Agree. Plus Iām not sure how much his style of play is a known quantity.
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This is where I am. The only returning player we have this year (who should play) is Gertrudeā¦ who likely will play a smaller role. Odom and staff started with a blank slate on a program with a reputation thatās good, but thatās also a 180 from how he playsā¦ so thereās an educational element to the pitch and some imagination required for portal recruitsā¦ and Iām still very excited about the season. I think weāve put together something with a ton of potential that should be competitive and should be a tournament team!
Next year, we have the potential to keep Mallory, Gertrude, Lewis, TDR, GrĆ¼nloh, Barksdale (and Cerrareā¦ could be something, may not be). Not likely weāll keep all, but chances are given Odomās history and the coaching continuity, weāll keep quite a few more than one; which is already a way better jumping off point than this year, plus weāll have a season of play to point to of this team playing how Odom wants (which I believe will be a positive selling point).
Given how things have gone, I donāt see a world where striking out in HS recruiting this season creates any kind of situation they canāt manage. Not to mention, if we do land a 4-star recruit or two, thereās no guarantee they stay with us long enough to contribute or improve their game enough to play over transfers.
Silas Barksdale is a great example. I like what he could bring to this team, especially if he really is improving that outside shot. He would be an ideal 4 on this roster if thatās the case. Itās better that we have him in the pipeline learning the system and building chemistry with teammates and itās preferable that he be the guy in a year or two. But, if he either doesnāt develop as quickly as we need him or if he leaves because TDR stays and/or we recruit a backup over him in the portal (assuming we only do that if we think that player will be more ready than he is); is that significantly program impacting? I really donāt think it is any longer.
The same is true of HS recruiting; itās preferable to have the guys in the door who could develop into what you want because theyāll have that continuity and because it gives you more options - but there are 362 other systems developing guys you have access to; not to mention the professionals overseas - and a very small percentage (10% or so?) of those 362 schools can be competitive with you when it comes to drawing those players.
To me, the roster construction (in terms of smart decisions around the pieces youāre assembling - as I believe we made this offseason) and actual coaching execution is everything over the next couple of years. This is a very talented roster. We should be able to put together something in a similar ballpark if not better next year. If we can get something out of these types of rosters consistently, then the continuity should come if we want it to.
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Tennessee is switching to Adidas. NC State and Louisville canāt be too happy about that. I tried posting the tweet but the embeds arenāt showing.
That could be big for them with Deron Rippey. Supposedly, he may sign a big NIL deal with Adidas, so that likely pushes him to sign with an Adidas school. Maybe puts Latrell Allmond more in play for them too.
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H&T Crystal Ball: Latrell Allmond to Tennessee
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Followed by Rick Barnes retirement leading to Rippey-Allmond coming to Cville as a package deal next year
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Donāt tell @Hooandtrue but for real, what are we doing. Actually, I dont care as long as we are good this year 
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Weāre gonna end up with the U18 Euro all-stars. Not that thereās anything wrong with that.
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If our choice, not sure if I agree but maybe staff are confident a good season will put them in better position with better prospects in the spring.
If not our choice, then kinda disheartening at the lack of āJuiceā our staff has recruiting wise (a trend since the portal in terms of targeting younger higher ceiling guys).
Been kinda unimpressed with staff moves this HS recruiting cycle but again could be feeling it out.
Kinda why I wanted Odom to bring in a proven recruiter for this level from outside his current guys.
Also, @HoozGotNext whats happening with the GM position?
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Weāre going to replace the dung beetle Cavalier with this.
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As of this moment, the 2026 recruiting class may be the least important class for the Virginia program, ever. 2027 is a different matter, though. Coach Odom and company could whiff on every single prospect during the fall segment of the recruiting calendar and it wouldnāt bother me. If next seasonās performance is promising enough, the transfer portal will be productive, and it will jump start 2027 recruiting. If UVa gets a commitment this fall, thatās great. If it doesnāt, itās not a big deal, and there is no reason take anyone other than an elite prospect at this time.
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Still got 125 to go.
Diane hasnāt committed to Houston yet. Weāll see if we can get a visit.
Isnāt Billy Bob from Tejas still coming?
Yeah but heās going to Texas
Talks about wanting to visit, nothing firm set.
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Reminds anyone else of Manu Ginobli?
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Arkansas not in his top 8 getting a visit for Cole Cloer. Assuming this ship has sailed.
https://twitter.com/TravisBranham_/status/1959329439092789532
To the spring we go
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