2026 Vols Basketball Target List

[1988Vol]

JMO, but I would be working towards getting quality 2 deep st all 5 positions. I wouldn’t be satisfied with having 3 guys total for the 5 & 4

 

[MB_Vol]

not really even close

Reading this thread, I started wondering about the shooting stats of CRB's teams, so I did some digging on sports-reference.com. Not a deep dive, I only made note of 2P%, 3P%, effective FG%, and points per game. Unsurprisingly, the standout team using these metrics was the 2019 team. with a 2P%/3P%/EFG% of 56/37/55 while scoring 82.0 PPG. The only team that surpassed that team in any of the four metrics was the 2018 team, shooting threes at a 38% clip. Schofield, Turner, and Bowden attempted a combined 468 threes, while each averaging an identical 39.5% success rate. I remember that team well, but I had forgotten just how good they were from distance. Admiral was even better next year at 42%! But I digress.

Bringing it back to the present, this year's team is the second best in PPG at 80.0. The 2024 team is third with 78.8. No other team scored more than 75.1, and that was his first squad in 2016. The worst was the 2020 team with 67.1. Take out the three highest scoring, and the lowest...and the other 7 ranged from 70.8 to 75.1 PPG. So pretty consistent, but far from fear inducing?

Back on point...this year's team is the third best from two at 53%, trailing only 2025 at 54%, and 2019 at 56% (impressive). They are tied for fourth from deep at 34%, trailing only 2022 at 36%, 2019 at 37% and 2018 at 38%. Most importantly, they are third in effective field goal percentage, at 52%, trailing only 2025 and 2019 at 53% and 55% respectively.

I started to write more, but I will stop the rambling. Where my thoughts go with this team are this...they aren't a bad team, but probably not in CRB's top four? But WHY? Their ink isn't dry yet...maybe they will go on a run. My orange colored glasses won't rule it out. That said, when I watch this team score 10 points in the last 8 minutes or so against Bama and lose, or see them lose double digits leads agains the dreaded Blue Mist, I am CERTAIN of how challenged this team is offensively. But compared to CRB's prevous Big Orange squads, they shoot it pretty well. Maybe the defense is more to blame? Or lack of leadership/confidence that leads to scoring droughts on a team that shoots it pretty well? Idk.

 

[sami]

Reading this thread, I started wondering about the shooting stats of CRB's teams, so I did some digging on sports-reference.com. Not a deep dive, I only made note of 2P%, 3P%, effective FG%, and points per game. Unsurprisingly, the standout team using these metrics was the 2019 team. with a 2P%/3P%/EFG% of 56/37/55 while scoring 82.0 PPG. The only team that surpassed that team in any of the four metrics was the 2018 team, shooting threes at a 38% clip. Schofield, Turner, and Bowden attempted a combined 468 threes, while each averaging an identical 39.5% success rate. I remember that team well, but I had forgotten just how good they were from distance. Admiral was even better next year at 42%! But I digress.

Bringing it back to the present, this year's team is the second best in PPG at 80.0. The 2024 team is third with 78.8. No other team scored more than 75.1, and that was his first squad in 2016. The worst was the 2020 team with 67.1. Take out the three highest scoring, and the lowest...and the other 7 ranged from 70.8 to 75.1 PPG. So pretty consistent, but far from fear inducing?

Back on point...this year's team is the third best from two at 53%, trailing only 2025 at 54%, and 2019 at 56% (impressive). They are tied for fourth from deep at 34%, trailing only 2022 at 36%, 2019 at 37% and 2018 at 38%. Most importantly, they are third in effective field goal percentage, at 52%, trailing only 2025 and 2019 at 53% and 55% respectively.

I started to write more, but I will stop the rambling. Where my thoughts go with this team are this...they aren't a bad team, but probably not in CRB's top four? But WHY? Their ink isn't dry yet...maybe they will go on a run. My orange colored glasses won't rule it out. That said, when I watch this team score 10 points in the last 8 minutes or so against Bama and lose, or see them lose double digits leads agains the dreaded Blue Mist, I am CERTAIN of how challenged this team is offensively. But compared to CRB's prevous Big Orange squads, they shoot it pretty well. Maybe the defense is more to blame? Or lack of leadership/confidence that leads to scoring droughts on a team that shoots it pretty well? Idk.

To me, the primary problem with this group offensively is they don't have that guy who can just get a bucket when you desperately need one, ala Knecht or Chandler or even Chaz at times. Ament looked like he might be that guy before he got banged up and worn down. JG has proven to be so hit or miss, but sadly mostly miss in the biggest moments, like the late 3 yesterday.

A true bucket getter, along with the post game that has developed and the scrappy contributions of guys like Boswell and Evans, would have elevated this team to a legit Final 4 threat IMO.

 

[MB_Vol]

To me, the primary problem with this group offensively is they don't have that guy who can just get a bucket when you desperately need one, ala Knecht or Chandler or even Chaz at times. Ament looked like he might be that guy before he got banged up and worn down. JG has proven to be so hit or miss, but sadly mostly miss in the biggest moments, like the late 3 yesterday.

A true bucket getter, along with the post game that has developed and the scrappy contributions of guys like Boswell and Evans, would have elevated this team to a legit Final 4 threat IMO.

I agree, Ament could have been that guy, even was at times. Recency bias has the Bama and Vandy games ringing in my head, but they only had Ament for what, about 14 minutes of the Bama game? All else being equal (it never is), UT wins both of those games with an average performance from Nate. A 30 point Superman performance wasn't even required. I love JG, but it does SEEM like he has stumbled late in games. I don't know what his box score actually looks like in the last 5 minutes. From a fans perspective, this offense looks worse in real time than in does on paper. But as Kenny Mayne taught us, games aren't played on paper, they are played by little people inside our TV sets.

 

[Dougie_D]

I’m curious if there are any top recruits who we were “hot on” who either committed to team in the mid majors or now their head coach is fired and there’s a possibility of us getting them.
Specifically last years class. I would assume that a high recruited PG would be interested .. especially with the fact we played so many freshmen this year

 

[hard in the paint]

Evans looking like he can be a real contributor - two stud portal adds at PG and wing + Boswell Evans JP Brown Cade is a very, very nice seven man rotation. Three studs at guard with Boswell and Evans eating all the leftover minutes and that's a top team.

Portal PG (30 MPG)
Portal SG (25 MPG)
Portal SF (25 MPG)
Brown (25 MPG)
Estrella (30 MPG)
---
Boswell (25 MPG) (1-3 guard)
Evans (20 MPG) (1-3+Small 4 guard)
Phillips (20 MPG) (4-5)

Winning doesn't have to be hard!

If Boswell is playing more than Evans next year, something is seriously wrong or Barnes has lost his mind. Boswell is an ok defender and about worthless on offense. Evans has so much more potential. If Boswell is playing more than 20 minutes, then we’re going to have another frustrating season.

 

[JRVOL11]

Evans should be starting over Bosewell

 

[VolsNetClippers2025]

Disagree, Boswell improved a lot and I think will only keep improving. Also, he’s a very good defender.

 

[hard in the paint]

Disagree, Boswell improved a lot and I think will only keep improving. Also, he’s a very good defender.

At least five players this season have gotten a career or season high with him guarding them. People treat him like a make a wish kid. If he scores 6 points in a game, they say “wow, he’s gotten so much better!”

 

[DMcVol]

Evans should be starting over Bosewell

Or at least cutting in to Boswell’s minutes….I’d also take some minutes from Carey and play Evans in a “small” lineup, if the match ups allow it…

 

[THEONLYTENISEE]

I’d be surprised if Carey is still around next season.

 

[Dougie_D]

If Boswell is playing more than Evans next year, something is seriously wrong or Barnes has lost his mind. Boswell is an ok defender and about worthless on offense. Evans has so much more potential. If Boswell is playing more than 20 minutes, then we’re going to have another frustrating season.

Boswell is a solid 2. Evans seems comfortable at the 3. I don’t they will be competing for same spot

 

[allvolrecruiting]

Disagree, Boswell improved a lot and I think will only keep improving. Also, he’s a very good defender.

Doesn't mean he should start. Altho idk if Evans should start next year either, but he needs to be big part of the bench equation if not. Boswell is a fine backup that can play 1-3 and add high energy play, but he makes a lot of problems worse on offense. He has hit shots, but he doesn't shoot them. He hasn't been that great of a ball handler/distributor. Team needs some offensive firepower added to the starting lineup at guard next season and I imagine Rick tries hard to get an actual point guard again, so that will limit Bos role some. Good at what he is good at, but this team has to find people who can put the ball in the basket.

 

[NighthawkVol]

not really even close

My point was, I’m not concerned with what the stats show. Shooting percentage is skewed by how quality a shot is. This team misses so many quality shots, it’s unbelievable. BUT they’re good at GETTING quality shots (the lobs to Felix help). If they just hit quality shots at a decent level, this could be a great offense. Oh and free throws. Still a problem.

Being a dominant offensive rebounding team helps with the total points number, though. Thank God we’re historically great in that area. If we weren’t, no telling how bad our offense would be.

 

[allvolrecruiting]

Boswell is a solid 2. Evans seems comfortable at the 3. I don’t they will be competing for same spot

Can't be a 2 and not shoot the ball. They are the same size and offer great defense/rebounding with the flashes to be a connective piece, but Evans can do something on both ends. Game was fast for him as you would expect coming from OTE garbage to SEC basketball, but Boswell is fouling a ton anyway. Wouldn't mind a platoon of the two at the 3 tbh, but I think they certainly are both 3s.

 

[VolFan_stuck_in_the_901]

I’d be surprised if Carey is still around next season.

From your lips to God's ears

 

[hard in the paint]

Boswell is a solid 2. Evans seems comfortable at the 3. I don’t they will be competing for same spot

Again, the expectations for him are so low. Averaging 6 and 2 as a starting shooting guard playing 30 minutes a game sucks. That’s “solid” if you’re fine being a 6/7 seed and having 8 minute scoring droughts. He would not start on any top 25 team.

 

[Dougie_D]

Can't be a 2 and not shoot the ball. They are the same size and offer great defense/rebounding with the flashes to be a connective piece, but Evans can do something on both ends. Game was fast for him as you would expect coming from OTE garbage to SEC basketball, but Boswell is fouling a ton anyway. Wouldn't mind a platoon of the two at the 3 tbh, but I think they certainly are both 3s.

I say Boswell at 2 because of the roster situation. Evans already proven he can play the 3. I don't think Boswell has played the 3 and if he has, it wasn't much at all.

 

[sami]

Again, the expectations for him are so low. Averaging 6 and 2 as a starting shooting guard playing 30 minutes a game sucks. That’s “solid” if you’re fine being a 6/7 seed and having 8 minute scoring droughts. He would not start on any top 25 team.

Here's the thing about Boswell - people who defend him say he is doing exactly what Barnes wants in being a defense-first 'connective' player on offense. I'm not sure about that, but the kid has shown the ability to hit from 3 and in the midrange, as well as get to the rim and draw fouls.

If I'm Barnes and intend to keep him on the roster, his off season assignment is to focus on sharpening those skills and coming back as a willing shooter and slasher. If that doesn't change before next fall, then I agree with you guys and he should be a 15-18 minute a game energy guy off the bench.

I'd be shocked if Evans isn't starting for the rest of his career at UT, which will hopefully be another three years.

 

[sami]

I’d be surprised if Carey is still around next season.

Carey wanted to be here, so unless he isn't paid I don't think he is going anywhere. Thing is, the kid is a beast on the offensive glass - teach him a couple of moves, head fakes, etc. and charge him with becoming a 70% FT shooter and he's a different player. If he's not willing to work on those deficiencies, then he needs to be shown the door.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

My point was, I’m not concerned with what the stats show. Shooting percentage is skewed by how quality a shot is. This team misses so many quality shots, it’s unbelievable. BUT they’re good at GETTING quality shots (the lobs to Felix help). If they just hit quality shots at a decent level, this could be a great offense. Oh and free throws. Still a problem.

Being a dominant offensive rebounding team helps with the total points number, though. Thank God we’re historically great in that area. If we weren’t, no telling how bad our offense would be.

It’s pretty wild, if you just remove Carey from the equation everything looks A LOT better…his shooting % at every level are gross and bring dork the whole team, he’s a solid rebounder but not actually that much better than the other bigs and how many of his rebounds are of the Angel Reese variety? (Off his own miss)

 

[cncchris33]

Carey wanted to be here, so unless he isn't paid I don't think he is going anywhere. Thing is, the kid is a beast on the offensive glass - teach him a couple of moves, head fakes, etc. and charge him with becoming a 70% FT shooter and he's a different player. If he's not willing to work on those deficiencies, then he needs to be shown the door.

Third school in three years...the argument can be made he wanted to be at all three of them at some point. I was maybe one of the first to be on the idea of him being one and done, here, going back a couple months, now. He just looks so disengaged most of the time. His body language and facial cues just don't look like that of a guy who is enjoying himself. Add in the reduced playing time when everyone is healthy and his propensity for leaving for greener pastures in the past, I just think he'll look for a reset somewhere else.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

Third school in three years...the argument can be made he wanted to be at all three of them at some point. I was maybe one of the first to be on the idea of him being one and done, here, going back a couple months, now. He just looks so disengaged most of the time. His body language and facial cues just don't look like that of a guy who is enjoying himself. Add in the reduced playing time when everyone is healthy and his propensity for leaving for greener pastures in the past, I just think he'll look for a reset somewhere else.

I never paid a ton of attention to him at Vanderbilt, but looking back at pictures, he really allowed himself to get out of shape apparently, looks like a very different player…

 

[cncchris33]

I never paid a ton of attention to him at Vanderbilt, but looking back at pictures, he really allowed himself to get out of shape apparently, looks like a very different player…

WOW

I had never thought to look back...that is astonishing really. Can't believe in this S&C program, you could allow yourself to go like that unless you just quit. I also can't believe Barnes and G allowed that and him still play so much.

Edit: Looking at his Tennessee pics, he doesn't look wildly out of shape, necessarily, but he just looks like he added quite a bit of mass. Vandy listed him at 6-8, 265. Tennessee lists him at 6-8, 267. But those aren't the same two people. Really hard to explain the difference in appearance based on those measurements.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

WOW

I had never thought to look back...that is astonishing really. Can't believe in this S&C program, you could allow yourself to go like that unless you just quit. I also can't believe Barnes and G allowed that and him still play so much.

Yea, I had similar thoughts…obviously with the Phillips injury, Okpara missing some time and Estrella nursing injuries on and off they were thin, but pretty shocking still. My hope is that Estrella and Ament are good to go, Okpara had looked as good as he had all year recently, and we see very minimal of Carey going forward. The advanced stats with him on/off the court are truly shocking to see, he’s literally one of the least efficient posts in the country.