The Tennessee Volunteers men’s basketball team has gotten off to a terrific start in the transfer market after losing more than half of their squad. The positive news for Tennessee and head coach Rick Barnes is that the school has the most NIL funding since he joined the program.
“Tennessee basketball is on pace to rank among the top in NIL expenditure next season. On Thursday, On3’s Pete Nakos stated that the Vols were one of a few teams expected to invest $10 million or more in NIL for their roster next season.
The Vols went all-in on top guard transfer Terrence Hill Jr. The VCU transfer had a breakthrough performance against the North Carolina Tar Heels men’s basketball team in last year’s NCAA Tournament, and his recruiting came down to Tennessee and the Kansas Jayhawks men’s basketball program.
“VCU transfer Terrence Hill Jr. will visit Kansas and Tennessee this week, according to a source who spoke to 247 Sports. Hill will travel to Kansas on Monday and Tennessee on Wednesday, according to 247Sports’ Dushawn London.
On Sunday morning, Hill Jr. opted to Rocky Top over Bill Self and the Kansas Jayhawks. Barnes and his team got exactly what they needed last season: a real perimeter shooter.
According to 247Sports’ Michael Swain, the VCU transfer is a top 3-point shooter, perhaps his strongest characteristic. “He shot 37% from three with very high volume. He can both make his own shot from range and hit shots off the catch. Roughly 25% of his 3-point efforts were unassisted. “
Hill Jr. ‘s ability to shoot from any area on the floor, whether off the catch or off the dribble, provides a significant dimension to Tennessee’s attack. He is expected to play a role similar to that of previous Vols standouts Dalton Knecht and Chaz Lanier.
This is a major addition to Barnes and his crew, but they are far from done. Hill Jr. provides crucial flexibility to the roster as Tennessee prepares to build for the upcoming season.
