'22 SC SF Julian Phillips (Tennessee commit)

[Nighthawkvol10]

Fwiw was told tonight that Phillips isn’t coming here, will end up at Auburn…as I’ve said a few times with this recruitment hope to be wrong, but not feeling good.

Did Auburn meet the number/deal he’s been looking for? Just wondering how far off we still are if we haven’t been able to put it together for him to say yes

 

[berryvol]

At the risk of sounding too negative, this offseason is starting to feel like a real bust. I don’t hate the roster that we’re putting together for next year, but the staff’s high school recruiting has been very meh. Not to mention, our most hyped returning player AND biggest HS target are trending to auburn. Seems like everyone else in the top half of the SEC is landing dynamic playmakers and we’re sitting here with our pants down.

 

[golfballs]

At the risk of sounding too negative, this offseason is starting to feel like a real bust. I don’t hate the roster that we’re putting together for next year, but the staff’s high school recruiting has been very meh. Not to mention, our most hyped returning player AND biggest HS target are trending to auburn. Seems like everyone else in the top half of the SEC is landing dynamic playmakers and we’re sitting here with our pants down.

Blame Barnes? Blame Spyre? I don’t look forward to the endless debate from both sides

 

[Vol49er]

At the risk of sounding too negative, this offseason is starting to feel like a real bust. I don’t hate the roster that we’re putting together for next year, but the staff’s high school recruiting has been very meh. Not to mention, our most hyped returning player AND biggest HS target are trending to auburn. Seems like everyone else in the top half of the SEC is landing dynamic playmakers and we’re sitting here with our pants down.

I dont dispute the offseason hasn't been an A+, but calling BHH our most hyped returning player seems to be framing something in the most negative way possible. I dont think he was close to the most hyped returning player

 

[berryvol]

Blame Barnes? Blame Spyre? I don’t look forward to the endless debate from both sides

There’s probably enough blame to go around but, as many have alluded to on here in recent weeks, the assistant staff we have right now has been very underwhelming on the recruiting trail. I mean, the only high schooler that is coming here this year could’ve been convinced by anyone on this board to come play for Tennessee.

 

[berryvol]

I dont dispute the offseason hasn't been an A+, but calling BHH our most hyped returning player seems to be framing something in the most negative way possible. I dont think he was close to the most hyped returning player

Maybe that was poor wording, but he was widely regarded as the returning player with the most elite upside. I know everyone is slandering him in his thread right now, but everyone was very excited about his potential for next season a month ago.

 

[Vol49er]

More transparent is relative. Still doesn’t appear to be transparent. And weigh that with significantly more influence and power than any one booster had before, and now they can enter into contracts. The amount of power they have is very significant. Certainly a new dynamic

The organization has more power than any one booster but the organization isn't just one person, and thats significant. And I think its fair to say contracts were already entered into by wealthy fans before it became legal
Its a change but I dont see anything to really worry about at this point, in the long run I think NIL is a plus for our program

 

[golfballs]

There’s probably enough blame to go around but, as many have alluded to on here in recent weeks, the assistant staff we have right now has been very underwhelming on the recruiting trail. I mean, the only high schooler that is coming here this year could’ve been convinced by anyone on this board to come play for Tennessee.

Maybe Spyre isn’t ponying up enough? According to one rumor is we didn’t counter offer after Auburn pursued Phillips. Who is accountable for that?

 

[golfballs]

The organization has more power than any one booster but the organization isn't just one person, and thats significant. And I think its fair to say contracts were already entered into by wealthy fans before it became legal
Its a change but I dont see anything to really worry about at this point, in the long run I think NIL is a plus for our program

I don’t think whatever happened before ever rose to the level of a legally binding contract. And Spyre isn’t just one person but someone is ultimately calling the shots. It’s definitely not the coaches. Also not saying NIL won’t be a plus for our program. Just asking some questions.

 

[Vol49er]

Maybe that was poor wording, but he was widely regarded as the returning player with the most elite upside. I know everyone is slandering him in his thread right now, but everyone was very excited about his potential for next season a month ago.

Sure I was excited to see him develop, but I'm more excited to watch Scov and JJJ lead the team, and honestly the non-Chandler freshman ive been consistently most enthusiastic about, even before last season, have been Mashack and Aidoo (and thats reflected in my posts). Now thats a minority opinion, but BHH never excited me as much as those two did, so maybe thats why I am not as upset with the offseason as many. Though last season, I was more pessimistic than most (did not anticipate Chandler and Scov being the defenders they were), so my opinion is only worth so much, but I feel ok for now

 

[joevols89]

Honestly there’s no chance Auburn had enough NIL money to land Westry, Phillips and Traroe and we can’t even get enough for 1 good player.

 

[joevols89]

Sure I was excited to see him develop, but I'm more excited to watch Scov and JJJ lead the team, and honestly the non-Chandler freshman ive been consistently most enthusiastic about, even before last season, have been Mashack and Aidoo (and thats reflected in my posts). Now thats a minority opinion, but BHH never excited me as much as those two did, so maybe thats why I am not as upset with the offseason as many. Though last season, I was more pessimistic than most (did not anticipate Chandler and Scov being the defenders they were), so my opinion is only worth so much, but I feel ok for now

I don’t see Mashack or Aidoo being huge impacts until their year 3 and 4 tbh. Especially Mashack. Really really raw offensively.

 

[berryvol]

Maybe Spyre isn’t ponying up enough? According to one rumor is we didn’t counter offer after Auburn pursued Phillips. Who is accountable for that?

Fair enough. These things are all questions worth asking and also questions we likely never know answers to. I will say, I find it hard to believe our NIL collective/boosters/local businesses are incapable of ponying up money for elite prospects in basketball more than auburn. We undoubtedly have more money coming into our program through these avenues than they do.

 

[Vol49er]

I don’t think whatever happened before ever rose to the level of a legally binding contract. And Spyre isn’t just one person but someone is ultimately calling the shots. It’s definitely not the coaches. Also not saying NIL won’t be a plus for our program. Just asking some questions.

Isn't it better though if the contracts can actually be enforced? More accountability?
Idk, one may be considered the leader at Spyre, and "call the shots" in a way, but they will still answer to more interested parties
Its a strange new world, but honestly not one I have too much concern with. I am more worried about the transfer portal's impact on college sports (and that's not to say im against it, I think its fairer to the players even as it is far worse for fans)

 

[berryvol]

Sure I was excited to see him develop, but I'm more excited to watch Scov and JJJ lead the team, and honestly the non-Chandler freshman ive been consistently most enthusiastic about, even before last season, have been Mashack and Aidoo (and thats reflected in my posts). Now thats a minority opinion, but BHH never excited me as much as those two did, so maybe thats why I am not as upset with the offseason as many. Though last season, I was more pessimistic than most (did not anticipate Chandler and Scov being the defenders they were), so my opinion is only worth so much, but I feel ok for now

All of that is fair, but it’s a simple fact that 6’11” big men with his athleticism and jumper do not grow on trees. I too was pretty down on him throughout the season, mainly because he never got his head out of his ass and never gave a full 40 minutes of effort. But the upside he has far exceeds anyone else returning on the roster next year. I’m not certain he ever reaches that potential, but it’s inarguably there.

 

[Vol49er]

I don’t see Mashack or Aidoo being huge impacts until their year 3 and 4 tbh. Especially Mashack. Really really raw offensively.

Oh I think Aidoo certainly will have a big impact this year. He was starting games at one point this last year, right? I know he had a big impact against Kentucky in TBA. I dont think he is your go to scorer but I think he can anchor a really good defense this next year and score and rebound at least to the level Uros did this past season and reasonably beyond that
Mashack is raw offensively but he is just tenacious on D. I think that gets him playing time. And he wont be leaned on to carry the scoring with Scov, Josiah, Z, Yuri with him

 

[golfballs]

Fair enough. These things are all questions worth asking and also questions we likely never know answers to. I will say, I find it hard to believe our NIL collective/boosters/local businesses are incapable of ponying up money for elite prospects in basketball more than auburn. We undoubtedly have more money coming into our program through these avenues than they do.

But did they pony up enough for Phillips? We won’t know. So Barnes could now start facing heat for something he doesn’t have control of?

 

[Weezer]

Losing BHH sucks, but if he's demanding 30 mpg while being unwilling to put in the work to earn those 30 mpg, I don't blame CRB for that. Would love to have seen him put in the work, but if he doesn't want to, I'm okay with him being someone else's problem.

 

[Vol49er]

All of that is fair, but it’s a simple fact that 6’11” big men with his athleticism and jumper do not grow on trees. I too was pretty down on him throughout the season, mainly because he never got his head out of his ass and never gave a full 40 minutes of effort. But the upside he has far exceeds anyone else returning on the roster next year. I’m not certain he ever reaches that potential, but it’s inarguably there.

And I dont disagree with that. But two things:
1. I have serious doubts about his disposition to the point that I struggle to ever seeing him reach that potential anyhow.
2. Last year we had a really great team WITHOUT Brandon having reached his potential. So we are losing the freshman BHH, not a developed BHH, and that is not nearly as much of a gap to fill

 

[VOL720]

If Auburn does land Phillips and Broome they may be better than this past season. Read where Broome is deciding between Auburn and Florida. A possible starting lineup with Phillips, Traore and Broome is just ridiculous good. Hopefully, we can still find some players to compete with UK, Alabama, Arkansas and Auburn. They will all have top 10 recruiting classes. I still think Arkansas will win the SEC next season.

 

[cncchris33]

Hypothetically, if the guys at Spyre are Barnes haters, what would stop them from withholding money from basketball NIL deals. Or if they don’t like the “cultural” fits that Barnes recruits. It’s a weird dynamic

Maybe I'm completely disconnected, but I'm of the impression that those at Spyre aren't making financial and personnel decisions swayed by any fandom of their own, no matter how great or small. But I could have developed that assumption on my own.

 

[joevols89]

Oh I think Aidoo certainly will have a big impact this year. He was starting games at one point this last year, right? I know he had a big impact against Kentucky in TBA. I dont think he is your go to scorer but I think he can anchor a really good defense this next year and score and rebound at least to the level Uros did this past season and reasonably beyond that
Mashack is raw offensively but he is just tenacious on D. I think that gets him playing time. And he wont be leaned on to carry the scoring with Scov, Josiah, Z, Yuri with him

No he wasn’t starting. And by big impact I mean anything more than a role player on this team. I don’t think outperforming Uros is something to get excited over. I think he will be really good, just not next season.

 

[golfballs]

Isn't it better though if the contracts can actually be enforced? More accountability?
Idk, one may be considered the leader at Spyre, and "call the shots" in a way, but they will still answer to more interested parties
Its a strange new world, but honestly not one I have too much concern with. I am more worried about the transfer portal's impact on college sports (and that's not to say im against it, I think its fairer to the players even as it is far worse for fans)

Better or not it’s certainly more power that they’re legally binding. So weigh the fact the details are still not transparent and I wouldn’t say any of this means there’s more accountability. Probably even less for a fan’s perspective. Who is accountable now for success/failures in recruiting? Coaches? Or NIL cooperatives? Neither is infallible certainly. So as it stands now we’ll never really know.

 

[Vol49er]

If Auburn does land Phillips and Broome they may be better than this past season. Read where Broome is deciding between Auburn and Florida. A possible starting lineup with Phillips, Traore and Broome is just ridiculous good. Hopefully, we can still find some players to compete with UK, Alabama, Arkansas and Auburn. They will all have top 10 recruiting classes. I still think Arkansas will win the SEC next season.

I dont think their front court is gonna be better than last year though, even with those three. Still seems like they will be held back by their guards just as they were last year

 

[Weezer]

I mean, the real pain in the ass of it all is seeing other SEC schools having great recruiting classes.... and then there's us. We're Tennessee fans, and we want to be great in everything, in every aspect. So to see other schools pulling in talent while we appear to be whiffing just sucks.