Tennessee adds Igor Milicic: Impact Analysis

Tennessee’s success on on the recruiting trail continued with the addition of Charlotte transfer Igor Milicic from the transfer portal. What does the addition of the versatile big man mean for Tennessee?

WHAT IS TENNESSEE GETTING?

Tennessee is adding an experienced and versatile big man who won’t be shocked by the athleticism he finds in the SEC.

Milicic is originally from Croatia, but began his college career in the ACC at Virginia. He left the Cavaliers’ program after his freshman season, transferring to Charlotte.

Milicic is listed at 6-foot-10 and 225 pounds, but he’s not a traditional, stereotypical big man. He shot 38% from three-point range this past season while averaging 12.8 ppg for Charlotte.

However, Milicic would also like for everyone to know that he’s not a ‘pick-and-pop’ guy who is afraid to mix it up in the paint.

“I feel like in these past years I’ve been labeled as more of a spot-up shooter, or just an outside shooter. But I feel like I definitely bring more to the table,” Milicic said of his game after committing.

To that point, Milicic led Charlotte with 8.5 rebounds per game last season and he also had a team high 35 blocks.

Milicic comes from a basketball family. His father, also named Igor, was a professional basketball player in Europe. The elder Milicic is currently the head coach of Naples (Italy) Basketball team in the Euro League as well as the coach of the Polish National team.

Suffice it to say that Milicic has a lot of traits of a coach’s son. One of those traits is not being put off by Rick Barnes’ demanding coaching style, something that isn’t true of every prospective recruit out there.

WHAT IT MEANS FOR TENNESSEE

Milcic joins Hofstra transfer Darlinstone Dubar and Ohio State transfer Felix Okpara to give Tennessee three commitments out of the transfer portal.

The Vols will also add incoming freshman Bishop Boswell, the only high school prospect on the way in this class.

Tennessee still has three available roster spots that they can fill.

The Vols have hosted Belmont transfer Cade Tyson on an official visit. Tyson, who shot 47% from three-point range last season, is deciding between Tennessee and North Carolina.

Many feel like the Tar Heels are heavy favorites for the Charlotte area native, but the fact that he hasn’t made a decision yet suggests that Tennessee has given him plenty to think about.

It’s also a safe bet that the Vols will throw their hat in the ring and try to get involved with North Florida transfer Chaz Lanier (19.7 ppg, 44% from three), who announced his entry into the portal on Wednesday afternoon.

As things stand now though, Barnes and his staff have done a solid job of addressing some glaring needs.

Replacing the offensive production from the perimeter left from Dalton Knecht’s departure is likely impossible, but the addition of Dubar (18.7 ppg last season) is a nice step in that direction and it also gives Tennessee some admirable length on the wing.

When Jonas Aidoo and Tobe Awaka both hit the transfer portal Tennessee’s need to add some competent size ready to help immediately was glaringly apparent.

The staff is high on the potential of both JP Estrella and Cade Phillips, but it goes without saying not having a post on the roster who has ever started a college game wouldn’t have been an ideal way to begin next season.

Tennessee, arguably, might have even improved in the post by adding Okpara and Milicic.

It’s a tandem that definitely brings some different skill sets than Aidoo and Awaka. Okpara doesn’t have Aidoo’s offensive skill, but he’s a ‘twitchier’ athlete who is at least Aidoo’s equal as a rim protector.

Milicic has more offensive skill than either of the Vols’ departing bigs. His challenge will be to prove that he can rebound and defend at a high enough level to play big minutes.

Finding ways to make your team better through the use of the transfer portal has become hugely important in college basketball.

Time will tell, but early indications suggest that Tennessee has taken some big steps towards improving its roster with the three most recent additions.

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