'22 SC SF Julian Phillips (Tennessee commit)

[VolOnthePlains]

I think we need to get over our collective BVS with Auburn. He very well could choose Auburn, but that university is a dumpster fire right now with their administration. They just tried to literally conduct a coup to unseat their head football coach after one bad season. Danny White has us rowing in the right direction and firing on all cylinders. I'm choosing to believe we're not going to continue to take a backseat to Auburn in all sports anymore. With NIL a thing now, their Cabin in the Woods advantage is gone.

To be fair, there were factors apart from the one bad season on the field

 

[johnfnkelly]

I think we need to get over our collective BVS with Auburn. He very well could choose Auburn, but that university is a dumpster fire right now with their administration. They just tried to literally conduct a coup to unseat their head football coach after one bad season. Danny White has us rowing in the right direction and firing on all cylinders. I'm choosing to believe we're not going to continue to take a backseat to Auburn in all sports anymore. With NIL a thing now, their Cabin in the Woods advantage is gone.

It's not even the fact that's it's AU, but this kid already signed with LSU once. Just seems like the way our program is setup isn't attractive to him. Auburn is more similar to LSU. Bruce will tell him whatever it is he wants to hear and then some.

 

[TheMookieMonster]

It's not even the fact that's it's AU, but this kid already signed with LSU once. Just seems like the way our program is setup isn't attractive to him. Auburn is more similar to LSU. Bruce will tell him whatever it is he wants to hear and then some.

Well, true, but I think the relationship we've established with Phillips across two different recruiting cycles will pay off in the end. If our NIL deal really has improved in a material manner, I find it hard to believe Auburn will be able to offer something so substantially different, that it would beat out the ties to our coaching staff.

 

[johnfnkelly]

Well, true, but I think the relationship we've established with Phillips across two different recruiting cycles will pay off in the end. If our NIL deal really has improved in a material manner, I find it hard to believe Auburn will be able to offer something so substantially different, that it would beat out the ties to our coaching staff.

I don't think AU presents a better NIL, but their style of play and under the table benefits will more than likely make up for it. Pearl will use Jabari's film for the next 10 years to get those kind of forwards.

Julian just doesn't seem like the type to care about relationships if he's visiting and entertaining a school he didn't much consider before, especially after Barnes/ FSU have been on him for as long as we have.

I hope I'm wrong.

 

[TheMookieMonster]

I don't think AU presents a better NIL, but their style of play and under the table benefits will more than likely make up for it. Pearl will use Jabari's film for the next 10 years to get those kind of forwards.

Julian just doesn't seem like the type to care about relationships if he's visiting and entertaining a school he didn't much consider before, especially after Barnes/ FSU have been on him for as long as we have.

I hope I'm wrong.

What, exactly, under the table benefits is Auburn going to offer that Tennessee cannot in the era of NIL? Practically everything is above board now. I don't know what they materially could offer him that an NIL package from Tennessee can't if you're saying the NIL won't be better.

 

[johnfnkelly]

What, exactly, under the table benefits is Auburn going to offer that Tennessee cannot in the era of NIL? Practically everything is above board now. I don't know what they materially could offer him that an NIL package from Tennessee can't if you're saying the NIL won't be better.

Have a hard time believing schools just suddenly stopped giving $ away, helping out parents etc under the table because of NIL.

Pearl will also likely promise a starting position. Barnes won't.

 

[TrapVol]

Have a hard time believing schools just suddenly stopped giving $ away, helping out parents etc under the table because of NIL.

Pearl will also likely promise a starting position. Barnes won't.

I agree, although there is more to lose than gain by cheating now. I don’t know if Pearl will really need to resort to handing out “extra benefits” though, considering he’s already a gifted salesman.
It will be interesting to see if the NIL era will change how closely the NCAA will watch for illegal activity.

 

[VolGee4]

I understand your point, it just seems that UT and several other programs should be able to raise more whatever the number?

I believe UT is able to raise more. But, again, UT isn't going to get in a bidding war with most players either. All UT programs are looking for recruits that don't just want money. They want good, marketable kids who will play within a team setting to work toward a championship goal with the money being a byproduct of hard work.

 

[berryvol]

To be fair, there were factors apart from the one bad season on the field

Those factors were all made up as a part of said coup. If those had been true at all, Harsin would not be there now. The board and boosters were looking for any reason to oust him for free and those groups 100% run auburn football - and have for years.

 

[VolGee4]

I think getting beat out for Jabari Smith and Walker Kessler is where this mentality comes from. We seem to have trouble landing the elite mobile power forwards, particularly when we are up against Auburn. I’m sure Pearl will probably try to sell Phillips on being the next Jabari Smith.
If that’s the case, I hope someone reminds Phillips how often Auburn’s guards neglected to give Jabari the ball.

Jabari Smith and Walker Kessler grew up essentially an hour and a half away from Auburn. That was a key part in getting them there as well. Kessler even mentioned in his released statement when going pro that he enjoyed his one year "being close to family." It helps that Pearl runs a more wide open offense, but it was also helpful that both players were close to home.

 

[VolOnthePlains]

Those factors were all made up as a part of said coup. If those had been true at all, Harsin would not be there now. The board and boosters were looking for any reason to oust him for free and those groups 100% run auburn football - and have for years.

Those guys do run Auburn but the factors weren’t made up. Two things can be true.

 

[joevols89]

You know we’ve blown their doors off the last two years in recruiting right?

Nah basketball recruiting isn’t like football classes where the numbers are normalized. You can load up like we did last year or Arkansas this year and next year only take 1 HS prospect.

Last year they brought in Jabari Smith (SEC FOTY beat us), Kessler (SEC DPOTY beat us) and then a few decent guards in the transfer portal with Jasper/Johnson/Green.

 

[joevols89]

Jabari Smith and Walker Kessler grew up essentially an hour and a half away from Auburn. That was a key part in getting them there as well. Kessler even mentioned in his released statement when going pro that he enjoyed his one year "being close to family." It helps that Pearl runs a more wide open offense, but it was also helpful that both players were close to home.

Kessler is like a triple UGA legacy.

 

[Vols8086]

Well, true, but I think the relationship we've established with Phillips across two different recruiting cycles will pay off in the end. If our NIL deal really has improved in a material manner, I find it hard to believe Auburn will be able to offer something so substantially different, that it would beat out the ties to our coaching staff.

I think you are really pressing hard to find a narrative that allows you to believe this turns out well for us.

Not saying it will or it won't, but your hopes are hinging on a poster "liking" a couple of posts (one that wasn't very positive btw) and a relationship across 2 different recruiting cycles in which we didn't get picked the first time and he is still taking visits now without committing. That's quite the stretch.

 

[Aladywhovolunteer]

Nah basketball recruiting isn’t like football classes where the numbers are normalized. You can load up like we did last year or Arkansas this year and next year only take 1 HS prospect.

Last year they brought in Jabari Smith (SEC FOTY beat us), Kessler (SEC DPOTY beat us) and then a few decent guards in the transfer portal with Jasper/Johnson/Green.

And yet we won the head to head match up.

Saw Coach Pearl on ESPN (I think). The subject was contract negotiations as Pearl had just signed and extension and salary increase. Pearl said Auburn wanted to make him the highest paid coach in the SEC. He claimed he told them no. His position was that coach Cal is #1 and Coach Barnes is #2 in the league in accomplishments and it would be disrespectful for Auburn to structure his contract to reflect something he is not. Let's hope Pearl shows Phillip's that tape.

 

[VolGee4]

Kessler is like a triple UGA legacy.

Yea, but he grew up or went to high school in a suburb southwest of Atlanta- 1.5 hours from Auburn. That's an easy trip for his family as he mentioned himself. UGA was never really an option for basketball reasons.

 

[TheMookieMonster]

I think you are really pressing hard to find a narrative that allows you to believe this turns out well for us.

Not saying it will or it won't, but your hopes are hinging on a poster "liking" a couple of posts (one that wasn't very positive btw) and a relationship across 2 different recruiting cycles in which we didn't get picked the first time and he is still taking visits now without committing. That's quite the stretch.

If it doesn't turn out well for us, it doesn't turn out well for us. Who cares. I'm just tired of all the intense negativity on this board about some of our recruiting lately, so I'll choose to believe we're very much in this and will be the choice until we are not. So many people on Vol Nation seem to jump at the word "Auburn" like someone looked into a mirror and said the word "Candyman" three times. We've beaten them out plenty. They aren't some unassailable monster that will haunt us till the end of time.

 

[VolFreakJosh]

If it doesn't turn out well for us, it doesn't turn out well for us. Who cares. I'm just tired of all the intense negativity on this board about some of our recruiting lately, so I'll choose to believe we're very much in this and will be the choice until we are not. So many people on Vol Nation seem to jump at the word "Auburn" like someone looked into a mirror and said the word "Candyman" three times. We've beaten them out plenty. They aren't some unassailable monster that will haunt us till the end of time.

The reason why Auburn is brought up so much cause of a lot of fans are still hanging onto Pearl like he’s irreplaceable and wants to use that against Barnes.

It’s just another way for trolls to stir things up.

 

[TheMookieMonster]

The reason why Auburn is brought up so much cause of a lot of fans are still hanging onto Pearl like he’s irreplaceable and wants to use that against Barnes.

It’s just another way for trolls to stir things up.

True. It's not just basketball though. Go take a look at the Recruiting Forum. It's much better than it used to be after the Nico commitment gave people some peace of mind, but there is still a not insignificant portion of posters who get scared at the pure mention of the word "Auburn". Our athletic department is humming right now, which is very important for recruiting particularly in the uncharted waters of the NIL-era. I don't think we're going to take a backseat to Auburn any longer, and Phillips' decision won't affect that regardless.

 

[joevols89]

And yet we won the head to head match up.

Well unfortunately that matters none in regards to Phillips recruitment.

 

[Vols8086]

If it doesn't turn out well for us, it doesn't turn out well for us. Who cares. I'm just tired of all the intense negativity on this board about some of our recruiting lately, so I'll choose to believe we're very much in this and will be the choice until we are not. So many people on Vol Nation seem to jump at the word "Auburn" like someone looked into a mirror and said the word "Candyman" three times. We've beaten them out plenty. They aren't some unassailable monster that will haunt us till the end of time.

The coaches care. Fans care. You care. Phillips choosing another school doesn't doom the season or the program, but let's not act like his decision is irrelevant on our upcoming season. He is a very good player who I would anticipate playing significant minutes and contributing.

If you just want to be anti Auburn and anti Bruce that's totally fine. We shouldn't be scared of them or any program really, but I would feel the same way about his recruitment if he was visiting Bama or Arkansas or any other projected top 25 team. He has now had 2 different chances to commit to us and hasn't. That's why folks are down on our chances currently. The Auburn visit is just rubbing salt in the wound for some I guess.

 

[TheMookieMonster]

The coaches care. Fans care. You care. Phillips choosing another school doesn't doom the season or the program, but let's not act like his decision is irrelevant on our upcoming season. He is a very good player who I would anticipate playing significant minutes and contributing.

If you just want to be anti Auburn and anti Bruce that's totally fine. We shouldn't be scared of them or any program really, but I would feel the same way about his recruitment if he was visiting Bama or Arkansas or any other projected top 25 team. He has now had 2 different chances to commit to us and hasn't. That's why folks are down on our chances currently. The Auburn visit is just rubbing salt in the wound for some I guess.

I don’t mean “who cares” as in I literally don’t care if he picks Tennessee. I mean it in the sense that I’d rather choose to not been scared of Auburn, who wasn’t even a real factor till about 24 hours ago.

I just mean “who cares” in the sense that I’d prefer not to be negative and pout about the Auburn visit and his decision. If he ultimately choose Auburn because of whatever shady things Pearl does, so be it. We’ll find someone else.

 

[joevols89]

We’ll find someone else.

What does this mean? We won’t be getting a player close to his caliber if we miss on him. He’s a Chandler type talent so it will be a pretty huge deal if we land him.

Sure we can probably go out and get a guy who gives us 5ppg coming off the bench if we miss on him. But my expectations on next season are quite a bit different depending on if he comes here.

 

[TheMookieMonster]

What does this mean? We won’t be getting a player close to his caliber if we miss on him. He’s a Chandler type talent so it will be a pretty huge deal if we land him.

Sure we can probably go out and get a guy who gives us 5ppg coming off the bench if we miss on him. But my expectations on next season are quite a bit different depending on if he comes here.

It simply means we’ll find someone else. We’ll probably go back into the portal and look for another player if he tells us no.

 

[joevols89]

It simply means we’ll find someone else. We’ll probably go back into the portal and look for another player if he tells us no.

Ok that means nothing.