Recruiting Discussion

[Thunder Good-Oil]

Stay away from the 4 stars coach. they thugs. Thunder said so.:thud:

I trust CRB's talent evaluations. His 2016 3 stars will most likely work out better than whatever 4 stars he could have likely signed to come to the mess he took over. Seems like they're being pretty selective with the 2 scholarships available in 2017 and the one in 2018. No need to grab just any 4 star if they aren't likely to mesh. I think that Barnes will add JUCOs or grad transfers (or 3 stars that they believe are under rated) if the high targets don't work out. The 2016 3 stars make a good foundation. But keep on being snarky if that floats your boat.

 

[wtorange]

Talent does equal thug quite often when taking the high star leftovers after Duke, UNC, Kansas, UConn, 'Cuse, etc. pick off the best considering all prospect criteria for evaluation.

Pearl's MO is to collect a disproportionate amount of thugs. I'd rather take CRB's approach while TN's dumpster fire is still smoldering.

I will give you Ramar but outside of him who was a "thug"? PS I hate that term because it is usually racially motivated.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

I will give you Ramar but outside of him who was a "thug"? PS I hate that term because it is usually racially motivated.

The Thug label can be widely cast. Ramar might be the only true "Thug". I'm saying that after the Blue Bloods cherry pick the highest character/team oriented/bible study attending highest rated recruits, TN gets to decide if they want to take a chance on the remaining highest ranked players. Duke Crews was highly rated... Bruce kicked him off of the team. Then there was the New Year's Day weed/weapon traffic stop. True, "Thug" is a bit harsh as those guys were probably just posing as thugs. So I'm really talking more about character/immaturity/attitude issues. I think that Barnes is being very cautious relative to the Pearl/Tyndall targets and is more than willing to take a lesser rated guy if they're high level off the court and in the classroom. Buzz brought in Lofton/JaJuan Smith/CJ Watson and weren't they rated about where CRB's 2016 group is? Those three are some of the best character guys that TN has had on the court in the last 15 years or so and I'll take their on court performances any day.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

I will give you Ramar but outside of him who was a "thug"? PS I hate that term because it is usually racially motivated.

IMO the thug label applies based on the actions, not the race. Beat up a wife or girlfriend, they're a thug. Run around with illegal firearms, thug. Beat people up... thug. I probably would have called Tyler Bray and Johnny Manziel thugs... but Bray was just attacking property and Johnny Football seems to be more of a substance abuse case. So they're more like faker thugs. On the court, Bill Laimbeer was a thug. So was Laettner.

In the case of many of Pearl's signees, it's far more efficient the type "Thug" than "guy of questionable character and/or attitude".

 

[volbeast33]

The Thug label can be widely cast. Ramar might be the only true "Thug". I'm saying that after the Blue Bloods cherry pick the highest character/team oriented/bible study attending highest rated recruits, TN gets to decide if they want to take a chance on the remaining highest ranked players. Duke Crews was highly rated... Bruce kicked him off of the team. Then there was the New Year's Day weed/weapon traffic stop. True, "Thug" is a bit harsh as those guys were probably just posing as thugs. So I'm really talking more about character/immaturity/attitude issues. I think that Barnes is being very cautious relative to the Pearl/Tyndall targets and is more than willing to take a lesser rated guy if they're high level off the court and in the classroom. Buzz brought in Lofton/JaJuan Smith/CJ Watson and weren't they rated about where CRB's 2016 group is? Those three are some of the best character guys that TN has had on the court in the last 15 years or so and I'll take their on court performances any day.

The only true trouble maker tennessee brought in was ramar.... A few of the others liked to smoke pot too much which led to their troubles.... There are plenty of 3 stars that enjoy the same thing. Pearl also brought in chism, McRae, Hopson, Harris,BMaze who all represent the university well. Chris Lofton was a true find, Jajuan was a walk on, Cj was a borderline high rated guy.... It's extremely hard to win recruiting like that. I haven't been as critical of Barnes bc of his track record and I'm curious to see if he has an eye for talent.... Anyone that's happy with the way he is recruiting at this point is crazy though.

 

[Dallasbowlin]

The only true trouble maker tennessee brought in was ramar.... A few of the others liked to smoke pot too much which led to their troubles.... There are plenty of 3 stars that enjoy the same thing. Pearl also brought in chism, McRae, Hopson, Harris,BMaze who all represent the university well. Chris Lofton was a true find, Jajuan was a walk on, Cj was a borderline high rated guy.... It's extremely hard to win recruiting like that. I haven't been as critical of Barnes bc of his track record and I'm curious to see if he has an eye for talent.... Anyone that's happy with the way he is recruiting at this point is crazy though.

Woodson.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

The only true trouble maker tennessee brought in was ramar.... A few of the others liked to smoke pot too much which led to their troubles.... There are plenty of 3 stars that enjoy the same thing. Pearl also brought in chism, McRae, Hopson, Harris,BMaze who all represent the university well. Chris Lofton was a true find, Jajuan was a walk on, Cj was a borderline high rated guy.... It's extremely hard to win recruiting like that. I haven't been as critical of Barnes bc of his track record and I'm curious to see if he has an eye for talent.... Anyone that's happy with the way he is recruiting at this point is crazy though.

I like the guys that Barnes has signed so far and we've yet to see how the 2 spots in 2017 and one spot in 2018 are filled. Tennessee was a dumpster fire when Barnes arrived. So I guess I'm crazy.

I'd be surprised is the 2016 class is taking a lot of bong hits. I was chronic with Pearl's guys. Pearl wasn't just fired over a BBQ. He also lied about failed drug tests.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

I'm curious what the graduation rate was during Pearl's years. Again, I said "Thugs" but I'm admitting that that was too harsh of a label... it's just a quick way of saying there are off of the court flaws to deal with.

Even as good as guys like McRae and Maze appear to be today, what were their Predictive Indicators as 16/17 year olds? I don't know - which is why I've asked. It seems like McRae didn't have the greatest attitude initially... I believe I heard Tony Jones indicating that was the case.

IMO Barnes is working hard at putting together a group that is greater than the sum of the parts and steering clear of guys that are possible disruptions. I'm sure he'd like to add a Chism or Hopson to the brew if those types are possibilities. Those don't come available every year though.

 

[calban]

I'm curious what the graduation rate was during Pearl's years. Again, I said "Thugs" but I'm admitting that that was too harsh of a label... it's just a quick way of saying there are off of the court flaws to deal with.

Even as good as guys like McRae and Maze appear to be today, what were their Predictive Indicators as 16/17 year olds? I don't know - which is why I've asked. It seems like McRae didn't have the greatest attitude initially... I believe I heard Tony Jones indicating that was the case.

IMO Barnes is working hard at putting together a group that is greater than the sum of the parts and steering clear of guys that are possible disruptions. I'm sure he'd like to add a Chism or Hopson to the brew if those types are possibilities. Those don't come available every year though.

I fear you've allowed the driving force of our culture in this day and age (FEAR) to invade your aspirations for our sports programs at TN.
Timidity in the area of recruiting will get you one thing in this sport. Irrelevance.
If we don't land 2 of the top 100 guys mentioned on BTO's list in 2017 and settle for the 2 stars like C Johnson, they'll rewrite the books on CRB's career as a HOF hopeful.
If you think that's harsh, look at what he did last season without the talent you don't think he needs to succeed.

 

[volbeast33]

I'm curious what the graduation rate was during Pearl's years. Again, I said "Thugs" but I'm admitting that that was too harsh of a label... it's just a quick way of saying there are off of the court flaws to deal with.

Even as good as guys like McRae and Maze appear to be today, what were their Predictive Indicators as 16/17 year olds? I don't know - which is why I've asked. It seems like McRae didn't have the greatest attitude initially... I believe I heard Tony Jones indicating that was the case.

IMO Barnes is working hard at putting together a group that is greater than the sum of the parts and steering clear of guys that are possible disruptions. I'm sure he'd like to add a Chism or Hopson to the brew if those types are possibilities. Those don't come available every year though.

They are all young guys and you will have to deal with differing kind of attitudes no matter who they are....I'm ok with his first class and see potential in several guys but from the guys in the know it sounds pretty depressing how we are competing on the recruiting trail.... I have high standards for our basketball program that does not change regardless of the commitment from the university.... Pearl proved we could compete with the big boys and that needs to be our goal to get back too. We didn't make a final four while he was here but I always felt like we had a chance to beat anyone in the country on any given day.... It was a good feeling.

 

[volbeast33]

I fear you've allowed the driving force of our culture in this day and age (FEAR) to invade your aspirations for our sports programs at TN.
Timidity in the area of recruiting will get you one thing in this sport. Irrelevance.
If we don't land 2 of the top 100 guys mentioned on BTO's list in 2017 and settle for the 2 stars like C Johnson, they'll rewrite the books on CRB's career as a HOF hopeful.
If you think that's harsh, look at what he did last season without the talent you don't think he needs to succeed.

Yep I agree

 

[calban]

They are all young guys and you will have to deal with differing kind of attitudes no matter who they are....I'm ok with his first class and see potential in several guys but from the guys in the know it sounds pretty depressing how we are competing on the recruiting trail.... I have high standards for our basketball program that does not change regardless of the commitment from the university.... Pearl proved we could compete with the big boys and that needs to be our goal to get back too. We didn't make a final four while he was here but I always felt like we had a chance to beat anyone in the country on any given day.... It was a good feeling.

My take on Barnes since he's been here is that he thinks he's paid his dues and doesn't want to have to deal with the problems caused by the egos of the talent rich guys he needs to win.

How many different ways did he say it?
Hate to say it, but I think his end will be less noticeable than the Knight departure from the sport. He'll just faaaaaade awaaaaay

 

[buzz4tennessee]

Woodson.

We've had 2 Woodson's. I think that you are referring to the transfer from Memphis. If so, then I agree.

A thug doesn't have to commit physical violence; they can also be verbal abusers to people that they know or know of.

I have lashed out at those who have tried to verbal abuse me for my opinions concerning our past coach. However, all who post here have a right to their own opinion without several attacking another poster, personally. When one disagrees then all that needs to be done is give the counterpoint and refrain from making the one who gave the original opinion out to be some kind of ogre.

Also, I do not participate in the bashing of Rod Wilks through humorous remarks intended to make light of the person. A person who gave his best __ no matter what kind of fan approval that he received. The attackers are no more or less than verbal thugs.

Furthermore, let's stop making up nicknames for coaches __ past and present such as CDT and CRB, which I know that I have been guilty of doing.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

I'm not going to say that Barnes is going to totally abandon the opportunity to sign highly rated players in order to exclusively sign choir boy types. I think that it was important to build a base first. Signing marginally lower rated players in that 2016 class won't be such a bad thing if they turn out to be four year players that produce and lead by example.

I also think that most of the 2016 signees have a lot of upside with physical development. IMO they rate high in a lot of areas that star rankings ignore. So by the time they're juniors and seniors their physical development could be D1/P5 worthy.

Barnes did say that he's looking to fill the roster minus the one and done type of recruit. Incorporate that with the dumpster blazing and high star guys weren't going to come here.

One other important factor is how many transfer out unless they are recruited over. The attrition has been excessive lately and is surely being used against TN in recruiting battles. If these guys stick around and develop then it will be used as a recruiting selling point. Then maybe some top 50s, 75s, 100s will sign up.

There are only three total spots available in the next two cycles. TN's recruiting isn't going to be celebrated. But the base might be quietly being established and higher rated players can be mixed in going forward.

One other recruiting note... outside of KY the SEC is pretty much hot garbage right now. Once the entire league comes in favor again then TN should be a bigger share of better rated recruits. Kids today might only think of the SEC as a mid-major level league.

One other question about star rankings. Do the numbers of 4 and 5 stars change year to year or are there a set number of each every year? I already pointed out that one class could be considerably better than another. The 125th ranked guy one year might actually be better than the 75th ranked guy in another year. We only see the number next to their name. Coaches know far more about how to evaluate players than we do.

 

[Dallasbowlin]

Yeah, Dominic.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

Thugs. Punks. Choir Boys. Most are somewhere in between. I'd like to have a bad ass on the court that's also a good student that is respectful of the community. I love seeing those guys showing up at Children's Hospital and the Boy's/Girl's Club. They don't have to be saints to do those things.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

Paul Bain > Rod Wilkes

 

[Dallasbowlin]

Didn't we offer Romeo Langford?

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

Where's the list of targets? There are three separate recruiting threads.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

Where's the list of targets? There are three separate recruiting threads.

Found it on page 193... followed by lots of pissing, moaning, and bloated opinions:

Originally Posted by bleedingTNorange:
247 composite rankings updated:

#19 Nick Richards
#47 Jermaine Samuels
#83 Abu Kigab
#88 Alex Reese
#95 Lavar Batts
#103 Victor Uyaelunmo
#125 Isaiah Stokes
#127 Tyler Polley
#149 Michael Durr
#164 Raiquan Gary
#185 Ibrahim Doumbia
#204 Brandon Huffman
#254 Victor Enoh
Removed Thomas
Like
Quote

 

[calban]

Found it on page 193... followed by lots of pissing, moaning, and bloated opinions:

Originally Posted by bleedingTNorange:
247 composite rankings updated:

#19 Nick Richards
#47 Jermaine Samuels
#83 Abu Kigab
#88 Alex Reese
#95 Lavar Batts
#103 Victor Uyaelunmo
#125 Isaiah Stokes
#127 Tyler Polley
#149 Michael Durr
#164 Raiquan Gary
#185 Ibrahim Doumbia
#204 Brandon Huffman
#254 Victor Enoh
Removed Thomas
Like
Quote

The bloviation being mine?
I'll stick by it. Land 2 or die.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

The bloviation being mine?
I'll stick by it. Land 2 or die.

My mistake. You actually said that I have a bloated opinion of myself... not a bloated opinion of the status of UT's recruiting. Two different things I guess.

 

[calban]

My mistake. You actually said that I have a bloated opinion of myself... not a bloated opinion of the status of UT's recruiting. Two different things I guess.

Don't take it personally. it's just wordsmith jousting. I realize I bloviate as accused at times. i've just lost faith in The Man. Does it show?

 

[Fingers]

NextUpRecruits: Marquette joins TCU, Tennessee, and Kansas State,+Penn State as programs to offer 2017 Ripley (WV) F Chase Johnson (@_johnson_1) this month

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

What's the recruiting calendar? Is there a signing period coming up in the fall?