Recruiting Football Talk VIII

[CABVOL]

Under the pictures of Rick hugging Z and Mashack wanting to win for us and the coach, there were snarky comments from mostly Kentucky fans. I was wondering what would make a fan act like that? Z and Mashack have been through a lot in their lives and turned out to be really upstanding guys. Mashack even won the torchbearer award. They've done everything the right way. They had become extremely close to the coach, who is also a good man who not only creates NBA players but turns them into men with character. They won't brag on themselves but ask DIckie V.

Anyway, I realized that Kentucky only has one sport and it's over. What Our Athletic Director has done for VOLS sports is amazing. Although Rick Barnes will no doubt have to rebuild next year, they made the elite 8 two years in a row. , our Football team made the college football playoffs. We are the defending national champions in Baseball who have only lost two games this year, The softball team just won a series against the National championship winner from last year. Our girls basketball coach went to sweet 16 in her first year and is recruiting amazingly well Hopefully our best stay out of the portal, but still we are definitely on an upward trajectory. Neyland and Lindsay Nelson are going through remodels.. and this doesn't even start to talk about the other sports-- swimming, hocky etc. etc. etc.

It's great to be a Tennessee Vol.

Not only is basketball all they really have to root for, MANY of them have only UK basketball to identify with in their entire lives. I live here and see it everyday. Truly sad situation.

I realize we have some people like that in our own fanbase; it’s just as sad.

Get outside and touch grass every now and then.

 

[CABVOL]

Just signed a top 5 class.

Sure, they got busted down a rank or two. But thinking that Barnes snapped a finger and made them irrelevant is ignorant to fact that Pope is bringing in talent (arguably better than we are).

Barnes is either here or not. Love having this staff but they arent elite recruiters. Top 5 teams are proof that it matters.

I believe that Pope is going to do good things at UK. Look at what he accomplished this year with a thrown-together, hodgepodge of a team.

UT certainly needs to recruit better.

 

[Jackcrevol]

I believe that Pope is going to do good things at UK. Look at what he accomplished this year with a thrown-together, hodgepodge of a team.

UT certainly needs to recruit better.

 

[MoCo_Vol]

Just signed a top 5 class.

Sure, they got busted down a rank or two. But thinking that Barnes snapped a finger and made them irrelevant is ignorant to fact that Pope is bringing in talent (arguably better than we are).

Barnes is either here or not. Love having this staff but they arent elite recruiters. Top 5 teams are proof that it matters.

What's interesting...

Auburn's 25 class is ranked 15th on 247
Florida is ranked 30th

Our 25 class is at 39th...

The 24 class for the top 4
Duke 1st
Auburn 34th
Houston 42nd
Florida 68th

NIL & Transfer Portal have changed the game is my point and the simple fact is Duke is the only consist top recruiting team that also has on court results right now to prove it matters.

 

[GoBigOrange86]

Just signed a top 5 class.

Sure, they got busted down a rank or two. But thinking that Barnes snapped a finger and made them irrelevant is ignorant to fact that Pope is bringing in talent (arguably better than we are).

Barnes is either here or not. Love having this staff but they arent elite recruiters. Top 5 teams are proof that it matters.

I’m not saying Barnes did it. I’m saying the SEC is here to stay and Kentucky, though they have the potential to be good, isn’t going to ever be what they were again. And it’s embittering.

Haven’t they won something like 32 of the 65 SEC tournaments? Because those days are over and that’s not being repeated.

 

[Smokey123]

Buy the 2 best shooters in the portal.
Find a PG to rotate with Boswell.
Try again on another stretch 4.


I'd like to get that Gillespie kid from Maryland and move him to a 2 guard and run him and the McNeely kid on the floor together.

Need an elite big

 

[JCP201]

Not only is basketball all they really have to root for, MANY of them have only UK basketball to identify with in their entire lives. I live here and see it everyday. Truly sad situation.

I realize we have some people like that in our own fanbase; it’s just as sad.

Get outside and touch grass every now and then.

I have honestly felt overwhelmed by sports this past month with all the winning basketball (girls and boys) plus baseball started and football talk. Didn't even have time to watch the softball but kept up with what was going on. I hated to lose (In the men and women's tournament) but there is only one winner of those. I welcome some free time to do other things besides sports, to be honest. Everything school!!

 

[mr.checkerboards]

Need an elite big

So, I didnt mention that for a couple reasons.

A healthy Estrella changes the center position a lot.

Now, the 4 has me intruiged..... People wont like this, but I wonder if Cade is asked to move elsewhere this off season. The hustle is good, and dunks are fun, but he hasnt shown any offensive ability outside of the dunks.

 

[MoCo_Vol]

So, I didnt mention that for a couple reasons.

A healthy Estrella changes the center position a lot.

Now, the 4 has me intruiged..... People wont like this, but I wonder if Cade is asked to move elsewhere this off season. The hustle is good, and dunks are fun, but he hasnt shown any offensive ability outside of the dunks.

That would be dumb...he'll be entering year 3 and gets the culture as well as anyone on the team.

We ONLY had 9 scholarship players, the roster is big enough for a player like Cade to stay (if he wants). And I'd rather him be here forcing a portal big to match his hustle to get minutes than us be short handed again when someone gets hurts.

 

[mr.checkerboards]

That would be dumb...he'll be entering year 3 and gets the culture as well as anyone on the team.

We ONLY had 9 scholarship players, the roster is big enough for a player like Cade to stay (if he wants). And I'd rather him be here forcing a portal big to match his hustle to get minutes than us be short handed again when someone gets hurts.

It would have to be a clear upgrade, but I think its a possibility.

 

[VolGee4]

Just signed a top 5 class.

Sure, they got busted down a rank or two. But thinking that Barnes snapped a finger and made them irrelevant is ignorant to fact that Pope is bringing in talent (arguably better than we are).

Barnes is either here or not. Love having this staff but they arent elite recruiters. Top 5 teams are proof that it matters.

They are elite evaluators and developers of talent. I just don't know how you can deny that. I am sure Barnes has the best record as a UT coach against UK. They were on a 4 game run, but we took one of the biggest games in the series. Signing HS classes isn't good enough anymore. It will take portal classes, too. Florida and Houston do not have elite recruits. Do the research, and you will see that they have 3 star recruits and transfers from mid majors and P5. The keys are the veteran leadership and depth.

 

[rockytop25]

So, I didnt mention that for a couple reasons.

A healthy Estrella changes the center position a lot.

Now, the 4 has me intruiged..... People wont like this, but I wonder if Cade is asked to move elsewhere this off season. The hustle is good, and dunks are fun, but he hasnt shown any offensive ability outside of the dunks.

Cade absolutely won’t be asked to leave

 

[Volsdeep4]

Old hickory (White House, tn) been making these bats. Louisville slugger tried to buy OH out last year for these bats and their poly alone. OH didn’t sale so Louisville slugger made the bats anyway.
A guy in Japan designed the bat for himself. They sent to to Mike trout (old hickory biggest client) and it increased his exit velo 11 mph.

 

[JohnnyD1024]

 

[VolGee4]

What's interesting...

Auburn's 25 class is ranked 15th on 247
Florida is ranked 30th

Our 25 class is at 39th...

The 24 class for the top 4
Duke 1st
Auburn 34th
Houston 42nd
Florida 68th

NIL & Transfer Portal have changed the game is my point and the simple fact is Duke is the only consist top recruiting team that also has on court results right now to prove it matters.

I looked it up:

Florida- Haugh, Condon, and Aberdeen were all 3 star recruits. Clayton, Martin, Richard, and Handlogten were all mid major transfers. Chinyelu was a Wash State transfer. This is not an elite recruit roster. Developed talent and veterans.

Houston- Sharp, Roberts, Francis were 3 star recruits. Uzan, Cryer were transfers but only top 125 players. Arceneaux and Tugler came off the bench and the only top 70 players. This is not an elite recruit roster. Development and veterans.

Auburn- Cardwell and Moore were 3 star, top 200 recruits. Neither good enough to leave before 5 years. Broome, Kelly, CBM, and Jones were all transfers. Kelly was the only P5 transfer. Chaney Johnson was a no star recruit. Pettiford is the only high level top 30 recruit. Development and veterans.

Duke- a bunch of pro players.

But, it proves that you don't really need elite rosters anymore. Development and veteran leadership.

 

[InVOLuntary]

Just signed a top 5 class.

Sure, they got busted down a rank or two. But thinking that Barnes snapped a finger and made them irrelevant is ignorant to fact that Pope is bringing in talent (arguably better than we are).

Barnes is either here or not. Love having this staff but they arent elite recruiters. Top 5 teams are proof that it matters.

Elite players are a scarce commodity. Elite players that meet Barnes criteria for things other than just basketball acumen are even more rare. Barnes will never bring in the same level of talent the other Elite programs do because of that. That's why he's perfect for this job. He does more with less.

 

[MoCo_Vol]

It would have to be a clear upgrade, but I think its a possibility.

Is it possible...yes, likely no.

We only return 4 guys...Felix & Cade are the most experienced of those 4 guys at this point. Cade is only gone if Cade wants to leave I think.

Now if we see his minutes dwindle next year then we're as a team in likely a better spot in the frontcourt. Because I think he's just as talented as anyone else and has 2 full years with this staff earning their trust.

 

[smokeyhuntsgators]

 

[screenthis]

I looked it up:

Florida- Haugh, Condon, and Aberdeen were all 3 star recruits. Clayton, Martin, Richard, and Handlogten were all mid major transfers. Chinyelu was a Wash State transfer. This is not an elite recruit roster. Developed talent and veterans.

Houston- Sharp, Roberts, Francis were 3 star recruits. Uzan, Cryer were transfers but only top 125 players. Arceneaux and Tugler came off the bench and the only top 70 players. This is not an elite recruit roster. Development and veterans.

Auburn- Cardwell and Moore were 3 star, top 200 recruits. Neither good enough to leave before 5 years. Broome, Kelly, CBM, and Jones were all transfers. Kelly was the only P5 transfer. Chaney Johnson was a no star recruit. Pettiford is the only high level top 30 recruit. Development and veterans.

Duke- a bunch of pro players.

But, it proves that you don't really need elite rosters anymore. Development and veteran leadership.

Strong post. Thanks for the research. I had to look up Broome and it appears he was a 3 star recruit and 4 star transfer. Thus, our roster is simialr to three of those four programs with developed talent mixed with transfers. It's going to be exciting to watch the development of our next roster.

 

[smokeyhuntsgators]

 

[MoCo_Vol]

View attachment 732073

#21 is Campbell Duncan, he's listed at 6'6"

 

[MoCo_Vol]

View attachment 732074

For what it's worth...

Zakai Zeigler is the ONLY player in SEC history to reach 1500 points, 700 assists and 200 steals

 

[Enki_Amenra]

 

[Enki_Amenra]

I'm never trusting this corgi to make my picks again!

 

[mr.checkerboards]

Is it possible...yes, likely no.

We only return 4 guys...Felix & Cade are the most experienced of those 4 guys at this point. Cade is only gone if Cade wants to leave I think.

Now if we see his minutes dwindle next year then we're as a team in likely a better spot in the frontcourt. Because I think he's just as talented as anyone else and has 2 full years with this staff earning their trust.

Idk. Just a thought I had.