Tennessee Transfer Portal Targets

#154
#154
I would definitely like it if we bring in Caleb Love, because it would be a bold move that you rarely see Barnes take and would make next season even more interesting (and elevate our ceiling if things work out). I just won’t allow my self to get excited about the idea, because I don’t think Love will ultimately want to be part of this system or take the hard coaching. I think he wants to go somewhere that will coddle him and let him continue to be “the guy”.
 
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#155
#155
Yeiser10 said:
I feel as if our culture is to the point that if you bring in someone like him he has no choice but to get on board. I may be wrong who knows but if Barnes and co think they want him, then they believe it as well
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If he would really try to get on board here it would be great. Otherwise it seems his style of rushing 24 footers with open men in the paint, bad passes, and poor defense would fit better at Auburn or Pig.
 
#157
#157
mr.checkerboards said:
My issue with Love's game is hes such a volume shooter and doesnt really care if a shot is good or not, if he wants to shoot hes gonna take it.
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What a change that would be. We've had guys that Barnes has benched for not shooting, and even the others pass up open looks.
 
#158
#158
TheMookieMonster said:
I would definitely like it if we bring in Caleb Love, because it would be a bold move that you rarely see Barnes take and would make next season even more interesting (and elevate our ceiling if things work out). I just won’t allow my self to get excited about the idea, because I don’t think Love will ultimately want to be part of this system or take the hard coaching. I think he wants to go somewhere that will coddle him and let him continue to be “the guy”.
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While I'm all for the portal and heaven knows we need a lot of help, I just don't think Love is worth the risk. Know this will come across as an old guy thing, but the culture has been established. Just can't take a guy who could be the pill that poisons the well. The SEC is tough enough without having to constantly be butting heads with a guy that might be the QB of your team. From what I've seen, there are others who are productive and far less risky. I might be singing a different tune if he's at a new place, fitting in and lighting it up, but I just can't see this guy at UT. Oil/water for sure.
 
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#159
#159
CAVPUT said:
While I'm all for the portal and heaven knows we need a lot of help, I just don't think Love is worth the risk. Know this will come across as an old guy thing, but the culture has been established. Just can't take a guy who could be the pill that poisons the well. The SEC is tough enough without having to constantly be butting heads with a guy that might be the QB of your team. From what I've seen, there are others who are productive and far less risky. I might be singing a different tune if he's at a new place, fitting in and lighting it up, but I just can't see this guy at UT. Oil/water for sure.
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CAVPUT said:
While I'm all for the portal and heaven knows we need a lot of help, I just don't think Love is worth the risk. Know this will come across as an old guy thing, but the culture has been established. Just can't take a guy who could be the pill that poisons the well. The SEC is tough enough without having to constantly be butting heads with a guy that might be the QB of your team. From what I've seen, there are others who are productive and far less risky. I might be singing a different tune if he's at a new place, fitting in and lighting it up, but I just can't see this guy at UT. Oil/water for sure.
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Last year we cultivated interest in players over months, vetted them over weeks, and bet heavily that we’d get the right guys. Collins didn’t come, Key didn’t yield what we hoped for, and several guys who expressed interest moved on because we weren’t nimble enough. I don’t think BTO or I think it’s a high likelihood that Love comes here, but it is a clear sign we’ve flipped the funnel, and are shooting first, then aiming. Barnes will still vet players. Players will understand what’s expected and how they might fit. That won’t change. What is changing (hopefully) is Barnes’ understanding of the importance and pace of the portal in 2023. We have some big holes, and he doesn’t want a rebuilding year anymore than the fans do. We’re in on some bigger names, earlier. I also know, that he sat down and talked to each 23 senior Monday. The two with an open door have short windows to decide. We won’t be waiting til the end of May like last year. Hopefully all of this will allow us to make some swift, high value decisions.
 
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#160
#160
bleedingTNorange said:
Caleb Love has all the talent in the world, it’s up to him what he decides to make of things…would definitely be a risk/reward type deal for sure, and it surprises me a bit, but if anything I like that it would appear this staff realizes they need to maybe branch out a bit from their comfort zone.
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Had this same thought. Even if we don’t get him, I like that we’re seeing signs that Barnes is willing to adapt his thinking.
 
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#161
#161
Stoerner Fumbles said:
Last year we cultivated interest in players over months, vetted them over weeks, and bet heavily that we’d get the right guys. Collins didn’t come, Key didn’t yield what we hoped for, and several guys who expressed interest moved on because we weren’t nimble enough. I don’t think BTO or I think it’s a high likelihood that Love comes here, but it is a clear sign we’ve flipped the funnel, and are shooting first, then aiming. Barnes will still vet players. Players will understand what’s expected and how they might fit. That won’t change. What is changing (hopefully) is Barnes’ understanding of the importance and pace of the portal in 2023. We have some big holes, and he doesn’t want a rebuilding year anymore than the fans do. We’re in on some bigger names, earlier. I also know, that he sat down and talked to each 23 senior Monday. The two with an open door have short windows to decide. We won’t be waiting til the end of May like last year. Hopefully all of this will allow us to make some swift, high value decisions.
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2 with open doors? Vescovi I can see. I'm guessing the other is JJJ, but as much as I appreciate his time here, I really hope he decides to move on.
 
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#162
#162
CAVPUT said:
2 with open doors? Vescovi I can see. I'm guessing the other is JJJ, but as much as I appreciate his time here, I really hope he decides to move on.
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I would say those 2 as well. Santi is obvious, but JJJ still is an all around asset for the program if he wants to stick around.
 
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#163
#163
Yeiser10 said:
I would say those 2 as well. Santi is obvious, but JJJ still is an all around asset for the program if he wants to stick around.
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My problem with that is his position on the team. He's one of the defacto leaders. You get a 4th or 5th year guy who's looked at as your leader and he no shows at the rate JJJ does and it's a problem IMO. Yeah, I recognize injuries have been an issue, but nothing I've seen leads me to believe that's going to change. Some guys are just injury prone. I feel the same about ON. As for Plavi, he's a big body with very limited skills. 5 fouls and not much more on most nights. I'm beating a dead horse, but it's just time for both UT and this particular class to just move on and get on with things. Vescovi being the lone exception in my book.
 
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#164
#164
Stoerner Fumbles said:
Last year we cultivated interest in players over months, vetted them over weeks, and bet heavily that we’d get the right guys. Collins didn’t come, Key didn’t yield what we hoped for, and several guys who expressed interest moved on because we weren’t nimble enough. I don’t think BTO or I think it’s a high likelihood that Love comes here, but it is a clear sign we’ve flipped the funnel, and are shooting first, then aiming. Barnes will still vet players. Players will understand what’s expected and how they might fit. That won’t change. What is changing (hopefully) is Barnes’ understanding of the importance and pace of the portal in 2023. We have some big holes, and he doesn’t want a rebuilding year anymore than the fans do. We’re in on some bigger names, earlier. I also know, that he sat down and talked to each 23 senior Monday. The two with an open door have short windows to decide. We won’t be waiting til the end of May like last year. Hopefully all of this will allow us to make some swift, high value decisions.
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Do you have any insight on the NIL resources available for potential portal targets?
 
#167
#167
Stoerner Fumbles said:
Last year we cultivated interest in players over months, vetted them over weeks, and bet heavily that we’d get the right guys. Collins didn’t come, Key didn’t yield what we hoped for, and several guys who expressed interest moved on because we weren’t nimble enough. I don’t think BTO or I think it’s a high likelihood that Love comes here, but it is a clear sign we’ve flipped the funnel, and are shooting first, then aiming. Barnes will still vet players. Players will understand what’s expected and how they might fit. That won’t change. What is changing (hopefully) is Barnes’ understanding of the importance and pace of the portal in 2023. We have some big holes, and he doesn’t want a rebuilding year anymore than the fans do. We’re in on some bigger names, earlier. I also know, that he sat down and talked to each 23 senior Monday. The two with an open door have short windows to decide. We won’t be waiting til the end of May like last year. Hopefully all of this will allow us to make some swift, high value decisions.
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Honestly, this is all very exciting news. Barnes’ portal usage has been suspect at best as we all know. The idea of taking swift action and being more aggressive is exciting. It also is a nice kind of palate cleanser for the fans to get to see some fairly quick movement on roster construction for next year. I’m very excited for what hopefully will be a fun April, which is typically a dry month for basketball news around here.

Can’t wait to see ultimately what we do. I’m encouraged that Barnes also understands we need to fill holes because he doesn’t want a rebuilding year, which is what we’ll get if we don’t bring in some production. Thanks for all the info! This is good news to read.
 
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#168
#168
Stoerner Fumbles said:
Last year we cultivated interest in players over months, vetted them over weeks, and bet heavily that we’d get the right guys. Collins didn’t come, Key didn’t yield what we hoped for, and several guys who expressed interest moved on because we weren’t nimble enough. I don’t think BTO or I think it’s a high likelihood that Love comes here, but it is a clear sign we’ve flipped the funnel, and are shooting first, then aiming. Barnes will still vet players. Players will understand what’s expected and how they might fit. That won’t change. What is changing (hopefully) is Barnes’ understanding of the importance and pace of the portal in 2023. We have some big holes, and he doesn’t want a rebuilding year anymore than the fans do. We’re in on some bigger names, earlier. I also know, that he sat down and talked to each 23 senior Monday. The two with an open door have short windows to decide. We won’t be waiting til the end of May like last year. Hopefully all of this will allow us to make some swift, high value decisions.
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Who is the two ‘23 Seniors that have a window? Santiago and Josiah?
 
#169
#169
I believe Barnes knows what he is doing by offering them an open door to return ... and I like that we are going after the Queens that are out on the board and trying to bring them into the fold earlier.
Barnes is still learning ... can't wait to see who he brings in and who his new coach is going to be.
 
#172
#172
Yes. He said two of the 4 eligible seniors (not key) have a window to return. Was asking who those two were. Santiago I would say is obvious but the second one has to be between JJJ/ON.
 
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#173
#173
therickbol said:
The implication is that only 2 of them have an invitation to come back. Believe that was what he was asking. Which 2? We assume it is Santi and JJJ.
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This. I'd imagine there's an outside chance that the 2nd is Nkamhoua as he fits our immediate need more than JJJ, but I wouldn't bet on it. I think Barnes is pretty much over him...like most fans...and his inconsistencies, questionable effort, and lack of desire many nights.
 
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#175
#175
cncchris33 said:
This. I'd imagine there's an outside chance that the 2nd is Nkamhoua as he fits our immediate need more than JJJ, but I wouldn't bet on it. I think Barnes is pretty much over him...like most fans...and his inconsistencies, questionable effort, and lack of desire many nights.
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He's also a bit of a victim player. Him and Uros both always seem to have a reply to any sort of coaching they get during games from teammates or staff.
 
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