Tennessee's Rick Barnes loses recruiting battle to Virginia for 7-footer, urgent need at center remains
The Tennessee Volunteers are in desperate need of another big man. However, the one they were wanting to fill the roster just committed to Virginia after a visit.
Tennessee's Rick Barnes loses recruiting battle to Virginia for 7-footer, urgent need at center remains originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . The Tennessee Volunteers men's basketball are nearly finished building their roster for next season, with just a couple of spots still to fill.
One of the remaining needs is depth at the center position. Head coach Rick Barnes has had a strong spring on the recruiting trail, landing visits and commitments from multiple targets. Four-star center Favour Ibe was viewed as one of the final priority recruits in this cycle.
Ibe, who stands seven feet tall, brings strong rim protection potential that could develop into a major asset over time. Tennessee was so invested in his recruitment that the staff appeared to pause other pursuits while waiting on his decision. “I think right now you’re waiting to see what the visitor (2026 recruit Favour Ibe, who is 7-foot-1) from over the weekend does,” said VolQuest’s Brent Hubbs Tuesday on WNML’s SportsTalk.
“What does he do? That sort feels like [that’s where] it is right now. And then after that, I don’t know.