Saying so is uneducated and has gained traction in large part thanks to the Tony Basilios of the world who didn't pay closer attention than a quick look at a Rivals profile.
Maybe you could call what Barnes is doing the Wisconsin or Gonzaga model or, as @Rob Lewis did this week, the Virginia model. He has successfully recruited 4*s and highly regarded 3*s to this team - not just a bunch of mid-major scrubs that nobody else wanted.
Here are just a few examples:
Grant Williams - 4*
Kwe Parker - 4* - didn't work out here, but he chose TN over 3 ACC schools among others
Jalen Johnson - 3* - chose TN over offers from Florida, Alabama, Clemson, Texas Tech, USC, USCjr, Wake Forest, Miami, and a bunch others.
Yves Pons - 4* - #1 Player in France, chose over Florida and Texas Tech
Lamonte Turner - 4* - Barnes beat out Bruce Almighty and Rick Pitino for this one, in addition to Florida, Florida St, Oklahoma, and South Carolina.
Derrick Walker - 4* - also recruited by Georgia, St Johns, Kansas, and Nebraska
Zach Kent - 3* - chose TN over Maryland, Clemson, Ga Tech, Notre Dame, Ole Miss, Oregon, and a bunch of others.
Obviously it's not yet to the Kentucky or Duke level of star gazing, but considering the results of this year I think we should be just fine with that.
Given the perception of this program when Barnes got here, he has recruited far better than most give him credit for. This is a talented team that has since been developed to be one of the best 10 teams in all of college basketball. It's time our fanbase recognizes that!
Maybe you could call what Barnes is doing the Wisconsin or Gonzaga model or, as @Rob Lewis did this week, the Virginia model. He has successfully recruited 4*s and highly regarded 3*s to this team - not just a bunch of mid-major scrubs that nobody else wanted.
Here are just a few examples:
Grant Williams - 4*
Kwe Parker - 4* - didn't work out here, but he chose TN over 3 ACC schools among others
Jalen Johnson - 3* - chose TN over offers from Florida, Alabama, Clemson, Texas Tech, USC, USCjr, Wake Forest, Miami, and a bunch others.
Yves Pons - 4* - #1 Player in France, chose over Florida and Texas Tech
Lamonte Turner - 4* - Barnes beat out Bruce Almighty and Rick Pitino for this one, in addition to Florida, Florida St, Oklahoma, and South Carolina.
Derrick Walker - 4* - also recruited by Georgia, St Johns, Kansas, and Nebraska
Zach Kent - 3* - chose TN over Maryland, Clemson, Ga Tech, Notre Dame, Ole Miss, Oregon, and a bunch of others.
Obviously it's not yet to the Kentucky or Duke level of star gazing, but considering the results of this year I think we should be just fine with that.
Given the perception of this program when Barnes got here, he has recruited far better than most give him credit for. This is a talented team that has since been developed to be one of the best 10 teams in all of college basketball. It's time our fanbase recognizes that!
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