KNOXVILLE -- Tennessee's basketball program earned a much-needed win on Tuesday night.
The Volunteers could get a much larger victory tonight in Memphis.
Five-star recruit Jarnell Stokes will announce his college decision at 6:30 p.m. local time tonight, and UT has a chance to land the 6-foot-8 forward. Stokes' relationship with the Vols dates back to former coach Bruce Pearl's staff, but new coach Cuonzo Martin has kept the Vols in the picture. Stokes officially visited UT in October and visited unofficially when UT hosted Pittsburgh earlier this month.
Arkansas, Connecticut, Kentucky, Memphis and Florida are Stokes' other five finalists.
Continue reading at the Chattanooga Times Free Press.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Softball: Tennessee 2, Georgia 1
Tennessee defeats Georgia 3-2 in…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 96
ROCKYTOP10ECVOL writes:
He will be a Vol & if the buzz is true, he will be in uniform @ Thompson Bowling w/in a couple weeks. Sure hope it's true we Vol Fans need a lil good news & that would qualify.
FanNotSheep writes:
If ever a team needed a player, Tennessee needs Jarnell Stokes. Don't know if he can come in and be a starter by the end of the season, but surely he could be in the mix for a lot of valuable minutes.
The clock is ticking for Cuonzo Martin. Many Vol fans, myself included, are disappointed in the early results – both in recruiting and on the court. If he can put Stokes in an orange uniform today, Martin could buy himself a lot of time.
tennrich1 writes:
Wow! The man has coached, what, 10 games or so at UT and he's "on the clock"? While I too am disappointed a little, HE IS DEFINITELY NOT ON THE CLOCK. Now that's funny dont care who's a talking....
ROCKYTOP10ECVOL writes:
Couldn't agree more. I think his frustrations w/ the football team may be clouding his judgement a little bit.
We have overachieved in some games and underachieved in others. Stokes would help, but better PG play would help more. Golden is sub-par on D & inconsistant on O. Need a real leader on the floor to step up aswell.. Maymon has been a leader in spots, I think we need him to be the guy.
doh writes:
Bruce Pearl couldnt have won alot of games with this team. Coach Martin didnt inherit a load of talent. For people to say the clock is ticking after ten games dont have a clue about sports.
Nunshalpass writes:
Amen brother...
I_Bleed_Orng writes:
I'm sure what you and some of our, "I don't care about reality, I want it now. Daddy, I want a goose that lays gold eggs for Easter, at least a hundred a day!" fans think is right at the top of Martin's priority list.
Unlike you, CCM isn't concerned with what you want and when you want it. He's dealing with adults, not little spoiled brats who think they deserve whatever they want because they happened to live through the birthing process.
jdcdjc writes:
In the past, Memphis has won out.
Stanman08 writes:
While I am not ready to chip in for the cost of the moving van to send to Martin's house just yet, I am concern with this BB team as well. Cuonzo Martin hasn't shown he can take an average group of players and be competitive against other average teams. Pearl was a master at this and proved he could get his teams to out play average competition and many times beat better competition. Vol fans filled the arena when Pearl coached because his teams at times were dragon slayers, not to mention how much fun it was to witness his magical and energetic personality. There are more Vol fans that miss that guy than are willing to admit!
VOL1972 writes:
CCM on the clock? Give me a break. If we are having the same conversation a couple of years from now then we might be thinking about making a change, but we're 10 games into his first season.
On the other hand, Martin didn't arrive at UT to find the cupboard bare(I'm really getting kind of tired hearing that). Pearl left six or seven four star players. The talent is there, CCM just hasn't been able to put the pieces together yet. Maybe he has too many 4 star players with 5 star egos. Maybe a 5 star player (like a Harris) surrounded by a bunch a 3 star role players is what Martin is trying to build. We just need to patient for a couple of years.
Let's face it, we're not Kentucky.
JimmyJoe writes:
CCM may not be on a stopwatch clock... But the clock is ticking none the less....he needs to land this guy or it will send a message that he is going to have problems recruiting just like he is having problems motivating a team to beat an instate nobody like Austin Peay... If we go 10-23 this year and average about 5000 fans or less for the last ten games... What do you think the administration is going to do? CCM better have recruited some help and give dave and jimmy some reason to think that he has a chance to make some headway next season...
RoadTrip writes:
Stokes immediately brings life to this team if he chooses to come to UT. He can quickly be a go-to guy, which frees Maymon to get open easier. They can go big against the tall teams and two forward/3 guard against the smaller teams. Either PG can be more conservative with the ball handling as there will be another scorer in the game. It changes everything including the defense and more importantly, the team psyche. it will take a few weeks to blend it all together, but they would be playiing at a higher level down the stretch.
It's the Tobias effect. Without him last year they don't even sniff the NCAA tourney, even with many posters' king of basketball coaches.
bigdisbig writes:
Great coaches win games with average players. Tennessee has a football and basketball coach who has had opportunities to win games with average players and simply has not YET. There was absolutely NO reason to lose to Austin Peay. There was NO reason to lose to Kentucky in football. All fans want to see hope in these programs yet nothing has given hope YET.
FearMyMohawk writes:
Did Stokes attend Pearls cookout?
cloudodust writes:
For whom the bell tolls, it tolls for thee...
CoverOrange writes:
What position would he play that would help us? We need help at the PG and post and Stokes is either too tall or too short.
And just curious, if Stokes played 4 years, would his last year of eligibility end in December 2015?
bogey74 writes:
Please withhold moronic comments for at least another few months!
lomas98 writes:
I think Florida is a major player with this kid. They offer the same thing tn does in a scholarship and availability to play now. He can come to Tennessee and have unfair expectations by the fans immediately and maybe be the difference in making the nit. Or he can go to Florida, take some time to fit in and be the difference in making an already talented team better and final four contender. He has to pay his own way at Memphis and they have other people at his position now and coming in next season. Have my fingers crossed, but we lost a jc football recruit to Florida yesterday and possibly a basketball recruit today.
Ironcity writes:
The fact is coach Pearl was a really good coach and he was a perfect fit for UT. He was within two years of making UT a top destination for kids across the country. That said he let himself get caught up in one of the dumbest violations in the history of UT. So we have Martin. So far Martin hasn't shown me anything yet but its way to early to tell. I tend to scratch my head with his rotation and I don't think he is challenging his back court to step up on defense enough. I was glad to see he finally played some zone. This team is built to play zone. Instead of fighting it embrace it (look at Syracuse it works for them).
I hope Martin lands Stokes. Lets hope he also lands a true PG as well.
vol4gzus writes:
I told ewe to go back to being Barney Fife's backup vocalist! That is your calling and purpose in life as evidenced by what you post proving this isn't ure calling at all. :)
VolzsFan writes:
First, his track record says otherwise. This team has more talent by far than the one Bruce inherited. Virtually every kid on the roster now is a Top 100 recruit. There was none of those when Bruce took over. Also, if Bruce was here this is not the team you would see. There would have been a few other additions that went elsewhere.
Finally, stop being a bunch of spoiled brats. Your program was a serial 500 team until the glass ceiling was broken by Bruce. He changed the facilities landscape, he brought in the fans, had more on the court success than any other UT coach and showed the country what UT basketball can be. It is hard to go back once that is done. It is looking like one of America's current best streaks of 6 straight NCAA tournament seasons will be coming to an end. However, just remember what the talk about UT, it's facilities and program was before Bruce and what it is now.
Thanks Hammy. We will continue enjoying the change.
RockyTopRenegade writes:
Jarnell, c'mon now, you know you want to play for a coach who's played at the highest level AND can help you grow into a well rounded, focused individual who can take charge of his own future.
Plus you know Coach Zo's staff will be great to play with, they were all "Top Guns" on the floor themselves (well....except for the white guy in the film room) so they can help you grow your shooting touch as well.
Good luck with your decision, young man.
ROCKYTOPBRAD writes:
Being from Memphis,I bet he likes BBQ.
underthehill writes:
No ..Martin is not on the clock he is busy trying to get the most out of a very difficult situation he did not create. He has the background to provide reason to believe he will get it done in time. It is "funny" to make such a comment and makes you wonder if someone is just looking for attention..
hikerdude writes:
Pearl did leave several 4* players but they were recruited for their offensive ability, I guess on the theory that their defensive ability could be coached up. They haven't learned how to play defense yet, especially on the perimeter. Golden, McCrae and McBee in particular. I don't think McBee has the talent but maybe the other two do and will learn to play defense evetually. Hope so.
gbeejr#1354500 writes:
Yesterday a memphis radio station (WHBQ 560AM) was saying from the people they were talking to that he was leaning to the Vols but Florida wasn't giving up. With no scholly available from either ky or memphis state I got to like our chances. If Martin doesn't get him this will be a big step-back for the future.
HOSSFLY writes:
ain't gonna happen.........
thevoice writes:
Now that's funny, the good funny.
Merry Christmas to all.
'88 UTK
kyvol_mac writes:
See I think these guys ARE all role players Pearl recruited to fit around Tobias and Scottie. None of the current players can go out and score 20ppg. They all can have a great night but just don't have the consistency to be superstars. This is why getting Stokes is so important it gives these guys a go to scorer and takes the pressure off them to produce as much as they would have to without him. He will make all of these guys better just by getting the focus off of them tobe THE guy. Now it will take a little while for him to gel with this team and be a superstar, but when he does this will be a tough team to beat.
westknoxrepub writes:
Martin's job is at stake, he just won't be fired after this year. If he doesn't get Stokes, there is virtually nobody else coming in next year that will help the program. He's wasted scholarships on horrible players who won't compete in the SEC. So if Stokes goes, next year will be worse than this year, so that's two bad years for Martin.
Washpun, Richardson, Reese, Edwards, Chievous, Yemi, or Miller aren't the calibur of players that will win championships or even get you into the NCAA tournament (a CBI bid would be a blessing with that calibur of player). Even with Stokes, we're not getting in the NCAA tournament this year, and without him, again, we're having another losing season next year. Martin's recruiting philosophy has to change or he will last three years. Tennessee is better than three star players the best of the bad conferences didn't offer.
RockyTopRenegade writes:
^ Would you like some cheese with that whine? ^
1vavolfan writes:
Have to agree, my biggest problem with Martin is that he has tied up 4 years on players that would have a hard time playing for ETSU. When he came in he said he would not just sign players to fill roster spots and then preceded to do exactly that. Of all his recruits the only one I ever see contributing is Richardson.
UKblue02 writes:
The way i understand it, if Stokes picks UK or Memphis he can't play in any games this year (because if no scholly available they are not allowed) but can practice, so i would say that eliminates both UK and Memphis because he is wanting to play this year, I believe UT is in a really good position to get him.
Ironcity writes:
You nailed it. I like Martin. I understand why he is here. Fans need to quit trashing Pearl in an attempt to build up Martin though. Martin will be graded on his success and nothing else. The roster was not void of talent when he got here. Martin was limited in his ability to add players but its a fair question to ask about whether he settled for D2 talent that will never play here. Stokes is important. Other players need to see that UT is still a top destination. That first big recruit can make all the difference in perception.
Ayres_Hall writes:
Steal? I'm not sure Vols hope to steal Stokes. He's being heavily recruited using every tatic that's within the rules.
He's a teenager who'll make a decision that'll break the hearts of many many adult men. I'm sure of it.
rbwusa writes:
Get your Butt down here NOW! We need you! This would put us a couple years ahead from where we are now and would stoke the other players on the team which is needed badly.....
Bigger_Al writes:
Stoked for Stokes!
born2ride writes:
It is a done deal. Stokes to UT.
We have a scholarship. He can play in January.
Memphis & Kentucky do not have a scholarship. Stokes could not play until next year.
There is no another way he would have come to UT.
Martin is simply the beneficiary of an unusual situation. He is still a bad hire and won't be coaching here long - IMO.
SummittsCourt writes:
My guess is, if he is this good he is one and done and I don't know if that will do this squad all that much good in the long run.
However, welcome aboard should he choose the T.
RockyMountainVol writes:
I usually disagree with your views, but this time I partially agree with you.
The idea that you haven't seeen anything yet to give you hope is valid. (I don't personally agree with your assessment, but I can see how you might feel that way.)
Where a few sickos go wrong is when they decide that the only option is to fire the coach, yesterday if possible. That is a flawed, impractical knee-jerk reaction that causes more harm than good.
The trolls that "know" Dooley and/or Martin "cannot" coach in the SEC have an OPINION, nothing more. Their opinion may prove to be correct, over time, but it might also be incorrect. And you don't run an athletic department by making snap judgments, especially when too many snap judgments have been made in the recent past.
RockyMountainVol writes:
From what I've read, Tennessee apparently has three big advantages over Florida:
1. His girlfriend goes to UT.
2. His brother goes to UT.
3. His best friend, Cameron Clear, is on UT's football team.
Now, would I base my choice of schools on these factors? No. But lots of kids have based their college choice on far less than this.
RockyMountainVol writes:
True enough because, as we all well know, every one of Memphis' 646,889 residents likes BBQ.
Griswold writes:
Y'all are already judging Cuonzo's recruting based on a class that had to be signed before NCAA Sanctions came out? No great players were going to come here without knowing if we were even going to eligible to play in a tournament while they're here. Calm down, people. Give the man a chance. He's coached 10 games. All the experts think he was a solid hire.
Stokes44yrs writes:
Tennessee is a fantastic state and UT is a fantastic school and the girls and women are beautiful and the classes are high quality and the sports programs are wonderful(in spite of some comments on here) and the home cooking(bbq aside) is awesome and did I say the girls are beautiful? Oh well you'll love it here. We do have some fans that don't always post negative stuff. In fact most of the real fans are the ones you'll see at the games. PLUS there are lots and lots of fans who are behind the university that love everything about UT. If you read some of the phooey on here and believe it you may not come here then. But that would be a mistake 'cause with or without you it's a great school. The bball team though will be better with you.
wow I haven't even finished and the police have already changed the cr^% word to phooey. That's funny.
beartn#223846 writes:
"The clock is ticking for Cuonzo Martin."
This statement makes no sense. He came in to a mess, when we still didn't know our NCAA punishment fate. I think most people thought we were going to get hammered more by the NCAA than we did. That pretty much killed his first recruiting year. I don't think the clock really starts ticking until the 13/14 season, as long as there is modest improvement by next season.
budd#207344 writes:
The clock is ticking? After 10 games? I have to assume you write this stuff just to poke the fan base in the eye. You cannot truly believe this. Nobody is this stupid. Are you?
amyinsparta writes:
First, let me say that I did not attend UT. But that doesn't hinder my support of it along with my alma mater, TTU. So let me say that UT has a great coach in Cuonzo Martin. He is exactly what these kids need and the kids he is going to recruit will be a asset to the school. I realize that a lot of you don't care if the players are felons as long as they win. But that is not what the program is about. Martin represents what a good college basketball program should be. Build up the program and those kids that are smart as well as good players who want an education along with a winning b-ball program, will come. Bruce Pearl recruited players who were basically illiterate and just one step from the Big House. And BP himself obviously was not opposed to breaking rules to get what he wanted. He had no choice but to get rid of those players who would rather be hoods than students and eventually, his own philosophy of how to win failed him also. We are well rid of him. We now have a coach who is as interested in the welfare of the players as he is in winning. I know some of you don't care a whit for that, but I think that most of us do. So maybe it's time for those who favor winning over all else should just go now and find a team that can give that 'thrill of victory' each and every game-you know, like Penn State or Syracuse.
BigOrangeBill writes:
This could be bunk...but if so, wouldn't be a typical type BS joke from a fool. A Vol fan who lives in Memphis just excitedly commented on a post that he TODAY saw Stokes and a family member at Walmart and Stokes was wearing orange with a Power T. So just MAYBE all this buzz has some truth to it. What a CATCH for Coach Martin this would be! And the fact he could play THIS YEAR would be orange icing on the Tennessee cake.
budd#207344 writes:
And if he convinces an 18 year old kid to come to UT is he a top five coach now? You are an idiot
sly_stone99#434111 writes:
It's interesting when Kevin O'Neill, Buzz Petersen and Bruce Pearl coached their first season I don't recall the hostility given to them in that first year like what is seen on here towards Coach Martin. Just 10 games in, not even finished recruiting, not even in conference play and people are talking about him on the hot seat or clock. Seriously?. Some of you need to be honest about your hidden agenda.
Share your thoughts
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.