2024 Transfer Portal Thread

[GUNTERSVOL]

Perception is reality. If you think you are as good or better than the person and they receive more than you, then it becomes personal. Emotions like anger, resentment, and jealousy creep into the equation. Over time, especially if others on the team share similar views, then team chemistry is jeopardized.

It can get complicated pretty easy. It is PROBABLY not whether each new addition is getting paid MORE, but it is natural for the others to want their own calculated RELATIVE value. That is why over paying just to win an NIL competition can create real problems. It is possible that other teams risk/reward calculations based on the rest of their squad can make them willing to outspend the competition regardless of their actual calculated value.

It appears Coach thinks this guy is a fit and is a or the top priority, but has a number in the plus/minus calculation he WANTS to stick to. Not a clue how much flexibility he has.

 

[SN-A-C Orange]

I like the ten we have now. I like the talent, the chemistry and the experience of important roles. I think Igor, Carr and Estrella are being overlooked as contributors. We can’t/don’t need to replace Knecht with one player. We need more contributors. Estrella is working with a personal coach who is one of the best in the country. He and Cade work one on one hours a day. Carr has been shooting a thousand balls a day. I think the young guys are very hungry and the experience ZZ and Mashack bring puts us in the top five in the SEC. Coaches are very high on Igor and believe he’ll be great at both ends. I don’t have a read on Dubar, but trust they have a plan. Okpara is, at the least, a presence on D and a rebounder, but I get the feeling he can develop some consistent moves and score 7-10. The staff does have backup plans for Lanier, but Lanier isn’t out yet. I think this is a competitive team already, but will get more exciting as we learn more about the guys we’ve added and the ones we will add. I am equally excited about the young guys.

DK has demonstrated the kind of practice ethic you need to be a serious threat to shoot the ball. If I was on the team ... I would have learned that if I am not shooting 5K balls per week ... I need to up my game and my investment in the game ... and that is ON JUST ONE aspect of the game! DK was a role model for Carr and Mashack of what it takes to be an offensive threat: Groove that shot so you can shoot it with your eyes closed.
Mashack returned the favor showing what intense defense looks like.

I have no doubts at all ... there WILL be roster additions.

If I was an athlete with professional prospects ... I'm spending my NIL money on sports insurance ... when I come back to college to play ball. I go were I can 1) get enough money to cover insurance costs ... I'm calling Kinsale or Lloyds. 2) I am interested in development of me as a player. The quality of trainers along with coaches are factored here. 3) I am interested in the locker room environment that I am joining (remember that DK said it was clear to him the players WANTED him there). 4) Coaches - I want to hear from former players what I am really looking at ... as seen through their eyes. I want their honest opinion. 5) I am looking for an offense that works best for my skill set.

Granted, I am not 22 and I see life through a different set of glasses. But if I am the parent of an athlete and I am/was. Then money is the least of my concerns (after we covered insurance). But again I am 'old.' Based on what I have heard about Chaz's folks (all good), they have a fine young man.

I do not have a crystal ball, but I feel good about the environment in TBA! You should too!

Chaz, "Come on down!"

 

[SN-A-C Orange]

I think most mostly care about not knowing the backup plan.

I’d be in the minority but if Chaz went to UK, that’s fine if I knew who or what the backup plans were.

Right now, us regular posters only know Chaz or bust.

If everybody knew the backup plan ... then, it would, in fact ... no longer be a plan ... it would be common knowledge and worthless.
Sometimes, it is better ... NOT to know something.

 

[TheMookieMonster]

I like the ten we have now. I like the talent, the chemistry and the experience of important roles. I think Igor, Carr and Estrella are being overlooked as contributors. We can’t/don’t need to replace Knecht with one player. We need more contributors. Estrella is working with a personal coach who is one of the best in the country. He and Cade work one on one hours a day. Carr has been shooting a thousand balls a day. I think the young guys are very hungry and the experience ZZ and Mashack bring puts us in the top five in the SEC. Coaches are very high on Igor and believe he’ll be great at both ends. I don’t have a read on Dubar, but trust they have a plan. Okpara is, at the least, a presence on D and a rebounder, but I get the feeling he can develop some consistent moves and score 7-10. The staff does have backup plans for Lanier, but Lanier isn’t out yet. I think this is a competitive team already, but will get more exciting as we learn more about the guys we’ve added and the ones we will add. I am equally excited about the young guys.

I think everything you say makes complete sense, but I guess I still just struggle to completely buy into this team as a Top 5 SEC squad in the pre-season until I see how the inexperience and youth develops. Right now, it feels like it’s all just “potential” in some ways and our ceiling is entirely dependent on young guys making massive strides in one-offseason.

I understand it’s probably not fair to say Lanier changes this team entirely, because I don’t expect him to be the next Dalton Knecht. He won’t be. No one will. But I do think adding a guy like Lanier at least alleviates my concern with scoring. The SEC is deeper and more talented than it’s ever been. There is also a lot of returning experience next season, so when you look at our roster on paper right now there are a lot of question marks. I guess if I felt better about Mashack and Gainey’s ability to add 10-12 PPG every single night I’d be more bought in, but I’m just not sure I’m at that point yet.

Don’t misunderstand me, I’m very excited about the next season as I always am, but I don’t think this team will be winning the conference again at least as things stand right now.

 

[GUNTERSVOL]

I think most mostly care about not knowing the backup plan.

I’d be in the minority but if Chaz went to UK, that’s fine if I knew who or what the backup plans were.

Right now, us regular posters only know Chaz or bust.

It is possible that there is no defined option to be a difference maker and next in line might be a higher risk probable squad piece that might blow up. My SPECULATION is maybe a one year grad transfer or late coaching change portal entry that has some skills. Still hoping for this guy’s combined calculation of NIL and showcasing NBA opportunity says UT. Like all of them it is in his court.

 

[Stoerner Fumbles]

I think everything you say makes complete sense, but I guess I still just struggle to completely buy into this team as a Top 5 SEC squad in the pre-season until I see how the inexperience and youth develops. Right now, it feels like it’s all just “potential” in some ways and our ceiling is entirely dependent on young guys making massive strides in one-offseason.

I understand it’s probably not fair to say Lanier changes this team entirely, because I don’t expect him to be the next Dalton Knecht. He won’t be. No one will. But I do think adding a guy like Lanier at least alleviates my concern with scoring. The SEC is deeper and more talented than it’s ever been. There is also a lot of returning experience next season, so when you look at our roster on paper right now there are a lot of question marks. I guess if I felt better about Mashack and Gainey’s ability to add 10-12 PPG every single night I’d be more bought in, but I’m just not sure I’m at that point yet.

Don’t misunderstand me, I’m very excited about the next season as I always am, but I don’t think this team will be winning the conference again at least as things stand right now.

At a ten player roster, we’re all guessing. The odds are on your side more than mine. I’m just going on some optimism from coaches combined with reckless optimism. I don’t think top five is out of the question, and I’ll go higher depending on who we add.

 

[Chaz-Vol]

I think everything you say makes complete sense, but I guess I still just struggle to completely buy into this team as a Top 5 SEC squad in the pre-season until I see how the inexperience and youth develops. Right now, it feels like it’s all just “potential” in some ways and our ceiling is entirely dependent on young guys making massive strides in one-offseason.

I understand it’s probably not fair to say Lanier changes this team entirely, because I don’t expect him to be the next Dalton Knecht. He won’t be. No one will. But I do think adding a guy like Lanier at least alleviates my concern with scoring. The SEC is deeper and more talented than it’s ever been. There is also a lot of returning experience next season, so when you look at our roster on paper right now there are a lot of question marks. I guess if I felt better about Mashack and Gainey’s ability to add 10-12 PPG every single night I’d be more bought in, but I’m just not sure I’m at that point yet.

Don’t misunderstand me, I’m very excited about the next season as I always am, but I don’t think this team will be winning the conference again at least as things stand right now.

I think the big difference between Vols compared to say Auburn, Alabama, Arkansas, TAM, and even Florida honestly is most of them have much more known quantities. Johnnell Davis, Broome, Nelson/Sears (if he comes back), Wade Taylor , and Walter Clayton have all either produced in SEC or on biggest stage.

The vols will be much more unknown quantity offensively with 3 new pieces and 2 major contributors being rising sophomores. ZZ provides amazing stability running the offense leadership but not sure night in and out he can provide consistent scoring. It'll definitely be big unknown who will step up compared to last several years knowing who the major scorers would be. As long as next season isn't a redux of 2020-2021 offense I'll be happy.

 

[TheMookieMonster]

At a ten player roster, we’re all guessing. The odds are on your side more than mine. I’m just going on some optimism from coaches combined with reckless optimism. I don’t think top five is out of the question, and I’ll go higher depending on who we add.

Yeah, I don’t think Top 5 is out of the question, but like you said I think that’s likely to happen if the “best case scenario” is achieved for both the youth development and the production translating for our transfers to a higher level of basketball.

I’m not trying to be a debbie downer. I probably should veer more to the reckless optimism side as well. More fun that way at least.

 

[Tall_Vol]

Refresh my memory...is this Tall_Vol from Hoopsville?

It is. I see a lot of familiar names.

The transfer portal plus NIL is absolute chaos. I'm here for it, though.

 

[VOLED]

I like the ten we have now. I like the talent, the chemistry and the experience of important roles. I think Igor, Carr and Estrella are being overlooked as contributors. We can’t/don’t need to replace Knecht with one player. We need more contributors. Estrella is working with a personal coach who is one of the best in the country. He and Cade work one on one hours a day. Carr has been shooting a thousand balls a day. I think the young guys are very hungry and the experience ZZ and Mashack bring puts us in the top five in the SEC. Coaches are very high on Igor and believe he’ll be great at both ends. I don’t have a read on Dubar, but trust they have a plan. Okpara is, at the least, a presence on D and a rebounder, but I get the feeling he can develop some consistent moves and score 7-10. The staff does have backup plans for Lanier, but Lanier isn’t out yet. I think this is a competitive team already, but will get more exciting as we learn more about the guys we’ve added and the ones we will add. I am equally excited about the young guys.

Excellent post. Thanks.

 

[MoCo_Vol]

I think everything you say makes complete sense, but I guess I still just struggle to completely buy into this team as a Top 5 SEC squad in the pre-season until I see how the inexperience and youth develops. Right now, it feels like it’s all just “potential” in some ways and our ceiling is entirely dependent on young guys making massive strides in one-offseason.

I understand it’s probably not fair to say Lanier changes this team entirely, because I don’t expect him to be the next Dalton Knecht. He won’t be. No one will. But I do think adding a guy like Lanier at least alleviates my concern with scoring. The SEC is deeper and more talented than it’s ever been. There is also a lot of returning experience next season, so when you look at our roster on paper right now there are a lot of question marks. I guess if I felt better about Mashack and Gainey’s ability to add 10-12 PPG every single night I’d be more bought in, but I’m just not sure I’m at that point yet.

Don’t misunderstand me, I’m very excited about the next season as I always am, but I don’t think this team will be winning the conference again at least as things stand right now.

I mean, what 5 teams would you put ahead of us pre-season on paper right now?

I mean Texas and Oklahoma were barely 20 win teams...they aren't exactly basketball juggernauts or anything.

 

[oldaaucoach]

I like the ten we have now. I like the talent, the chemistry and the experience of important roles. I think Igor, Carr and Estrella are being overlooked as contributors. We can’t/don’t need to replace Knecht with one player. We need more contributors. Estrella is working with a personal coach who is one of the best in the country. He and Cade work one on one hours a day. Carr has been shooting a thousand balls a day. I think the young guys are very hungry and the experience ZZ and Mashack bring puts us in the top five in the SEC. Coaches are very high on Igor and believe he’ll be great at both ends. I don’t have a read on Dubar, but trust they have a plan. Okpara is, at the least, a presence on D and a rebounder, but I get the feeling he can develop some consistent moves and score 7-10. The staff does have backup plans for Lanier, but Lanier isn’t out yet. I think this is a competitive team already, but will get more exciting as we learn more about the guys we’ve added and the ones we will add. I am equally excited about the young guys.

Do you know his name?

 

[TheMookieMonster]

I mean, what 5 teams would you put ahead of us pre-season on paper right now?

I mean Texas and Oklahoma were barely 20 win teams...they aren't exactly basketball juggernauts or anything.

I would need to do a much deeper dive into every team to say with confidence, but at least on paper I can say that Alabama, Auburn, and Arkansas feel like the 3 favorites at this point based strictly on the talent of their likely rotational pieces. I know Arkansas still has some spots to fill and there are questions about how the team will gel, but if this is just an “on paper” conversation that’s a scary lineup.

After those top 3, it’s a bit more murky. If Kentucky does end up landing Lanier and/or Jaxson Robinson you could make an argument for them to be in the Top 5. I would need to do a bit more of a dive into the middle of the conference, but my point wasn’t necessarily we can’t be or won’t be Top 5, just that I wouldn’t say as of May 17th I feel supremely confident we are one of the 5 best teams in the SEC.

 

[TrippieRedd]

Do you know his name?

Judging from IG, I’m going to guess Ben Teer

 

[johnfnkelly]

I like the ten we have now. I like the talent, the chemistry and the experience of important roles. I think Igor, Carr and Estrella are being overlooked as contributors. We can’t/don’t need to replace Knecht with one player. We need more contributors. Estrella is working with a personal coach who is one of the best in the country. He and Cade work one on one hours a day. Carr has been shooting a thousand balls a day. I think the young guys are very hungry and the experience ZZ and Mashack bring puts us in the top five in the SEC. Coaches are very high on Igor and believe he’ll be great at both ends. I don’t have a read on Dubar, but trust they have a plan. Okpara is, at the least, a presence on D and a rebounder, but I get the feeling he can develop some consistent moves and score 7-10. The staff does have backup plans for Lanier, but Lanier isn’t out yet. I think this is a competitive team already, but will get more exciting as we learn more about the guys we’ve added and the ones we will add. I am equally excited about the young guys.

This teams lacks a difference maker on offense. Bunch of solid pieces, but you need a guy that can break down a defense at any given notice. I don’t see a guy like that on the roster right now. Lanier could be that guy.

 

[Stoerner Fumbles]

I would need to do a much deeper dive into every team to say with confidence, but at least on paper I can say that Alabama, Auburn, and Arkansas feel like the 3 favorites at this point based strictly on the talent of their likely rotational pieces. I know Arkansas still has some spots to fill and there are questions about how the team will gel, but if this is just an “on paper” conversation that’s a scary lineup.

After those top 3, it’s a bit more murky. If Kentucky does end up landing Lanier and/or Jaxson Robinson you could make an argument for them to be in the Top 5. I would need to do a bit more of a dive into the middle of the conference, but my point wasn’t necessarily we can’t be or won’t be Top 5, just that I wouldn’t say as of May 17th I feel supremely confident we are one of the 5 best teams in the SEC.

Two of the strongest indicators of success are experience at guard, and team defense. We might be 5-7 in talent, but assume we’d be top three in team defense, and our guard experience is obviously a strength. Somebody stop me. I can’t control my belief gene.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

I think everything you say makes complete sense, but I guess I still just struggle to completely buy into this team as a Top 5 SEC squad in the pre-season until I see how the inexperience and youth develops. Right now, it feels like it’s all just “potential” in some ways and our ceiling is entirely dependent on young guys making massive strides in one-offseason.

I understand it’s probably not fair to say Lanier changes this team entirely, because I don’t expect him to be the next Dalton Knecht. He won’t be. No one will. But I do think adding a guy like Lanier at least alleviates my concern with scoring. The SEC is deeper and more talented than it’s ever been. There is also a lot of returning experience next season, so when you look at our roster on paper right now there are a lot of question marks. I guess if I felt better about Mashack and Gainey’s ability to add 10-12 PPG every single night I’d be more bought in, but I’m just not sure I’m at that point yet.

Don’t misunderstand me, I’m very excited about the next season as I always am, but I don’t think this team will be winning the conference again at least as things stand right now.

There’s a middle ground between those things as well though.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

I mean, what 5 teams would you put ahead of us pre-season on paper right now?

I mean Texas and Oklahoma were barely 20 win teams...they aren't exactly basketball juggernauts or anything.

Per Barttorvik:
#9 Tennessee
#12 Texas
#13 Auburn
#22 Alabama
#24 Mississippi State
#25 Texas A&M
#29 Florida
#35 Ole Miss
#36 Kentucky
#50 South Carolina
#55 Arkansas
#59 Oklahoma
#61 Vanderbilt
#63 Missouri
#66 LSU
#69 Georgia

 

[TheMookieMonster]

Two of the strongest indicators of success are experience at guard, and team defense. We might be 5-7 in talent, but assume we’d be top three in team defense, and our guard experience is obviously a strength. Somebody stop me. I can’t control my belief gene.

No, you’re right. I just think that with the league being 16 teams now it makes it even harder to be a Top 5 squad, and I guess part of it it’s also hard to for me to come to terms with how much production and experience we lost and think we aren’t due for some type of down year. It’s been awhile since we’ve entered a season with as much turnover on the roster and uncertainty as we will this year, so I think the just general level of unknowns are why I’m a bit more cautious with my expectations. I don’t want it to come across as negativity though. I’m not trying to be negative, I guess I’m just reserved about this team’s prospects. We are replacing a TON of continuity which has been the hallmark of a Barnes program here.

There’s a middle ground between those things as well though.

I’m well aware that there are more than 5 teams in the SEC but considering the level of success we have come accustomed to finishing outside the top 5 in conference would be disappointing.

 

[MoCo_Vol]

I would need to do a much deeper dive into every team to say with confidence, but at least on paper I can say that Alabama, Auburn, and Arkansas feel like the 3 favorites at this point based strictly on the talent of their likely rotational pieces. I know Arkansas still has some spots to fill and there are questions about how the team will gel, but if this is just an “on paper” conversation that’s a scary lineup.

After those top 3, it’s a bit more murky. If Kentucky does end up landing Lanier and/or Jaxson Robinson you could make an argument for them to be in the Top 5. I would need to do a bit more of a dive into the middle of the conference, but my point wasn’t necessarily we can’t be or won’t be Top 5, just that I wouldn’t say as of May 17th I feel supremely confident we are one of the 5 best teams in the SEC.

I wouldn't put Kentucky in the top 5 regardless of who they add. Mark Pope hasn't produced a 25 win team once in his 9 years coaching in softer conferences. SEC last year had 4 teams at 25 wins alone.

I mean May 17th last year did you have us as a top 5 team?

I know 2 things to be true,
1. Barnes will have a competitive team come Fall.
2. They will have 2 or 3 more additions to the roster that they feel can contribute

Winning SEC titles and making Sweet Sixteens, feel confident in saying I'm not worried.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

I would need to do a much deeper dive into every team to say with confidence, but at least on paper I can say that Alabama, Auburn, and Arkansas feel like the 3 favorites at this point based strictly on the talent of their likely rotational pieces. I know Arkansas still has some spots to fill and there are questions about how the team will gel, but if this is just an “on paper” conversation that’s a scary lineup.

After those top 3, it’s a bit more murky. If Kentucky does end up landing Lanier and/or Jaxson Robinson you could make an argument for them to be in the Top 5. I would need to do a bit more of a dive into the middle of the conference, but my point wasn’t necessarily we can’t be or won’t be Top 5, just that I wouldn’t say as of May 17th I feel supremely confident we are one of the 5 best teams in the SEC.

Man, you’re seeing more in Arkansas than I am. A bunch of freshman which we’ve seen typically struggle of late against the older CBB players, that’s why Cal is no longer at Kentucky, and then they have:
Johnell Davis: solid, but MM player, dont think he’s a star
Jonas Aidoo: we’re familiar with his limits
Adou Thiero: was decent, but also no star

 

[bleedingTNorange]

I’m well aware that there are more than 5 teams in the SEC but considering the level of success we have come accustomed to finishing outside the top 5 in conference would be disappointing.

For sure, my point was at first you mentioned you don’t see them as Top 5, but then say you don’t see them competing for championships. I don’t think many of us think right now it’s a championship squad most likely, but they can not be championship level and still be Top 5.

 

[TheMookieMonster]

Man, you’re seeing more in Arkansas than I am. A bunch of freshman which we’ve seen typically struggle of late against the older CBB players, that’s why Cal is no longer at Kentucky, and then they have:
Johnell Davis: solid, but MM player, dont think he’s a star
Jonas Aidoo: we’re familiar with his limits
Adou Thiero: was decent, but also no star

I put the disclaimer in there about “we’ll see how this team gels” for a reason, and maybe I’m buying too much into the Calipari high school hype like normal, but they are bringing in a pretty nice crop of highly regarded prospects with older players. He may fall flat on his face, we’ll see.

I’ve said it in other posts but my reservations are less about other teams and more about just how much experience and roster continuity we lost. I don’t think it will be as easy to replace the core of Awaka, Aidoo, Santi, JJJ, and Knecht. DK aside those other 4 players are a lot of years of combined experience in the program.

 

[RyanWalkerPGH]

For sure, my point was at first you mentioned you don’t see them as Top 5, but then say you don’t see them competing for championships. I don’t think many of us think right now it’s a championship squad most likely, but they can not be championship level and still be Top 5.

Barnes only has so many years left. Should he or the fans be content with anything less than a team that has the potential to cut down the cuts? Running out of time for him to get back to a Final Four. Put together the best damn roster you can.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

I put the disclaimer in there about “we’ll see how this team gels” for a reason, and maybe I’m buying too much into the Calipari high school hype like normal, but they are bringing in a pretty nice crop of highly regarded prospects with older players. He may fall flat on his face, we’ll see.

I’ve said it in other posts but my reservations are less about other teams and more about just how much experience and roster continuity we lost. I don’t think it will be as easy to replace the core of Awaka, Aidoo, Santi, JJJ, and Knecht. DK aside those other 4 players are a lot of years of combined experience in the program.

Their current roster is the least talented roster he has had since…? And it’s not as if he’s known as a coach to get more out of players than their ranking, typically been the opposite.

Agree with your second part, we’ve lost a lot, I think % wise it’s probably pretty average overall in the landscape of things, obviously Kentucky & Arkansas both lost a $h!t ton more.