Next Year

[Thunder Good-Oil]

Man, I don't want to know what Vescovi was doing last night in the privacy of his own room. That's his business.

He was on a plane until after midnight. Mile High Cl… never mind.

 

[CAVPUT]

What Barnes has done this year is impressive. I don't believe any of our guys have reached star power, but we beat 3 conference champions loaded with stars: Alabama, Texas and Duke. We were ranked #1 at one point (I think) and have gone to at least the sweet 16. None of the star powered Freshman made any serious contributions. Oh an they also had a big exhibition win over Gonzaga (WCC champs).

I can't help but think about what is possible next year. I know I will be corrected if I am wrong, but I think every player can return for another year? I think it would benefit every player's career who can return for them to do so, and should be REALLY good if they all do.

Here is the breakdown of who I think can return next year that could be of any significance to our team (please do correct me if I am wrong here.)

• Vescovi has another year due to COVID,
• ZZ will be back as a Junior
• Aidoo is a Sophomore and will return
• Oliver Nkamhoua is a Senior, but I think he has a COVID year
• Mashack is a Sophomore, and will return
• JJJ has a COVID year I think
• I'm not sure if Plavsic has another year or not due to COVID, but he did redshirt as a Freshman
• Awaka has seen some PT as a Freshman and will return.
• Then you have Phillips who most likely will return as a sophomore if he is smart. He was rated as the nation’s No. 13 overall prospect in the Class of 2022 by both ESPN and Rivals and No. 18 overall by 247 Sports.
• We still don't know what BJ Edwards will turn into. He is a Freshman and consensus four-star prospect as well as rated as the nation's No. 71 overall prospect in the Class of 2022 by Rivals.com.
• Jefferson, another Freshman, was a four-star prospect in the Class of 2022, he was rated as the nation's No. 45 prospect and the No. 1 prospect in the state of Minnesota by On3, as well as No. 73 nationally by 247sports.
• And then there is Freddie Dilione who will be a sophomore. He was rated as high as No. 24 overall in the Class of 2023 by 247Sports and also was the top-rated prospect in the state of North Carolina per the 247Sports Composite.

If all those guys can return and do, it may be the best team and most experienced we have seen at Tennessee. The only team that I can remember that would rival it never happened, because Bone and Williams left after their Junior years (I think) when Alexander and Schofield departed as Seniors.

We have to have a great year in the portal. That's must IMO. Still this team is 2 more wins from something we've never seen in Knoxville. The door in our bracket has seemingly opened wide for us. Just have to seize the moment and walk through it. Next year will take care of itself. I'm gonna enjoy this and hope for a special run to cap this season.

 

[cncchris33]

Not really. ZZ is coming off a major injury in which he won’t rush it back. We are likely losing guards so we have a void at the guard spot in the starting 5…. To say Edwards starting the season at point is a reach is clownish

I'd bet my paycheck our starting PG...assuming ZZ misses the beginning of the season...isn't currently on our roster. We will be super active in the transfer portal for an immediate contributor at PG to handle those duties.

BJE isn't really a PG, and if we were to somehow add no one, I'd bet on Dilione playing ahead of BJE at the point like he is practicing, right now.

 

[vegasvolfan]

This is my best guess:

PG- Zakai Ziegler, BJ Edwards
G- Jamai Mashack, Freddie Dilione, Cameron Carr
W- Julian Phillips, DJ Jefferson
PF- Tobe Awaka, Cade Phillips
C- Jonas Aidoo, JP Estrella

Plus a transfer portal post and a transfer portal PG/CG.

I think JJJ and Vescovi fill up 12 and 13!

 

[vegasvolfan]

He was on a plane until after midnight. Mile High Cl… never mind.

Amen

 

[greenbacknative]

Man, I don't want to know what Vescovi was doing last night in the privacy of his own room. That's his business.

it was all over the media !!!!

 

[tombowalker]

I understand that. All 3 would most likely be taken care of. If not, then they should go. That said, they would only get better and perhaps improve their chances to sign for more, so... I don't think staying is necessarily selfless.

I don't believe that's how it works.

Players don't usually make more as their eligibility (and leverage) runs out.

I'd be surprised if any of them return.

 

[orangemadam]

Maybe Vescovi will come back and be our pg until ZZ is healed.

Anyone else vote for that?

 

[Benjh1028]

I Believe Tyreke Key is out of eligibility. Reports that Tamari Key plans to return for the women may have missed fans up on Tyreke.

Hey this is 2023, can’t Tamari play for the men? She would be an upgrade over Tyreke on the boards.

 

[Benjh1028]

I will be shocked if these guys are drafted. Vescovi, Nkamhoua, or JJJ

JJJ is showing up in all the mock NBA drafts as a second rounder. Also, Drew Pember showing up in the 3rd round.

 

[knoxvol52]

JJJ is showing up in all the mock NBA drafts as a second rounder. Also, Drew Pember showing up in the 3rd round.

NBA draft has only 2 rounds unless they changed it since last year

 

[Benjh1028]

NBA draft has only 2 rounds unless they changed it since last year

True - comingling NFL/MLB with NBA! Just saw he was ranked player #88 on one of many mock drafts.

 

[Vols410]

I wouldn’t expect any of the seniors to return

Agree. In the Duke post-game interview Santi alluded to “a bunch of guys in their last year of college” wanting to finish well.