Vol Tidbits

[hvwarrior58]

It seems as if our search for a new assistant is gonna last a little while longer. Rod Barnes was hired by Oklahoma earlier today. Damon Archibald has been dropped, per Brent Hubbs, and Charlton Young withdrew his name from consideration.

Harrison Smith made his 2nd trip to the UTK campus this week earlier today. He visited Coach Cutcliffe a few days ago and visited Coach Chavis today. We look to be in good shape for him.

As noted on another post, it seems as if Anthony Passley will be reinstated, barring his trial. My main question now, is would we rather take Cameron Tatum or Manny Harris in this next class?

 

[hatvol96]

It seems as if our search for a new assistant is gonna last a little while longer. Rod Barnes was hired by Oklahoma earlier today. Damon Archibald has been dropped, per Brent Hubbs, and Charlton Young withdrew his name from consideration.

Harrison Smith made his 2nd trip to the UTK campus this week earlier today. He visited Coach Cutcliffe a few days ago and visited Coach Chavis today. We look to be in good shape for him.

As noted on another post, it seems as if Anthony Passley will be reinstated, barring his trial. My main question now, is would we rather take Cameron Tatum or Manny Harris in this next class?

Archibald is radioactive, due to the problems at Iowa State. I still wish Coach Pearl would take a look at Jay Spoonhour. I would go with Tatum. When talent is close, go with the guy who seems most excited about playing in your program.

 

[hvwarrior58]

Yeah, but it is more about talent. I think Tatum would be a better fit. We will really need some shooting and he definitely has that. Harris isn't as good a shooter, but a better leader. Both are awesome on defense but I would say Tatum is more athletic. Another thing to note is that if Ramar has to go to prep school, we may be more inclined to go after Harris so we lock up Ramar again. We will have a 3 with Passley back and another potential 3 with Johnson. Tatum is a 2/3 and Harris is a 1/2/3. Tatum is more of a 3 and Harris is more of a 1. We will have Tabb, Ramar, Howell, and Johnson for the 1 and Johnson and Passley for the 3. I'd put my money on Tatum. I suppose there is the chance that we take Harris and Tatum if we don't land Hickson, but I don't like taking 5 guards in 2 classes. Especially since we only lose 2. I'd take Barnes or Sanchez, but Hickson is far ahead of both.

I think Bruce is looking for a coach with good ties to Memphis and can help the defensive end.

 

[hatvol96]

Yeah, but it is more about talent. I think Tatum would be a better fit. We will really need some shooting and he definitely has that. Harris isn't as good a shooter, but a better leader. Both are awesome on defense but I would say Tatum is more athletic. Another thing to note is that if Ramar has to go to prep school, we may be more inclined to go after Harris so we lock up Ramar again. We will have a 3 with Passley back and another potential 3 with Johnson. Tatum is a 2/3 and Harris is a 1/2/3. Tatum is more of a 3 and Harris is more of a 1. We will have Tabb, Ramar, Howell, and Johnson for the 1 and Johnson and Passley for the 3. I'd put my money on Tatum. I suppose there is the chance that we take Harris and Tatum if we don't land Hickson, but I don't like taking 5 guards in 2 classes. Especially since we only lose 2. I'd take Barnes or Sanchez, but Hickson is far ahead of both.

I think Bruce is looking for a coach with good ties to Memphis and can help the defensive end.

If that's what he wants, I'm pretty sure Nolan Richardson isn't busy.

 

[hvwarrior58]

That is just what I'm suspecting. We lost a big recruiter with Memphis ties. He has said he wants other ideas to come in. What do you think he is looking for?

 

[hatvol96]

That is just what I'm suspecting. We lost a big recruiter with Memphis ties. He has said he wants other ideas to come in. What do you think he is looking for?

I think you're on the right track. However, there are only so many guys who fit that bill. If he doesn't see someone with stong Memphis ties, I think he'll throw it wide open geographically.

 

[hvwarrior58]

It'd be nice to get some ties to Chicago or Cincy. We already have good ties to Detroit. I think we need ties to Chi, Cin, Det, and Mem. If you can cherry pick those 4 cities, you don't have to have ties to other areas.

 

[hatvol96]

It'd be nice to get some ties to Chicago or Cincy. We already have good ties to Detroit. I think we need ties to Chi, Cin, Det, and Mem. If you can cherry pick those 4 cities, you don't have to have ties to other areas.

Given how beloved Jimmy Collins is in Chicago, I don't think Pearl will ever be able to get much out of that city. As long as X and UC have competent coaches, which they both do, it's going to be tough to do much damage in the Queen City. Once you factor in Huggs, that's three programs with a built in advantage recruiting any kid from the city. I'm not sure I wouldn't look for an NYC or Philly guy.

 

[hvwarrior58]

That is true. Cincy and Chitown are likely out of the question. We have ties to one big city and could make the argument that we have ties to Memphis as well. Philly or NY would be nice. Who is available with ties to either/both of those cities?

 

[hatvol96]

That is true. Cincy and Chitown are likely out of the question. We have ties to one big city and could make the argument that we have ties to Memphis as well. Philly or NY would be nice. Who is available with ties to either/both of those cities?

Anyone on Pitt's staff would be a target. Barry Rohressen, the best of their NYC recruiters, just took the Manhattan job, but that whole staff does a good job. I'm not sure if Sidney Green followed Mike Davis to UAB or not. He was a high school legend in NYC and played for the Knicks. I would think if given the opportunity, he could do some damage there. As far as Philly, I'm not sure who Fran Dunphy kept from Coach Chaney's staff. If he didn't keep Mark Macon, that would be a good hire.

A city that produces some good players is St. Louis. That's one reason I like the idea of Jay Spoonhour so much.

 

[hvwarrior58]

Well, no matter what, we need a lockdown recruiter with ties to a major basketball city. Maybe we could land an assistant with ties to Portland and land Kevin Love.

 

[hatvol96]

Well, no matter what, we need a lockdown recruiter with ties to a major basketball city. Maybe we could land an assistant with ties to Portland and land Kevin Love.

I keep hearing he's a lock for UCLA.

 

[hvwarrior58]

I've heard hes big on the ACC, specifically Duke and UNC.

 

[hatvol96]

I've heard hes big on the ACC, specifically Duke and UNC.

I know USC is doing all they can to get in the race.

 

[hvwarrior58]

I'd say alot of teams are trying to land him. It's not every day that you find an athletic 6'9" post that is a great passer, can knock 3s down like a guard, and can muscle inside.

 

[hvwarrior58]

How do you feel about the conference for this coming year? I could put the teams into either 3 tiers or 4 tiers at this point:
4 Tier
-1s
Bama
UF
UT
-2s
LSU
Arky
UK
-3s
MSU
UGA
USC
-4s
Aubby
OM
VU

3 Tier
-1s
Bama
UF
UT
LSU
-2s
Arky(Borderline 1)
UK(Borderline 1)
MSU
UGA
-3s
USC(Borderline 2)
Aubby
OM
VU

-Bama is simply loaded. I don't know of any weaknesses they have.
-UF is the defending NCs and only lost a benchplayer while landing a couple good recruits.
-We lost a few key players but landed a top 5 class, have a year under Pearl's system and conditioning, and Passley and Harris are eligible as well.
-LSU lost a couple key players, but get Minor back and that transfer is eligible.
-Arky only lost Modica who was a big shooter, but gained a big shooter in Beverly and an athletic swing in Weems.
-UK lost a few key players, but landed a solid class and they are UK.
-MSU has a boatload of young talent(mostly from TN). Very dangerous team if put together.
-UGA was extremely young last year and showed flashes.
-AU is a tweener. They were young, but not very talented.
-OM is breaking in a new coach and is basically a one player team.
-VU is going to spiral for a while. They lost some players and didn't really bring anyone new in.

I, honestly, think this is the best conference for the coming year. The Big East was killed this year by players moving on, as was the ACC. I think the Big East, ACC, Big 10, and Big 12 will all be solid, but not near as tough as the SEC.

 

[hatvol96]

How do you feel about the conference for this coming year? I could put the teams into either 3 tiers or 4 tiers at this point:
4 Tier
-1s
Bama
UF
UT
-2s
LSU
Arky
UK
-3s
MSU
UGA
USC
-4s
Aubby
OM
VU

3 Tier
-1s
Bama
UF
UT
LSU
-2s
Arky(Borderline 1)
UK(Borderline 1)
MSU
UGA
-3s
USC(Borderline 2)
Aubby
OM
VU

-Bama is simply loaded. I don't know of any weaknesses they have.
-UF is the defending NCs and only lost a benchplayer while landing a couple good recruits.
-We lost a few key players but landed a top 5 class, have a year under Pearl's system and conditioning, and Passley and Harris are eligible as well.
-LSU lost a couple key players, but get Minor back and that transfer is eligible.
-Arky only lost Modica who was a big shooter, but gained a big shooter in Beverly and an athletic swing in Weems.
-UK lost a few key players, but landed a solid class and they are UK.
-MSU has a boatload of young talent(mostly from TN). Very dangerous team if put together.
-UGA was extremely young last year and showed flashes.
-AU is a tweener. They were young, but not very talented.
-OM is breaking in a new coach and is basically a one player team.
-VU is going to spiral for a while. They lost some players and didn't really bring anyone new in.

I, honestly, think this is the best conference for the coming year. The Big East was killed this year by players moving on, as was the ACC. I think the Big East, ACC, Big 10, and Big 12 will all be solid, but not near as tough as the SEC.

LSU will be better than people think, especially if they get Scottie Reynolds. Georgia will have a breakthrough year. Ole Miss will be better than expected because of the upgrade in coaching. Mississippi State will take a big step forward.

 

[hvwarrior58]

I think LSU will be good, but not as good as last year. Lazare and Rolle will be good in taking over for the loss of TT. I don't think they get Reynolds though since they didn't get Arthur. I think UGA will do good, but it'll be hard to breakthrough since they are in such a tough conference next year. We'll see about Ole Miss. MSU could shock some teams.