re: Tide Hoops | Recruiting

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Bottom Line: Like last year, the ceiling for the Vols is quite high considering the production and experience of the returning pieces combined with the talent of the newcomers. It remains to be seen if the pieces fit together better offensively, though, particularly based on the system Barnes opts to employ. The scheme decisions could also be affected by Barnes losing two of his assistants: Kim English (George Mason) and Desmond Oliver (East Tennessee St.) both landed head coaching gigs. Losing assistants is not a challenge unique to Tennessee, but it does add to the question marks after a year of underachievement. Will more shooting, added frontcourt depth, and (hopefully) better health lead to the March run that Rocky Top nation dreams of? We shall see.

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Bottom Line: With the postseason ban having been served, Auburn enters this year with a refreshed outlook. Pearl has reloaded the roster with transfers and a lottery pick recruit, and the team’s overwhelming depth and athleticism should give most opponents fits. Structuring the team’s identity will be a slight challenge, as the Tigers’ scoring arsenal tilts more towards the frontcourt than in years past, but it’s not a problem, per se. As the defense improves, so do the Tigers, and we fully expect to see Charles Barkley’s boys back on the dance floor in March as a result.

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Bottom Line: Musselman has proven time and again that he can take unfamiliar pieces and meld them into a cohesive unit, with last year’s defense being perhaps his most impressive work. This year’s roster has similar types of players – plenty of 6’4 to 6’7 switchable athletes – but whether they’re up to the same caliber of player as the 2021 team is a topic of debate. Lykes’ health is another concern, although if Davis and Robinson play up to their potential (and stay healthy themselves), Musselman should have enough ball-handling to withstand his diminutive scorer being unavailable. Particularly after last year’s postseason run, the Muss Bus is packed with ardent supporters, and he has a chance to put those fans in a fervor with another deep and versatile squad.

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Bottom Line: Despite changing out three massive pieces, this LSU team’s roster construction once again has an offensive tilt to it. Eason and Wilkinson may be the only plus defenders in the rotation, and though the added size inside should stabilize the defensive floor, the offense will take a hit with Pinson/Miller tagging in for Smart/Thomas. The result is a slightly more balanced but similarly flawed team that looks destined to be roughly on par with Wade’s last two squads: NCAA Tournament caliber, but unlikely to make a significant tourney run. Fortunately, Wade is properly handling every other aspect of the job in a squeaky clean manner, so that’s really all you can ask for in this day and age.

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Bottom Line: The Gators have some serious turnover on the roster, and without any explicit expectation of Johnson making an inspirational comeback, questions exist with this new group. The four incoming transfers played for teams that went a combined 29-61 last season (none had a winning record), and while the individual players themselves offer enticing skillsets, can they be key pieces on a winner in the SEC? That remains to be seen. Castleton, Appleby, and Duruji exist as a solid foundation, so the floor looks relatively stable, but for the Gators to get past the NCAA’s Second Round for the first time since 2017, White will need to assemble a cohesive unit out of what currently looks like an admittedly intriguing stockpile of raw materials.

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