Any word on Fulkerson coming back

[Thunder Good-Oil]

I think Fulky is gone. He has to try to go make money. I think a sixth year in college basketball would be awfully redundant in terms of him trying to have a professional basketball career. I think he can definitely make 6 figures for several years. Why would he give up another one of those years?

To potentially be part of the best season in the history of TN basketball and he’s a TN boy. Being on TN’s first ever FF team and he’d be set for life. Financially it’s worth rolling the dice on the possible outcome.

 

[ColinS]

Maybe he isn’t interested in heading overseas?

Could be. I'm only speculating. Most wouldn't turn down the money.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

Could be. I'm only speculating. Most wouldn't turn down the money.

Not true at all, way more guys turn it down every year than take it.

 

[PainDocVol]

I know for a fact that Fulky is not interested in going to Europe.

 

[USAFgolferVol]

Pons should have gone pro last year.

He likely would have gone undrafted

 

[bleedingTNorange]

I know for a fact that Fulky is not interested in going to Europe.

Not really surprising, it’s why I’ve said I could definitely see him back. I doubt the NBA is an option and I’m not sure he wants to make $30-$50k at the G-League level grinding things out hoping for a break when he can make twice that and stroll around ETN like a king.

 

[PEPPERJAX]

Pons should have gone pro last year.

Pons is playing the best ball of his collegiate career now IMO.

 

[PEPPERJAX]

I know for a fact that Fulky is not interested in going to Europe.

It would be nice to see JF in orange for another year.

 

[cncchris33]

Can’t be elite defensively if you regularly fail to stay in front of the guy your guarding. When Pons gets switched onto a wing notice how much less he allows them to drive past him

I wouldn’t say KJ regularly fails to stay in front of his man, necessarily. Keon gambles quite a bit more than Pons trying to steal the ball in 1-1 defense, leading to losing position if he misses. That is correctable with coaching and maturity. Much like Pons was susceptible to fouls early on in his career trying to block shots by biting on head-fakes and relying more on athleticism than positioning.

 

[walkenvol]

I wouldn’t say KJ regularly fails to stay in front of his man, necessarily. Keon gambles quite a bit more than Pons trying to steal the ball in 1-1 defense, leading to losing position if he misses. That is correctable with coaching and maturity. Much like Pons was susceptible to fouls early on in his career trying to block shots by biting on head-fakes and relying more on athleticism than positioning.

I realize it’s more of an opinion thing, but watch him closely the next couple games and see if you don’t find yourself surprised at the number of times he gets beat off the dribble for a guy that’s supposed to be elite defensively.

 

[cncchris33]

I realize it’s more of an opinion thing, but watch him closely the next couple games and see if you don’t find yourself surprised at the number of times he gets beat off the dribble for a guy that’s supposed to be elite defensively.

I’ll pay close attention to it. What I’ve noticed more than anything is him taking risks swiping at balls and over pursuing passing lanes causing him to get beat by the offensive player’s first step, but I’ll look more closely to see if I see what you are seeing. I will admit that likely pay more attention to his offense looking for areas of improvement because I just assume his defense is solid.

FWIW, while he has the 2nd highest defensive rating on the team, he has a rather modest defensive win shares number (tied for 5th on the team), so maybe his defense deserves closer critique.

 

[TennesseeFan07]

He likely would have gone undrafted

Chronic arthritis, already married, already graduated. His stock isn't changing from last year to this year. He is all about athleticism, which also declines with age.

 

[vol94]

I thought Keon was projected higher?

I was basing my comments on the their desire to jump to NBA. Keon def wants to be one and done but will return if not high draft pick projection

 

[cpavol5679]

I realize it’s more of an opinion thing, but watch him closely the next couple games and see if you don’t find yourself surprised at the number of times he gets beat off the dribble for a guy that’s supposed to be elite defensively.

I have noticed it too, and it has been happening a lot lately. His offensive game is not what I thought it would be either. Maybe it will all come together tonight.

 

[walkenvol]

I have noticed it too, and it has been happening a lot lately. His offensive game is not what I thought it would be either. Maybe it will all come together tonight.

I was beginning to think I was the only one. The preseason hype indicated his defense was ahead of his offense so my expectations weren’t that high on offense. He has been a better outside shooter than I expected, not great but fairly solid without looking at the stats. He does attack the lane well although he doesn’t finish as well as it appears he’s possible of doing. Having missed his senior year in hs, I’d expect he will continue to make progress throughout the season.

 

[cpavol5679]

I was beginning to think I was the only one. The preseason hype indicated his defense was ahead of his offense so my expectations weren’t that high on offense. He has been a better outside shooter than I expected, not great but fairly solid without looking at the stats. He does attack the lane well although he doesn’t finish as well as it appears he’s possible of doing. Having missed his senior year in hs, I’d expect he will continue to make progress throughout the season.

KJ has potential, but I was expecting more based on the preseason hype and highlights.

 

[cncchris33]

I was beginning to think I was the only one. The preseason hype indicated his defense was ahead of his offense so my expectations weren’t that high on offense. He has been a better outside shooter than I expected, not great but fairly solid without looking at the stats. He does attack the lane well although he doesn’t finish as well as it appears he’s possible of doing. Having missed his senior year in hs, I’d expect he will continue to make progress throughout the season.

Of those players who have attempted at least 10 3s, he is statistically the worst shooter on the team by a significant margin. 22.7% from three. I didn’t expect greatness from outside, but anything less than 30% for a guard is atrocious, and he isn’t even close to that mark. His form isn’t terrible, though, so there is some hope he can improve that ability. It just probably won’t come until the off-season and may never benefit Tennessee. Right now, any shot he takes from 3 has to be considered a bad shot simply based on odds.

 

[lostsheep]

Chronic arthritis, already married, already graduated divorced. His stock isn't changing from last year to this year. He is all about has no athleticism, which also declines with age.

Amazing that with a couple of changes your post adequately describes me.

 

[HoptownVol]

Somebody give Fulkerson directions to the weight room, he needs another year.

 

[BigOrangeFanatic]

Fulkerson needs to go on and get a job after this season. He's weaker and no where near playing at the level he did last year.

 

[Vol49er]

Fulkerson needs to go on and get a job after this season. He's weaker and no where near playing at the level he did last year.

Yeah he needs to leave so we can make room for Uros to start and lead us to a FF
(And in case you couldn't tell, which I feel like you may be the type to miss it, that was sarcasm)

 

[bleedingTNorange]

Fulkerson needs to go on and get a job after this season. He's weaker and no where near playing at the level he did last year.

Lord your takes are something, FF regular I’m guessing?

 

[bleedingTNorange]

VQ says staff believes Fulkerson & Anosike will both be returning next season, if that holds true and we go off the likelihood of Springer and Johnson leaving...

Chandler
Vescovi/Mashack
Bailey/Gaines/Pember
James/ORN/Walker
Fulkerson/Anosike/Plavsic

With seniors returning to their turn not counting towards scholarship limit, Tennessee could in theory still add 3 players to the team. I doubt they’ll want to add that many as it could get murky the following year, but could definitely see them getting into the transfer market too.

In any regard, if the above roster plays out I think you probably would like to see an impact big man added to the mix, but assuming Chandler is the real deal PG that’s got the makings of a pretty good squad imo.

 

[Lurker]

Fulkerson seems to be hesitant and distracted. He has shown he can play more assertively, decisively and quicker, but this season it comes and goes. Something just isn't clicking for him and I wonder if he isn't hurt more than has been revealed. In any event, I'm looking forward to the return of last year's Fulkerson as soon as possible and, if it works for him, I hope he returns next year. Neither Anosike nor Plavsic have his upside.

 

[zjcvols]

VQ says staff believes Fulkerson & Anosike will both be returning next season, if that holds true and we go off the likelihood of Springer and Johnson leaving...

Chandler
Vescovi/Mashack
Bailey/Gaines/Pember
James/ORN/Walker
Fulkerson/Anosike/Plavsic

With seniors returning to their turn not counting towards scholarship limit, Tennessee could in theory still add 3 players to the team. I doubt they’ll want to add that many as it could get murky the following year, but could definitely see them getting into the transfer market too.

In any regard, if the above roster plays out I think you probably would like to see an impact big man added to the mix, but assuming Chandler is the real deal PG that’s got the makings of a pretty good squad imo.

We will need to add at least one impact grad transfer wing. Relying on Bailey and JJJ for 30 minutes a game scares me.