Tennessee Vols Basketball Recruiting

[TheMookieMonster]

Not a surprise, but still something to celebrate!

 

[AngryButchJones]

I think Mookie might pass out if we land Hunter

 

[VolGee4]

All I’ve heard is he came into the portal looking for a 7 figure Nil deal. Tennessee laughed and he was looking at other schools but none offered him what he was looking for so he came back around and we offered him something. Kansas doesn’t have room for him. I think it’s us or Texas leaning towards us.

I have no idea which is correct, but I thought early speculation was that he wasn’t necessarily looking for the best deal. He was looking for more exposure and development for the NBA. Maybe I am confusing other transfers.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

I have no idea which is correct, but I thought early speculation was that he wasn’t necessarily looking for the best deal. He was looking for more exposure and development for the NBA. Maybe I am confusing other transfers.

No that was Hunter, you are correct.

 

[VolGee4]

Speaking of this topic…

How transparent is the Spyre spending? I’m being lazy instead of looking into it. So pardon me for that. I’ll get around to it eventually, but value some of ya’lls knowledge on it too

But before I drop a significant sum of money to something like Spyre, I’d like to know where my money is going.

Typically not the biggest fan of donating to for profit companies

Not sure if @Bruce Wayne comes to the BB forum, but he knows a lot about them, and I believe has personal connections to Spyre. He can answer your questions or at least get you in touch with people who can.

 

[VolGee4]

Maybe we didn’t, but I still find it hard to believe some of these numbers floating around in NIL deals. If I had hundreds of millions of dollars I still wouldn’t give a kid $1million to play for my favorite team. Just seems like a stupid way to part with my money

That is why the UT brand can be powerful, and the AD has been promoting grassroots contributions. We are huge and raised $350k+ for ZZ in 24 hours. If everyone who attended one football game contributes $25, that is $2.5 million. We know there are more out there, and many are willing to donate more than that.

 

[Vol49er]

I have no idea which is correct, but I thought early speculation was that he wasn’t necessarily looking for the best deal. He was looking for more exposure and development for the NBA. Maybe I am confusing other transfers.

Keep in mind the guy you’re quoting has exactly one post, the one you’re quoting. So I’m not gonna put a lot of weight into what he says. It’s probably Guru by a different name

 

[Jordan Bone Enthusiast]

Keep in mind the guy you’re quoting has exactly one post, the one you’re quoting. So I’m not gonna put a lot of weight into what he says. It’s probably Guru by a different name

Honestly been keeping up with recruiting for a couple years just love that aspect of sports. I’m not saying that I know it all was just saying what I’ve read and how I took it all. Everyone has to start commenting at some point.

 

[Stoerner Fumbles]

Hunter did not ask for 1mm, Phillips did not receive 2mm, and Nico didn’t get 8mm. All of these deals are complex deals with lots of contingencies, and non-disclosure agreements. You won’t hear specifics for that reason, among others. Kansas has space for Hunter if he wants to go. Hunter went dark during the Kansas visit, but has spoken to our coaches since then. They do not have an indication of where he will sign. As I said weeks ago, we presented an organized plan for his NIL, and how he would be used in a one PG set and in a set with ZZ on the floor. He is impressed by Barnes’ guard development and our facilities, NIL and strategy to develop him. We were not a contender before his visit, but were in the running prior to Texas visit. He has connections with Texas coaches that go back years when he was recruited at TTU. Kansas is a recruiting machine and Self usually gets what he wants. While it is good that Hunter didn’t commit, recruiting this year rarely leads to kids signing after a visit. It takes days or weeks to work through NIL and other details. As I said, I know our coaches have talked to him in the last two days. They do not have a clear indication of where he will sign. My friend said he would not be surprised if we sign him, but would also not be surprised by Kansas, Texas or Louisville signing him. He also said Hunter said he’s exhausted by the process and wants to wrap it up. If I hear anything specific about where he’ll land, of course I’ll share that.

 

[TheMookieMonster]

Hunter did not ask for 1mm, Phillips did not receive 2mm, and Nico didn’t get 8mm. All of these deals are complex deals with lots of contingencies, and non-disclosure agreements. You won’t hear specifics for that reason, among others. Kansas has space for Hunter if he wants to go. Hunter went dark during the Kansas visit, but has spoken to our coaches since then. They do not have an indication of where he will sign. As I said weeks ago, we presented an organized plan for his NIL, and how he would be used in a one PG set and in a set with ZZ on the floor. He is impressed by Barnes’ guard development and our facilities, NIL and strategy to develop him. We were not a contender before his visit, but were in the running prior to Texas visit. He has connections with Texas coaches that go back years when he was recruited at TTU. Kansas is a recruiting machine and Self usually gets what he wants. While it is good that Hunter didn’t commit, recruiting this year rarely leads to kids signing after a visit. It takes days or weeks to work through NIL and other details. As I said, I know our coaches have talked to him in the last two days. They do not have a clear indication of where he will sign. My friend said he would not be surprised if we sign him, but would also not be surprised by Kansas, Texas or Louisville signing him. He also said Hunter said he’s exhausted by the process and wants to wrap it up. If I hear anything specific about where he’ll land, of course I’ll share that.

Thanks for sharing, SF. It is always greatly appreciated you keeping us in the loop. I will keep my fingers crossed we can close the deal. Only team I would be surprised with him choosing is Louisville. It would just seem out of left field to commit to the ONLY finalist you didn’t visit. We’ll see what happens. Hoping for some good news soon!

 

[Bruce Wayne]

Speaking of this topic…

How transparent is the Spyre spending? I’m being lazy instead of looking into it. So pardon me for that. I’ll get around to it eventually, but value some of ya’lls knowledge on it too

But before I drop a significant sum of money to something like Spyre, I’d like to know where my money is going.

Typically not the biggest fan of donating to for profit companies

I have been fortunate enough to know the guys over there. I’ve been to several of their functions as well. It’s pretty much 90/10 split. Of the money donated 90% goes directly to athletes and 10% goes to salaries, operating costs (typical business expenses but also paying for all the events they do etc). It’s a great group of people running it and I can vouch that none of them are doing this to get rich. They’re just a group of people like us on these boards that want to see Tennessee win, and have a skill set that can help in the NIL world. I’m happy to give you someone over there to speak to directly. I know both the guys that started it and they added a guy from the Tennessee Fund that I knew from Tennessee.

 

[Unconditional Surrender]

Did the NCAA say that collectives are illegal? Is that what Spyre is? Will that get challenged in court?

 

[VolOnthePlains]

Did the NCAA say that collectives are illegal? Is that what Spyre is? Will that get challenged in court?

They spent $35 million plus on legal fees getting their butts handed to them in the courts last year over NIL stuff, they’ll do anything to keep the money flowing to everyone but the kids. But they’ve got no legal grounds.

 

[vol94]

We signed BJE (always were going to), and no one will ever convince me we'd have told Wallace, Mitchell, or Miller there was no room at the inn. So I absolutely believe we'd have signed 3-4. We knew, on some level, that we were losing Chandler, and that certain guys were expendable (Bailey, maybe Plavsic).

And whether that number was 3 or 4, we landed 0. That didn't set well with many people, and justifiably so. Anyone claiming they should be fired for not landing any of those top targets is being dramatic and ridiculous. Anyone who voiced a reasonable level of concern was being cautious and aware.

Well said

 

[vol94]

I think this also is just a solid lesson for us all that with the transfer portal and high school products deciding later than ever now, we will need to be more patient moving forward. But, again, I still don't think it was wrong for people to be a little concerned until they had some actual results to point to.

Agree 100%. Barnes and staff will continue to adjust to portal recruiting and NIL. It’s. Amazing how a roster can turnover in one off season and how convoluted recruiting has become.

 

[CornbreadVol]

Should we expect an announcement from Hunter within the next week?

 

[Voltime123]

Did the NCAA say that collectives are illegal? Is that what Spyre is? Will that get challenged in court?

Collectives are not illegal no, the ncaa basically just reaffirmed a rule they had in place already which said that they can’t contact high school recruits on behalf of schools which spyre doesn’t…they are their own entity outside of the university and the ncaa knows they have no legal ground to stop that act

 

[The Dog]

I saw Hunter ball out LSU, but they were already a disaster with Wade getting fired. So, I didn't really pay attention. I watched his highlights, thanks for posting, @HypeVol2020 .Baller, that can shoot, drive, hit a floater, dunk, steal and dunk. Decent passer, but a lot better defensive player than I thought, which fits Barnes. I was all in, with the freshman and thought ZZZ and BJE could hold down PG. But now, please give UT, Hunter

 

[NighthawkVol]

I don’t believe it either, BUT I personally think Hunter is worth the same, if not more.

Doesn’t Hunter have 3 years left? If so, he’s definitely worth as much as Phillips, given the need at PG and the fact he’s a proven college star.

 

[AngryButchJones]

Doesn’t Hunter have 3 years left? If so, he’s definitely worth as much as Phillips, given the need at PG and the fact he’s a proven college star.

Yeah, he was just a freshman this year. Big 12 Freshman of the Year, too

 

[VolOnthePlains]

Hunter is almost certainly NBA bound after next season, whichever school he plays for next season. It was a little surprising he didn’t go through the draft process this year.

 

[Ericvol2096]

Assuming Santi stays is this current look at the roster?
PG - Zakai/?
SG - Santi/Key/BJ
SF - JJJ/Phillips/Maishak
PF - Nkaumua/Awaka
C -Uros/Aidoo

 

[TheMookieMonster]

Assuming Santi stays is this current look at the roster?
PG - Zakai/?
SG - Santi/Key/BJ
SF - JJJ/Phillips/Maishak
PF - Nkaumua/Awaka
C -Uros/Aidoo

Yeah, as a breakdown by position, sure. But, my minutes it would look different IMO. Oh, and you’re missing Jefferson.

You’re going to ORN play the 5 some and Phillips/JJJ at the 4 during small ball lineups.

 

[Ericvol2096]

Yeah, as a breakdown by position, sure. But, my minutes it would look different IMO. Oh, and you’re missing Jefferson.

You’re going to ORN play the 5 some and Phillips/JJJ at the 4 during small ball lineups.

Where would you slot Jefferson in a traditional lineup? In front of Mashack?

 

[Col_Cathcart]

Where would you slot Jefferson in a traditional lineup? In front of Mashack?

Probably just behind at this point. They play a similar role. I’d bet mashak starts out ahead by virtue of a year in the system and a good offseason but we won’t know until they’re both on campus