Recruiting Forum Football Talk [RIP 9.3.2019]

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We can all speak honestly and objectively here, right?

As it relates to NBA potential, I don't think Grant leaving now vs. coming back for another year makes a bit of difference. I think he's limited from an athleticism point of you (my first time using it, @InVOLuntary !), and he's not going to get taller. I think he can improve his long-range shot (which he'll need since he won't be able to dominate down low...he doesn't even do that in college). And it's within the realm of possibility he could improve his perimeter defense (although athleticism will limit him there).

What I'm trying to say is that I think Grant is a hell of a college player, and I don't think he'll ever be a lottery pick in the NBA. I hope he proves me wrong. But I simply see him as Tyler Hansbrough-esque.
But Hansborough was a 1st Round Pick. Grant could possibly work himself into the 1st.
 
Hansbrough went 13th overall though...(but I see your point) still a 6-8 year NBA career wouldn't exactly be bad for him.

My thing with Grant (and Bone), you get one chance to be a senior in college basketball and create that legacy. College heroes are legends for life, the NBA and pro basketball fan is far less loyal to players. You manage to win the first SEC tournament in 40 years, or the first EVER Final Four appearance at Tennessee and you'll seriously have cemented yourself in the state as well as college basketball.

the NBA will be there next season, and I don't think their stocks are going to drop much (if at all) returning for another year. If anything both of them coming back could help Admiral's stock two less players to potentially draft in stead of him.
Unless he blows out his knee. Injuries happen, I would love for him to return but by testing the waters he isn't hurting anything. Worse case he goes and plays 5 years or so then comes back to get his degree. If he gets drafted in the first, it's a big deal to be the player he was in high school to becoming a high draft pick and a major selling point for Barnes. If someone called with me to have an opportunity similar to him I would most definitely go and you would too.
 
Outside of Grant wanting a SEC title or a NCAA title, there's isn't much new ground for him to conquer in college basketball. He's got his first team All America and his 2 SEC POYs. I don't see another year allowing him to improve his draft stock that significantly. Like Chuckie (I believe) said above, I do think he could develop his 3 point shot more and score more consistently from mid-range. He could also develop some more moves than his signature spin move. All of these things can also be done at the end of a NBA bench or in the G league for a while. If I'm him, I'm staying in if I get a grade in the top 40. Some of those early second round picks are actually more beneficial to some players because they allow you earlier access to your second contract (see J Rich).

I still think Admiral's game is a much better translation to the NBA than Grant. Admiral's floor is a decent 3 & D guy. Grant's ceiling is likely Domantas Sabonis for the Pacers. He's going to have to rely on his playmaking, post moves, and spreading the floor in order to have a role. He doesn't have the athleticism of Draymond, so I don't think that's his path. I could also see him evolving into a PJ Tucker like player, but he'd really have to improve his defensive abilities. If he was two inches taller, we wouldn't be having this conversation, and he'd be right there in mix for the lottery.
 
But Hansborough was a 1st Round Pick. Grant could possibly work himself into the 1st.
Yeah, I probably worded that wrong...instead of saying I don't think he'll ever be a lottery pick, I should have said I don't think he'll ever produce in the NBA at the rate you would expect from a lottery pick (hence the Hansbrough example...I don't think Hansbrough was worth a #14, or even first-round, pick).

If Grant can go in the first round, that's probably the best choice for him.
 
I don’t think I’m spinning it in any way.

Both things can be true. He really likes it here, appreciated the offer we gave him, etc. but at the end of the day that reads to me like the only true reason he didn’t leave was because the snag on the buyout - which plenty of people were reporting in real time yesterday.
At the end of the day with this whole UCLA/Barnes courtship it will all come down to wins/losses and tournament appearances with advancement. Accomplish that on a regular basis and most of this fan base won't hold this situation against Coach Barnes at all. Mount up some losses and fail to reach further heightened expectations and he's definitely gonna fill the wrath of a good portion of Big Orange Country.
 
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I don’t think I’m spinning it in any way.

Both things can be true. He really likes it here, appreciated the offer we gave him, etc. but at the end of the day that reads to me like the only true reason he didn’t leave was because the snag on the buyout - which plenty of people were reporting in real time yesterday.
well, like i said, i think it was definitley a reason.

i'm not buying it's the ONLY reason. not sure why anyone would.....there are just as many reports that Tennessee's counter was very strong and gave him reason to think about it.

if it was just that one thing...the buyout...then why all the talk about having to think about it and make a decision? that at least infers there were multiple considerations made. Hyams even went on to say in that blog that he had plenty to think about.

none of which would be needed if it was just about the buyout....if it was just that, then you make the deicision like flipping on a light.....no other considerations necessary.
 
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Size/skill combo will be his biggest detriment

He’ll measure at 6’5-6’6” and has very limited ability to create off the dribble or consistently hit an outside shot at the next level

Defense on a 3 in the league will be really tough for him too
Totally agree. That's why i think coming back can help him improve his perimeter defense, 3 pt. shooting, and ball handling. He can be a valuable tool when being guarded by a guard in the post.
 
I’m not the only one who reads it that way.


Jimmy had a direct interview with Barnes. Some things are in quotes, it looks like the others are summaries of the interview.

even in the tag line by ward it says the snag with negotiations AND UT STEPPING UP.......

a reason.

not THE reason.
 
I’m not the only one who reads it that way.


Jimmy had a direct interview with Barnes. Some things are in quotes, it looks like the others are summaries of the interview.


You didn’t say you read it that way or that Jimmy summarized it. You said “Barnes stated” when in fact he did not. That’s very specific and very wrong
 


He's the Athletic's mock draft author.

Sidenote: I think Mick Cronin is a solid coach and was probably the best that UCLA could do under the circumstances. He will win, but he'll win ugly. It worked for Ben Howland until the combination of losing and players steamrolling him in practice got him fired. UCLA is a tough, tough place to stay. Howland went to 3 straight final fours. That's basically unheard of.
 


Said offensively in scrimmage they did some good things....

limited penalities
executed pretty well
Too many snap issues

Need to finish better
need more explosive plays


Defensively...

were more physical
forced more negative plays
pass rush was better

gotta force more turnovers
more consistency starting with better communication


Have had 12 pretty good days looking forward to finishing better


said more consistent in running the football.

In putting in a new system it's been realitively easy for them. You can't tell it's a new system.

Format for Saturday is 1's vs. 1's, 2's vs. 2's. Will play a game.

Will have a running clock. would like to have 60-70 snaps per group. This past SAturday was a 150 snap scrimmage.

on pass rush outside of Taylor...

Pruitt said Kivon Bennett had a good scrimmage Saturday. Moved to DE, plays hard, makes too many mental errors, but the position fits him better.
Hubbs
 
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I don’t think I’m spinning it in any way.

Both things can be true. He really likes it here, appreciated the offer we gave him, etc. but at the end of the day that reads to me like the only true reason he didn’t leave was because the snag on the buyout - which plenty of people were reporting in real time yesterday.

It reads to me like that was the snag that ended negotiations. He might have gotten further with UCLA and still said no, but when that snag couldn't be surmounted and UT's counter was good enough, Barnes made his decision. That doesn't mean he would have gone all the way to the finish line. He might still have had to weigh both offers once they were both at a level he could live with.

It could have been the only sticking point, but it wasn't clear it was the only hurdle for terms to be agreed.

I agree the blog phrases it that way, but there's no Barnes quote where the reader is allowed to come to the same conclusion.
 
Deerpark posted this in The Lady Vols forum regarding the coaching search.......View attachment 201231
Wow! That tells me that everything Pat built officially holds no water anymore. That’s a tough pill to swallow that some of those names wouldn’t even entertain talking to Fulmer about the position.
 
Pruitt on Burrell...

He's a guy with good ball skills and instincts. Needs to get stronger. Comes from a good program. He's a guy who has been able to get his hands on the ball. Has to improve his tackling and get stronger. He can help on special teams. Needs to keep improving every day.
Hubbs
 
I had the same concern/worries about those West Coast candidates early on. Butler's name wasn't one I had thought of, but her sub .600 career win percentage also had her off my personal radar.

I am glad to hear Harper wasn't -the- first and only choice, it's also refreshing to hear she didn't get too upset she wasn't offered on the spot and understood UT wanted to take their time and make the best hire.
 
Is it that what Pat built holds no water or that people don't want to constantly live under the GOATs shadow?

I can respect either staying on your own to make your own legacy or trying to restore greatness.

Let's all hope Harper can succeed at the latter.
 
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