2026 Vols Transfer Portal Thread

[bleedingTNorange]

Any chance with Massamba Diop or Thiam? I thought I saw where you or someone mentioned he wants to bring a coach or something? @bleedingTNorange

Ive said numerous times i dont see them going down either of those roads…for starters they’re extremely expensive, they’re also ball dominant bigs, don’t think that really fits what we’re looking for, and yes, both want to bring coach/mentor with them to their next stop.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

Idk why BTO used eFG to compare them.

TS% does a better job of accounting for Nate’s foul drawing ability. and the gap between them closes dramatically there.

Efg is posted and easy to find on the site I was in rather than ts%, either works, I didn’t just want to post straight fg% was my point.

 

[StPeteVFL]

What’s funny is JP Estrella would be the perfect big to round out this roster.

Also funny how we are supposedly outbidding Michigan for Juke and they outbid us for Estrella.

Shows what kind of value our “formula” places on bigs vs guards compared to the market.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

What’s funny is JP Estrella would be the perfect big to round out this roster.

Also funny how we are supposedly outbidding Michigan for Juke and they outbid us for Estrella.

Shows what kind of value our “formula” places on bigs vs guards compared to the market.

Would you prefer Estrella to Juke? I sure as $h!t wouldn’t. I also disagree on Estrella being the perfect fit, Okpara would be a much better fit, you complain about Lundblade’s defense but then say Estrella is the perfect big to round out a roster that desperately needs an elite defensive big?

 

[OrangeVolMan]

Should have paid to keep Estrella and Cade IMO.

Why? Were going to cost way more than they are worth.

 

[StPeteVFL]

Would you prefer Estrella to Juke? I sure as $h!t wouldn’t

No. If it had to be choice to make the budget work then I think we are making the right choice. Assuming we land Juke.

 

[Heupel's Offseason Beard]

While I agree that I think we have done extremely well in the portal and replacing what we lost, I'd caution against using the respective point production as proof that we upgraded. Those 5 incoming guys aren't going to combine for 75 points when they are all playing together on the same team and competing for playing time and scoring opportunities with each other plus whatever we add to them.

A 43 point difference isn't a slight increase. It's a massive difference in production

 

[rowdyvolunteer]

Very true. Not to mention the defensive expectations. Assuming all 5 will translate and succeed Is high hopes. Barnes has hit with the majority of transfers but always a potential Dubar. He averaged 18 and 7 at Hofstra. There were more than a few who thought he’d be a bigger impact than Lanier.

difference is these guys averaged 16-17 points doing this in the ACC, and A10 conference. Big time jump from Hofstra.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

No. If it had to be choice to make the budget work then I think we are making the right choice. Assuming we land Juke.

I also disagree on Estrella being the perfect fit, Okpara would be a much better fit, you complain about Lundblade’s defense but then say Estrella is the perfect big to round out a roster that desperately needs an elite defensive big?

 

[rowdyvolunteer]

What’s funny is JP Estrella would be the perfect big to round out this roster.

Also funny how we are supposedly outbidding Michigan for Juke and they outbid us for Estrella.

Shows what kind of value our “formula” places on bigs vs guards compared to the market.

So there is thing called player value and we didn't value Estrella as much as Michigan did. We do Juke, not really funny at all just common sense which you lack.

 

[StPeteVFL]

Would you prefer Estrella to Juke? I sure as $h!t wouldn’t. I also disagree on Estrella being the perfect fit, Okpara would be a much better fit, you complain about Lundblade’s defense but then say Estrella is the perfect big to round out a roster that desperately needs an elite defensive big?

Ha.. come on man.. comparing Lundblade’s defense to Estrella is laughable.

We already have two really good defenders in the post in Rubin and Brown. Estrella is nowhere near as terrible defensively as Lundblade.

On the other hand, we don’t really have any really good defenders on the perimeter as it stands now. Maybe Haralson can become one. He clearly has the tools.

 

[swchandler1988]

Guy was playing with one wing. Anyone could see Cade’s potential. Athletic and could jump out of the gym. Not much you can do when your dominant arm is toast.

When did he not have that black shoulder sleeve on? Played in 38 games last year and he was fine, but he was never some feared shot blocker or some feared shooter or some feared rebounder. He was fine. Nothing against the kid at all, but we didn’t miss him this past season and won’t miss him this season either

 

[StPeteVFL]

So there is thing called player value and we didn't value Estrella as much as Michigan did. We do Juke, not really funny at all just common sense which you lack.

lol.. yes I understand that. What you just said was exactly the point I was making.

 

[Skooter]

Would you prefer Estrella to Juke? I sure as $h!t wouldn’t. I also disagree on Estrella being the perfect fit, Okpara would be a much better fit, you complain about Lundblade’s defense but then say Estrella is the perfect big to round out a roster that desperately needs an elite defensive big?

I was about to respond until I saw this. Dude complains about defense from a guy he likely never saw play but in turn talks about JP being a perfect fit when he was arguably the worst defender on last years team.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

Ha.. come on man.. comparing Lundblade’s defense to Estrella is laughable.

We already have two really good defenders in the post in Rubin and Brown. Estrella is nowhere near as terrible defensively as Lundblade.

On the other hand, we don’t really have any really good defenders on the perimeter as it stands now. Maybe Haralson can become one. He clearly has the tools.

Brown isn’t a great defending 5, he’s kind of caught in between, Rubin is solid but how does it translate? There’s much more of a need for a high end defensive 5 than there is for a bad defensive 5 with a solid offensive game.

 

[Ryno14]

So all we’re really waiting on now is a big and Juke/Ament?

 

[StPeteVFL]

I also disagree on Estrella being the perfect fit, Okpara would be a much better fit, you complain about Lundblade’s defense but then say Estrella is the perfect big to round out a roster that desperately needs an elite defensive big?

I don’t understand why you think we need an elite defensive big to round out the roster when we already have two good ones. Yet we have zero good perimeter defenders and you seem to care less about the defensive prowess on that front.

Are you of the belief that defense is only important in the post?

 

[bleedingTNorange]

So all we’re really waiting on now is a big and Juke/Ament?

If you’re ignoring the other 2 spots, then yes.

 

[sami]

Would you prefer Estrella to Juke? I sure as $h!t wouldn’t. I also disagree on Estrella being the perfect fit, Okpara would be a much better fit, you complain about Lundblade’s defense but then say Estrella is the perfect big to round out a roster that desperately needs an elite defensive big?

100% agree. The way Rick is constructing this roster, our scoring is primarily going to come from the guards and wings, especially if Juke is aboard. Rubin provides some post scoring, but a rim protector and lob threat like Okpara would be the absolute perfect fit to round out this roster.

 

[sami]

Ha.. come on man.. comparing Lundblade’s defense to Estrella is laughable.

We already have two really good defenders in the post in Rubin and Brown. Estrella is nowhere near as terrible defensively as Lundblade.

On the other hand, we don’t really have any really good defenders on the perimeter as it stands now. Maybe Haralson can become one. He clearly has the tools.

Your contradicting your own point. Without great perimeter defenders, a true rim protector is that much more important, and Estrella, for all his good points, is hardly that. And comparing Estrella with Lundblade is the definition of apples and oranges.

 

[wtmvol]

So all we’re really waiting on now is a big and Juke/Ament?

We have 3 spots left, or I think 4 if we part ways with 1 of the walk-ons. Not that we have to fill them all, but that's what we have room for. I'm not convinced that we are 100% committed to Hill as the PG if Barnes sees another one out there he likes.

Getting another center is essential IMO. Rubin is good, but we need another. Brown could play spot minutes at the 5, but I don't think that's ideal. I really wish Okpara could get an extra year. He's the perfect center for this system.

Obviously, Juke is the prize that takes us to another level of potential.

Bottom line, Juke & another center are the priority. Maybe a PG too if the opportunity presents. Ament would be icing on the cake.

 

[Local Yokel]

When did he not have that black shoulder sleeve on? Played in 38 games last year and he was fine, but he was never some feared shot blocker or some free shooter or some feared rebounder. He was fine. Nothing against the kid at all, but we didn’t miss him this past season and won’t miss him this season either

He was anything but fine as indicated by the surgery. They don’t do surgery on people who are “fine.” Why they lingered in getting that done, I don’t know. I’m not saying he isn’t replaceable, but he definitely would have helped and been a guy to help set the culture. I’d have paid the money for Estrella and Evans, as a healthy Estrella takes you to another level. Evans was just a “Barnes” type player. I loved his game and was looking Forward to seeing him bloom.

 

[UneducatedGuess]

I’m thoroughly puzzled why folks are salivating for bigs with slow lateral speed and slow feet.

We aren’t running a Purdue offense.

As has been stated over and over and over again. We value bigs with twitch. Always have.

Look at this roster. It’s a moving, scoring lineup.

The bigs are there for twitch and rebound and HAVE THE ABILITY to switch to ball carriers.

As has been stated, JP and Cade never developed physically to be able to switch on D. Largely due to being in rehab.

 

[iVolSoHard]

When did he not have that black shoulder sleeve on? Played in 38 games last year and he was fine, but he was never some feared shot blocker or some feared shooter or some feared rebounder. He was fine. Nothing against the kid at all, but we didn’t miss him this past season and won’t miss him this season either

Cade is the Kim English of the basketball roster. Posters are definitely romanticizing his skill level.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

I don’t understand why you think we need an elite defensive big to round out the roster when we already have two good ones. Yet we have zero good perimeter defenders and you seem to care less about the defensive prowess on that front.

Are you of the belief that defense is only important in the post?

I’m of the belief that much like this year and previous years a really good defensive post can mask a lot of deficiencies with perimeter defense, again, we have multiple years of examples of this with Barnes. Also, if we’re gonna assume Juke for the sake of this conversation, where does adding another perimeter player who’s apparently elite defensively fit into this equation, not sure I see it? And finally, you have Manny Green coming in as a freshman who is very similar to the Amari build and player type, looks like a college junior body wise and is a really advanced defender.