Tennessee Vols Basketball Recruiting

[johnfnkelly]

Damn, Osun Osunniyi is a beast.

6'10 lob threat that protects the rim with relative ease and runs the floor. How did he go so under the radar as a recruit?

Aidoo coming off the bench and we'd be a nightmare defensively.

 

[TrippieRedd]

I think there is a big difference though in being "easily the best lineup in the SEC" and "not being worried" about any team. I think it's a solid lineup, and I wouldn't be "worried" by any means, but if that is our starting 5 it means Phillips went to Auburn (most likely) and if that is the case I don't think that starting 5 for Tennessee is even Top 4.

Kentucky
Arkansas
Auburn
Alabama

Those teams likely field a better starting 5 on paper in this scenario. Doesn't mean we finished 5th in the SEC, but I don't think we'd be even close to having the best lineup.

UK and Arky are the only two

 

[TheMookieMonster]

UK and Arky are the only two

We’ll have to agree to disagree. Auburn would have a better lineup than us in this scenario. Doesn’t mean we couldn’t win or finish higher than them in the standings, but Auburn would be LOADED. Alabama also returns a lot, brings in a great recruiting class, and could still get JD Davidson back.

 

[TrippieRedd]

We’ll have to agree to disagree. Auburn would have a better lineup than us in this scenario. Doesn’t mean we couldn’t win or finish higher than them in the standings, but Auburn would be LOADED. Alabama also returns a lot, brings in a great recruiting class, and could still get JD Davidson back.

Auburn? lol

Jasper/Green vs. Potentially Lofton/ZZ
Vescovi vs. KD Johnson
JJJ vs. Julian Phillips
ORN vs. Traore
Osunniyi vs Broome


Assuming Phillips ends up at Auburn. Where are they better? I have a better idea though, let's get those guys and Phillips, make it
Lofton
Covi
JJJ
Phillips
Osunniyi

 

[TheMookieMonster]

Auburn? lol

Jasper/Green vs. Potentially Lofton/ZZ
Vescovi vs. KD Johnson
JJJ vs. Julian Phillips
ORN vs. Traore
Osunniyi vs Broome

where are you worried?

Are you trying to imply that Auburn lineup isn't really good? I think we like to laugh at Green/Johnson for struggling down the stretch, which is fair, but forget just how good those guys were for Auburn in the first 20 games that got them to #1 in the country. Traore/Broome is a starting 4/5 I'd take over ORN/Osunniyi 10 times out of 10. JJJ is obviously better than Phillips right now, but who knows how good Phillips can be by the end of the season.

Again, we can agree to disagree, but your original point was we easily would have the best starting 5 in the SEC, you walked it back and admitted Arky/UK would have a better lineup, so the best case scenario here would be the 3rd best lineup, but even that is up for debate.

 

[VolFreakJosh]

Are you trying to imply that Auburn lineup isn't really good? I think we like to laugh at Green/Johnson for struggling down the stretch, which is fair, but forget just how good those guys were for Auburn in the first 20 games that got them to #1 in the country. Traore/Broome is a starting 4/5 I'd take over ORN/Osunniyi 10 times out of 10. JJJ is obviously better than Phillips right now, but who knows how good Phillips can be by the end of the season.

Again, we can agree to disagree, but your original point was we easily would have the best starting 5 in the SEC, you walked it back and admitted Arky/UK would have a better lineup, so the best case scenario here would be the 3rd best lineup, but even that is up for debate.

Meh.

Pearl will give his guards too much control and will cost them a run at the Final Four like the Jabari Smith team.

 

[TrippieRedd]

Are you trying to imply that Auburn lineup isn't really good? I think we like to laugh at Green/Johnson for struggling down the stretch, which is fair, but forget just how good those guys were for Auburn in the first 20 games that got them to #1 in the country. Traore/Broome is a starting 4/5 I'd take over ORN/Osunniyi 10 times out of 10. JJJ is obviously better than Phillips right now, but who knows how good Phillips can be by the end of the season.

Again, we can agree to disagree, but your original point was we easily would have the best starting 5 in the SEC, you walked it back and admitted Arky/UK would have a better lineup, so the best case scenario here would be the 3rd best lineup, but even that is up for debate.

You assumed by me saying "Arky and UK are the only two" you thought I implied they were better, no those are the only two I'd be worried about.

Again, it's not like it matters anyways, that won't be our lineup. Excited to see who we finish with

Like you said, agree to disagree.

 

[TheMookieMonster]

I really like Lofton and Osun. I just don’t think landing them catapults us to best lineup in all of the SEC.

 

[johnfnkelly]

Not really scared of Auburn. Their guards are mediocre. Traore should be solid but he'll just be a freshman and he's not a Jabari level prospect by any means. They also won't have a 7'1 behemoth down low either.

Uk should be pretty good if Toppin returns and Wallace is the real deal.

Arky's success next season is really dependent on Jaylin Williams returning. With the recent success of Grant Williams and Herb Jones, he might move up the boards a little with his defensive potential, especially with his recent combine invite. Otherwise they'll be heavily reliant on freshmen and transfers.

Bama should be scary if Quinerly returns to form and JD comes back.

 

[ReggieJohnsonFan]

Funny how some on here treat Auburn and UT recruits differently. Pearl got Green from EKU and Broome from Morehead as transfers from OVC. I have a feeling if Barnes brought in these two guys from OVC these same folks would be saying meh. Case in point- nobody on here seems overly excited by Tyreke Key who put up great numbers in the MVC, which is better than the OVC. If Pearl had brought in Key, this board’s reaction would be much different than it has been for him coming to UT, imo.

 

[Caculator]

Arky's success next season is really dependent on Jaylin Williams returning. With the recent success of Grant Williams and Herb Jones, he might move up the boards a little with his defensive potential, especially with his recent combine invite. Otherwise they'll be heavily reliant on freshmen and transfers.

NBA call charges?

 

[VolFreakJosh]

Honestly IMO, Arkansas is a team I’d consider the biggest threat to us in the SEC next year.

Auburn’s offense is hit & miss. They’re either hot one night or their guards shoot them out of the gym.

Oscar will take UK as far as he can get them. Wallace will be a freshman and Wheeler isn’t a good PG. Barnes seems to do very well against Calipari every year.

Bama will be pretty good but like Auburn, depends on how well they’re shooting the three ball.

I don’t see LSU being very good due to distractions with the NCAA.

 

[johnfnkelly]

NBA call charges?

I can't stand him and think he benefits off bs calls, but his defensive IQ is really, really good.

 

[TrippieRedd]

Honestly IMO, Arkansas is a team I’d consider the biggest threat to us in the SEC next year.

Auburn’s offense is hit & miss. They’re either hot one night or their guards shoot them out of the gym.

Oscar will take UK as far as he can get them. Wallace will be a freshman and Wheeler isn’t a good PG. Barnes seems to do very well against Calipari every year.

Bama will be pretty good but like Auburn, depends on how well they’re shooting the three ball.

I don’t see LSU being very good due to distractions with the NCAA.

this

 

[TheMookieMonster]

I feel like I’ve entered the mirror universe. Just a week or two ago the world was ending over our transfers and lack of success in the portal, now we have ultimately the same roster with no additions and there is discussion about how we should be the best in the SEC. This place is so bi-polar I love it.

 

[johnfnkelly]

I feel like I’ve entered the mirror universe. Just a week or two ago the world was ending over our transfers and lack of success in the portal, now we have ultimately the same roster with no additions and there is discussion about how we should be the best in the SEC. This place is so bi-polar I love it.

I believe if we bring in 2 more starting caliber players then we should be pretty good and in contention for an SEC championship. Big if though.

 

[TheMookieMonster]

I believe if we bring in 2 more starting caliber players then we should be pretty good and in contention for an SEC championship. Big if though.

Very big if. Outside of Phillips (who is still a long shot) I feel like I haven’t heard much else about who we’ll add outside of Likekele which doesn’t move the needle for me.

 

[MoCo_Vol]

I feel like I’ve entered the mirror universe. Just a week or two ago the world was ending over our transfers and lack of success in the portal, now we have ultimately the same roster with no additions and there is discussion about how we should be the best in the SEC. This place is so bi-polar I love it.

In both examples people are adding 2 highly desirable transfers to say our roster will be the best in the SEC.

I mean we did just win the SECT and we effectively have lost only two major rotation guys in KC & Fulky, BHH was 9th on the team in MPG and his production isn't going to be hard to replace.

Santi, JJJ, ZZ, ORN all return. Adding BJE and Key and then the continued growth of ZZ at PG should have us looking alright even if we don't land Lofton or another top transfer PG option.

But we all know Barnes will start the season with 12 or 13 on scholarship even if right now it looks bleak.

 

[MoCo_Vol]

I mean who knows...seems like players are still constantly going into the portal.

Josh Minott (former 4/5 star) is in there from Memphis, Bryan Antoine (former 5 star) from Villanova is in there, so who knows. We don't need to land everyone but if we pull 2 or 3 quality guys that can contribute I like our chances. We know Barnes can win with less and we know he can develop talent...

 

[cncchris33]

Meh.

Pearl will give his guards too much control and will cost them a run at the Final Four like the Jabari Smith team.

That's a different discussion though. Just based on pure talent and athleticism, AU has the better starting lineup. How Pearl will deploy them and allow then to play is a coaching issue, not a talent issue.

 

[cncchris33]

Funny how some on here treat Auburn and UT recruits differently. Pearl got Green from EKU and Broome from Morehead as transfers from OVC. I have a feeling if Barnes brought in these two guys from OVC these same folks would be saying meh. Case in point- nobody on here seems overly excited by Tyreke Key who put up great numbers in the MVC, which is better than the OVC. If Pearl had brought in Key, this board’s reaction would be much different than it has been for him coming to UT, imo.

I won't speak for others, but my hesitation with Key is the shoulder injury and lack of athleticism. Green and Broome are both much better athletes and neither sat out the previous season with a shoulder injury.

Anyone who says Key is garbage solely because he came from Indiana State is obviously speaking foolishly. But for those that have genuine concerns about his health and athletic traits, i think they pose fair questions. I'd have those same concerns if he went to Auburn, too.

 

[SGMVols]

Funny how some on here treat Auburn and UT recruits differently. Pearl got Green from EKU and Broome from Morehead as transfers from OVC. I have a feeling if Barnes brought in these two guys from OVC these same folks would be saying meh. Case in point- nobody on here seems overly excited by Tyreke Key who put up great numbers in the MVC, which is better than the OVC. If Pearl had brought in Key, this board’s reaction would be much different than it has been for him coming to UT, imo.

Half the UT basketball fanbase still thinks Pearl invented basketball, for some reason.

 

[Weezer]

Funny how some on here treat Auburn and UT recruits differently. Pearl got Green from EKU and Broome from Morehead as transfers from OVC. I have a feeling if Barnes brought in these two guys from OVC these same folks would be saying meh. Case in point- nobody on here seems overly excited by Tyreke Key who put up great numbers in the MVC, which is better than the OVC. If Pearl had brought in Key, this board’s reaction would be much different than it has been for him coming to UT, imo.

If Barnes had landed Broome I'd be ecstatic.

 

[Weezer]

Very big if. Outside of Phillips (who is still a long shot) I feel like I haven’t heard much else about who we’ll add outside of Likekele which doesn’t move the needle for me.

Feel the same. Likekele does not get me excited in the least. No offense to the young man, but I'm still hoping for better.

 

[brentcontractor]

As you know, as of May 1st, no new players can enter the portal and still be eligible for this next season. So what you see in portal now is only selection for next year other than freshman.