or at least small amounts here and there and not Nike helping you pay for houses.

 

[BowlBrother85]

To everyone suggesting money was involved, isn't UT landing the likes of Springer, Johnson, and Chandler A LOT more suspicious than Banchero going to Duke?

I know what you are driving at, but the timing of the Banchero commitment is strange. He had indicated that he wasn't close to making a decision and then it comes to an abrupt end with zero fanfare. It could be legit... but then again, posters like you probably thought that Zion Williamson's recruitment was legit too.

And as for the players you mentioned, Johnson and Chandler are both from the state of Tennessee, while Springer is originally from Charlotte. Tennessee was just in the sweet 16 last year after spending a good portion of the season ranked #1. So, no... there is nothing suspicious about that at all. However, there is plenty of smoke at Duke right now.

 

[TheMookieMonster]

To everyone suggesting money was involved, isn't UT landing the likes of Springer, Johnson, and Chandler A LOT more suspicious than Banchero going to Duke?

The deacon would NEVER!

 

[BowlBrother85]

The deacon would NEVER!

Unlike with Wade at LSU, Barnes's recruiting picked up right after he started to have some success, which is when you would expect it to, when you aren't a blue blood program. Banchero's recruitment could be legitimate, but not everything surrounding Duke bball is at the moment. A hell of a lot of money went to Zion's family while he was at Duke. That is clear.

 

[Chris4Vols22]

The deacon would NEVER!

I mean, the quality of recruits dramatically changed in a short amount of time. I don't know what goes on behind the scenes, but I find it funny that some screech $$$$$ while we, the University of Tennessee, have had four 5-star commits over 3 classes. How do we know English and Oliver aren't making it rain with their targets?

I'm not making any accusations, just my observations.

 

[BowlBrother85]

I mean, the quality of recruits dramatically changed in a short amount of time. I don't know what goes on behind the scenes, but I find it funny that some screech $$$$$ while we, the University of Tennessee, have had four 5-star commits over 3 classes. How do we know English and Oliver aren't making it rain with their targets?

I'm not making any accusations, just my observations.

Barnes recruiting improved dramatically exactly when we should have expected it to improve... once he made the NCAA Tournament and proved he could win at Tennessee. In light of the news that has come out about how much $$$$ Zion Williamson's family was paid while he was at Duke, we are not the only fans screeching... and quite frankly, there should be some screeching. That is outrageous.

 

[wisvol22]

I mean, the quality of recruits dramatically changed in a short amount of time. I don't know what goes on behind the scenes, but I find it funny that some screech $$$$$ while we, the University of Tennessee, have had four 5-star commits over 3 classes. How do we know English and Oliver aren't making it rain with their targets?

I'm not making any accusations, just my observations.

I mean, someone would have to be a pretty naive fan to not think there was money being passed under the table, not even for just the five star guys. It's just how the system works and Tennessee is no different. Places like Duke/Kentucky/UNC, etc get the blind eye from the NCAA, so between having greater flexibility to "pony" up to get recruits they want, in addition to achieving success from the recruits they get, it's a cycle that continues to benefit the "blue bloods", college football is no different.

My guess is that Duke knew Banchero would seriously start leaning Tennessee after Chandler committed and while Banchero was obviously strongly considering Duke in the first place, Duke probably upped their "offer" that trumped whatever we were offering, and gave the ultimatum of committing right now to get that offer. Which would explain the out-of-the-blue commitment.

Just my two cents.

 

[strkr]

Unlike with Wade at LSU, Barnes's recruiting picked up right after he started to have some success, which is when you would expect it to, when you aren't a blue blood program. Banchero's recruitment could be legitimate, but not everything surrounding Duke bball is at the moment. A hell of a lot of money went to Zion's family while he was at Duke. That is clear.

Last two sentences. ^

 

[VolFreakJosh]

I mean, the quality of recruits dramatically changed in a short amount of time. I don't know what goes on behind the scenes, but I find it funny that some screech $$$$$ while we, the University of Tennessee, have had four 5-star commits over 3 classes. How do we know English and Oliver aren't making it rain with their targets?

I'm not making any accusations, just my observations.

Most experts expected Zion to commit to Clemson. (See the crystal ball predictions) Shortly after he left, it was leaked by the media saying money was involved in Zion’s family to persuade him to team up with RJ and play for Duke.

Banchero who had no timetable, no planned announcement, expected to take his time during the recruiting process, unexpectedly posted on his twitter saying he was all Duke.

Even Atlanta Vol hinted that expenses were given out to shut down his recruitment early just shortly after Tennessee was the team to beat.

This isn’t the first time Coach K has done something like this.

 

[cardvolfan]

Seems like whenever a top recruit doesn't come our way, football or basketball, it's always because they were bought off.

To someone on the west coast, UT is not paradise. Maybe they just like the tradition and rep of some other place better than UT>

Agreed. No matter what we want to believe, we really don't know.

 

[cardvolfan]

I mean, someone would have to be a pretty naive fan to not think there was money being passed under the table, not even for just the five star guys. It's just how the system works and Tennessee is no different. Places like Duke/Kentucky/UNC, etc get the blind eye from the NCAA, so between having greater flexibility to "pony" up to get recruits they want, in addition to achieving success from the recruits they get, it's a cycle that continues to benefit the "blue bloods", college football is no different.

My guess is that Duke knew Banchero would seriously start leaning Tennessee after Chandler committed and while Banchero was obviously strongly considering Duke in the first place, Duke probably upped their "offer" that trumped whatever we were offering, and gave the ultimatum of committing right now to get that offer. Which would explain the out-of-the-blue commitment.

Just my two cents.

You sound like a Kentucky fan.

 

[BillVol7]

You sound like a Kentucky fan.

he gone, let’s let this thread die.....lol

 

[Brick_By_Brick]

Meh, he’s not going to UK, so I’m not too torn up about this one.

 

[BowlBrother85]

Meh, he’s not going to UK, so I’m not too torn up about this one.

I like that he's not going to Kentucky too, but this hurts. It felt like we had a real shot here after the Chandler commitment. The next step for Barnes is to land this type of versatile player. We could have been national championship caliber.

 

[Volfan1000]

Good luck to Banchero at Duke and Tennessee still is in good shape with Smith, Houston and Bedieko who can play the small forward position.

 

[Roustabout]

Most experts expected Zion to commit to Clemson. (See the crystal ball predictions) Shortly after he left, it was leaked by the media saying money was involved in Zion’s family to persuade him to team up with RJ and play for Duke.

Banchero who had no timetable, no planned announcement, expected to take his time during the recruiting process, unexpectedly posted on his twitter saying he was all Duke.

Even Atlanta Vol hinted that expenses were given out to shut down his recruitment early just shortly after Tennessee was the team to beat.

This isn’t the first time Coach K has done something like this.

Atlanta Vols doesn’t know Jack **** and I can’t understand how many of these it takes

 

[Roustabout]

I mean, someone would have to be a pretty naive fan to not think there was money being passed under the table, not even for just the five star guys. It's just how the system works and Tennessee is no different. Places like Duke/Kentucky/UNC, etc get the blind eye from the NCAA, so between having greater flexibility to "pony" up to get recruits they want, in addition to achieving success from the recruits they get, it's a cycle that continues to benefit the "blue bloods", college football is no different.

My guess is that Duke knew Banchero would seriously start leaning Tennessee after Chandler committed and while Banchero was obviously strongly considering Duke in the first place, Duke probably upped their "offer" that trumped whatever we were offering, and gave the ultimatum of committing right now to get that offer. Which would explain the out-of-the-blue commitment.

Just my two cents.

UT lost our to arguably the best program in b-ball and they must have offered him money. Umkay

 

[BreatheUT]

I mean, someone would have to be a pretty naive fan to not think there was money being passed under the table, not even for just the five star guys. It's just how the system works and Tennessee is no different. Places like Duke/Kentucky/UNC, etc get the blind eye from the NCAA, so between having greater flexibility to "pony" up to get recruits they want, in addition to achieving success from the recruits they get, it's a cycle that continues to benefit the "blue bloods", college football is no different.

My guess is that Duke knew Banchero would seriously start leaning Tennessee after Chandler committed and while Banchero was obviously strongly considering Duke in the first place, Duke probably upped their "offer" that trumped whatever we were offering, and gave the ultimatum of committing right now to get that offer. Which would explain the out-of-the-blue commitment.

Just my two cents.

I was with you until the first comma of the second paragraph.

 

[jackaro]

After watching Barnes run the program for the past 4 or 5 years my heart says that he is running a program as pure as the driven snow. My head and my gut have doubts that anyone could recruit to the level he has the past couple of years without getting at least a little dirty.

 

[Stoked]

After watching Barnes run the program for the past 4 or 5 years my heart says that he is running a program as pure as the driven snow. My head and my gut have doubts that anyone could recruit to the level he has the past couple of years without getting at least a little dirty.

I'm not a naive person, but it would truly surprise me if he was paying players. I think recruits see players like Grant, Admiral, and Bone who were 3 stars, and Barnes developing them into draft picks.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

I'm not a naive person, but it would truly surprise me if he was paying players. I think recruits see players like Grant, Admiral, and Bone who were 3 stars, and Barnes developing them into draft picks.

There a good reason you don’t see us often recruiting the same players as LSU/Auburn/Memphis etc.

 

[Vol49er]

I'm not a naive person, but it would truly surprise me if he was paying players. I think recruits see players like Grant, Admiral, and Bone who were 3 stars, and Barnes developing them into draft picks.

For me it’s not black and white. Have players considering TN been offered some benefits they aren’t entitled to according to the NCAA? Yeah probably. But I don’t think we’re just brazenly cheating, running a pay for play program under Barnes like a Duke or Kentucky is. Partially a character thing but mainly because we wouldn’t get away with it like they do

 

[JelloPuddinPup]

I'd see boosters or someone else in the program doing it behind Barnes back (which I would say he'd still be aware of or at least suspect it) before I'd see him or his staff doing it.

 

[cardvolfan]

For me it’s not black and white. Have players considering TN been offered some benefits they aren’t entitled to according to the NCAA? Yeah probably. But I don’t think we’re just brazenly cheating, running a pay for play program under Barnes like a Duke or Kentucky is. Partially a character thing but mainly because we wouldn’t get away with it like they do

I doubt this is the case. If it happens or has happened, I would seriously doubt Barnes is/was aware.

 

[Vol49er]

I doubt this is the case. If it happens or has happened, I would seriously doubt Barnes is/was aware.

What @JelloPuddinPup said right above you is what I would guess. And it’s not like I’m meaning to doubt Barnes’s integrity, Id say there’s at least some sort of minor cheating going on at most decently sized college BB programs