Roster Construction revisited Cam Carr

[MannyD]

I'm struggling to think of a player who left CRB's program and was "better" for it. Sure, Carr and Freddie put up better stats after leaving, but none of them is in an ideal position in their careers IMO

Somebody mentioned DJ Burns. I'd add Drew Pember. He transferred down, so it's not quite the same. But he went on to star in Asheville, win conference POY, and play in the NCAAs. Pretty nice career and wouldn't have had that opportunity here.

 

[Dainfluencer8]

How in the world did Coach Barnes and staff miss on Cam Carr? Cam Carr is an expected top 10 lottery pick in the NBA. I know we are in the sweet sixteen now but we are not expected to advance much further. If Cam Carr had not transferred out, he would be our starting SG instead of Boswell. We could use Cam Carr’s scoring. Boswell would be perfect coming off the bench.

Why are we bringing up Cam Carr? And for all you know, he could have stayed and the season be worse! Everything happens for a reason! Cam is good where he’s at and Tenn men are good with what they got!

 

[VolFan_stuck_in_the_901]

Somebody mentioned DJ Burns. I'd add Drew Pember. He transferred down, so it's not quite the same. But he went on to star in Asheville, win conference POY, and play in the NCAAs. Pretty nice career and wouldn't have had that opportunity here.

I forgot all about Drew! Glad he ended up finding success at the mid major level; he and Burns are proof of guys being able to find real success at a different program if they work hard at it

 

[Col_Cathcart]

I forgot all about Drew! Glad he ended up finding success at the mid major level; he and Burns are proof of guys being able to find real success at a different program if they work hard at it

BJ has had a decent run at SMU. They limped into the tournament after he got hurt.

 

[TNmountainMan]

While he may be moving up, he's not an expected top 10 pick.

They also didn't "miss" on him. He decided to quit on his team midseason. He was going to play, but he was obviously unhappy. There were rumors of something else, but that is unsubstantiated at this point.

All true. He didn't like the "hard" part of playing defense. Couldn't hang. Likes to shoot early and often.

 

[EasternVol]

I'm struggling to think of a player who left CRB's program and was "better" for it. Sure, Carr and Freddie put up better stats after leaving, but none of them is in an ideal position in their careers IMO

Awaka's not doing too bad. His leaving was an unusual situation from what I understand.

 

[WaywardVol]

How in the world did Coach Barnes and staff miss on Cam Carr? Cam Carr is an expected top 10 lottery pick in the NBA. I know we are in the sweet sixteen now but we are not expected to advance much further. If Cam Carr had not transferred out, he would be our starting SG instead of Boswell. We could use Cam Carr’s scoring. Boswell would be perfect coming off the bench.

Carr is more of an issue of player identification and development. Everyone says Carr didn’t fit Barnes system. Ok, then why was he recruited? It’s a dog eat dog world and Carr seems to have made the right decision as he went from wasting away in obscurity to being a potential first round draft pick.

If there’s one blind spot Rick has, it’s offense. I’m not sure the difference in say a Knecht or Lanier versus a Carr

Amari Abrams is one of those guys. Went from a guy who average 8 points in the SEC as a freshman to can’t even get on the floor under Barnes. Just seems to me that if Barnes could solve this riddle, he’s easily get back to a final four.

 

[BernardKingGOAT]

Carr is more of an issue of player identification and development. Everyone says Carr didn’t fit Barnes system. Ok, then why was he recruited? It’s a dog eat dog world and Carr seems to have made the right decision as he went from wasting away in obscurity to being a potential first round draft pick.

If there’s one blind spot Rick has, it’s offense. I’m not sure the difference in say a Knecht or Lanier versus a Carr

Amari Abrams is one of those guys. Went from a guy who average 8 points in the SEC as a freshman to can’t even get on the floor under Barnes. Just seems to me that if Barnes could solve this riddle, he’s easily get back to a final four.

He had been injured when he transferred, so we don't know that he was going to waste away in obscurity. That's pure speculation.

 

[adam.vol]

If he had "bought in," we might've made the Final Four last year and be in a more favorable position to do so again this year

I don’t think Carr would have played much last year even if everything had worked in his favor. He was a less ready version of Jordan Gainey in 2025. Fun to romanticize “what if”, but we were pretty deep at the guard position.

 

[sami]

How in the world did Coach Barnes and staff miss on Cam Carr? Cam Carr is an expected top 10 lottery pick in the NBA. I know we are in the sweet sixteen now but we are not expected to advance much further. If Cam Carr had not transferred out, he would be our starting SG instead of Boswell. We could use Cam Carr’s scoring. Boswell would be perfect coming off the bench.

First of all, he isn't going to be a lottery pick, but probably go somewhere in the 20's if he's a 1st rounder.

Secondly, as many have already pointed out, how did Barnes "miss" on him if he recruited and signed him? Kid didn't want to compete on defense at the level required here and quit on his teammates.

The NBA and G-League are littered with big time offensive players who can't or won't play the requisite defense to crack the rotation of a good NBA team. Cam Thomas is a walking bucket and was just waived by the Bucks after being dumped by the Nets.

Carr might have an awakening, but my guess is he will be drafted and will likely never be what someone of his obvious offensive skill might have been if he focused more on being a winning player and less on individual numbers. We shall see.

 

[sami]

Carr is more of an issue of player identification and development. Everyone says Carr didn’t fit Barnes system. Ok, then why was he recruited? It’s a dog eat dog world and Carr seems to have made the right decision as he went from wasting away in obscurity to being a potential first round draft pick.

If there’s one blind spot Rick has, it’s offense. I’m not sure the difference in say a Knecht or Lanier versus a Carr

Amari Abrams is one of those guys. Went from a guy who average 8 points in the SEC as a freshman to can’t even get on the floor under Barnes. Just seems to me that if Barnes could solve this riddle, he’s easily get back to a final four.

One huge difference is that Knecht and Lanier came here specifically to be coached hard and challenged to become better all around players to better prepare them for the next level. The same thing can be said for Ament, who could have gone anywhere but chose to go somewhere he would be coached hard and challenged.

Carr wanted to put up numbers, and went to a place where he could do so on a mediocre team where he was the primary option. We'll see how that helps him at the next level.

 

[WaywardVol]

One huge difference is that Knecht and Lanier came here specifically to be coached hard and challenged to become better all around players to better prepare them for the next level. The same thing can be said for Ament, who could have gone anywhere but chose to go somewhere he would be coached hard and challenged.

Carr wanted to put up numbers, and went to a place where he could do so on a mediocre team where he was the primary option. We'll see how that helps him at the next level.

You can’t produce at the next level unless you get to the next level. Carr is viewed as a pick between 15-24. No way that happens if he stays here.

 

[Ghost of Archvol]

didn't miss on him at all. he was signed sealed and delivered and refused to do what the team and coaches required of him. he'll do great in the nba -you don't have to play defense there.

his contributions at the collegiate level will mostly go unnoticed because the team he went to did not perform very well in spite of his highlight reels.

 

[sami]

You can’t produce at the next level unless you get to the next level. Carr is viewed as a pick between 15-24. No way that happens if he stays here.

A lot of guys get to the next level but the G League is full of talented players who are lacking at critical parts of the game. Carr will get his shot, well see if he has what it takes to stick.

 

[Volinnooga]

No doubt we could use his offensive skillset.

t what cost? His lack of interest in defense may have more than made up for whatever offense he brought.

 

[cncchris33]

t what cost? His lack of interest in defense may have more than made up for whatever offense he brought.

Yes, if you read my other posts on him in this thread, I made it clear that his interest in defense is clearly an issue.

My response you quoted was meant to be interpreted in a vacuum.

 

[Volinnooga]

Yes, if you read my other posts on him in this thread, I made it clear that his interest in defense is clearly an issue.

My response you quoted was meant to be interpreted in a vacuum.

My apologies. But it's virtually impossible, at least for my feeble brain, to recall exactly who said what when, so I can only reply to what is said in one post. I certainly wasn't trying to offend you.

 

[cncchris33]

My apologies. But it's virtually impossible, at least for my feeble brain, to recall exactly who said what when, so I can only reply to what is said in one post. I certainly wasn't trying to offend you.

No, not at all. I was just trying to connect the dots so you knew my actual opinion of him and that my comment you quoted wasn't entirely in context. No offense taken and certainly none intended on my end.

 

[OrangeInKy]

What a thread to start. This is a gem. Imagine not knowing that Cam Carr is the reason Cam Carr didn't play more here and Cam Carr is the reason that Cam Carr bailed on the team. Barnes makes 4th Sweet 16 in a row and the next day someone decides to bring up Cam Carr and blame Barnes for him not being here. He’s at home watching the tournament.

 

[BernardKingGOAT]

What a thread to start. This is a gem. Imagine not knowing that Cam Carr is the reason Cam Carr didn't play more here and Cam Carr is the reason that Cam Carr bailed on the team. Barnes makes 4th Sweet 16 in a row and the next day someone decides to bring up Cam Carr and blame Barnes for him not being here. He’s at home watching the tournament.

It's the usuals. You know who they are