Tennessee Vols Basketball Recruiting

[JRVOL11]

i think they should definitely contact Smith, just in case they miss on Hunter

 

[cncchris33]

I think he's just saying in terms of roster spots available, but I could be wrong.

Other than that, they aren't, though

Even still, we have 3 open spots. You could theoretically take Smith, Phillips, and Hunter.

 

[MoCo_Vol]

I think a legitimate case could be made that Smith > Philips, I think expectation could be similar stats wise and the fact you likely get 2 years to 1 for Phillips is also a factor. Not saying I prefer Smith > Phillips just thought it was an interesting point that could be made.

I mean if the plan is Phillips would be essentially a perimeter guard type player even with his size then I could see this as well. But if you can run Phillips as a 4 he might be a better fit for this team next season.


I'm pretty intrigued by Tobe Awaka now though...especially if you can land Smith and Hunter. You'll have 4 guards in this class already adding those two with Key & BJE and Akawa isn't just a skinny 6'8" guy, he's got a Lebron James body it appears.

 

[TheMookieMonster]

I would assume with Smith being an Illinois native, the Illini will be front-runners for his services. It will be interesting to see if we reach out.

 

[vols4lfe]

Smith definitely has the ability to get you a bucket late in pressure situations. Also, isn't short on confidence. Would be a quality pickup. I'd imagine he'd be looking for starter minutes though, and not sure where he'd slide in as he isn't necessarily a pure PG.

 

[TrippieRedd]

Smith is so selfish for not waiting till next year to transfer when Vescovi leaves.

But in all seriousness, ZZ, Smith, Potentially Edwards, ORN, Aidoo would be nice for the following years team

 

[bleedingTNorange]

I would 100% prefer Smith to Phillips, even though Smith isn't a big. Malachi is a straight up baller.

Now, I don't even think UT is going to be linked to him, but man, Malachi is just so fun to watch.

I can tell you with near certainty that about a month ago there was mutual interest (think Yuri), he never entered the portal until now though so not sure if that has changed.

 

[AngryButchJones]

I can tell you with near certainty that about a month ago there was mutual interest (think Yuri), he never entered the portal until now though so not sure if that has changed.

BTO, I don't think you understand how much I would celebrate if UT gets Malachi lol

 

[bleedingTNorange]

How are Smith and Phillips comparable, at all?

I didn’t say they were? The poster I responded too said “Malachi Smith would be a nice option if either Hunter or Phillips falls through.”.

 

[TrippieRedd]

Honestly, I wonder if we could start Smith at the 3 and move JJJ to the 4 most of the time next year

Hunter or another transfer PG
Vescovi
Smith
JJJ
ORN or Aidoo

I kind of like it, imo

 

[CornbreadVol]

Still wondering what this “good news” will entail

 

[TheMookieMonster]

Still wondering what this “good news” will entail

You, me, and the rest of the board. Patience is not one of my virtues lol.

 

[Willy14]

Still wondering what this “good news” will entail

Got me on the edge of my seat wondering when this "good news" will come out. Today? Tomorrow? Next week? June 1st? The suspense is killing me lol

 

[JRVOL11]

Hopefully the message Barnes got was that Auburn didn’t match the offer and that Phillips was coming here lol

 

[Willy14]

Also looking back at the post it is "potential good news" so I'm still being cautious. Don't want to get ahead of myself like I did with Collins

 

[golfballs]

Also looking back at the post it is "potential good news" so I'm still being cautious. Don't want to get ahead of myself like I did with Collins

He saved 15% on his car insurance

 

[germanicus]

Honestly, I wonder if we could start Smith at the 3 and move JJJ to the 4 most of the time next year

Hunter or another transfer PG
Vescovi
Smith
JJJ
ORN or Aidoo

I kind of like it, imo

I still haven’t figured out why they didn’t have JJJ at the 4 most of the time last year.

 

[walkenvol]

I still haven’t figured out why they didn’t have JJJ at the 4 most of the time last year.

Because we sometimes struggled rebounding the ball against bigger teams when we went small

 

[SGMVols]

Smith will probably end up back in the Big 10

 

[Voltime123]

Looking at Malachi Smith’s numbers he doesn’t seem to put up the same type of production against better competition that UTC has faced, so not sure he is any better than Key honestly and Key is pretty good if healthy

 

[AngryButchJones]

Btw, Antonio Reeves transferring to Kentucky. Huge name in the portal.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

BTO, I don't think you understand how much I would celebrate if UT gets Malachi lol

Not saying they are, just that he was a name floated around same time as Yuri, of course we see how that turned out lol.

 

[therickbol]

Has to be Phillips.

Well now wait that is not possible. There have been numerous posters on here that have ASSURED us that Phillips is long gone and we got no shot. It's ALMOST like giving up before a fight is actually over is a bad strategy.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

I still haven’t figured out why they didn’t have JJJ at the 4 most of the time last year.

They did the last half of the year

 

[bleedingTNorange]

Hopefully the message Barnes got was that Auburn didn’t match the offer and that Phillips was coming here lol

I could be wrong but from what I’ve gathered I don’t think it’s in relation specifically to 1 single player, but a new/further willingness to involve Spyre & NIL with recruits which has led to some optimism about how we could fill out this roster.