Tennessee head coach Jeremy Pruitt spoke to the media at his weekly Wednesday post-practice press conference ahead of Saturday’s Vanderbilt game.
NICEVILLE, Fla. – No. 17 Tennessee men’s basketball travels south to Niceville, Florida to take part in the 2019 Emerald Coast Classic. The Vols will match up with Florida State in their semifinal game, with tipoff slated for 7 p.m. ET inside The Arena at Northwest Florida State College. The contest will be aired on CBS Sports Network.
Friday’s game will be available through CBS Sports Network or online through cbssports.com/watch/cbssportsnetwork/ after entering your cable providers information. Brad Johansen (play-by-play), Steve Lappas (color) and Justin Miller (sideline reporter) will have the call.
Fans can also listen live on their local Vol Network affiliate to hear John Wilkerson (play-by-play) and Bert Bertelkamp (color) describing the action.
Last time out, the Vols took care of business against Chattanooga, using a suffocating defensive performance to walk away with a 58-46 victory on Monday night. Seniors Jordan Bowden and Lamonte Turner, each recorded their first career double-double’s, just one game after both players entered UT’s 1,000-Point Club. Bowden dropped 13 points and pulled in a career-high 12 rebounds, while Turner tallied 17 points and 12 assists with just one turnover.
This will be the ninth all-time meeting between the Vols and Seminoles, with the most recent matchup coming in 1989. Tennessee currently leads the all-time series between the programs at 5-3.
A win would improve the Vols record to 6-0, marking their best start to a season since 2010-11, when Tennessee began the year with seven consecutive victories.
Up next, Tennessee will take on either Purdue or VCU on Saturday at 4 or 7 p.m. ET. A win would place the Vols in the championship game at 7 p.m. ET, which can also be seen on CBS Sports Network.
THE SERIES
• Tennessee leads its all-time series with Florida State, 5-3. The teams haven’t met since 1989. The series is tied, 1-1, when contested at a neutral site.
• Tennessee is 112-99 all-time against current members of the Atlantic Coast Conference. That includes a four-game win streak dating to December 2017.
• Rick Barnes is 4-4 all-time vs. FSU. All eight meetings came when Barnes was the head coach at Clemson (1994-98). Barnes is 73-74 against all current members of the ACC.
A WIN WOULD…
• Leave Rick Barnes‘ two wins away from recording his 700th career head coaching victory.
• Give Tennessee a 53-14 record as a ranked team during the Barnes era (AP rankings).
• Extend Tennessee’s win streak over ACC foes to five games.
STORYLINES
• The Vols are riding a three-game win streak over opponents from the Sunshine State spanning the last two seasons
• Tennessee’s returning players are familiar with FSU big man Dominik Olejniczak. He spent the past two seasons at Ole Miss, where he averaged 2.0 points and 1.0 rebound in three games against the Vols (all UT wins).
• Seminoles head coach Leonard Hamilton has ties to Pat Summitt and the University of Tennessee system. See note on Page 4.
• Coached by current Director of Athletics Phillip Fulmer, Tennessee defeated Florida State, 23-16, in the Fiesta Bowl to claim the 1998 BCS National Championship.
• Former Florida State quarterback Chris Weinke is now the QB coach at Tennessee. He led the Seminoles to the 1999 BCS National Championship and won the Heisman Trophy the following season.
LAYUP LINES
• Tennessee is ranked No. 17 in this week’s AP poll and No. 16 in the current coaches poll.
• Other than the SEC Tournament in March, this week marks the only time this season Tennessee will play on back-to-back days.
• Tennessee leads the SEC in blocks per game (6.8 bpg), assists per game (18.8 apg) and assist/turnover ratio (1.5).
• The Vols have assisted on 70.7 percent of their made field goals this season. That assist percentage ranks second in the nation, trailing only Texas Tech.
• Bob Cousy Award candidate Lamonté Turner ranks second among Division I players with 9.2 assists per game, trailing only Iowa State’s Tyrese Haliburton (10.3 apg).
• Josiah-Jordan James leads the Vols and ranks 11th in the SEC with 7.2 rebounds per game. He is the top-rebounding freshman in the league.
ABOUT FLORIDA STATE
• In this week’s AP Top 25 poll, Florida State was the top vote-getter among unranked teams.
• Following a season-opening loss on the road at Pitt, Florida State has gained momentum as it is currently riding a five-game win streak. The most notable of those wins came on the road at Florida in FSU’s second game of the season.
• The Seminoles are coming off a record-breaking 2018-19 season during which they won a program-best 29 games, advanced to the championship game at the ACC Tournament and saw their season extend to the second week of the NCAA Tournament.
• The Noles are led by senior guard Trent Forrest, who is second on the team in scoring (12.2 ppg) and steals (1.6 spg) while leading FSU with 4.6 apg. Forrest came into the year primed to carry the load on offense after the Noles lost NBA Draft picks Mfiondu Kabengele (13.2 ppg, 5.9 rpg) and Terance Mann (11.4 ppg, 6.5 rpg) who accounted for nearly 25 points of offense per game.
• With the loss of two NBA picks, freshman Patrick Williams is expected to fill those holes immediately. Williams was ranked as a five-star prospect and the No. 2 player in the state of North Carolina. He is currently second on the Seminoles in blocks (0.8 bpg) and third in rebounds (3.8 rpg) while also averaging nearly 11 points per game (10.83 ppg).
• Founded in 1851, FSU is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of Florida
• Notable FSU alumni include late actor Burt Reynolds and Leonard Skinner, the namesake of the legendary rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd.
LAST TIME VS. FLORIDA STATE
• Tennessee’s seven-game win streak came to an end at the Tallahassee Civic Center, as the No. 14 Florida State Seminoles defeated the Vols, 101-90, on Jan. 15, 1989.
• It was UT’s first road loss of the season after starting 5-0 away from Thompson-Boling Arena under head coach Don DeVoe.
• Greg Bell paced Tennessee with 20 points, as he was 5-for-10 from 3-point range. Dyron Nix and Ian Lockhart each scored 16, and Clarence Swearengen added 15. Ron Taylor came off the bench to hit three 3-pointers and scored 11 points in just five minutes of action.
• FSU raced to a 50-28 lead with 2:32 left in the first half, but the Vols rallied to close the gap to 51-38 at halftime. Tennessee came within six points in the second half, at 77-71 with 6:44 to play, but could get no closer.
• FSU’s Tony Dawson led all scorers with 30 points, and teammate George McCloud added 29.
HAMILTON PLAYED, COACHED IN TENNESSEE
• Longtime Florida State head coach Leonard Hamilton has multiple ties to the Volunteer State.
• Hamilton played college basketball at UT-Martin from 1969-71. He was the program’s first black player and earned a degree in Physical Education.
• Part of Hamilton’s time in Martin coincided with the playing career of Skyhawks women’s hoops star Pat Summitt (1970-74). Hamilton and Summitt were inducted into the UTM Hall of Fame together in 1983.
• Hamilton’s coaching career began at Austin Peay, where he served as a graduate assistant from 1971-73 and then as a full-time assistant from 1973-74. He earned a Master’s in Physical and Health Education from APSU in 1973.
• Hamilton also has experience coaching in the SEC, as he was an assistant at Kentucky from 1974-86.
BARNES CLOSING IN ON 700TH CAREER COACHING WIN
• Rick Barnes is three wins shy of logging his 700th career victory as a college head coach.
• With 697 Division I wins to his credit, he ranks seventh among active head coaches. He would become the 22nd head coach ever to log 700 Division I wins.
• He is seven victories away from recording his 100th win at Tennessee.
BOWDEN & TURNER IN SYNC WHEN IT COMES TO MILESTONES
• In Tennessee’s fourth game of the season—a 76-41 win over Alabama State on Nov. 20—Jordan Bowden and Lamonté Turner each scored their 1,000th career point.
• Then, five days later in UT’s fifth game of the year—a 58-46 victory over Chattanooga—Bowden and Turner each recorded their first career double-double in the same game. Bowden finished with 13 points and a career-high 12 rebounds, while Turner tallied 17 points and 12 assists.
LEADING THE SEC
• Lamontè Turner leads the SEC in assists per game with 9.2 apg. The next closest SEC player is Vanderbilt’s Saben Lee, with 7.0 apg.
• Turner’s 315 career assists lead all active SEC players.
• As a team, Tennessee leads the SEC in blocks per game (6.8 bpg), assists per game (18.8 apg) and assist/turnover ratio (1.5).
UT Athletics
Week 12 of the NFL was highlighted by VFL Alvin Kamara contributing significant yardage in the Saints’ 34-31 win over the Panthers. Kamara totaled 102 yards on offense, including an explosive 30-yard carry to help New Orleans to its ninth win of the season.
Defensively, Alexander Johnson recorded a season-high with 15 tackles in the Broncos 20-3 loss to the Bills.
Defensive back Emmanuel Moseley tallied five tackles in the 49ers’ 37-8 win over the Packers, while Shy Tuttle contributed on the defensive side of the ball for the Saints with three tackles.
Tyler Bray – QB, Chicago Bears
Practice Squad
Next game: Nov. 28 at Giants
Derek Barnett – DE, Philadelphia Eagles
Did not record stats in 17-9 loss vs. Seahawks
Next game: Dec. 1 at Dolphins
Justin Coleman – DB, Detroit Lions
1 tackle in 19-16 loss at Redskins
Next game: Nov. 28 at Bears
Britton Colquitt – P, Minnesota Vikings
Bye week
Next game: Dec. 2 at Seahawks MNF
Dustin Colquitt – P, Kansas City Chiefs
Bye week
Next game: Dec.1 vs Raiders
Morgan Cox – LS, Baltimore Ravens
Snapped the ball nine times in a 45-6 win at the Rams
Next game: Dec. 1 vs 49ers
Jason Croom – TE, Buffalo Bills
Injured reserve
Next game: Nov. 28 at Cowboys
Joshua Dobbs – QB, Jacksonville Jaguars
Not active in Jaguars 42-20 loss at Titans
Next game: Nov. 24 at Titans
Ramon Foster – G, Pittsburgh Steelers
Started in 21-7 loss at Browns
Next game: Dec. 1 vs Buccaneers
Zach Fulton – G, Houston Texans
Started in 20-17 win vs Colts
Next game: Dec. 1 vs Patriots
Rashaan Gaulden – DB, Carolina Panthers
Played but did not record stats in 34-31 loss at Saints
Next game: Dec. 1 vs Redskins
Malik Jackson – DT, Philadelphia Eagles
Injured reserve
Next game: Dec. 1 at Dolphins
Ja’Wuan James – T, Denver Broncos
Not active in 20-3 loss at Bills
Next game: Dec. 1 vs Chargers
Alexander Johnson – LB, Denver Broncos
15 tackles in 20-3 loss at Bills
Next game: Dec. 1 vs Chargers
Jakob Johnson – FB, New England Patriots
Injured reserve
Next game: Dec. 1 at Texans
Colton Jumper – LB, New Orleans Saints
Injured reserve
Next game: Nov. 28 at Falcons
Alvin Kamara – RB, New Orleans Saints
11 rushes for 54 yards, 9 receptions for 48 yards in 34-31 win vs Panthers
Next game: Nov. 28 at Falcons
Daniel McCullers – DT, Pittsburgh Steelers
Did not record any stats in 16-10 win at Bengals
Next game: Dec. 1 vs Browns
Kahlil McKenzie – G, Seattle Seahawks
Practice squad
Next game: Dec. 1 vs Raiders
Emmanuel Moseley – DB, San Francisco 49ers
5 tackles in 37-8 win vs Green Bay
Next game: Dec. 1 at Ravens
Michael Palardy – P, Carolina Panthers
3 punts for 126 yards in 34-31 loss at Saints
Next game: Dec. 1 vs Redskins
Cordarrelle Patterson – WR, Chicago Bears
Played but did not record any stats in 19-14 win vs Giants
Next game: Nov. 28 at Lions
Kyle Phillips – DE, New York Jets
3 tackles in 34-3 win vs Raiders
Next game: Dec. 1 at Bengals
Jalen Reeves-Maybin – LB, Detroit Lions
1 tackle in 19-16 loss at Redskins
Next game: Dec. 28 vs Bears
Matt Simms – QB, Atlanta Falcons
Injured reserve
Next game: Nov. 28 vs Saints
Luke Stocker – TE, Atlanta Falcons
Played but did not record stats in 35-22 loss vs Buccaneers
Next game: Nov. 28 vs Saints
Cameron Sutton – DB, Pittsburgh Steelers
1 tackle in 16-10 win at Bengals
Next game: Dec. 1 vs Browns
Shy Tuttle – DL, New Orleans Saints
3 tackles in 34-31 win vs Panthers
Next game: Nov. 28 at Falcons
Jason Witten – TE, Dallas Cowboys
1 reception for 5 yards in 12th start of season in 13-9 loss at Patriots
Next game: Dec. 1 at Texans
UT Athletics
As everyone takes a break to stuff themselves with turkey and count their blessings on Thanksgiving, we asked some of our favorite country stars—Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town and Jake Owen—to tell us what they’re thankful for in 2019.
Lady Antebellum (Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott, Dave Haywood)
Dave: “I’m grateful for these guys and looking forward to another year with them. We’re appreciative to be in this spot [as a band] and we don’t take it for granted.”
Charles: “Our friendship. It’s been a great year for us. All of our kids are healthy and happy and that’s the main thing.”
Hillary: “Yes, healthy and happy kids, you can stop right there.”
Little Big Town (Jimi Westbrook, Kimberly Schlapman, Karen Fairchild, Philip Sweet)
Jimi: “Family, health.”
Kimberly: “Babies, family.”
Karen: “We’ve lost so many people this year in the country music world, behind-the-scenes folks that people might not know that were just precious to us all. It really sobers you up that you have to live in the moment and take advantage of being around family and friends.”
Philip: “Yes, living in the moment.”
Jake Owen
Jake: “I’m thankful for so many things. I’m thankful for my two little girls. I’m thankful for my friends and my family and being able to love and be loved. I’m thankful to be a part of country music and be able to do this for a living.”
photos: Lady Antebellum & Little Big Town by Curtis Hilbun; Jake Owen by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com
Craig Morgan, who spent 10.5 years on active duty in the U.S. Army in the 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions and 6.5 years in the Army Reserves, performed for service members in South Korea during Thanksgiving week as part of his 12th USO Tour.
Craig’s trip to Camp Humphreys in South Korea will be highlighted in a special episode of CMT’s Hot 20 Countdown, airing at 9 a.m. ET on Dec. 14 and 15.
“This is what I know—this ain’t just what I think,” said Craig to NCD earlier this month. “If it were not for our military, and the men and women who serve in our military, and their families serving them, and ensuring that the home front is held up, and the rest of this country doing what it can for our men and women, we would not celebrate the freedoms that we celebrate . . . I have a great appreciation, obviously having served with them, but having done what I do now for so long, I can tell you 20 years later, I still feel very odd being this guy, because I was that guy for so long that when I go overseas, I feel super out of place. I feel like I should have a weapon, be in uniform, protecting the guy, doing what I’m doing. So it’s always an out of body experience when I’m over there . . . But I say what most people in this country say, ‘Thank you. Thank you, for your service.’”
In 2018, Craig was awarded the Army’s Outstanding Civilian Service Medal in recognition of his dedication to entertaining troops and their families around the world. The Outstanding Civilian Service Medal is one of the highest awards that the Department of the Army can bestow upon a civilian. The Army recognized Craig for his significant dedication to supporting military members who have served their country, often in harm’s way.
photo by NCD
George Strait headlined a benefit concert on Nov. 25 at ACL Live in Austin, Texas, that helped raise $1.5 million for Hurricane Dorian relief efforts in the Bahamas.
A frequent visitor to the Bahamas, George partnered with the Discovery Land Company Foundation, which hosted the concert, to help the local people receive assistance following the devastation caused by Hurricane Dorian in September 2019.
In addition, George helped create a themed t-shirt to support Hurricane Dorian relief efforts. All proceeds from the shirt—which costs $20—will benefit the Abaco Relief Fund, which the Foundation created to “assist with the immediate disaster relief needs of Bahamian citizens, including water, shelter, medical needs, and the recovery of the community.”
The t-shirt features a play on George’s chart-topping song, “Ocean Front Property,” with the colors of the Bahamian flag. The t-shirt is available now.
photo by Curtis Hilbun, AFF-USA.com
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — No. 20/25 Tennessee moved to 6-0 on the season, defeating the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, 92-51, on Tuesday night at Thompson-Boling Arena.
The Lady Vols were led by junior forward Rennia Davis, who recorded her fourth double-double of the season with 17 points and 11 rebounds. Sophomore Rae Burrell added a career-high 17 points, while junior Kasiyahna Kushkituah chipped in 15.
The Golden Lions (0-4) were paced by junior Trasity Totten, who finished the night with 19 points and four rebounds. Jayla Atmore and Tyler Pyburn contributed 12 and 11, respectively.
The Lady Vols had their best performance in a first quarter so far this season, jumping out to a 26-7 lead after the opening 10 minutes. The 26 points marked the most scored by UT in a single quarter so far this season.
Senior Lou Brown opened up a 15-1 scoring run, tallying a lay-up two minutes into the first period. A total of seven different players got on the scoreboard during the opening stanza, led by Kushkituah totaling seven. Senior Kamera Harris was right behind Kushkituah, tying her career high with six points in the quarter.
The Big Orange didn’t allow a two-point bucket until seven minutes into the first period, holding the Golden Lions to a 13.3 shooting percentage and forcing five turnovers. UT also out-rebounded Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 17-4, and recorded a 60-percent shooting percentage.
Tennessee continued its dominant performance in the second quarter, hitting a season-high 48 points in the half and only allowing the Golden Lions 11 points. The Lady Vols went on a 20-0 run during the stanza, with Burrell leading the scoring charge with six points and two steals to boot.
Defensively, the Big Orange held UAPB without a bucket until 1:07 remaining in the half and only allowed four points in the quarter, marking a new program record for fewest points scored by an opponent in a second period.
Davis nearly reached her double-double in the opening half, scoring nine points and collecting a team high of eight rebounds. Tennessee out-worked Arkansas-Pine Bluff on the glass, 31-16, and scored 27 points off the bench along with 36 in the paint.
Freshman Tamari Key had a team-best two blocks, and Burrell led the team with a career high of four steals in the first half.
In the third quarter, Davis and Kushkituah both carded six points and three rebounds. Key had the first three points for the Lady Vols in the second half, scoring off a free throw and a lay-in. Davis went on to score the next four points, giving UT a 55-20 lead. Kushkituah closed out the third stanza by making a lay-in, extending the lead to 67-35 at the end of 30 minutes.
Freshman Emily Saunders brought her point total to eight in the fourth quarter, marking a new career high during her eight minutes on the court. Freshman Jordan Horston followed that bucket with another lay-in, giving the Lady Vols a 75-42 advantage with 6:28 left in the game.
In her first game back since Nov. 11 at Notre Dame, junior Jaiden McCoy scored a career high of eight points with back-to-back buckets in the last four minutes of the game, contributing to UT’s 83-44 lead.
Harris closed out scoring for UT, hitting a jumper with 28 seconds left. The bucket marked eight points for the senior, a career best for the Lady Vol.
Tennessee finished the game with 54 points off the bench and 62 in the paint, both season bests. The Lady Vols also out-rebounded the Lady Lions 53-32, continuing their streak of out-performing their opponents on the boards for the sixth-straight game.
Next Up: The Lady Vols continue their six-game home stand, hosting Air Force at 2 p.m. on Sunday. The contest is one of UT’s Salute to Service games, and current military members and veterans will receive free admission when presenting their military ID. The game will be televised on the SEC Network and broadcast on Lady Vol Network radio stations. Fans can buy tickets at AllVols.com.
Big First Quarter: The Lady Vols poured in 26 points during the first quarter against UAPB, their highest point total in any quarter this season. Meanwhile, they held the Golden Lions to just seven points, the fewest scored by any UT opponent in a first quarter this season.
Balanced Attack: Tennessee’s first four baskets came from four different players, and by halftime, 10 of the 11 active players on UT’s roster had scored at least two points. By the end of the game, Tennessee had seven players with five or more points and three in double figures.
Lockdown Defense: The Lady Vols held Arkansas-Pine Bluff scoreless for nearly nine minutes in the second quarter, allowing just four points to tie for the third-fewest points allowed in a quarter all-time. The 11 points allowed in the first half tied for the fifth-fewest points scored by a UT opponent in any game.
Hot Hands: The 92 points against the Golden Lions was the highest point total managed by a Lady Vol team since they scored 98 against Murray State on Dec. 28, 2018. With a field goal percentage of 54.5 percent against UAPB, the Lady Vols posted their highest shooting percentage of the season.
Bench Points: Tennessee’s bench produced a season-high 54 points, outscoring the Golden Lions’ bench by 28 points.
Double-Double Davis: Junior Rennia Davis logged her fourth double-double of the season with 17 points and 11 rebounds. The effort moved her career total to 22, tying her with Shekinna Stricklen, Karla Horton and Shyra Ely for the 11th-most career double-doubles by a Lady Vol.
UT Athletics
Tennessee senior wide receiver Jauan Jennings spoke to the media Tuesday ahead of senior day and the regular season finale vs. Vanderbilt.
Tennessee senior wide receiver Marquez Callaway spoke to the media Tuesday ahead of senior day and the regular season finale vs. Vanderbilt.
Tennessee freshman linebacker Henry To’oto’o spoke to the media Tuesday ahead of senior day and the regular season finale vs. Vanderbilt.
