Tennessee Transfer Portal Targets

#2,876
#2,876
CAVPUT said:
You and Trippie are hilarious. Reminds me of an old favorite of mine.
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“Can two posters share a thread without driving each other crazy?”
250px-The_Odd_Couple_%28TV_series%29_titlecard.jpg
 
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#2,877
#2,877
bleedingTNorange said:
The PG options were pretty weak, I think that’s the biggest thing, which I know you and I have discussed before…would they have liked one, I’m sure, but to put it in simple terms idk that they were willing to take a 75th overall player because he’s a PG rather than a 25th overall player who’s a wing or a post. When you look at the top of the PG portal rankings most of those guys knew where they were heading when they entered the portal, a few others had some headaches around them and wouldn’t be fits here, before you know it you’re down to the Ques Glovers of the world.
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And I get that, which is why I was opposed to entertaining the idea of Glover, as you're aware. I wasn't in favor of taking a PG just for the sake of taking a PG in the portal. And the options are what they are, so I'm OK with that being the case. In terms of this conversation, I'm talking more so in a vacuum about our vision and sales pitch to a potential PG if one existed that we coveted.
 
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#2,879
#2,879
VolFreakJosh said:
Hear anything about Uros potentially leaving?

I don’t see how he finds playing time this year.
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He’s gone. I have no Uros hate. He’s super close with the core team. I enjoyed seeing him play the bad guy. He’s been hoping there’s a space, but was told it was unlikely. I actually think he’ll fit somewhere. His game isn’t mobile enough for what we do, but he has improved quite a bit.
 
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#2,880
#2,880
cncchris33 said:
And that is potentially the dangerous game that Phillips is playing. If he were to return, we may look to make room without explicitly forcing someone out, but if he gets some negative feedback, that may be where he has to look to the portal for another destination. It sucks for him and for us, as I'm sure we'd love to have him back, but unless Barnes is willing to get his hands dirty by axing someone (not a method I'd be a fan of), then Phillips may just up a creek as far as Tennessee is concerned. We have to prepare for the worst, which is him leaving for the draft and staying in it, and strike while the iron is hot with someone willing to come take his place. It is the unfortunate timing of the draft window and the portal window Barnes was admonishing earlier this week.
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You’re right. Barnes hates the timing of all this. He’s highly supportive of Phillips getting a grade, but JP still has the highest upside of anyone on the team or anyone in the portal we’ve looked at. Getting Knecht is going to be bittersweet if it happens. It gets harder and harder to see a way Phillips returns.
 
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#2,881
#2,881
I'm kind of curious with how the PG role is defined this next off-season.

Obviously even if ZZ's healthy we still need someone else to be above average to good in that role that isn't Santi.

I feel like if that was where you focused him Mashack could develop there like Josh Richardson did, but with JJJ leaving you have to think they also want to use him to help off-set that loss.

Lot of people seem to just be dismissing the possibility that Freddie is capable, I'm not sure yet. I feel like the staff has gotten a pretty good idea of what he can do in his half a year here so them being so selective in PG targets in the portal they may think he's a good option.

Gainey/Santi are going to be similar players and I feel like best suited playing off ball. If Gainey can play the 3 defensively having both active off screens and able to catch and shoot could be a lot of fun this year.

Then you have BJ Edwards, PG is a position that Barnes is very particular about and I'm sure the things BJ isn't doing well that kept him off the court this past season will be addressed. Still hope, it's pretty rare that PGs make impacts in year 1 under Barnes... TJ Ford's best season was year 2 and KC was just an exception and I think we all agree he had his growing pains too.
 
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#2,882
#2,882
GregAmsler said:
Agree on Phillips. Too early to tell on Edwards. We as fans tend to give up on players far too early. We’ll know a lot more about Edwards this season.
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He seems like a classic "tweener" and not so much from a size perspective. I'm not sure he's got the classic PG attributes to be a 1 and he doesn't have the shot to be a SG. Granted, with time, he can develop into one or both positions, but you'd have to think UT will continue to recruit at a relatively high level and over him. Hey, stories like his are always such a great thing if he's able to grow into being a starter on this team. Pulling for him.
 
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#2,883
#2,883
Stoerner Fumbles said:
You’re right. Barnes hates the timing of all this. He’s highly supportive of Phillips getting a grade, but JP still has the highest upside of anyone on the team or anyone in the portal we’ve looked at. Getting Knecht is going to be bittersweet if it happens. It gets harder and harder to see a way Phillips returns.
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It’s been bitter sweet for me as well. I’m a huge believer in Phillips. I really want to see him come back, but it does feel like Phillips is determined to leave no matter what and I’m just glad Barnes is not going to be left waiting at the altar and he’s finding a replacement that can help the team.
 
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#2,884
#2,884
CAVPUT said:
He seems like a classic "tweener" and no so much from a size perspective. I'm not sure he's got the classic PG attributes to be a 1 and he doesn't have the shot to be a SG. Granted, with time, he can develop into one or both positions, but you'd have to think UT will continue to recruit at a relatively high level and over him. Hey, stories like his are always such a great thing if he's able to grow into being a starter on this team. Pulling for him.
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That's a good way to describe BJE, a tweener. Not really quick enough on either end of the court or crafty enough as a ballhandler to be an effective SEC PG, but not currently a good enough shooter to be an off-guard who can make teams pay coming off of screens like Vescovi does. He isn't likely going to improve his PG skills to the point of being a passable PG, which is why I think his future (if he has one at Tennessee) is more likely as a SG who can help as a combo guard. Barnes has already talked about how important this offseason is for him in improving his outside shot, and Barnes is just the man to help in that department. But if he doesn't put the work in, or just doesn't make improvements in that area, I think next year may be his last in Knoxville and he'll be encouraged to likely transfer to a mid-major where his weaknesses aren't as evident.
 
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#2,888
#2,888
cncchris33 said:
Yeah, it certainly seems like we are collecting shooters. Santi, Carr, Gainey, Knecht (potentially). Estrella, Aidoo, Ledlum all with potential from the post as shooters, as well. Outside shooting had better not be a problem with that bunch. I still worry a little about our ability to get to the rim for buckets or fouls, but I hope Dilione, Knecht, and Ledlum can help address that immediate concern.
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Maybe I'm wrong, but I think that would also potentially alleviate the need for a stud PG as well. If you have little spacing, you're super P&R heavy (which backfires badly if you don't have a lead guard that can run it, like we saw after ZZ went down), but if you can space the floor with 4-5 shooters who can also pass well you get a lot of bang for your buck with the off-ball screen actions Barnes likes to use. That will also hopefully free up Santi a ton.
 
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#2,894
#2,894
“Need” was maybe too strong of a word. BJ plays point, correct? He leaves and you’re left with only one guy who is actually a point guard, and he’s rehabbing a torn ACL right now.
 
#2,895
#2,895
Dallasbowlin said:
“Need” was maybe too strong of a word. BJ plays point, correct? He leaves and you’re left with only one guy who is actually a point guard, and he’s rehabbing a torn ACL right now.
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I sometimes question if 2 people use your login Dallas? Lol.

When ZZ went out BJ did not play PG, that was the whole discussion this past year…when we did insert him he looked awful. The talk was they’ve moved him mostly off the ball and playing 2 guard while Dilione has been getting the bulk of PG minutes, Mashack played PG ahead of Edwards as well last season.
 
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#2,896
#2,896
Dallasbowlin said:
“Need” was maybe too strong of a word. BJ plays point, correct? He leaves and you’re left with only one guy who is actually a point guard, and he’s rehabbing a torn ACL right now.
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I don't think BJE has a future as an effective SEC PG. SG maybe, but not PG.
 
#2,898
#2,898
I mean it all really comes down to if the player can/will do it Rick's way.

Kevin Punter became a great score first PG under Barnes.
10.3 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 1.9 apg - Junior year under Donnie (Granted Josh Richardson ran the point mostly this season)
22.2 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 3.5 apg - Senior year under Barnes

Jordan Bone & Lamonte Turner both were found and developed by Barnes. Bone became the main PG, but Turner in his final season was playing it at an extremely high level.

Santi was found and developed under Barnes, had to play the point a lot out of the gate when Turner got hurt but did a solid job at it.

The thing we don't know is if BJ is an Admiral/Santi type of worker or not. If he puts in the same level of effort to improve that those two did in their time here then he can become a starting SEC PG or SG here. Top 100 rated player outta HS means something and he has great size.

Limited action, but he shot 50% FG, 57.1% 2PT, 40.0% 3PT, and 75% FT... I think he played tight because he was worried about making the wrong play instead of just making a play.

Personally I think bringing in Key last season was a mistake because it limited the opportunities for BJ & Mashack. Obviously Mashack being more versatile was able to step in when injuries happened.
 
#2,900
#2,900
bleedingTNorange said:
I sometimes question if 2 people use your login Dallas? Lol.

When ZZ went out BJ did not play PG, that was the whole discussion this past year…when we did insert him he looked awful. The talk was they’ve moved him mostly off the ball and playing 2 guard while Dilione has been getting the bulk of PG minutes, Mashack played PG ahead of Edwards as well last season.
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Lol.

I would hope that BJ is able to improve enough to be serviceable at the point this off-season. I would personally like to play Dilione off the ball, but if the staff believes he can be just as effective running the point, who am I to question them?
 
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