Chris Ledlum Enters the Transfer Portal

[jdogvol]

This is a huge blow. I fully expected him to be the next E.J. Anosike.

I see what you did there. Well played.

 

[BernardKingGOAT]

Probably so but Barnes is a real stickler for it. More so than most I think.

Yes, more so than most which is why he's one of a few great coaches

 

[MinisterofDef#92]

I didn't have any expectations but clearly he was a guy capable of giving 19 a night. The Harvard I saw in the tournament had talent and was good.

And the legend continues to grow...lmao

 

[MinisterofDef#92]

Cmon, this is classic “Didn’t want him anyway” when a recruit goes elsewhere. Every summer report is glowing about every player until they leave, then suddenly we find out they’re struggling.

So you think he was doing well and his perceived playing time was not a factor in his decision to leave in the short time he was here? Not to even mention that StoernerFumbles has consistently proven to have real insider info.

 

[Vol49er]

So you think he was doing well and his perceived playing time was not a factor in his decision to leave in the short time he was here? Not to even mention that StoernerFumbles has consistently proven to have real insider info.

I don’t know how he, or anyone else, was doing. Everybody agrees to take the offseason reports with a grain of salt, I take them with a boulder of salt
I agree SF brings real info, but like most with real connections to the program, there is often a positive spin in favor of UT. Not criticizing, i appreciate the info nonetheless, I just account for that when I read his posts

 

[turbovol]

So you think he was doing well and his perceived playing time was not a factor in his decision to leave in the short time he was here? Not to even mention that StoernerFumbles has consistently proven to have real insider info.

How many summer practices did he participate in--two? Nobody can make a decision about how much playing time he might get after a couple of summer practices/scrimmages. There were probably multiple reasons for his decision.

 

[Probably_in_Class]

On the positive side, it opens up a scholarship for next class.

 

[Col_Cathcart]

How many summer practices did he participate in--two? Nobody can make a decision about how much playing time he might get after a couple of summer practices/scrimmages. There were probably multiple reasons for his decision.

Missing all but 2 summer practices would definitely put him behind in learning our systems (and probably conditioning etc as well). No fault of his that he got hurt, but that’s a possible explanation for why he might have been falling behind and looking at losing out on PT early in the year.

 

[walkenvol]

How many summer practices did he participate in--two? Nobody can make a decision about how much playing time he might get after a couple of summer practices/scrimmages. There were probably multiple reasons for his decision.

It’s my understanding that the players spend a bunch of time in the gym with each other outside of the allowed organized practices. I’d guess it’s not too difficult to determine where you stack up against the competition before Barnes blows the whistle. JMO

 

[miket4god]

This fanbase gets Shiny New Toy Syndrome way too easily. Just watch the football forum the first time Milton throws a pick or overthrows a deep shot. Guarantee there will be posts calling for Nico

There already are.

 

[BreatheUT]

You're sure? The Kentucky game must have been the only one you watched

What I'm saying is just because a player plays for Harvard it doesn't mean they are beneath the players in the SEC. It's the whole 3 star thing in football. Not every 5 star ends up being a 5 star, and not every 3 star never reaches a 5 star level. I don't know much about Ledlum's game but because he transferred out we don't have to pull the "we didn't want him anyway" and act like he probably wasn't that good because of the league he came from.

 

[orbs son]

Hate to see a kid leave. Hate that he got hurt, but I don't think it's a huge loss for us. All of his numbers from last year were going down in the SEC.

 

[BernardKingGOAT]

What I'm saying is just because a player plays for Harvard it doesn't mean they are beneath the players in the SEC. It's the whole 3 star thing in football. Not every 5 star ends up being a 5 star, and not every 3 star never reaches a 5 star level. I don't know much about Ledlum's game but because he transferred out we don't have to pull the "we didn't want him anyway" and act like he probably wasn't that good because of the league he came from.

I believe he was plenty "good". He found out this might not be the best place for him to play extended minutes and be a "go to" guy. We're sort of loaded with talent. I doubt the cultural difference was much of a factor. After practicing with the group a couple of times, he realized this might not be the place to shine. It's likely that's the case. This MIGHT be Barnes' most talented roster since he's been here.

 

[Col_Cathcart]

What I'm saying is just because a player plays for Harvard it doesn't mean they are beneath the players in the SEC. It's the whole 3 star thing in football. Not every 5 star ends up being a 5 star, and not every 3 star never reaches a 5 star level. I don't know much about Ledlum's game but because he transferred out we don't have to pull the "we didn't want him anyway" and act like he probably wasn't that good because of the league he came from.

I think the pushback is against the idea that because he averaged 18 at Harvard that he would have similar production here. The SEC is a tougher league and better competition. It’s not guaranteed that he would have even averaged half. That’s not to say that he’s not good, just that he probably wasn’t going to be all sec good or even so good that he’s irreplaceable. Given our roster, he very well could have been on track for only 10-15 mpg

 

[VolsAgainstTheWorld15]

What I'm saying is just because a player plays for Harvard it doesn't mean they are beneath the players in the SEC. It's the whole 3 star thing in football. Not every 5 star ends up being a 5 star, and not every 3 star never reaches a 5 star level. I don't know much about Ledlum's game but because he transferred out we don't have to pull the "we didn't want him anyway" and act like he probably wasn't that good because of the league he came from.

I think most people recognize he was a nice player who could have helped in some capacity. However, it 100% would have been against the norm for him to come here and have production similar to what he did in the Ivy League, especially considering that he would have been fighting for minutes with guys who have been here for multiple years.

 

[Namorto1]

Hard to miss what we never saw in action, so we move on. We are in good shape despite his leaving, still likely a preseason Top 10 team which shows in and of itself how stacked our roster is. Honestly, we seem to be in good shape over the next two years. Vescovi and James have been great leaders but neither has any additional expectations on them, we know what we will get from both (when healthy) and it wouldn't surprise me a bit if both had fewer minutes per game than they have had these past 4 years. We really need a "dude" who is willing/able to create their own shot, when the pressure is on and will make a good portion of them. Vescovi is willing to take shots but he can't create them. Zeigler is willing to take them but he isn't a very good % shooter and his size is a detriment when he goes to the rim. Looking forward to what Knecht and Dilione bring to the team.

 

[BreatheUT]

I believe he was plenty "good". He found out this might not be the best place for him to play extended minutes and be a "go to" guy. We're sort of loaded with talent. I doubt the cultural difference was much of a factor. After practicing with the group a couple of times, he realized this might not be the place to shine. It's likely that's the case. This MIGHT be Barnes' most talented roster since he's been here.

I sure hope it is.

 

[CAVPUT]

On the positive side, it opens up a scholarship for next class.

Hmm...I thought Ledlum was a one year guy. Of course, I thought JJJ was gone, too.

 

[Col_Cathcart]

Hmm...I thought Ledlum was a one year guy. Of course, I thought JJJ was gone, too.

Think I saw where he had 2 years earlier in this thread.

 

[CAVPUT]

Think I saw where he had 2 years earlier in this thread.

i stand corrected. Thanks.

 

[MinisterofDef#92]

I don’t know how he, or anyone else, was doing. Everybody agrees to take the offseason reports with a grain of salt, I take them with a boulder of salt
I agree SF brings real info, but like most with real connections to the program, there is often a positive spin in favor of UT. Not criticizing, i appreciate the info nonetheless, I just account for that when I read his posts

Agree with you 100% that one should largely ignore preseason reporting. Positive spin or not, Stoerner Fumbles has proven to be an accurate source of information which is a very scarce commodity on VN.

But, let's set aside what Stoerner said...Occam's Razor dictates that one of the most likely factors in Ledlum's decision to leave is his perceived ability to compete for, and atain, his desired level of playing time.

 

[MinisterofDef#92]

How many summer practices did he participate in--two? Nobody can make a decision about how much playing time he might get after a couple of summer practices/scrimmages. There were probably multiple reasons for his decision.

Of course there were various factors...there always are in these matters. I do not know how many practices he participated in, and given your question, not sure how you can assume how many he participated in?

 

[MinisterofDef#92]

It’s my understanding that the players spend a bunch of time in the gym with each other outside of the allowed organized practices. I’d guess it’s not too difficult to determine where you stack up against the competition before Barnes blows the whistle. JMO

And every player can watch the speed and physicality of any practice/game and draw some perspective on everyone's ability.

 

[Vol49er]

Agree with you 100% that one should largely ignore preseason reporting. Positive spin or not, Stoerner Fumbles has proven to be an accurate source of information which is a very scarce commodity on VN.

But, let's set aside what Stoerner said...Occam's Razor dictates that one of the most likely factors in Ledlum's decision to leave is his perceived ability to compete for, and atain, his desired level of playing time.

That’s certainly a good possibility, but I still put more stock into what we’ve seen him do in real life college basketball games than assumptions made from transfer decisons, well reasoned or not, on his performance in practice. And he looked like a player to me. I get it’s the Ivy League and not the SEC, but it’s not like the Ivy League is complete garbage either. I’m not saying he’d put up 19 here but I expected him to be a really solid contributor, and it’s a bummer he’s gone. I hope one of Knecht or Mashack can hold up at the 4 for long stretches, bc I’d worry about relying too much on JJJ (health), Tobe (non-shooter), DJ Jefferson, or Estrella (freshman) to do so. I love Jahmai’s game so bummed as I am about Ledlum leaving I’m excited too to see Shack get more on his plate

 

[SGMVols]

I sure hope it is.

I don’t think it’s more talented than 2019 but it’s definitely deeper.