bleedingTNorange
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It's a bigger named school than any offer you hold, no? I would guarantee if Clemson offered you in basketball you'd be singing from the rooftop, yet this kid works hard which according to you is all it takes to make the NBA, and you wanna downplay his near 20 D1 offers? Not jealous are you?
As far as Clemson being a big name, whether you want to admit this or not, which I already know you won't, Tennessee's history is not all that much better.
Agree to disagree on Tennessee/Clemson.
Both have one Elite 8. After that Tennessee nearly doubles them up. 7-4 on Sweet 16s. 20 to 11 on NCAAs. AND if you compare recent history, Clemson hasn't been in the S16 since 97. Tennessee has been there 5 times since then. Tennessee is a much better BB program than Clemson.
Better yes, and I said so upfront, much better, I disagree. Add in the offer from Georgia today and it's pretty clear that HM coaches believe much more highly of him than you do, same as Grant Williams. I'm gonna guess that these 2 offers in the last 2 days also won't be his last offers from HM, so further evidence I'm sure will become available.
I'll admit a Clemson offer impresses me more than Georgia. Will be interesting to see with whom the young man actually signs.
Those are both tworking programs which Tennessee should always keep in the rear view mirror.
In the SEC, Tennessee should be recruiting against UF, LSU, Auburn (now that Pearl is there) and - occasionally - UK. MSU comes and goes.
I absolutely think certain players that's ok to do, you don't do it with a dime a dozen kid, but 6'9" athletic guys who can handle the ball don't grow on trees. There are plenty of examples around the college game where guys are brought in and are developed, not given big rolls in year 1 & year 2, but by year 3&4 are leaned on pretty heavily. Regardless, seems like there's not much room for people to question his talent as that's how 2 power 5 offers in as many days, already looks better than the bigs Tyndall brought in.
You absolutely NEVER should recruit a player you hope develops into a number 6-7 guy for you as a senior.
You are going to miss on kids plenty and have to work like crazy to develop them into that role but you darn sure don't recruit guys knowing that is their ceiling.
I absolutely think certain players that's ok to do, you don't do it with a dime a dozen kid, but 6'9" athletic guys who can handle the ball don't grow on trees.
Again, if Fulkerson is the lowest rated recruit in a 5-7 man class I've got zero issue, if he's the headliner I'll be the first one complaining, that's been my stance since day 1. You look at the 5-7 man classes other SEC/ACC/Big 12 etc teams sign, and there typically is 1-2 guys at least who may be guys lower rated but the staff likes their long term potential....Kyle Alexander was one just this last class, no?
I don't think so, that would mean he's going to sign him guys he hasn't offered/evakuated/invited to campus/or watched in July, doesn't seem likely to me. When you look at the board I think the Vols are favorites for Bone/Williams/Fulkerson...and are very real players for Wright/Jenkins/Bkackwell/Ekiyor/Fernando/Okogie/Cameron...so I think they definitely can land those first 3 and 2-3 off that next list.
Jenkins likely is the kry to this class. I ran the 247 calculator and a class of Bone, Williams and Fulkeson leaves you outside the usual scoring range for top 50. Adding Jenkins gets you around mid-30s. Not great, but at least middle of the pack SEC, instead of bringing up the rear.
Expectations like this are likely going to fall short at Tennessee under any coach.Agree. It's been a little surprising. I just assumed he would only go after 4 star, and higher rated 3 stars.
Expectations like this are likely going to fall short at Tennessee under any coach.
That's why IMO having a coach that is an on the court developer of talent, a true X/O strong coach is of the upmost importance. We simply don't have a coach with that reputation and that's why I am very worried
I'm sorry to bring his name up, but Bruce successfully recruited highly rated recruits with a mix of lower rated players. It worked out. So, I know it can be done here.
Expectations like this are likely going to fall short at Tennessee under any coach.
That's why IMO having a coach that is an on the court developer of talent, a true X/O strong coach is of the upmost importance. We simply don't have a coach with that reputation and that's why I am very worried
I'm not saying Barnes is an x's and o's god or anything, but you don't have the success he has had over several programs he has coached by being a bad floor coach. Especially at Providence and Clemson. He didn't inherit a great situation at Texas either, he built the program from the ground up. Barnes is a good recruiter and will get players here but I'm not sure what people's expectations for this class were? The Tennessee basketball program isn't at place right now where top rated players are knocking down the door to play here. I predict he will sign a good class for 2016, I also predict we do better than expected this season and the 2017 class we sign will be really good. My final prediction is that if he signs here Fulkerson will become a fan favorite.
