Tennessee basketball: What to make out of the Kerry Blackshear rumors

Graduate transfer Kerry Blackshear spent time on Rocky Top this weekend, and now the rumors have started that Vols are in the final three.

If there is one thing I’ve learned following recruiting, it’s people really have no clue what’s going on. Sure, there are some cases will you hit on a big projection. But, most reporters, writers, or experts have their fair share of what they got wrong.

Kerry Blackshear is arguably the best grad transfer that has ever been on the market. With the high praise comes all the programs ready to pounce at the opportunity to add him to their rosters next season.

Among a list of worthy competitors, Tennessee basketball is reportedly in the top three.

At least one reporter is putting his name out there. Kentucky, Texas A&M, Virginia Teach, Florida, Arkansas, Michigan State, Gonzaga, and even Memphis have been rumored in the Blackshear sweepstakes. However, according to Chris Dortch or NBA.com, Tennessee is in the final three.

Early on Sunday afternoon, Dortch tweeted, “Don’t buy the Kerry Blackshear/Memphis rumors. His final choices will come down to Texas A&M, Kentucky, and Tennessee.”

Do you believe that?

It certainly makes sense that Rick Barnes and the Volunteers have a good shot at landing the highly talented prospect. It was reported last week that Blackshear doesn’t want to be “the guy.”

At Tennessee, he would be the guy, but it isn’t that type of culture. Grant Williams and Admiral Schofield were the guys, yet sometimes, even most of the time, conversations weren’t about them.

It was also reported Blackshear wanted to go to a team that gives him the best chance to have postseason success. While Tennessee lost four starters from a 31-win team that was seconds away from an Elite Eight, with Blackshear the 2019-20 Vols could make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.

Tennessee returns Lamonte Turner and Jordan Bowden which will give them veteran guard play that is so important when it comes to March. Add five-star Josiah-Jordan James to the mix and the Vols are covered at guard. But, they need a big-time player in the post. Blackshear is that guy.

Right now Tennessee isn’t on anyone’s radar for a Final Four push. Most people don’t even have the Vols ranked in the Top-25. Add Blackshear and Tennessee is a real threat to make back-to-back Sweet 16 appearances.

Honestly, no one knows what Blackshear is going to do. Blackshear probably isn’t 100 percent sure where he will be playing next season. It’s just a waiting game now, maybe just maybe Blackshear will be a Vol.