Cameron Carr Transferring

[kckempf]

If this is truly a message from the Carr family (who knows) then good riddance. I don’t believe for a second that Carr tried to meet with Barnes and the Deacon refused to do so. Complete and utter lie.

Also, to say Barnes didn’t support him or believe in him is utter trash. If there is one thing that is known about Barnes, it’s that while he is a tough coach on the floor, he has nothing but compete love and admiration for his players. You don’t see guys like JJJ or Knecht get emotional last year in their final games if you aren’t treated well.

Sounds like the Carr family has a lot of problems and issues with maturity. I see where Carr gets his attitude from.

I fully believe that the Carr folks are nervous about him running out of time before he can get himself in draft position, but I don't know that they have a realistic view of how close he is, and the work he needs to get there.

 

[VOLINVONORE]

Hate to see it, but not really surprised. He wants to be the star and doesn’t think it will happen for him @ Tennessee

 

[AllVols3]

In a corner? That’s silly. He knew where he stood at the end of the summer. He quit

Is that you Ms Carr ? He quit on his team in the middle of the year, thats all you need to know about Cam Carr. QUOTE="K-town Vol Fan, post: 24874737, member: 1140"]
I don't care that it's selfish. RB put him in a corner, he chose to leave.
[/QUOTE]
Is that you MA Carr

 

[Houstonvol1]

WRONG, there will always be SOME players that emulate the bottom feeders of the fanbase, and some may move on for the betterment of self AND team, but there are still quality character guys in abundance. Heck even DK became a VFL after moving up for his successful best shot at his future. Gainey found his home after transfer, Mayshack is for sure VFL from day 1. Lots of candidates on this roster, Phillips and JP for instance. Glad #2 took a shot too.

It is great when the first stop is a fit, but misses are misses. Fit is fit. Glad Okpara and Igor came in so not going to cheapshot Carr on the way out. Just not the fit, even as inconvenient as it is due to a short roster. Maybe Coach has a better fit up his sleeve, has in the past.

Agree that bad fits happen. The new transfer rules help players in that situation. Just leave the right way.

 

[cardvolfan]

In the “good old days” we don’t add Millicic, Dubar and Lanier. It is a 2 way street as they say, but we have benefited more in this set up than we have been hurt.

That’s not the point I was making.

 

[tennrich1]

If this is truly a message from the Carr family (who knows) then good riddance. I don’t believe for a second that Carr tried to meet with Barnes and the Deacon refused to do so. Complete and utter lie.

Also, to say Barnes didn’t support him or believe in him is utter trash. If there is one thing that is known about Barnes, it’s that while he is a tough coach on the floor, he has nothing but compete love and admiration for his players. You don’t see guys like JJJ or Knecht get emotional last year in their final games if you aren’t treated well.

Sounds like the Carr family has a lot of problems and issues with maturity. I see where Carr gets his attitude from.

Yeah...all the smoke around this stuff BUT Rick has ALL THE CREDIBILITY as far as I'm concerned. I don't care why he left BUT it's prob a good thing for the team (don't care much about insider yada yada stuff either). Rick is/will do what's best for the team ALWAYS. CLEARLY...he genuinely loves these guys and want's what best. As far as Rick not meeting or discussing CC's situation....Rick is LOADED with wisdom and did what was best either way. I was in upper management for many years. Oftentimes...It's just best NOT to meet with some individuals, especially when people like CRB know those kids like the back of their hand. Wanna leave? Go for it.

 

[walkenvol]

HOF coach has a Top 3 player in all categories but CRB just "couldn't see him". LMAO...weak PR spin attempt - truly clown show kind of stuff. Cam Carr, his family, and advisors all look like fools and nobody's buying what they are selling.

Only need one program to buy it, and it appears they’ve already found one.

 

[OrangeInKy]

Only other time I recall this happening to a UT team mid season was Hurd. But later more understandable given it was Butch. But this seems like a terrible decision.

Eh, sort of. I would understand him leaving Butch’s team but not when he did. I just don’t ever understand that. They were playing for something then, too.

 

[gainesvol82]

I'm not sure what to tell you. Barnes literally just put a first rounder transfer in the league.

I'm not trying to empathize with a dude who is leaving in the middle of the season. Go look at BHH, DJ burns, and other litany of guys who don't like Barnes coaching but never left in middle of the season. If you don't think abandoning your team in the middle of the season to preserve your own redshirt isn't selfish then that's your opinion. He obviously has his reasons to do it but they're selfish and pretty narrow sighted

If he ain't good enough to play solid minutes on this roster then he is not a pro. Barnes had given him opportunities this year. Up to him to take advantage.....he should have come back from injury with a focused mindset to practice hard and maximize every minute to earn more. He obviously either thought it easier to quit (doesn't fit what we've heard and him staying until now) or he and his "circle" were induced to quit and declare for the portal through tampering with NIL promises.

Lots of coaches in our league and some coaches of lesser talented teams in other leagues who would gladly open communication through a third party to the "circle".

 

[gainesvol82]

I thought he was going to be an above the rim player and work his way into heavy rotation this year. I was surprised to see he had not added any weight in the off season. He is not physical enough to play SEC basketball. He needs to drop down a level and get on the court somewhere.

I also had high hopes he would fill out his frame and become an aggressive three level scorer. He put on little weight and seemed to play passively and rely on length too much instead of decisiveness and constant motion on offense. On defense he didn't seem to improve his foot speed for guarding or attempt to crash the glass. Not the type of player to do all the little things and mostly looking for his own shot. The anti-Mashack....hate the loss of depth but prefer he quit now than cause problems or distractions if he didn't earn minutes after coming back from injury.

Different sport but much more disappointed with Christian Harrison and Jayson Jenkins entering the portal....especially Harrison.

 

[gainesvol82]

Transferring last summer would have been far more respectable, and most Tennessee fans would have at least understood. Bailing on your teammates midyear is low rent. And not even having a discussion with the staff is about as gutless as it gets. The more I hear about how it all played out, the more I say "good riddance".

I think he expected to start or at least split time with Lanier and Mashack based on his time in the system and (in his mind) his loyalty and dedication to CRB's demanding coaching. Turns our Lanier is another POY candidate so not many points to gain there. Dubar is a perfect Mashack backup and situational matchup who is much more physical & versatile than Carr and can match and possibly exceed Carr's potential points contribution at least this year.

I bet Carr's circle had been approached during the off-season and then was strongly approached again once Dubar got healthy and played productive minutes while Carr sat and recovered.....just my guess based on timing. Makes sense they would listen. If he is getting pushed down the depth chart by transfers then who says it doesn't happen again next year. Still should have talked it out and possibly given it a chance up to the medical RS rule limit to come back and try to earn his minutes and put the ball in Barnes court.

 

[gainesvol82]

How did Barnes put him in a corner?

Your tendency to slight Barnes at any turn is so bewildering

It's not a slight at Barnes to acknowledge that competition for playing time was brought in that filled any need Carr could address and more, other than depth. Barnes did put him in a corner and Carr either didn't work hard enough or wasn't good enough to overcome adversity and secure his spot. That said, he still had a role on a championship contender and was going to have every opportunity to increase that role.

 

[gainesvol82]

As Barnes intimated in his interview, this is probably some bad advice from his.. handlers. He is probably gonna try for a medical redshirt but his timing makes 0 sense. The problems with this current portal situation is its free flowing and rules change on a regular basis. Look at the fallout the Pavia Lawsuit is gonna cause for football. The new roster limits also are gonna cause changes. Walkons are pretty much dead all rosters will be smaller overall and if Pavia wins his lawsuit JC's become the new 'redshirting' destination for college football where walkons and developmental players go. The average college football roster goes from 121 to 105. The Average Basketball roster goes from 16 to 15. Most major sports are losing a ton of roster spots. Men's basketball is less affected because the roster is so small from the jump but 1 roster spot is a big deal.

I personally think that in the case of Barnes guys transferring out is mutually beneficial. They get their chance elsewhere and we have space for someone that might buy in. Barnes program is one that has to have full buy in. We have seen what happens when players do so. I know someone is gonna say all programs are like that but its not necessarily true. Barnes is old school no nonsense and these new kids have a hard time buying into that. Look at the players that ave played and done well with Barnes. Not just as a Vols but at the fake UT also. None of the guys he put out are Divas (basketball-wise) they are all blue collar get it done kinda guys. From KD to DK all guys that just show up and do their jobs. You don't see any of them being 'ME' guys. Even KD has never been a me guy. He is thin-skinned in social media but basketball-wise he is pure business. There was an article of all the 5 star players that Barnes has had and its an interesting list. How 5-Star Players Have Fared Under Rick Barnes | Rocky Top Insider

Barnes said everything needed about Carr's maturity, work ethic and overall attitude without saying much at all. Being in this program is a grind that takes ultimate dedication. Barnes is great at recognizing a core of glue guys to bond and lead and bring along the other guys through peer leadership. He can't hit on them all because you have to fill out a roster and team needs dictate some occasional "culture reaches" based on available bodies or a huge talent upside. The reaches sometimes work and help (Aidoo comes to mind) but most usually provide depth until they move on (BHH, DJ Burns and Dillione).

 

[gainesvol82]

If that was mine it would go on the Ole Yuletide log.
Roast a few chestnuts over it, and then let Santa take a piss on the ashes on the way out the chimney.

Have the stitching on the name changed to Barnes or "Retired". Have the number changed to the amount of guys CRB has put in the NBA or some other elite stat.

 

[BernardKingGOAT]

It's not a slight at Barnes to acknowledge that competition for playing time was brought in that filled any need Carr could address and more, other than depth. Barnes did put him in a corner and Carr either didn't work hard enough or wasn't good enough to overcome adversity and secure his spot. That said, he still had a role on a championship contender and was going to have every opportunity to increase that role.

That poster constantly slights Barnes. Only shows up after losses and issues like this one

 

[gainesvol82]

I’m extremely glad that I didn’t know about any of that before they left

I mean are we talking some 17 year olds when they were 18-19? Not saying they should but 17 is age of consent, there are co-eds enrolled at 17, 17 year old girls lie about their age and there are always some looking to party and hook up with athletes or even regular college guys. It's the age of consent for a reason and I find it hard to be too harsh to condemn an 18/19 guy for hooking up with a 17 year old that probably is fully physically mature and wants to engage (often being the aggresor).

Sounds like DJ situation was worse as I don't see Barnes keeping Carr on roster if he suspected something truly bad and more than an underclassmen college kid's mistake. Hell, I've been in a 22 year relationship, 17 year marriage with a woman I met at 19. She said she was 18 at first but came clean when I met her family and her mom called her out.....she turned 18 fifteen days before I turned 20 a few months after relationship started. A larger age gap, pressure/rape of any sort or continously targeting minors and it's a different story.

 

[gainesvol82]

Space coast? That’s over next to cocoa correct?

Close. Brevard County below Daytona.

 

[gainesvol82]

That poster constantly slights Barnes. Only shows up after losses and issues like this one

I have noticed a pattern of a few guys giving credit to the the staff, system and players while still not being very directly complimentary of Barnes, except what he has built this program into.

Guess I always assumed it was the "Rick don't win in the tournament" angle but even the poster I'm thinking of has shown pride in those runs, while still not really praising Barnes except indirectly.

 

[cncchris33]

I think he expected to start or at least split time with Lanier and Mashack based on his time in the system and (in his mind) his loyalty and dedication to CRB's demanding coaching. Turns our Lanier is another POY candidate so not many points to gain there. Dubar is a perfect Mashack backup and situational matchup who is much more physical & versatile than Carr and can match and possibly exceed Carr's potential points contribution at least this year.

I bet Carr's circle had been approached during the off-season and then was strongly approached again once Dubar got healthy and played productive minutes while Carr sat and recovered.....just my guess based on timing. Makes sense they would listen. If he is getting pushed down the depth chart by transfers then who says it doesn't happen again next year. Still should have talked it out and possibly given it a chance up to the medical RS rule limit to come back and try to earn his minutes and put the ball in Barnes court.

Even if all that is true, then it still sounds like he was being selfish thinking he deserved something he hadn't earned, and based on what we're finding out about his limited time in Knoxville, that doesn't seem all that surprising. It seems like we brought in competition and he didn't like having to earn his spot. The irony of which is thick, considering he will now be going to another program where he's the mercenary help being brought in.

I wish him all the best, but I think he and his people have an inflated view of his ability and potentially a belief that his ability somehow affords him the luxury of some sort of status he's not really earned, on or off the court (allegedly). College sports is a cutthroat world, anymore, with the portal. I guess he will get an opportunity to learn that from both ends of the spectrum, now.

 

[MinisterofDef#92]

Only need one program to buy it, and it appears they’ve already found one.

Oh, he'll definitely land somewhere and get paid to play but this cover story is embarrassingly laughable.

 

[MinisterofDef#92]

It's not a slight at Barnes to acknowledge that competition for playing time was brought in that filled any need Carr could address and more, other than depth. Barnes did put him in a corner and Carr either didn't work hard enough or wasn't good enough to overcome adversity and secure his spot. That said, he still had a role on a championship contender and was going to have every opportunity to increase that role.

I don't like the corner analogy the other poster used initially given it often speaks to punishing someone and Carr was not punished. He had every oppy to grow his skills in arguably the best development program in the country and he was given gametime minutes to show what he could do.

Bottom line...he wasn't yet good enough to earn more minutes and he is going to have to deal with competing against new talent transferring regardless.

 

[Delmar]

Even if all that is true, then it still sounds like he was being selfish thinking he deserved something he hadn't earned, and based on what we're finding out about his limited time in Knoxville, that doesn't seem all that surprising. It seems like we brought in competition and he didn't like having to earn his spot. The irony of which is thick, considering he will now be going to another program where he's the mercenary help being brought in.

I wish him all the best, but I think he and his people have an inflated view of his ability and potentially a belief that his ability somehow affords him the luxury of some sort of status he's not really earned, on or off the court (allegedly). College sports is a cutthroat world, anymore, with the portal. I guess he will get an opportunity to learn that from both ends of the spectrum, now.

Can’t comment on his off the court activities. But on the court, this sounds eerily familiar to Brandon Huntley-Hatfield. Just a fact that some players have an over inflated view of their status and have been spoiled and can’t handle the demands that Rick puts on them. If you can, he’ll make you better. If you can’t, you aren’t going to get the PT that you think you deserve and feelings will get hurt. Best to move on.

 

[bicenTENNial]

The problem is if we have more injuries... Or when

 

[gainesvol82]

Even if all that is true, then it still sounds like he was being selfish thinking he deserved something he hadn't earned, and based on what we're finding out about his limited time in Knoxville, that doesn't seem all that surprising. It seems like we brought in competition and he didn't like having to earn his spot. The irony of which is thick, considering he will now be going to another program where he's the mercenary help being brought in.

I wish him all the best, but I think he and his people have an inflated view of his ability and potentially a belief that his ability somehow affords him the luxury of some sort of status he's not really earned, on or off the court (allegedly). College sports is a cutthroat world, anymore, with the portal. I guess he will get an opportunity to learn that from both ends of the spectrum, now.

I agree with this completely. We brought in two mostly finished products as college players in Lanier and Dubar. Both are better pieces to help win now. Carr had his opportunity and was going to get more but it sounds like an agent, handler or opposing program (probably ACC or Big 10 team with a weaker roster) got to the family or "circle". Carr probably already didn't love having to fight for limited minutes he felt entitled to instead of realizing his shortcomings and that iron sharpens iron.

He would have been spending more time around family with the injury and holidays while watching Dubar's increased contribution and they made their decision. Probably for the best before it got toxic but not how I would have handled it. I don't like it for depth/fouls this year but don't think it's a drastic impact on this year's team....him leaving impacts next year's roster more as he should have been able to become a starter in 2025/2026 if he put in the work and continued to grow his game.

The fact that his brothers on the team, especially ZZ and Mashack, who represent our culture don't seem to have much of a negative view then it makes me less quick to judge the situation. Maybe they realized that Carr likely wouldn't have ever fully committed in order to become the player needed. I also wonder if Barnes possibly retires this year with a F4 run and I definitely think he would consider it strongly if we do win a NCAAT championship this year. We have the pieces and it feels like we are all in. I could also see him wanting to go out on a high note with his ultimate culture "glue" guys in ZZ and Mashack leaving after this year.

I don't like the corner analogy the other poster used initially given it often speaks to punishing someone and Carr was not punished. He had every oppy to grow his skills in arguably the best development program in the country and he was given gametime minutes to show what he could do.

Bottom line...he wasn't yet good enough to earn more minutes and he is going to have to deal with competing against new talent transferring regardless.

Agreed. "Backed into a corner" had a negative connotation and is not wording I would use but Carr did have transfers brought in that impacted Carr's ability to get minutes. We all know that Carr was given his shot and failed to take advantage to secure his spot but we were still working with him and grooming him as a rotational piece who could possibly get hot in a game or two and provide depth and fouls this year and be expected to step into a starting role next year. Someone got to the family and his new team will probably put a higher NIL valuation on him than UT would considering our emphasis on defense and ability to recruit the portal successfully.

 

[cncchris33]

I agree with this completely. We brought in two mostly finished products as college players in Lanier and Dubar. Both are better pieces to help win now. Carr had his opportunity and was going to get more but it sounds like an agent, handler or opposing program (probably ACC or Big 10 team with a weaker roster) got to the family or "circle". Carr probably already didn't love having to fight for limited minutes he felt entitled to instead of realizing his shortcomings and that iron sharpens iron.

He would have been spending more time around family with the injury and holidays while watching Dubar's increased contribution and they made their decision. Probably for the best before it got toxic but not how I would have handled it. I don't like it for depth/fouls this year but don't think it's a drastic impact on this year's team....him leaving impacts next year's roster more as he should have been able to become a starter in 2025/2026 if he put in the work and continued to grow his game.

The fact that his brothers on the team, especially ZZ and Mashack, who represent our culture don't seem to have much of a negative view then it makes me less quick to judge the situation. Maybe they realized that Carr likely wouldn't have ever fully committed in order to become the player needed. I also wonder if Barnes possibly retires this year with a F4 run and I definitely think he would consider it strongly if we do win a NCAAT championship this year. We have the pieces and it feels like we are all in. I could also see him wanting to go out on a high note with his ultimate culture "glue" guys in ZZ and Mashack leaving after this year.



Agreed. "Backed into a corner" had a negative connotation and is not wording I would use but Carr did have transfers brought in that impacted Carr's ability to get minutes. We all know that Carr was given his shot and failed to take advantage to secure his spot but we were still working with him and grooming him as a rotational piece who could possibly get hot in a game or two and provide depth and fouls this year and be expected to step into a starting role next year. Someone got to the family and his new team will probably put a higher NIL valuation on him than UT would considering our emphasis on defense and ability to recruit the portal successfully.

I've not seen his destination confirmed, but if I had to guess, I'd say Kansas State. Thats who we beat for him when he committed and he is from Manhattan, KS, IIRC. Mizzou is another one I'd keep an eye on.