Duke facing UT in an exhibition game

[akaukswoosh]

May be one of the few times I root for UT.

Tennessee Basketball to face Duke in one of two preseason exhibition games

Tennessee Basketball will go to Michigan and will host Duke in preseason exhibition games in October, before the start of the 2025-26 season.

www.on3.com

 

[gonefishin]

I know Tennessee lost some players off last year team, but what does their top 6-7 look like for next season?

 

[PastorofMuppets82]

I assume something along the lines of (but who knows)

PG - Gillespie SR (transfer from Maryland) backed up by Abram SR (transfer from Louisiana Tech)
SG - Boswell SO
C- Carey JR (transfer from Vandy)
SF - Nate Ament (Freshmen)
PF - Okpara SR

With Phillips and Estrella backing up PF/C spots and mostly FR and SO guard depth (plentiful though) beyond the above.

 

[MonsterMash79]

I know boozer talkin ish though.. He best back it up wish both could lose lol..

 

[SaturnCat33]

I hope UT beats Duke by 50

 

[chicago_cat]

I can't imagine how insufferable the boozer twins must be. His dad was a nightmare in chicago and everyone wanted him out of the city.

UT gonna be around 8 to 10 in the league.

 

[CrazyUncleVol]

I can't imagine how insufferable the boozer twins must be. His dad was a nightmare in chicago and everyone wanted him out of the city.

UT gonna be around 8 to 10 in the league.

Haha. Don't think so. They will be near top. Might win the league.

 

[CrazyUncleVol]

I assume something along the lines of (but who knows)

PG - Gillespie SR (transfer from Maryland) backed up by Abram SR (transfer from Louisiana Tech)
SG - Boswell SO
C- Carey JR (transfer from Vandy)
SF - Nate Ament (Freshmen)
PF - Okpara SR

With Phillips and Estrella backing up PF/C spots and mostly FR and SO guard depth (plentiful though) beyond the above.

Boswell won't start at sg. He is a good defender, but an offensive liability. He can play back-up pg. Abram, Burg, Massamba, or Evans imo as starting sg. Okpara will play 5 & Carey 4

 

[CatPatrick13]

Might win the league.

lol. So “Might” UK.

 

[CrazyUncleVol]

lol. So “Might” UK.

Fine, but 8-10 is laughable. What they lost, they replaced. They will be very good.

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

Fine, but 8-10 is laughable. What they lost, they replaced. They will be very good.

Who replaced Lanier? I agree they replaced the midget PG with a good one from Maryland.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

Fine, but 8-10 is laughable. What they lost, they replaced. They will be very good.

Preseason rankings have them as the 6th best SEC team.. they arent as far off from that 8 range as you think. Now thats not neccesarily because they did anything wrong, but because the SEC is that good.

That said, their outlook to me is pretty meh. They lost 7 seniors, which is tough for any coach to rebuild.. and in general have a lot of turnover over the course of two seasons, with a coach who hasn't really shown an ability to quickly adapt a new roster. Nate Ament is probably a year away from being a real factor.

A nice center, ja'kobi is a solid pickup.. but I dont see them competing for anything in the SEC.

 

[CrazyUncleVol]

Preseason rankings have them as the 6th best SEC team.. they arent as far off from that 8 range as you think. Now thats not neccesarily because they did anything wrong, but because the SEC is that good.

That said, their outlook to me is pretty meh. They lost 7 seniors, which is tough for any coach to rebuild.. and in general have a lot of turnover over the course of two seasons, with a coach who hasn't really shown an ability to quickly adapt a new roster. Nate Ament is probably a year away from being a real factor.

A nice center, ja'kobi is a solid pickup.. but I dont see them competing for anything in the SEC.

OK Swami. We'll see. I think they will be in the mix. They lost Estrella last year. He will be back. What makes you say Ament is a year away as opposed to other highly rated freshmen? Because he picked UT? ;-) Gillespie, Abram (or Evans, Burg, Massamba), Ament, Carey, Okpara with Phillips, and Estrella off the bench. I think they lost 4 seniors. Ziegler, Gainey, Mashack, and Lanier. Who were the other 3? None of those were world beaters, but contributed to a very nice 30 - 8 team. I think Barnes will get similar from this team.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

OK Swami. We'll see. I think they will be in the mix. They lost Estrella last year. He will be back. What makes you say Ament is a year away as opposed to other highly rated freshmen? Because he picked UT? ;-) Gillespie, Abram (or Evans, Burg, Massamba), Ament, Carey, Okpara with Phillips, and Estrella off the bench. I think they lost 4 seniors. Ziegler, Gainey, Mashack, and Lanier. Who were the other 3? None of those were world beaters, but contributed to a very nice 30 - 8 team. I think Barnes will get similar from this team.

They didnt just lose Estrella.. they lost most of their team, and they lost a lot of their team the year before. Barnes is a good coach, but hes not the type who can make freshman into stars quickly or get a brand new team to compete. Honestly, most coaches cant. Im never high on teams that are losing a ton of talent.

Nate Ament is just too thin for this coming year, unless he really surprises with his ability. I think the SEC knocks him around. Thats regardless of where he went..

Maybe the 7 seniors always from the year prior? Either way its a lot of roster turnover in little time.. and thats the reason they are picked to be in the middle of the pack in the SEC.

 

[CrazyUncleVol]

We'll see. Other than Florida, I won't concede any other team is better and that is because of last year's success for florida. UK has a nearly new roster. UT did lose 6 players. Gainey, Ziegler, and Lanier were good. Mashack was a good defender. Losing Dubar & Milicic is of zero consequence.

1 - Gillespie/Boswell/Henderson
2 - Abram/Evans/Burg
3 - Ament (could play 2), Evans
4 - Carey, Phillips
5 - Okpara, Estrella

Ament 5*
Gillespie/Abram/Carey 4* TR
Boswell/Evans/Okpara/Estrella 4* recruits
Phillips was a high 3* borderline 4*

That ain't a chump roster. Brown 4* & Massamba (ur int'l) will redshirt.

Not that you care I don't think it is crazy to say they will be in the mix to win the league. I didn't say they would win it. What is so great about Ark this year? UK? Alabama? Auburn? Or Florida for that matter. Good luck! It's almost football time. The Vols are picked 9th and that is way too low too They have a very favorable schedule

 

[Juneswoon]

It’s spelled dook

 

[kyfanrob]

It’s spelled dook

No, it's spelled "Puke"

 

[CRZ4UK]

The cheaters vs The Hooker beaters.
should be good.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

We'll see. Other than Florida, I won't concede any other team is better and that is because of last year's success for florida. UK has a nearly new roster. UT did lose 6 players. Gainey, Ziegler, and Lanier were good. Mashack was a good defender. Losing Dubar & Milicic is of zero consequence.

1 - Gillespie/Boswell/Henderson
2 - Abram/Evans/Burg
3 - Ament (could play 2), Evans
4 - Carey, Phillips
5 - Okpara, Estrella

Ament 5*
Gillespie/Abram/Carey 4* TR
Boswell/Evans/Okpara/Estrella 4* recruits
Phillips was a high 3* borderline 4*

That ain't a chump roster. Brown 4* & Massamba (ur int'l) will redshirt.

Not that you care I don't think it is crazy to say they will be in the mix to win the league. I didn't say they would win it. What is so great about Ark this year? UK? Alabama? Auburn? Or Florida for that matter. Good luck! It's almost football time. The Vols are picked 9th and that is way too low too They have a very favorable schedule

What's great about Kentucky is that Pope actually had a full off-season and a year under his belt. Not only was last years roster mostly overlooked transfers, but they also dealt with injuries all year. We are longer and taller, deeper, and we actually have several guys who will be 1st round draft picks, instead of a roster this past year that really didnt have a lot of NBA talent. Thats why Kentucky is near the top of the SEC preseason rankings.

Kentucky fandom aside, I would be much more excited for year 2 from Pope, than I would be for a brand new roster for Barnes who basically has one foot out the door in retirement.

 

[CrazyUncleVol]

I never said UK wouldn't be good only that UT would be as well. UT is a top 15 basketball program the last 30 years. I trust the AD will make a great hire when Barnes does retire. I'm just glad SEC men's basketball is more than just UK nowadays. It took a long time, but other programs are consistently rolling now. That's good

 

[LineSkiCat14]

I never said UK wouldn't be good only that UT would be as well. UT is a top 15 basketball program the last 30 years. I trust the AD will make a great hire when Barnes does retire. I'm just glad SEC men's basketball is more than just UK nowadays. It took a long time, but other programs are consistently rolling now. That's good

Good point, and you know what comes with other SEC teams being "good"? Their own message boards! Check this one out.

Tennessee Vols Basketball

In our Tennessee Basketball Vols Forum you can discuss Tennessee Vols Basketball.

www.volnation.com

 

[CrazyUncleVol]

Lol. I got involved in this discussion. I generally only come for salty tears during the season. Best wishes

 

[PastorofMuppets82]

It's cool. All are welcome. Just lots of friendly ribbing back and forth and the occasional troll, but for the most part most other fanbases peeps keep it cordial. Can't blame them though, lots of fanbases come over here to look at our banners, especially the ones who've never seen a final four banner before.

 

[CrazyUncleVol]

Its true UT has never been to a FF, but THEY (notice I use 3rd person & not 1st person) HAVE won the conference regular season & tournament as well as owning victories over Kansas, Duke, UK, Louisville, UNC, UCLA, Syracuse, etc. over the years. They will get over the top. Bet. I responded to a thread about UT playing Duke, and just sort of egged it along. I think the "hope" from certain UK fans is UT will return to the late 80s - 90s era, but I wouldn't expect it. Cheers.