Tennessee’s football game with Florida on Saturday also marks one of the bigger men’s basketball team recruiting weekends in coach Bruce Pearl’s tenure.
Pearl and his staff will host two official visitors — 2009 commitment Kenny Hall and Chipola Junior College shooting guard Casey Mitchell — along with a star-studded list of unofficial visitors.
Hall, a 6-foot-9 power forward from Stone Mountain, Ga., is the No. 61-rated player in the nation according to Rivals.com.
Mitchell is considered one of the country’s top juco players. Shooting guard is a position UT is mindful of with incoming McDonald’s All-American Scotty Hopson making it clear he’ll consider his NBA options at the conclusion of the season.
Two-sport star Marlon Brown of Harding Academy in Memphis is also expected to attend the Florida game at Neyland Stadium.
Brown is the No. 9 receiver in the nation according to Rivals.com, and is also the No. 1-ranked athlete in the Class of 2009. UT is interested in him playing football and basketball. Brown, at 6-5, is a three-star small forward.
The Vols are still recruiting Dominic Cheek, a 6-5 guard from St. Anthony in Jersey City, N.J., who’s ranked No. 16 overall in the Class of 2009, and Durand Scott, a 6-4 guard from Rice High in New York City who ranks No. 41 in the Class of ’09.
Some of the top junior prospects in the nation are also headed to Knoxville, including combo-guard Aaron Craft, from Findlay, Ohio, who recently committed to the Vols.
Adreian Payne, a 6-8 center from Jefferson High in Dayton, Ohio., who teamed with Craft on the All-Ohio Red AAU team (134-3 over the past two years), is also expected on campus unofficially. Payne is the No. 2-ranked center in the Class of 2010 and is No. 10 overall according to Rivals.com.
Another key prospect from the Class of 2010 expected in Knoxville is point guard Josh Selby, rated No. 2 at his position and No. 7 overall by Rivals.com. Selby is from DeMatha High in Hyattsville, Md.
Jordan McRae of Liberty County High in Midway, Ga., another shooting guard who's ranked No. 28 in the Class of 2010, and Kerry Hammonds, a wing from Murfreesboro Siegel, will be in Knoxville.
The Vols are still recruiting Joe Jackson, a point guard at White Station in Memphis, who is ranked No. 3 at his position and No. 15 overall in the Class of 2010. Jackson is tentatively expected to make an official visit the weekend of UT’s football game with Alabama (Oct. 25).
Tracy Abrams (Mount Carmel, Chicago) and Jeremiah Davis (Muncie, Ind.) are a pair of talented sophomores from the Class of 2011 who are also expected to make unofficial visits.
Abrams (6-1) is a point guard while Davis (6-1) is a combo-guard. Davis is also being recruited by Indiana and Kentucky, while DePaul, UCLA and Illinois have shown early interest in Abrams.
The Vols are also expected to get unofficial visits from Saginaw (Mich.) High teammates Tommy McCune (6-8) and Jordan Hare (6-7). McCune and Hare are former teammates of UT incoming freshman Daniel West.
McCune was rated the No. 2 player in the Class of 2011 in Michigan by Prep Spotlight, and Hare, also in the Class of 2011, is projected to be a top 10 player. Saginaw has won the past two state championships in Michigan's largest high school classification.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Tennessee defeats Georgia 3-2 in…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 55
IBleedOrange444 writes:
I don't know how many big time college football games these guys have been to, but they are in for an amazing show. 107,000+ all screaming their heads off at the same time is a sight to see! Hopefully the football team can show these b-ballers a little taste of why
it's great...
to be...
a Tennessee Vol!
IBleedOrange444 writes:
LazhilUT-
What are you still doing here? I thought you left to put a bullet in your face. Are you going to be back on here when we win talking about how UF gave us the game and we didn't deserve to win?
SemperVol writes:
This is the greatest arena for the school to showcase what we've got.
IBleedOrange444 writes:
phooey, I must have overslept! It looks like we lost to Florida. How bad was it? Did we even keep it close?
BigOrangeVol writes:
Anyone that thinks that our coaches or players don't care and don't want to win more than any of us is a total moron. They work at it every day having a vested interest and we don't. What have you done to make them more competitive? Who much of your life have you worked, sweated and sacrificed for the program? How many millions have you donated to the VASF?
While you may not be happy with the results, to question their heart and desire shows a complete lack of knowledge overshadowed by a skewed personal biased which is pitifully transparent. Just go ahead and join the haters and be a man about it. So you don’t like Phillip and you don’t like Chief…blah, blah, blah, wah, wah, wah.
Hey Vandy is 3-0 and tied with UGA and AU for first place in the SEC. VU can use all the fair-weather fans they can get and you sound like a perfect candidate to me! Jumping back on the UT bandwagon should be easy for you when we win; I’m sure it wouldn’t be your first foray off and back on again.
volchiq writes:
Well said BOV.
shoalcreekvol writes:
Unbelievable. Whatever idiot said that firing Buzz was about selling more dadgum popcorn owes Mike Hamilton an apology. It was about an opportunity to create a true (men's) basketball program, and one that is worthy of wearing the orange. God bless the Right Reverend Pearl.
MANVOL writes:
No booing if your going to the game. We need these kids. Silence is deadly!!!
Ironcity writes:
I can't remember when we have had more then 3 players on campus at anyone time. As usual, great job coach. Laz why do you believe that the players have no heart or guts?
b_neas writes:
Let's just hope their hosts don't do anything stupid with the recruits! Oh wait this is the basketball team, Pearl DEMANDS his boys act right. No worries!
BigOrangeVol writes:
This article IS about basketball by the way. Hijacking every thread to whine about Phillip and Chief is getting so lame and tired. And some of you wonder why we don’t get the high-profile football recruits that we use to. Duh!
Bruce hasn't won a National Championship yet but I do feel he is on his way to doing so. What scares me is that when he does, if he doesn't win the SEC and go to the Finals every year thereafter, this spoiled infantile fanbase will run him into the ground and burn him in effigy 24/7/365 until he’s gone. Actually, if I were Pearl I’d be testing the waters after seeing how Phillip has been treated. Has that thought ever creeped into the vast recesses of your little hater minds? Why would any good coach want to come work here?
murrayvol writes:
BOV: I have no idea how old you are but surely you've lived long enough to know the world is way over the limit on "total morons" and they're breeding like rabbits.
This is a tough game and our guys may not find a way to get a W but it sure as hell won't be because they don't care.
Sooooo, go Bruce, and convince these guys that UT is the place to be for a long time to come. Go Vols!
BigOrangeVol writes:
Knockin' on a half-century next month. :-(
Old but not done yet.
Breeding like rabbits doesn't even come close. They're growing faster than a double exponential function!
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
Pearl is a GOD!!!! BOOK IT!!!!!!!
bfrank78 writes:
I wonder what kind of impression the football team will make on all of these nice recruits once the Gators ripp the football team a brand new a&*hole.
Not a smmart move BP, you should've scheduled these visits last week for the UAB game!!!!
txvolsfan writes:
bfrank, Pearl doesn't make dumb moves.
These kids are being recruited to play basketball not football. What 17-18 year old wouldn't love to see 107,000 people their to cheer and support?
Your the DUMB one my friend!
GO VOLS
BEAT THE GATORS
TXVOLSFAN
slov_knits writes:
Bruce Pearl isn't smart. when those recruits get a glimpse of 100,000 rednecks driving their john deere's to the game they won't be able to get to the aiport fast enough. Send them on down here to Gatorland where they can actually win games and play for a program that has back to back national championships instead of a bunch of fans that wear coonskin caps.
Go Gators!!
cjraney writes:
murrayvol says: "the world is way over the limit on total morons and they're breeding like rabbits."
Hilarious.
Go Vols, basketball and football.
gemstone writes:
lazhilUT........you need to take a chill pill or two and chill out. You have so much hate how do you get through a day?
bfrank78 writes:
txvolsfan, Your real silly. What the hell will the 107,000 being cheering for??? Certainly not the Vols as the Gators will probably be up 20 by halftime.
Now ask yourself, what 17-18 year old wants to see prospective future fans booing Fat Phil and Crompton? If I was them I wouldn't want to go to a school like that.
Once again not a smart move by BP!
AlpharettaVol writes:
It's just a sign of our times that people hide behind screen names to make comments they would never make to people if they met them face to face. Perhaps some of you need to go down to the athletic department offices and ask to see the coaches so you can call them names and defame their character for all the world to see.
bfrank78 writes:
Alpharetta, If your referring to me I wouldn't mind one bit telling BP this isn't a smart move face-to-face, he's a man just like me!!!
bfrank78 writes:
Ooh and Phil can hear it to. I'll just run if he gets mad he'll never catch me. LOL
MrBamSeydu writes:
HEY FULMER!! THIS IS WHAT A PROGRAM ON THE RISE LOOKS LIKE!!!
Geez, Bruce Pearl is having to help Fulmer recruit Marlon Brown by lying to him and telling him he can play basketball at UT too. haha, There's 0% chance he ever steps foot on the court for meaningful playing time.
University of Tennessee: A Basketball School
rockytop47 writes:
You guys are a bunch of idiots! Last time I checked UT was in the TOP 10 in recruiting for next season for footbal and Pearl wasn't. Love both coaches, but it is two different sports.
IBleedOrange444 writes:
tngeoff-
Now there's a Tennessee Vol we can all be proud of! F@%$ Palin and McCain. Maybe if Palin and her aids hadn't been conducting state business via personal email to safeguard against future subpeonas no one would've felt inclined to hack into her personal email.
dvols writes:
fire pearl, no sec championships, no final fours, and now no lofton to pull out wins fot him.
IBleedOrange444 writes:
I bet it'll be full on Saturday OldSouth.
I don't think I found this site until after football season last year, so I wonder if the negativity even trails off after a big win. Or does the drum beat go on? I hope we get the chance to find out this weekend.
IBleedOrange444 writes:
tngeoff-
I'm not a Democrat, but I feel that the GOP, with Bush at the helm for the last 8 years, has done many despicable things... too many to name on this board and too many to allow myself to vote for a Republican in the coming election.
Let me just ask you a question though. Which did you find more egregious, the kid hacking into Palin's personal email account or the Republicans using their no warrant wire taps that were supposed to protect us from terrorists to nail Elliot Spitzer to the wall as retribution for busting all their corrupt corporate scoundrel buddies?
Also, what's with the Balack nickname? You don't like black people unless they play on one of the sports teams you pull for or what?
threehundredbowler writes:
lazhilut,you suck big time.Get lost you moron.
budrhon writes:
Ibleed/tngeoff - Just remember whoever the next candidate that goes into office will be inheriting a mess. Thank you Mr. Bush. The question is who has the best solution to the current problems? It's also interesting how tngeoff indicates "balack" is a typo but yet never corrects it. Interesting. Let's be respectful of both candidates. As for the recruits I hear that Joe Jackson may be a lock for Memphis. I'm interested if the Vols are recruiting Adonis Thomas out of Melrose. I believe he is a 2011 grad. Currently many are saying he is going to be a great one coming out of the Bluff City.
IBleedOrange444 writes:
tngeoff-
Good idea.
Go Vols! Beat those lizzards into submission!
dvols writes:
i was just tryin to fit in on this website you fellas? dont guess youens saw the irony.
i like gettin my hoops on but that is for after new years.
orangevolz writes:
Is this a board for Vol fans? I have never read so many moronic and immature posts in my life. Please take a moment and read what you are posting before you send it. It is embarrassing to read this phooey. If you really hate the Vols that much, go join a Bama board. You would fit in real well with those guys, since you hate everything about the Vols.
murrayvol writes:
tngeoff: You're not a racist. You're a McCain supporter. And if you can sell "Balack" as a typo, you've got a spot on his campaign staff. :)
BigOrangeVol writes:
Bravo Zulu Naval, I'm sure most of these deck apes have a cruise sock sitting beside the computer at all times.
gatorzz isn't a lib or McDimm... he's a Muscles Are Required Intelligence Not Essential.
Snake Eaters Rule!
orangesox writes:
I think slov_knits just called the kettle black.
wildberry14 writes:
seriously. we need to be incredible fans for these basketball kids, if for no other reason.
jzt writes:
I love that man; Way to go Bruce.
richvol writes:
WOW! I have never seen a time in over 50 years of watching Tennessee athletics where we had an opportunity like this. The chance to impress this many high level recruits ( don't forget the football prospects at the game too) and beat 4th ranked Florida is amazing.
I pray that we put our best effort on the field and in the stands to show what Tennessee is made of. Chances like this are rare.
alfrizzle097 writes:
LazhilUT-
I would hardly call UT's academic standards excellence. Maybe consistent mediocrity. Wait....
Kosmo-
Funny you should site Tubby Smith. He never failed to make it to the second round. NEVER Ol' Billy G pulled it off in his first year. Funny thing is, the team should be even worse this year. Tubby will have Minnesota in the tournament and Kentucky will be playing in the Not Invited.
BlueTickLady writes:
IBleed 7:24 pm.
No such luck - even if we beat the phooey out of FL the negative nellies will find something to complain about. I was a paying member for several years - it was better before it was free!!!
Not that there were not people calling for change back then - you just did not have to wade through 100+ posts full of insults and name calling to find the few that had actual ideas.
Ironcity writes:
I thought this was a basketball article.
THE_VOL writes:
BigOrangeVol: You need to come out from under FOOLmer's desk! He's got a game tomorrow and your gonna take his legs away if you keep on - well you know what I'm talking about!
As for your other questions:
1. What have you done to make them more competitive? Plenty up until 2005!
2. Who much of your life have you worked, sweated and sacrificed for the program? I suspect you mean "HOW muc..." and the answer is 8 years, 3 months and 21 days to be exact.
3. How many millions have you donated to the VASF? Again up until 2005 nearly $1.5 million.
SO STFU, STOP BLOWING YOUR BOY, AND DON'T EVEN TRY TO TELL ME HOW TO SUPPORT THIS PROGRAM THAT HAS BEEN DECLINING FOR NEARLY 8 YEARS NOW!!!! MAYBE IF YOUR ARSEHOLE BUDDY HAD SOME LEGIT RECRUITS SHOW UP FOR A TN/FL HOOPS GAME HE'D ACTUALLY SIGN SOMEBODY WITH SERIOUS TALENT THAT COULD SAVE HIS FAT BUTT!!! INSTEAD HE JUST CONTINUES THE SAME OLD EXCUSES, COACH-SPEAK, AND GENERAL BS THAT HAS MADE THIS A NON-RESPECTED, NON-FEARED, NON-COMPETITIVE PROGRAM! TOMORROW WILL BE YET ANOTHER FINE EXAMPLE OF JUST HOW FAR THE MIGHTY HAVE FALLEN!
THE_VOL writes:
Now as for hoops, most of these guys in this weekend won't even get an offer from BP....Josh Selby is one of the top targets but is probably gonna take a lot of work to get because of some relationships he has with others. If BP can land him Jackson will be looking elsewhere. I will actually be very surprised if any of the in-state guys ever signs a BB scholly with the Vols cause there are just too many guys across the land that are better and BP can get.
BUT I do hope BP is smart enough to get em out of the stadium at halftime cause it won't be good to have the recruits among the last few hundred watching at game's end!
murrayvol writes:
Ironcity: It was.
BigOrangeJeff writes:
TNgeoff,
You may or may not be racist. The link you give in support of your racial tolerance makes it seem like you're saying "some of my best friends are black." We all know that the "Balack" thing wasn't a typo, because you used it in the thread you linked to on the WBIR website.
Whatever, dude. Just come clean, drop the "typo" charade, and admit the "Balack" comment was a poor attempt at humor. Until then, you appear just as racist as nafslov. Besides, you'll feel better about yourself and people will respect you more.
BOJ
myvols2002 writes:
I just hope with all these recruits coming in for this game and the other games that there want be know booing going on. Everybody please bite your tounge or something when the urge to boo comes.
bfrank78 writes:
How can you not boo Craptom especially after he throws his third pick.
These recruits will definitely be turned off after this massacre.
volmattna writes:
Ok bfrank, Go somewhere else. We will land a few of these recruits. They will love the enviroment. And after we bend the Gators over tomorrow. And see this celebration. They will committ on the spot GO VOLS!!!!
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