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What ETSU Must Do To Become a Mid-Major Basketball Powerhouse
Jalen Johnson reneging on his commitment to the Buccaneers was another chapter of a disastrous off-season. Here’s how the tide can be turned.
Jalen Johnson announcing he would not be transferring to East Tennessee State after all doesn’t come as a surprise.
It likely won’t have a significant impact on the 2020–21 Buccaneers. Johnson could only start two games on a mediocre Tennessee men’s basketball team last season.
The original announcement Johnson was coming to Johnson City created a lot of buzz because ETSU was getting a player from the Volunteers. Had Johnson been transferring from Ole Miss, he’d have had the buzz of David Sloan transferring from Kansas State.
But there is long term impact. Three players who were going to play for ETSU next season no longer will.
That means three players no longer think ETSU is on the path of becoming a mid-major powerhouse, which is what players should think after a 30-victory season, no matter who the head coach is.
The fault here lies not so much with former head coach Steve Forbes or the players who have…
