Get Barnes any players

[cardvolfan]

Yes I’m not thrilled with the current season. A lot of people aren’t. Barnes is not perfect. He will tell ya that and criticism is fair when warranted. Last year people were (rightfully) singing his praises and this year there is criticism. That’s the name of the game.

It's a "what have you done for me lately" society, my friend. Win and you're my best friend. Lose and you're my worst enemy. I try to hover between those two extremes. Everyone has shortcomings, and sometimes things snowball.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

How many of those missed tournaments in year 5? What’s the program expectations? What are they getting paid? Tons of questions there.

You think it’s okay for Barnes to miss the tournament in year 5 of a tenure because of the regular season success the last two years. I think the expectation should be to make the tournament every year and I’m less willing to forgive personally with the lack of postseason success. It is what it is.

Every coach on that list longer than 5 seasons has missed at least once on or after their 5th year, kinda proving my point Z.

I never said it’s ok or should be the norm, I’m saying it does happen way more than our fanbase wants to admit/realize, those off years do happen. I pretty much disregard the first 2 year, so looking past that it would be 2/3 NCAAT appearances assuming we miss this year, if that’s followed up by an appearance next year that 3/4, hard to be too upset about that imo although I’m sure many will be. I’ve stated many times, and I think you have in the past as well, making the dance consistently (not necessarily every year) should be the standard here.

 

[zjcvols]

It's a "what have you done for me lately" society, my friend. Win and you're my best friend. Lose and you're my worst enemy. I try to hover between those two extremes. Everyone has shortcomings, and sometimes things snowball.

It has nothing to do with the what have you for me lately society you’re so claiming. It’s simply the fact that poor roster management led to this when better choices could have prevented that. Does this happen? Yes. But when you disappoint in the postseason last year, get a significant raise, and you’re on pace to miss the tourney the next year...the criticism is fair I believe.

 

[zjcvols]

Every coach on that list longer than 5 seasons has missed at least once on or after their 5th year, kinda proving my point Z.

I never said it’s ok or should be the norm, I’m saying it does happen way more than our fanbase wants to admit/realize, those off years do happen. I pretty much disregard the first 2 year, so looking past that it would be 2/3 NCAAT appearances assuming we miss this year, if that’s followed up by an appearance next year that 3/4, hard to be too upset about that imo although I’m sure many will be. I’ve stated many times, and I think you have in the past as well, making the dance consistently (not necessarily every year) should be the standard here.

And while I was hoping, not expecting, a tournament run in those first two years, that’s fine to believe that. I think it should still be viewed in the totality of the tenure. Because even if we disregard the first two years, if the idea is make the tourney every two out of three years, with Barnes’ lack of postseason success...not sure I’m going to personally be okay with that (not that my opinion matters to Fulmer).

 

[Voltopia]

This fan base is too forgiving, too tolerant.

Wade Houston, Kevin O'Neil, Jerry Green, Buzz Peterson. 240-233. Of course this fan base is forgiving, we've been out in the weeds for 15 years before one coach - one - came in and re-energized the place. Barnes may have his challenges but I'd be hard pressed to name which of Tennessee's previous coaches I'd rather have in place of him (save the one we all know and either love or hate, and I don't know if I'd "swap" them now). Considering this year's signed group, I'm beyond "tolerant" with things.

 

[Billy Ratliff]

So, remember how Memphis had the #1 class? Remember how Memphis' fans whined relentlessly because they were ranked in the teens preseason and not appropriately ranked in the Top 5? Two days ago, one Memphis writer laid out a scenario they will need to accomplish to make sure they make it to the Big Dance?

ANY team in ANY given year is subject to factors totally beyond a coaches' control. All the factors Tennessee has faced this year to create the perfect storm, which in essence, decimated our chances of having a good year. Keep complaining, keep whining......but Rick isn't going anywhere. Your rhetoric isn't working. Keep trying if you wish, but most of us are reasonable folks who know that these things just happen sometimes.

So I’m just going to presume you didn’t read my posts or replied to the wrong person

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

So a guy with 33 years experience who's had at least 3 years to put a roster together and fix his guard and front court problems can say sorry, but 's## happens' and everyone should be okay with it. How would your boss react to that attitude?

Well, the Deacon doesn't cuss. So who you talkin' 'bout, Willis?

 

[calban]

Well, the Deacon doesn't cuss. So who you talkin' 'bout, Willis?

He would say 'poopy happens' , I guess.

 

[aWhiteLoftonChism]

People don’t like it but we’re here because of 2 recruiting classes that only have Pons to show for it. Then key contributors leave early so there’s not much behind them to fill the gap. It’s roster mismanagement no doubt. I’m not saying Barnes is a bad coach, or needs to be fired, but simply we’re here because of roster mismanagement.

Next year we have possibly our best class ever arriving. The key is to make sure the class after that doesn’t have so many misses to make sure this doesn’t happen again.

Are you kidding? He had 2 guys leave early in the draft that would be crushing college kids this season had they stayed. Then another terrific player gets injured and has to quit playing. No way to anticipate these things
If anything, it’s amazing we are this competitive after losing our top 5 guys from last year

 

[MinisterofDef#92]

I see the causes, effects, and didn’t expect this to be a great year. I think Fulmer and Barnes would both say they are disappointed with this season, which is, uh, exactly what I am saying.

Except you didn't (see bold below)...lol

"Inherited a mess how many years ago? I think that’s the point - if you can take the program from basement to #1 then a season like this is not acceptable. That doesn’t mean fire him. It means it should be made clear, by his boss, that such seasons are not acceptable and will only be tolerated if very few and far between. "

 

[1200DPI]

The roster should be better after several years of his management.

He's managing a 15 player roster. There are 10 people doing various functions in his coaching staff.

Ten full time professionals running the store for 15 customers.

At least one of these professionals must be doing long term planning, developing and implementing strategies, thinking about what is necessary to ensure that the program continues to thrive each season.

 

[Vols410]

It's also really important to keep in mind the state of the program when Barnes got here. We weren't one of the few lucky programs in college basketball that can deal with lost a crap ton of talent and just reload every year, so he put together a team to develop over 4 years and build towards success. Establish a foundation, grab some big wins, and raise the level of the program to the point where we can reload. The problem we're seeing this year is that the development far exceeded expectations, we rose early and lost a couple fantastic players to the NBA that would've been here otherwise.

Check out where we are now though. Top 5 class in the country next year, every visit coming in is a top 100 guy for the next couple classes. The reputation of the program in recruiting finally caught up to the success. A year late maybe, but after this year things are going to be very different for the basketball program going forward.

 

[Alex10]

It's also really important to keep in mind the state of the program when Barnes got here. We weren't one of the few lucky programs in college basketball that can deal with lost a crap ton of talent and just reload every year, so he put together a team to develop over 4 years and build towards success. Establish a foundation, grab some big wins, and raise the level of the program to the point where we can reload. The problem we're seeing this year is that the development far exceeded expectations, we rose early and lost a couple fantastic players to the NBA that would've been here otherwise.

Check out where we are now though. Top 5 class in the country next year, every visit coming in is a top 100 guy for the next couple classes. The reputation of the program in recruiting finally caught up to the success. A year late maybe, but after this year things are going to be very different for the basketball program going forward.

I hope your right. A year like this year could start to turn recruiting back the other way some, I hope not and think one down year won’t hurt recruiting to bad but have another average to below average year next year and we will have lost most of the previous gained momentum. I know everyone is super high on next years recruiting class, maybe it’s just the pessimist in me but I don’t like having to depend on a bunch of true freshman to turn us around that quickly. Make no mistake next year is vital to the long term health of this program. Let’s hope some of you are right and that a bunch of freshman can handle that, I have my doubts.

 

[SGMVols]

It's also really important to keep in mind the state of the program when Barnes got here. We weren't one of the few lucky programs in college basketball that can deal with lost a crap ton of talent and just reload every year, so he put together a team to develop over 4 years and build towards success. Establish a foundation, grab some big wins, and raise the level of the program to the point where we can reload. The problem we're seeing this year is that the development far exceeded expectations, we rose early and lost a couple fantastic players to the NBA that would've been here otherwise.

Check out where we are now though. Top 5 class in the country next year, every visit coming in is a top 100 guy for the next couple classes. The reputation of the program in recruiting finally caught up to the success. A year late maybe, but after this year things are going to be very different for the basketball program going forward.

Logical, reasonable posts like this one are not welcome in this forum, sir. You didn't even whine about a salary you don't contribute a dime to. Get out of here.

 

[SGMVols]

I hope your right. A year like this year could start to turn recruiting back the other way some, I hope not and think one down year won’t hurt recruiting to bad but have another average to below average year next year and we will have lost most of the previous gained momentum. I know everyone is super high on next years recruiting class, maybe it’s just the pessimist in me but I don’t like having to depend on a bunch of true freshman to turn us around that quickly. Make no mistake next year is vital to the long term health of this program. Let’s hope some of you are right and that a bunch of freshman can handle that, I have my doubts.

We aren't going to be solely dependent on the freshmen. All the starters come back except Bowden, save the slight chance of Pons going to the draft (I don't see this happening). We also have Bailey becoming eligible after his sit out year. Barnes will probably look at the grad transfer market for another big. And there's no evidence that the results this year are having a negative impact on recruiting. Recruits aren't as shortsighted as the outrage mob here.

 

[Alex10]

We aren't going to be solely dependent on the freshmen. All the starters come back except Bowden, save the slight chance of Pons going to the draft (I don't see this happening). We also have Bailey becoming eligible after his sit out year. Barnes will probably look at the grad transfer market for another big. And there's no evidence that the results this year are having a negative impact on recruiting. Recruits aren't as shortsighted as the outrage mob here.

Even on reasonable posts the coaching crusaders have to get there little jabs in. You guys are simply insufferable. I bow to your otherworldly wisdom and I’m so sorry that I ever had anything not nice to say about any aspect of UT athletics or anyone associated with them. I’m truly done with it, I hope you have a wonderful day.

 

[Vols410]

I hope your right. A year like this year could start to turn recruiting back the other way some, I hope not and think one down year won’t hurt recruiting to bad but have another average to below average year next year and we will have lost most of the previous gained momentum. I know everyone is super high on next years recruiting class, maybe it’s just the pessimist in me but I don’t like having to depend on a bunch of true freshman to turn us around that quickly. Make no mistake next year is vital to the long term health of this program. Let’s hope some of you are right and that a bunch of freshman can handle that, I have my doubts.

You're right about having to depend on freshman next year, but we'll have practically this entire team as depth as well.

What I'm mostly getting at is how you actually get to sustainable success. Sure for $5 mil you want to see those results every year which is fair, but it takes time to get to that point. Will Barnes reach that level of consistency? That remains to be seen, but if there's a blueprint to how you get there he's following it perfectly.

 

[calban]

You're right about having to depend on freshman next year, but we'll have practically this entire team as depth as well.

What I'm mostly getting at is how you actually get to sustainable success. Sure for $5 mil you want to see those results every year which is fair, but it takes time to get to that point. Will Barnes reach that level of consistency? That remains to be seen, but if there's a blueprint to how you get there he's following it perfectly.

Not too sure about his blueprint thus far, but if the improved recruiting continues it's a step in the right direction.

 

[MinisterofDef#92]

The roster should be better after several years of his management.

He's managing a 15 player roster. There are 10 people doing various functions in his coaching staff.

Ten full time professionals running the store for 15 customers.

At least one of these professionals must be doing long term planning, developing and implementing strategies, thinking about what is necessary to ensure that the program continues to thrive each season.

Why has no one thought of this before now...suggest you tell CRB and Fulmer

 

[MinisterofDef#92]

I hope your right. A year like this year could start to turn recruiting back the other way some, I hope not and think one down year won’t hurt recruiting to bad but have another average to below average year next year and we will have lost most of the previous gained momentum. I know everyone is super high on next years recruiting class, maybe it’s just the pessimist in me but I don’t like having to depend on a bunch of true freshman to turn us around that quickly. Make no mistake next year is vital to the long term health of this program. Let’s hope some of you are right and that a bunch of freshman can handle that, I have my doubts.

The irony in this statement is shocking to the senses

 

[Alex10]

The irony in this statement is shocking to the senses

I’m afraid I don’t see it, mind explaining?