Barnes: 'Z is a blessing God gave to me. I don't know if I'd still be doing this'

#28
#28
VolsAgainstTheWorld15 said:
Agree. I kind of felt like it’s Zeigler who probably kept him from hanging it up after last season. Wanted to see it through to the end with one of his all time favorites.
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I always thought Barnes would hang around a few more years and get in the 900 win club. That's some rare air and top ten all time wins territory for coaches.
He could probably do that in 3 more years here.
 
#29
#29
Sat behind Knicks and Bucks scouts at MSG against Miami, nothing on the Tennessee squad that has an NBA future, ZZ has the heart but not the size to play in the NBA, if ZZ can wring another year out of his eligibility, I could see Barnes here for all of the next season and perhaps announcing it in November when the season starts, but the expectations placed on the staff year in and year out are growing faster than anyone imagined not so long ago,
 
#30
#30
Highest respect for Coach RB. Hard as nails coach that loves his players more than they can realize. RB is a good man that wants to develop men. Look at the character of the guys that stick around to develop under his leadership. I’m sure ZZ is a favorite and close to Barnes. Hope Z gets one more year. Danny White is already got a list of who he would interview. We will be ok. Tennessee is also a basketball school and a good job for any coach. Go Vols.
 
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#31
#31
JCP201 said:

Rick Barnes: 'I Don’t Know If I’d Still Be Doing It' Without Zakai Zeigler | Rocky Top Insider

Tennessee basketball coach Rick Barnes says he doesn't know if he would still be coaching without Zakai Zeigler.
www.rockytopinsider.com www.rockytopinsider.com

Maybe this has already been discussed, I haven't seen it though. Hopefully Z will make it in the NBA but he's not tall compared to most NBA professionals. Could he come and help Barnes coach? Is there a possibility that Barnes retires next year?
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People thought that JJJ or Vescovi may come coach, too. I don't think it is likely ZZ stays to coach. I think more likely ZZ goes plays overseas.
I will hate to see Barnes go. The culture of defense that Tennessee has now become to be known may not stay when he leaves.
I really hope our strength and conditioning coach sticks around when Barnes retires, tho.
Those transformations the announcers showed during the game last night were impressive.
 
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#32
#32
walkenvol said:
There’s no way ZZZ plays in the NBA, no way. Maybe can get paid in Europe, but not the NBA. We don’t have anyone on our roster that’s an NBA talent. What Barnes is accomplishing with this group is really something. He needs to recruit better or he will be left behind in today’s SEC and I’m as big of a Barnes supporter as anyone.
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Lanier & Milicic are projected draft picks
 
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#34
#34
Unfortunately now it will be a rebuild when Barnes retires instead of being able to leave behind a great program. We’re going to need an experienced coach that already knows how to maneuver the annual roster turnover. The unlimited transfers and NIL$ wrecks the ability of Barnes to leave a deep, loaded roster for the next guy. It makes it more difficult to get our first choice. The new coach will be in a much better position to negotiate. Danny is going to need to recruit hard to get a coach that checks all of the boxes.
 
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#35
#35
Thunder Good-Oil said:
Unfortunately now it will be a rebuild when Barnes retires instead of being able to leave behind a great program. We’re going to need an experienced coach that already knows how to maneuver the annual roster turnover. The unlimited transfers and NIL$ wrecks the ability of Barnes to leave a deep, loaded roster for the next guy. It makes it more difficult to get our first choice. The new coach will be in a much better position to negotiate. Danny is going to need to recruit hard to get a coach that checks all of the boxes.
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As long as it’s not Kim English or Mike White
 
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#36
#36
vavolfan6 said:
I've been thinking the last two seasons that Barnes would probably see it out that ZZ graduates. Also Mashack. He has had a few homegrown guys like JJJ, Santi, even Aidoo before he left. But that is all coming to an end.

Barnes has had alot of success through the NIL era. But the culture and defensive development that he likes to implement is becoming harder to do with guys here for a year or two and gone. After ZZ and Mashack there are no longer any Freshman to Seniors we have on the roster.

And when a guy like Carr leaves in the middle of the season when you are the #1 team in the nation, then it makes it difficult to coach these young guys. They want playing time and money or they will leave. They don't value the development factor. They aren't willing to stick around and go through the offseason bootcamp Barnes likes to put his players through. So Barnes is left to get guys in the portal. Which is helping from an offensive perspective, but the effectiveness of those guys is becuase of defensive players like ZZ and Shack doing alot of dirty work. Once we lose those guys, I'm not sure how things will go in the future. That's my long drawn out way to see that I could see this being Barne's last year.
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Phillips and Estrella both were high school recruits who have been in the program multiple years and will still be around
 
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#38
#38
UT will have an advantage finding a great replacement if Heupel gets to the playoffs again, Vitello follows up last year with another great season, and Kim gets an EE or FF. Winning breeds winning.

The NIL and transfer rules mean that few if any high level players will stick around, but if also creates an opportunity for the right guy to quickly rebuild the roster.

When it happens maybe we’ll be lucky and not have to be competing with too many high level programs. The first tier blue bloods might not be in the coaching market, but Michigan State will also be making a change soon. Maybe Kansas as well, but I expect Self to be around 5-10 more years. Izzo and Barnes could go out together.
 
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#43
#43
Anti-shunshinepumper said:
If Igor makes it in the NBA I'll be shocked.
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Idk…he’s a better outside shooter than he’s shown this season. Add that ability to a 6’10 guy who can handle the ball and is above average in terms of physicality on the boards and you’ve got yourself an nba prospect. Not sure if he’d make it long term, but he has the tools to earn himself a chance.
 
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#44
#44
Thunder Good-Oil said:
Unfortunately now it will be a rebuild when Barnes retires instead of being able to leave behind a great program. We’re going to need an experienced coach that already knows how to maneuver the annual roster turnover. The unlimited transfers and NIL$ wrecks the ability of Barnes to leave a deep, loaded roster for the next guy. It makes it more difficult to get our first choice. The new coach will be in a much better position to negotiate. Danny is going to need to recruit hard to get a coach that checks all of the boxes.
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i just hope it's someone outside the Barnes coaching tree
 
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#45
#45
Thunder Good-Oil said:
Unfortunately now it will be a rebuild when Barnes retires instead of being able to leave behind a great program. We’re going to need an experienced coach that already knows how to maneuver the annual roster turnover. The unlimited transfers and NIL$ wrecks the ability of Barnes to leave a deep, loaded roster for the next guy. It makes it more difficult to get our first choice. The new coach will be in a much better position to negotiate. Danny is going to need to recruit hard to get a coach that checks all of the boxes.
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We will most likely end up like UK, Arky, and Vandy did where all the Barnes players transfer out and the next guy will have to take 13 new players.
 
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#46
#46
vols 30 said:
i just hope it's someone outside the Barnes coaching tree
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Michael Schwartz (ECU) 16-17, 15-18, 12-9
Desmond Oliver (ETSU) 15-17, 12-20
Kim English (George Mason, Providence) 14-16, 20-13, 21-14, 10-10
Rob Lanier (Siena, GA State, SMU, Rice) 58-70, 53-30, 10-22, 20-13, 11-9
Rod Clark
Gregg Polinsky (GA Southern, NBA) 3-23, 10-18, 10-18, 11-17)

Justin Gainey might now be the first option from the tree.

Several might have more success at YF than where they’ve been.
 
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#49
#49
Thunder Good-Oil said:
Unfortunately now it will be a rebuild when Barnes retires instead of being able to leave behind a great program. We’re going to need an experienced coach that already knows how to maneuver the annual roster turnover. The unlimited transfers and NIL$ wrecks the ability of Barnes to leave a deep, loaded roster for the next guy. It makes it more difficult to get our first choice. The new coach will be in a much better position to negotiate. Danny is going to need to recruit hard to get a coach that checks all of the boxes.
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There can be only one choice.... :cool:
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#50
#50
Don’t think Barnes is going anywhere anytime soon……….seems to be in good health and loves the competition to win………. His staff will help deal with the portal and NIL……….
 
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