2025 Transfer Portal Thread

[McGeesPub]

We’re absolutely in this. There are three apples. We’re the orange. If he chooses us, it is a distinctly different value proposition.

We have a set of donors who have agreed to fund this outside our existing budget. That gives us freedom to swing at this with no downside. In the last few days, Barnes did a call with his parents and a visit with Ament and them a second time. They included a plan to build his draft profile. Hard to overstate how much they like the idea of their son being here. They believe the pitch that we can increase his stock in the draft by developing his body, defense and pro skills. They have a whole pitch built around what they did for DK and Chaz. No one knows if we can weather a final push by Duke money, but we are still very alive. People keep saying he’ll take two more weeks to decide, but I think it will be much sooner. At least that is what staff believes from talking to him.

Thanks as always for the information. Are these extra funds earmarked specifically for Ament or are they available to close deals on Freeman, Rice, etc.?

 

[Sugaray13]

We’re absolutely in this. There are three apples. We’re the orange. If he chooses us, it is a distinctly different value proposition.

We have a set of donors who have agreed to fund this outside our existing budget. That gives us freedom to swing at this with no downside. In the last few days, Barnes did a call with his parents and a visit with Ament and them a second time. They included a plan to build his draft profile. Hard to overstate how much they like the idea of their son being here. They believe the pitch that we can increase his stock in the draft by developing his body, defense and pro skills. They have a whole pitch built around what they did for DK and Chaz. No one knows if we can weather a final push by Duke money, but we are still very alive. People keep saying he’ll take two more weeks to decide, but I think it will be much sooner. At least that is what staff believes from talking to him.

Thank you for the update and the information you share with us!!

 

[Stoerner Fumbles]

Thanks as always for the information. Are these extra funds earmarked specifically for Ament or are they available to close deals on Freeman, Rice, etc.?

Freeman and Rice fit within available funds, with room for other deals. We may also increase that budget if needed. The sentiment is that Barnes deserves the best chance of taking a team to an FF and that this would be very valuable to our brand and future. Several big donors support this idea and understand the current market pressure for great players.

 

[McGeesPub]

Freeman and Rice fit within available funds, with room for other deals. We may also increase that budget if needed. The sentiment is that Barnes deserves the best chance of taking a team to an FF and that this would be very valuable to our brand and future. Several big donors support this idea and understand the current market pressure for great players.

That’s great to hear - thanks.

 

[nateernst]

Fumbles with the best news I have heard in this chat since Carey committed

 

[Unconditional Surrender]

Weird is probably not the right word. Wrong would be the right word.

I laughed out loud

 

[berryvol]

Freeman and Rice fit within available funds, with room for other deals. We may also increase that budget if needed. The sentiment is that Barnes deserves the best chance of taking a team to an FF and that this would be very valuable to our brand and future. Several big donors support this idea and understand the current market pressure for great players.

Any updates on the Freeman visit or potential for Rice to be done prior to his USC visit?

 

[Nico ee-ah-MAH-LAY-ah-va]

Freeman and Rice fit within available funds, with room for other deals. We may also increase that budget if needed. The sentiment is that Barnes deserves the best chance of taking a team to an FF and that this would be very valuable to our brand and future. Several big donors support this idea and understand the current market pressure for great players.

Back to back elite 8s = Barnes has earned the right to the lion's share of funds he needs to build a championship roster. This is all positive news. Thank you SF!

 

[Stoerner Fumbles]

Any updates on the Freeman visit or potential for Rice to be done prior to his USC visit?

Nothing yet.

 

[Buddy’s Bandit]

Freeman and Rice fit within available funds, with room for other deals. We may also increase that budget if needed. The sentiment is that Barnes deserves the best chance of taking a team to an FF and that this would be very valuable to our brand and future. Several big donors support this idea and understand the current market pressure for great players.

 

[Adam Sandler]

Missed the last 30 pages, basically the weekend. Cliff notes?

 

[FeelVol]

Freeman and Rice fit within available funds, with room for other deals. We may also increase that budget if needed. The sentiment is that Barnes deserves the best chance of taking a team to an FF and that this would be very valuable to our brand and future. Several big donors support this idea and understand the current market pressure for great players.

So glad the deep pocketed donors see this in that context.Who knows how much longer Rick Barnes will be coaching but I’m excited that he will be given every opportunity to make it back to a FF.Our basketball brand has grown and continues to grow under his leadership.Thanks for the updates as always.

 

[VolterWhite]

Nothing yet.

On3 article just said Freeman visiting tomorrow

 

[cncchris33]

We’re absolutely in this. There are three apples. We’re the orange. If he chooses us, it is a distinctly different value proposition.

We have a set of donors who have agreed to fund this outside our existing budget. That gives us freedom to swing at this with no downside. In the last few days, Barnes did a call with his parents and a visit with Ament and them a second time. They included a plan to build his draft profile. Hard to overstate how much they like the idea of their son being here. They believe the pitch that we can increase his stock in the draft by developing his body, defense and pro skills. They have a whole pitch built around what they did for DK and Chaz. No one knows if we can weather a final push by Duke money, but we are still very alive. People keep saying he’ll take two more weeks to decide, but I think it will be much sooner. At least that is what staff believes from talking to him.

I'm taking some liberties here, but I read this as if you like our chances. Perhaps more so than 3-4 days ago. Is that accurate, or is that wishful thinking and or reading too much between the lines?

 

[Stoerner Fumbles]

Heard conflicting reports on Freeman. He’ll either he here tomorrow late and Thursday or Thursday and Friday. Lots of optimism on him.

 

[Stoerner Fumbles]

I'm taking some liberties here, but I read this as if you like our chances. Perhaps more so than 3-4 days ago. Is that accurate, or is that wishful thinking and or reading too much between the lines?

When BTO asked whether we’d pursue all based on budget, I didn’t know. I just today learned that we have some latitude to go farther, which is encouraging given the arms race. Separately Barnes getting time with Ament and his family (twice in a week) is encouraging. All that is new information to me. I’m reading the same tea leaves you are. I hear it as trending positively, but can’t ignore the gorilla in the room that is the Duke money. Sorry I don’t have a clearer picture— probably better than 3-4 days ago, but still cautious.

 

[LibertyVol]

There is a very real possibility that the rules will be changed in college sports to give 5 years of eligibility to all players, meaning you have 5 years to play 5 seasons instead of 5 to play 4. This would simplify the process on the NCAA end, reducing waiver exceptions, and make redshirting meaningless. The issue is the timing on this. If it happens, it won’t be put into effect until the summer or after. ZZ, Gainey, and Mashack would technically be eligible to return if it passes, but there would need to be spots available to them. The other complicating factor for basketball is they might go to 15 scholarships instead of 13. Realistically, Mashack won’t have a spot, but ZZ and Gainey might.

Mashack will have a spot if he wants it.

 

[MoCo_Vol]

When BTO asked whether we’d pursue all based on budget, I didn’t know. I just today learned that we have some latitude to go farther, which is encouraging given the arms race. Separately Barnes getting time with Ament and his family (twice in a week) is encouraging. All that is new information to me. I’m reading the same tea leaves you are. I hear it as trending positively, but can’t ignore the gorilla in the room that is the Duke money. Sorry I don’t have a clearer picture— probably better than 3-4 days ago, but still cautious.

I think all of us level-headed folks realize that's the best approach until they're on the court (and even Carr showed that doesn't mean much in this new age)...

 

[omghulkhands]

When BTO asked whether we’d pursue all based on budget, I didn’t know. I just today learned that we have some latitude to go farther, which is encouraging given the arms race. Separately Barnes getting time with Ament and his family (twice in a week) is encouraging. All that is new information to me. I’m reading the same tea leaves you are. I hear it as trending positively, but can’t ignore the gorilla in the room that is the Duke money. Sorry I don’t have a clearer picture— probably better than 3-4 days ago, but still cautious.

 

[T2P_Priceless]

When BTO asked whether we’d pursue all based on budget, I didn’t know. I just today learned that we have some latitude to go farther, which is encouraging given the arms race. Separately Barnes getting time with Ament and his family (twice in a week) is encouraging. All that is new information to me. I’m reading the same tea leaves you are. I hear it as trending positively, but can’t ignore the gorilla in the room that is the Duke money. Sorry I don’t have a clearer picture— probably better than 3-4 days ago, but still cautious.

Nothing to be sorry about. This is the best news we could ask for at this point. And not specifically for Ament, it's encouraging that everyone is going all out to include the boosters. I think many have thought that the money (still good money but top top 5 money) could have been the limiting factor to assembling the most optimal roster. Or at least that's always been under contention from what I've read. So great news! It seems CRB is operating with a full deck

 

[Dougie_D]

Maybe it’s just me, but ‘m not sure what you’re asking. Would you mind rephrasing the question?

I meant NIL money.

 

[vol9799]

When BTO asked whether we’d pursue all based on budget, I didn’t know. I just today learned that we have some latitude to go farther, which is encouraging given the arms race. Separately Barnes getting time with Ament and his family (twice in a week) is encouraging. All that is new information to me. I’m reading the same tea leaves you are. I hear it as trending positively, but can’t ignore the gorilla in the room that is the Duke money. Sorry I don’t have a clearer picture— probably better than 3-4 days ago, but still cautious.

I cannot overstate how much many of us appreciate how you, BTO and a few others with actual information share that judiciously with the board. Your posts aren't about self-promotion or betrayal of trust, just sharing the information you can without potentially harming the program's position. Those of us without any "above and beyond" connections to the program are in your debt for helping keep us informed and off the ledges.

 

[PowerT.]

Rakease Passmore is visiting Tennessee basketball on Friday

 

[TrippieRedd]

Rakease Passmore is visiting Tennessee basketball on Friday

Interesting

 

[T2P_Priceless]

Rakease Passmore is visiting Tennessee basketball on Friday

Potential package deal to get his younger half brother Shootmore next year