Transfer Portal Thread

[bleedingTNorange]

Wish EJ the best, as a reminder, this does not free up any additional spots.

 

[TheMookieMonster]

I feel bad for EJ. He really wanted to be a Vol, but he just couldn't ever put the pieces together to find a way onto the court. This is honestly a bit surprising, since his scholly doesn't count, but I guess he wants to find a place to play his last year rather than just be a practice squad player.

Hope he lands on his feet somewhere and finds great success. Good luck, EJ. Thanks for wearing the orange and white.

 

[wisvol22]

Per VQ...

Tennessee is in it for Kessler, Powell coming here was big and Tennessee is a bigger factor than many thought they’d be, they are in it.

Gurley isn’t a guy Tennessee would turn away, but the staff just isn’t all in on him as they see see other pieces out there they like more.

N’faly Dante has been a rumored name quite a bit, one hiccup is that he’s rehabbing an ACL and announcing a transfer with months to go at Oregon could provide awkward in the training room.

Glad to see we're back in it with Kessler.

Gurley would be nice to have, but can maybe see why the staff isn't over the moon with him. I think he would be a nice stretch four and there's some other big programs after him, but at the same time, Barttorvik has him as Furman's third best offensive player at least in terms of analytics, despite averaging nearly 16 a game.

I think the fact VQ mentioned Dante's name and a "timeline" without him being in the portal yet has to be pretty promising for us.

 

[Volfanatic_20]

Wish EJ the best, as a reminder, this does not free up any additional spots.

Walker still gone? Rob has been adamant that one more transfer was coming didn't think it would be EJ.

 

[Willy14]

Walker still gone? Rob has been adamant that one more transfer was coming didn't think it would be EJ.

This is what I'm wondering as well. If Walker was a foregone conclusion to transfer, then I figured he would have already done it by now to start gaining attention from schools. Not saying he isn't going to transfer, but kinda odd imo

 

[Volfanatic_20]

This is what I'm wondering as well. If Walker was a foregone conclusion to transfer, then I figured he would have already done it by now to start gaining attention from schools. Not saying he isn't going to transfer, but kinda odd imo

I still think he is gone. Too much smoke for him not too. I think Tennessee is helping facilitate a move behind the scenes.

 

[cncchris33]

I guess it depends on staff evaluations, if they truly feel Gardner is too short to play the 5 and Gurley isn’t strong enough to play the 4/5 in their system then I get it. They seem to be being selective and that’s not a bad thing, but they better hit...by my count there’s 4 spots left, if we are of the assumption they’re taking Tamba regardless that makes 3 spots, I assume they’ll hold 1 for BHH so that’s 2 spots.

I’m curious if they’d take Aidoo, a transfer big and still pursue BHH, I would but not sure what they’ll do.

I think the frustrating issue is their insistence to run the offense thru the post, but then in turn being ridiculously picky about who they bring in, especially in light of the dead weight we have/have had at that position, recently.

My fear is that they are going to be left at the altar by their preferred choices with little to no contingency plan. It seems like they are turning down or are indifferent to talented post players who don’t fit their exact mold for their preferred offensive system because they don’t want to budge on their philosophy. It would seem like matching talent to a slight shift in philosophy is more doable than matching philosophy with ideal personnel.

I’m fine with their opposition to Gardner if they see some size and athleticism concerns similar to those they faced with Anosike, but, to me, Noah Gurley looks a lot like Herb Jones from Bama. If they can’t find a way to utilize a guy like that, then that’s a problem for me.

 

[RyanWalkerPGH]

I think the frustrating issue is their insistence to run the offense thru the post, but then in turn being ridiculously picky about who they bring in, especially in light of the dead weight we have/have had at that position, recently.

My fear is that they are going to be left at the altar by their preferred choices with little to no contingency plan. It seems like they are turning down or are indifferent to talented post players who don’t fit their exact mold for their preferred offensive system because they don’t want to budge on their philosophy. It would seem like matching talent to a slight shift in philosophy is more doable than matching philosophy with ideal personnel.

I’m fine with their opposition to Gardner if they see some size and athleticism concerns similar to those they faced with Anosike, but, to me, Noah Gurley looks a lot like Herb Jones from Bama. If they can’t find a way to utilize a guy like that, then that’s a problem for me.

I agree. It's a real head scratcher. I really hope we don't have to rely solely on a bunch of reclass freshman.

 

[TheMookieMonster]

Yeah, the post situation is definitely concerning. Outside of Fulky’s return, no one on the current roster inspires confidence that they could be solid contributors for next year.

Tamba and Aidoo could be great one day, but both are work-in-progress and not impact players for next year. We’re putting a lot of faith in BHH and Kessler to choose us, which feels like a long shot.

 

[TrippieRedd]

Yeah, the post situation is definitely concerning. Outside of Fulky’s return, no one on the current roster inspires confidence that they could be solid contributors for next year.

Tamba and Aidoo could be great one day, but both are work-in-progress and not impact players for next year. We’re putting a lot of faith in BHH and Kessler to choose us, which feels like a long shot.

I personally think Aidoo could play a lot next year.

If we finish with Tamba, BHH, and if we get lucky to add Aidoo then I think Fulky, BHH, and Aidoo all play a lot next year. I can see him getting 10-15 mins depending on the night.

 

[LittleCat]

He's "officially" signing w an agent, so he gone. LSU has a C from Memphis in this class but not sure he's going to be an SEC-ready C. Makes sense for Gardner. Especially if they sweeten the pot

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think a player can hire an agent and still return. Agent has to be approved send player has certain deadline to withdraw name.

I read that somewhere and could be wrong

 

[ClasslessVol]

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think a player can hire an agent and still return. Agent has to be approved send player has certain deadline to withdraw name.

I read that somewhere and could be wrong

I think you can

 

[Dallasbowlin]

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think a player can hire an agent and still return. Agent has to be approved send player has certain deadline to withdraw name.

I read that somewhere and could be wrong

Correct.

 

[cncchris33]

I personally think Aidoo could play a lot next year.

If we finish with Tamba, BHH, and if we get lucky to add Aidoo then I think Fulky, BHH, and Aidoo all play a lot next year. I can see him getting 10-15 mins depending on the night.

Aidoo could play a lot next year, but in the sense that Kyle Alexander did his freshman year. As with KA, it probably isn’t in his best interest, but he at least has some size and might be forced into action. Gotta land him first, though.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

I think the frustrating issue is their insistence to run the offense thru the post, but then in turn being ridiculously picky about who they bring in, especially in light of the dead weight we have/have had at that position, recently.

My fear is that they are going to be left at the altar by their preferred choices with little to no contingency plan. It seems like they are turning down or are indifferent to talented post players who don’t fit their exact mold for their preferred offensive system because they don’t want to budge on their philosophy. It would seem like matching talent to a slight shift in philosophy is more doable than matching philosophy with ideal personnel.

I’m fine with their opposition to Gardner if they see some size and athleticism concerns similar to those they faced with Anosike, but, to me, Noah Gurley looks a lot like Herb Jones from Bama. If they can’t find a way to utilize a guy like that, then that’s a problem for me.

Like I’ve said, maybe we wait and see...if they are left with what currently is returning in the front court then yes, lots of criticism is deserved. It’s hard for me to criticize them not taking someone right now though when don’t know who they are going to take. Would you rather have taken Gardner & Gurley and be out for Aidoo & Kessler? Not saying those names specifically as how it plays out, but I’m guessing the staff has a pretty good idea of how things look moving forward and if they thought they needed to be desperate and add some right now they would.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

Yeah, the post situation is definitely concerning. Outside of Fulky’s return, no one on the current roster inspires confidence that they could be solid contributors for next year.

Tamba and Aidoo could be great one day, but both are work-in-progress and not impact players for next year. We’re putting a lot of faith in BHH and Kessler to choose us, which feels like a long shot.

I mean Aidoo is pushing for a 5th star, most people expect those guys to chip in Day 1.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

Aidoo could play a lot next year, but in the sense that Kyle Alexander did his freshman year. As with KA, it probably isn’t in his best interest, but he at least has some size and might be forced into action. Gotta land him first, though.

Alexander was ranked in the 300’s, Aidoo is pushing for a 5th star, not sure I would label those as similar expectations.

 

[cncchris33]

Alexander was ranked in the 300’s, Aidoo is pushing for a 5th star, not sure I would label those as similar expectations.

Fair to say that Alexander was underrated also as a relatively unknown commodity from Canada who had only played 2 years of basketball, neither of which are really chief to my point.

Aidoo is still quite raw offensively and not the kind of kid we really need to be relying on for 25 mpg, but just like with Alexander, we might not have a choice.

 

[cncchris33]

Like I’ve said, maybe we wait and see...if they are left with what currently is returning in the front court then yes, lots of criticism is deserved. It’s hard for me to criticize them not taking someone right now though when don’t know who they are going to take. Would you rather have taken Gardner & Gurley and be out for Aidoo & Kessler? Not saying those names specifically as how it plays out, but I’m guessing the staff has a pretty good idea of how things look moving forward and if they thought they needed to be desperate and add some right now they would.

I’m fine taking the wait and see approach, but I think it’s fair to speculate based on past practice in the meantime. Otherwise, there is no discussion to be had. Obviously I’d prefer Kessler and Aidoo to any of the bigs we have been mentioned with, but not sure I’d pass on Gurley with nothing but a head full of hope related to WK or JA. The coaches are obviously more intimately knowledgeable than you or I with their chances with those guys, but we have seen several instances of holding out for guys, post players in particular, only to strike out and be left with our hat in our hand and no contingency plan.

 

[Vols8086]

Fair to say that Alexander was underrated also as a relatively unknown commodity from Canada who had only played 2 years of basketball, neither of which are really chief to my point.

Aidoo is still quite raw offensively and not the kind of kid we really need to be relying on for 25 mpg, but just like with Alexander, we might not have a choice.

I think Aidoo could give you a solid 25 mpg, but I don't think you can run an offense through him right now. It's all in how you use him. To be fair there are very few bigs that you can run an offense through and feel good about it. Those guys are super rare.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

Fair to say that Alexander was underrated also as a relatively unknown commodity from Canada who had only played 2 years of basketball, neither of which are really chief to my point.

Aidoo is still quite raw offensively and not the kind of kid we really need to be relying on for 25 mpg, but just like with Alexander, we might not have a choice.

But we wanted to play Keon Johnson, Jaden Springer or potentially BHH big minutes, all guys not too far off from Aidoo’s ranking? People are expecting Mashack to contribute but he’s rated lower than Aidoo, just doesn’t make much sense.

He’s rated similarly to Mark Williams (Duke), Hunter Dickinson (Michigan) and Clifford Omoruyi (Rutgers) who all played 15+mpg for their respective teams.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

I’m fine taking the wait and see approach, but I think it’s fair to speculate based on past practice in the meantime. Otherwise, there is no discussion to be had. Obviously I’d prefer Kessler and Aidoo to any of the bigs we have been mentioned with, but not sure I’d pass on Gurley with nothing but a head full of hope related to WK or JA. The coaches are obviously more intimately knowledgeable than you or I with their chances with those guys, but we have seen several instances of holding out for guys, post players in particular, only to strike out and be left with our hat in our hand and no contingency plan.

Like I said, I’ll criticize away if we go into next year with the current situation in the front court, but there’s quite a few names out there.

Walker Kessler- seems we are Top 3

Jonas Aidoo- if we hire Gainey have to think we are front runner

N’faly Dante- if he enters the portal as expected most think we will be the team to beat

BHH- most believe we are the current leader

Tamba- expected to commit and reclassify


Landing 1 of those guys (non Tamba) changes the dynamic quite a bit in the post, and there could still be more names.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

I think Aidoo could give you a solid 25 mpg, but I don't think you can run an offense through him right now. It's all in how you use him. To be fair there are very few bigs that you can run an offense through and feel good about it. Those guys are super rare.

Yea, I think he’d bring rebounding and rim protection and you’d see Fulk at the 4 some.

 

[larjoranj]

Aidoo looks like a better offensive player right now than Alexander - to me. Shoots the 3, handles the ball. He looks almost ambidextrous inside 8 feet. Shoots the 3 right handed but finishes a lot inside 8 feet with his left hand. And he chooses to block a lot of shots left handed.

 

[CAVPUT]

I've seen mention that Kessler wants to go somewhere and be able to work outside to improve his shooting. That makes me wonder about his fit here. Aren't we looking for someone to mix it up in the paint? Seems like a square peg/round hole type situation to me if true.