You’re entitled to your opinion, but I think your post makes zero sense. Playing nervous in no way equates to playing with less than full effort IMO. Playing 25+ minutes in a game with ON’s height and athletic ability and getting 2 or less rebounds is a true barometer of his low energy / effort. Why some on this forum continue to attempt to blame CRB for some of the players shortcomings yet somehow not recognize those same shortcomings aren’t shared by the rest of the roster is baffling. If something is Barnes’ fault then it should affect more than one player as the rest of the team played with great effort. Again JMO
It does effect more than one player. I watch every single game that comes on every single year. I watch closely and am observant of body language.
Barnes’ system for playing time is his sole “motivator”. You make a mistake, he yanks you. Especially when you are new in his system.
Here's the list of players that left Tennessee and were better at the next school:
Chris Darrington - scored 200 pts here- left for Toledo and scored 528 next season.
Derrick Walker - received All Big Ten honors. Walker led Nebraska with 13.6 points, 7.1 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game. 10th in Big Ten. We needed more inside presence.
DJ Burns - won Big South Player of the Year at Winthrop and then transferred to NC State where he averaged 12/4/1.5
Drew Pember - BEARDEN NATIVE - transferred to UNC Asheville only to average 20.9/9.1/2.3 shooting 37.3% from 3. He was a big reason why UNCA only lost 7 games that year!
Davonte Gaines - went from 1ppg at TN to 10 ppg at George Mason shooting 40% from 3 during his junior year
EJ Anosike - huge VFL - sister went here -he was the #2 Transfer in the portal - was supposed to be a huge post presence - nope, came in worse
Victor Bailey Jr - looked the most nervous of all. Dude was an athletic freak and had a redshirt season to prepare himself for much needed PT at the 2 spot. Came in and just couldn't get it together
Tyreke Key - comes in worse than his previous school
Justin Powell - comes in worse than his previous school
Hold on I’m on mobile and I’ll update the list of players who either succeeded after they were out of Barnes’ system or were way better before they came to Tennessee. The list is bigger than you’d think.
EDIT: I updated the list. I gtg back to work, but that covers it minus 2019-2023.