Meetings just concluded for Day 1 here in Sandestin, and there's not an overriding topic of controversy as there was last year with Full-Cost-of-Attendance talks, especially with many league schools then questioning UT's allocation (all schools use government data).
Anyway, harsher and broader behavior penalties are a huge topic, especially in regards to football players and perhaps even football coaches.
Both Barnes and Sankey praised the impact of new men's hoops consultant Mike Tranghese, the former head of the Big East. As we noted in our previews of the meetings, the league is strongly ratcheting up scheduling requirements. Schools must utilize a three-year average of any non-conference opponent's RPI to determine if it falls within the new guidelines, which are immediately an average of 175 or better; it will climb to 150 or better in the near future.
SEC has no interest in football of abolishing divisions, nor would Sankey lend any credence to Malzahn's talk of Auburn being slotted into the SEC East and Missouri going to the West.
Barnes said all the newcomers, sans Lew Evans, are enrolled and on campus. Had a team meeting Monday night, which Barnes ultimately turned over to his assistants in order to fly to Texas to be with his daughter for the birth of her child. But he said the Vols believe all the newcomers can contribute sooner than later and that he likes his team.
"Just like last year, we might not be picked that high ... but I'm not too worried about what other people think of us."
Barnes was asked about his UT experience one year in, especially in light of being at programs such as Clemson and Texas, and also about the culture on Rocky Top.
Thought he gave a remarkable answer:
My first thing would be, after being here one year and being around, I'm a person who always likes to ask questions and find out what's happened here, there and everywhere. I would say I'm really most impressed with the job Dave Hart has done at Tennessee. I think he's created a culture where I think you can really almost, from his perspective, we understand we're in athletics and we're dealing with student-athletes but you can take the athlete out and realize we're dealing with students first. That's something that he talks about, comprehensive excellence in every area. He doesn't just talk it. I would tell you in one year, what he's done and the people he's surrounded himself with and the people he continues to build his staff with, is really impressive.
I can tell you that I don't know if I've been to a place, and I've been to some great places, don't get me wrong, but the passion that i saw this year with a team that lost 19 games, I haven't witness that anywhere, I really haven't. It was really something to see with the way the fans supported us.
I just think we're in a great situation right now. I do realize that there's been some lean time, years, at Tennessee, but I just feel like it's getting ready to explode. And I'm excited to be a part of it and I'm excited about our young team.
Anyway, harsher and broader behavior penalties are a huge topic, especially in regards to football players and perhaps even football coaches.
Both Barnes and Sankey praised the impact of new men's hoops consultant Mike Tranghese, the former head of the Big East. As we noted in our previews of the meetings, the league is strongly ratcheting up scheduling requirements. Schools must utilize a three-year average of any non-conference opponent's RPI to determine if it falls within the new guidelines, which are immediately an average of 175 or better; it will climb to 150 or better in the near future.
SEC has no interest in football of abolishing divisions, nor would Sankey lend any credence to Malzahn's talk of Auburn being slotted into the SEC East and Missouri going to the West.
Barnes said all the newcomers, sans Lew Evans, are enrolled and on campus. Had a team meeting Monday night, which Barnes ultimately turned over to his assistants in order to fly to Texas to be with his daughter for the birth of her child. But he said the Vols believe all the newcomers can contribute sooner than later and that he likes his team.
"Just like last year, we might not be picked that high ... but I'm not too worried about what other people think of us."
Barnes was asked about his UT experience one year in, especially in light of being at programs such as Clemson and Texas, and also about the culture on Rocky Top.
Thought he gave a remarkable answer:
My first thing would be, after being here one year and being around, I'm a person who always likes to ask questions and find out what's happened here, there and everywhere. I would say I'm really most impressed with the job Dave Hart has done at Tennessee. I think he's created a culture where I think you can really almost, from his perspective, we understand we're in athletics and we're dealing with student-athletes but you can take the athlete out and realize we're dealing with students first. That's something that he talks about, comprehensive excellence in every area. He doesn't just talk it. I would tell you in one year, what he's done and the people he's surrounded himself with and the people he continues to build his staff with, is really impressive.
I can tell you that I don't know if I've been to a place, and I've been to some great places, don't get me wrong, but the passion that i saw this year with a team that lost 19 games, I haven't witness that anywhere, I really haven't. It was really something to see with the way the fans supported us.
I just think we're in a great situation right now. I do realize that there's been some lean time, years, at Tennessee, but I just feel like it's getting ready to explode. And I'm excited to be a part of it and I'm excited about our young team.
