Category Archives: Today on Gameday

If you read only one thing about the Vols today . . .

. . . make it this, from The Athletic:

• How Jordan Bone became convinced he’s the point guard to lead Tennessee to Minneapolis

Barnes also explained why he pushed Bone so hard. It is not like it once was, to make sure he had a winning team and all the praise that came with it; it’s to make sure his players maximize their potential yet retain their humility, something he lost along the way.

Other Vols stuff worth reading today

1. Tennessee at Auburn Preview, via Gameday on Rocky Top
2. Tennessee-Auburn four-factors preview: All about shooting percentage?, via Gameday on Rocky Top
   
3. Everything Jeremy Pruitt said after Day 1 of spring practice, via 247Sports
4. Practice observations: Plenty of notes as Vols open spring, via 247Sports
   
5. Pruitt: Vols’ newcomers not looking ‘as much like freshmen’, via 247Sports
   
6. Pruitt explains talented freshman Crouch’s position tweak, via 247Sports
7. Pruitt: Banks will ‘start off’ spring at running back, via 247Sports
8. Vols who added or dropped the most weight this offseason, via 247Sports
9. VOL REPORT: PRUITT EMPHASIZES TEAM EFFORT ON DAY ONE OF SPRING PRACTICE – University of Tennessee Athletics, via UTSports
10. Who should Vols fans root for in this weekend’s Duke-North Carolina game?, via Gameday on Rocky Top
11. Newcomers helping fuel Diamond Vols great start, via VolQuest
    
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Behind the paywalls

• ‘Every day is a job interview’: Emmit Gooden’s road…, via The Athletic
• What to know before Tennessee kicks off spring practice, via The Athletic

If you read only one thing about the Vols today . . .

. . . make it this, from 247Sports:

• Fixing defensive issues is ‘absolutely a mindset’ for No. 5 Vols

Other Vols stuff worth reading today

1. Tennessee-Vanderbilt: the four factors, via Gameday on Rocky Top
2. Vols staffer Tom Satkowiak inspiration for Donate Life Night, via 247Sports
3. Can Vols Start a Whitehaven Pipeline in Football and Hoops?, via Gameday on Rocky Top
4. Toughest Regular Season Schedules from 2018. – Phil Steele, via Phil Steele. So yeah, Tennessee Football’s strength of schedule ranked third in the nation last year. Sheesh, it’s hard to rebuild against that level of competition.
5. Tennessee Vols basketball team needs more from its bench, via the Times Free Press
6. Freshman CB Burrell could be ‘great player’ for Vols, via 247Sports
7. College basketball TV schedule for Vols fans: Week of 2.18.19, via Gameday on Rocky Top

Behind the paywalls

• How an inside joke between classmates spawned a fictional…, via The Athletic

If you read only one thing about the Vols today . . .

. . . make it this, from 247Sports:

• Rucker: Bad habits finally bite naive Vols

I’m not sure “naive” is the right theme for this piece, but what appears to be the main idea to me — that the question of whether we should all be concerned about the Vols’ defense despite the team’s current record seems to have been answered in the affirmative — is spot on, I think.

Other Vols stuff worth reading today

1. Jordan Bone’s ‘mature’ answer sets tone after Kentucky loss, via 247Sports
2. Kentucky 86 Tennessee 69 – Educated or Exposed?, via Gameday on Rocky Top
3. 2018-19 Men’s College Basketball Rankings for Week 16 | ESPN, via ESPN. Vols fall to No. 5.
   
4. Wiedmer: Vols’ regular-season SEC title no longer so certain, via the Times Free Press
5. Vols Add Derrick Ansley to Coaching Staff – University of Tennessee Athletics, via UTSports
6. Tennessee’s entire football coaching staff for 2019 season, via 247Sports
7. Everything Rick Barnes said during Monday’s press conference, via 247Sports
8. Barnes: Getting Vols to play fast is Bone’s responsibility, via 247Sports

Behind the paywalls

• Jeremy Pruitt’s staff moves show faith in delegation (and…, via The Athletic

If you read only one thing about the Vols today . . .

. . . make it this, from 247Sports:

• Rucker: Tennessee’s defense is a problem. Or … is it?

Interesting questions here from Wes, namely whether things that would normally be problems are actually problems when you’re winning all the time anyway. With the strength of schedule now trending upwards, I think we’re fixing to get the answer.

Other Vols stuff worth reading today

1. Clemson tops Alabama again — in FPI rankings, via ESPN. First, S&P+ had Tennessee at No. 21, and now ESPN has us at No. 15 heading into the 2019 season. We’ve overvalued returning production in the past much to our detriment, but it was based on an assumption that we’re hoping has now changed, that returning personnel will be developed by the coaching staff into valuable experience.
3. Tennessee 85 South Carolina 73: Eliminating the Puncher’s Chance, via Gameday on Rocky Top
4. Pruitt reveals what Vols must do to recruit at ‘elite’ level, via 247Sports
5. Pruitt: Maurer has potential ‘to be a good guy’ at QB, via 247Sports
6. Finally for No. 1 Tennessee ‘the focus begins on Kentucky’, via 247Sports
7. Everything Rick Barnes said after the win over South Carolina, via 247Sports
8. No. 1 Tennessee Completes Sweep of South Carolina, 85-73 – University of Tennessee Athletics, via UTSports
9. Schofield, Williams Named to Naismith Trophy Midseason Team – University of Tennessee Athletics, via UTSports
10. Pilot Flying J Pulls ESPN Deal After Story On Browns’ Culture, via Sports Business Daily
11. Tennessee Football Announces 2019 Coaches Clinic and Camp Dates – University of Tennessee Athletics, via UTSports

Behind the paywalls

• What Tennessee is getting in two big-time transfers, and why…, via The Athletic
• Bring on the ‘Cats, via VolQuest

If you read only one thing about the Vols today . . .

. . . make it this, from CBS Sports:

• Barry Odom frustrated with rival SEC coaches trying to poach Missouri seniors after bowl ban

I have to say, I kind of think Missouri got a raw deal from the NCAA with their sanctions. That said, it is what it is, and in the world of competitive college sports, rivals better do what they have to do in order to compete. So, I understand Odom’s frustration, but I have to say I’m kind of glad that Tennessee appears to be at the top of the list of rivals that are frustrating him. 🙂

Other Vols stuff worth reading today

1. First the SEC, Then the World!, via Gameday on Rocky Top. Hey, Will. Let’s kick both butts at once! 🙂
2. Rucker: Half-century-old lesson still applies for Rick Barnes, via 247Sports
3. Top college football recruiters for the Class of 2019, via ESPN. Niedermeyer!
4. Post-signing day projected Vols depth chart: Defense, via 247Sports
5. Following Tee to Tennessee? Elite 2020 California receiver lands offer from Vols, via Saturday Down South
6. ESPN’s Jay Bilas picks between Duke and Tennessee, via 247Sports. This was before last night, but it’s still interesting.
   
7. Pruitt mum on what position Jeremy Banks will play, via 247Sports
   
8. No. 1 Vols not playing guessing game in standings, via 247Sports
9. Vols have two of nation’s highest-paid linebacker coaches, via 247Sports
10. HOOPS CENTRAL: #1 Tennessee vs. South Carolina – University of Tennessee Athletics, via UTSports
11. The 150-year national championship Empires Map, via SB Nation
    
    

Behind the paywalls

• Rise up: Tennessee’s pregame dunk routine energizes crowd,…, via The Athletic
• What are Tennessee’s biggest positional priorities for 2020 class?, via VolQuest

If you read only one thing about the Vols today . . .

. . . make it this, from The Athletic:

• How Tennessee found 17 NFL players in one recruiting class, and what it could take to do it again

Yes, that’s a week old and behind a paywall, but it’s the best thing I read this morning.

Other Vols stuff worth reading today

1. Pruitt not surprised by first returns on Vols’ early enrollees, via 247Sports
2. Vols’ football defense has opportunities for newcomers, via the Times Free Press
3. Where Vols’ coaches finished in 247Sports Recruiter Rankings, via 247Sports
4. Vol Hoops Media Monday – University of Tennessee Athletics, via UTSports
5. Every SEC spring football game to be televised, via SEC Sports
6. College basketball TV schedule for Vols fans: Week of 2.11.19, via Gameday on Rocky Top
   
7. ICYMI: Injury-plagued Vols OL Hall giving up football, via ESPN
   

Behind the paywalls

• Vols ‘had everything’ for five-star small forward during visit, via 247Sports