Tennessee’s thin frontcourt appears to be getting even thinner.
The Vols, who already lost forward Tariq Owens to transfer earlier this offseason, are now also reportedly losing 6-foot-8, 210-pound forward Willie Carmichael, who appeared in all 32 games last season, starting 19.
Tennessee forward Willie Carmichael to transfer http://t.co/GdMiEzmdVC
— Ben Frederickson (@Ben_Fred) May 4, 2015
Carmichael was a raw, but promising, young player who averaged 14.8 minutes per game, 3.0 ppg and 2.4 rpg. Also known for his propensity to foul frequently, Carmichael provided some of the only true size the Vols had on their 2014-15 roster. With him and Owens now out of the equation, coach Rick Barnes has the tall task of quickly finding some size to rebuild UT’s front line.
Jabari McGhee (6-8, 210), Derek Reese (6-8, 220) and Armani Moore (6-5, 215) are now the only remaining scholarship players listed as forwards on the roster. Reese and Moore, both of whom are more versatile forward/guard types, are both entering their senior season, leaving UT even thinner going forward.
Barnes signed 6-9, 235-pound Ray Kasongo out of the College of Southern Idaho (junior college) last week. The Vols are also heavily involved with 6-10, 210-pound forward Ebuka Izundu, who was released from his LOI at Charlotte after a coaching change, and three-star Canadian center Kyle Alexander (6-10, 200) in the 2015 class. The Vols now have two open scholarships in 2015, assuming no more attrition.
We leave you with with this good-bye to Willie “Thunder Dome” Carmichael:
