Vols Basketball Dealing With Life in Transfer Portal Era

With all the free agency in pro sports and how players move around, comedian Jerry Seinfeld joked that fans are really just cheering for the clothes a team wears.
Sadly that analogy may work for college hoops with the transfer portal.
Tennessee has already lost four players in the portal since the end of the year, including their top two post players in Jonas Aidoo and Tobe Awaka.

The madness no longer ends in March. It just goes bananas in April when the transfer portal swings open.

Said head coach Rick Barnes:”This month is probably the most hectic or busiest month we go through because of the transfer portal.”

Said guard Jamai Mashack:”Comes as a surprise to everybody when people leave and people move and things change, but you’ve got to roll with the punches man. You can either sit there and sulk or move on.”

You can’t sulk, but who says you can’t be frustrated.

Barnes:”We have guys that literally tell us hey, they love it. They’re here. Then they come in a day later, and they’re gone.”

At least Tennessee has found a player in the portal. 6’8 guard Darlinstone Dubar of Hofstra.

Said guard Zakai Zeigler:”Actually I played at the school on Long Island. My cousin went to watch them play. He told me he will help us a lot.”

Barnes:”Where we are. I think schools at our level. We’re going to be able to put together a good team, and then see what you can do with them.”