No doubt, the transfer portal has made team management difficult for coaches. Now, they’re tasked with recruiting new prospects while re-recruiting their current players every offseason. However, the case seems a little different for Rick Barnes.

Sophomore guard Cameron Carr surprised the team and the head coach with a mid-season exit last month. There was no particular mention of a reason, except that he stated it to be “the best opportunity for him,” while addressing his teammates. For the coach, it was a ‘baffling’ moment, having to let go of a player whom the team was counting on. But there seems to be no bad blood.

Carr has now opted for a fresh start at Baylor University, a team currently outside the top 25 rankings, leaving No. 1 Tennessee basketball. He had a note to pen as he announced the news Thursday night.

The guard shared a post on Instagram expressing gratitude toward the Vols and coach Rick Barnes. “After a lot of prayer and discussion with my family, I have decided to leave… I have nothing but love for Coach Barnes, the Tennessee staff, and Vol Nation,” he added. “I truly wish them the best going forward and am grateful for the opportunity they provided me.”

While Carr has enrolled for the spring semester and will attend classes, he’s ineligible to see the floor for the Bears as they roll through Big 12 play. But still, something feels a bit off about his goodwill post and exit.

Before Carr’s positive post, Coach Rick Barnes exposed the cracks beneath the surface.

The 6’5″ guard has seen barely any action this season. Until now, he appeared in four games for the Vols, averaging 4.8 points in 10.3 minutes. All this was before suffering a thumb injury in November that sidelined him for 4-6 weeks. However, near the end of his rehabilitation, he shut his campaign down with the Vols.

Even head coach Rick Barnes didn’t know the reason behind Carr’s decision. When asked, Barnes simply said he had “no idea” about Carr’s transfer decision and that he just “walked out.”

“We were, obviously, counting on him being part of the team. He surprised his teammates. They were very disappointed, so from here on, there is nothing to really talk about. He made his decision. No reason. It’s baffling, to be quite honest with you,” added the head coach. And he’s just right.

Carr’s exit comes during a critical moment for Tennessee. The Vols, currently ranked No. 1, are on the verge of breaking records with their best start since the 1915-16 season. However, they’re already dealing with a short bench due to injuries. Losing Carr only deepens the challenges for the squad. Is all this really without any bad blood?