Hoops Preview: Lady Vols vs. ETSU

Hoops Preview: Lady Vols vs. ETSU

Posted on November 3, 2019
Credit: UT Athletics

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee, which is receiving votes in the AP and USA Today Coaches Polls, opens the 2019-20 regular-season schedule on Tuesday, Nov. 5, as the Lady Vols take on ETSU at Freedom Hall in Johnson City at 7 p.m. ET.

The match-up marks the regular-season debut of Kellie Harper as UT’s head coach. She will attempt to become the first coach to win in her Lady Vol debut since Margaret Hutson beat MTSU at home on Jan. 15, 1971. The last time a Tennessee women’s basketball coach was victorious in her debut game on the road was Mabel Miller, who directed her Big Orange troops to glory against Cumberland (Ky.) on March 10, 1922.

Tuesday’s contest also matches a pair of Tennessee high school basketball products in Kellie Harper (Sparta/White County H.S.) and Brittney Ezell (Franklin/Franklin H.S.), who faced off in the SEC at Tennessee and Alabama, respectively, between 1995 and 1998. Ezell finished her college career in 1998, a year ahead of Harper.

UT will return to Knoxville to host Central Arkansas in the home opener on Thursday at 7 p.m. ETSU, meanwhile, will play at Liberty on Friday at 5 p.m.

BROADCAST INFORMATION

  • TV or live stream broadcast info. for the contest will be announced soon.
  • Mickey Dearstone is behind the microphone for IMG College/Lady Vol Network radio/online broadcasts for the 21st season. A link to the live audio stream can be found on each game’s Hoops Central page or the Lady Vol schedule on UTSports.com.
  • Air time for games on the Lady Vol Radio Network generally occurs 30 minutes prior to tip-off.
  • SECN+ games are online broadcasts and are available only on WatchESPN via computers, smartphones and tablets.
  • All of the games included in the ESPN package (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU) and the SEC Network will be available through WatchESPN, accessible online at WatchESPN.com, on smartphones and tablets via the WatchESPN app, and streamed on televisions through Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku, Xbox 360 or Xbox One to fans who receive their video subscription from an affiliated provider.

TENNESSEE VS. IN-STATE OPPONENTS

  • The Tennessee women are 245-61-1 all-time vs. four-year college teams from the Volunteer State
  • UT was 3-1 vs. teams from the state of Tennessee last season, beating ETSU and Belmont at home and Vanderbilt on the road before losing to VU at home.

LADY VOLS IN OPENERS

  • The Lady Vols are 41-4 in season openers over the past 45 years, including 7-1 on the road, 26-3 at home and 8-0 at neutral sites.
  • UT has won its last six season openers and 18 of its last 19.
  • Tennessee has a 38-7 record in its first road game of the season and 42-3 all-time in its first home contest of the year.
  • UT has won four straight while playing the team’s first road game of a season.

THE KELLIE HARPER ERA BEGINS

  • Former Lady Vol Kellie Harper takes the reins at Tennessee after leading Missouri State to a Sweet 16 appearance in last season’s NCAA Tournament.
  • Harper, a native of Sparta, Tenn. (White County H.S.), played point guard at Tennessee from 1995-99, helping lead the Lady Vols to an NCAA Championship three-peat in 1996, 1997 and 1998. The ’98 squad went 39-0.
  • In 15 seasons as a head coach, Harper is 285-208 and is one of only 11 coaches to lead three different women’s programs to NCAA Tournament appearances (Western Carolina/NC State/Missouri State).
  • She will attempt to join Jim Foster (St. Joe’s, Vanderbilt, Vanderbilt, Ohio State, Chattanooga) in becoming the only coaches to take four different women’s teams to the NCAA tourney.
  • Harper has rebuilt and directed teams to 12 postseason appearances (5 NCAA/7 WNIT) in her career.
  • The LVFL was 118-79 at Missouri State in six seasons, earning 2019 Kay Yow National Coach of the Year and 2019 Missouri Valley Conference Coach of the Year accolades last season for leading the Lady Bears to the NCAA Sweet 16.
  • She guided Missouri State to 2016 & 2019 MVC tourney titles, two NCAA appearances (2016, 2019) and three WNIT berths (2015, 2017, 2018).

HARPER IN OPENERS

  • Kellie Harper is 4-0 while coaching a Power 5 school (NC State) in season openers.

2019-20 SEASON OUTLOOK

  • Members of the media who cover SEC women’s basketball have projected the Lady Vols to finish No. 6 in the league this season, while the coaches have UT slotted at No. 7.
  • Considering Tennessee lost three starters and four total letterwinners from last season’s eighth-place-finishing squad, that’s an encouraging development.
  • Tennessee is receiving votes in both the AP Poll (31st) and USA Today Coaches Poll (34th) this week.
  • UT is ranked No. 23 nationally by HerHoopsStats, No. 24 by CollegeSportsMadness.com and No. 25 by espnW.

PRESEASON RECOGNITION

  • Junior wing Rennia Davis is a member of the 20-player Cheryl Miller Award Watch List. She was a semifinal finalist a year ago.
  • Davis was named to the SEC Coaches Preseason All-SEC First Team.
  • She was a second-team selection on the SEC Media Preseason squad.
  • Last season, Davis was an All-SEC Second Team choice by both the media and coaches.
  • Davis was recently named the Jacksonville (Fla.) Times Union’s Girls Basketball Player of the Decade.
  • The story said “Nobody in Jacksonville made a bigger impact on the court this decade than Davis.”
  • Davis played at Ribault High School and tallied 2,304 points and 1,043 rebounds during her career.

ABOUT ETSU

  • The Bucs are led by head coach Brittney Ezell, who is in her seventh season at the helm. She enters the year at 92-95 during her time in Johnson City and is 212-208 beginning her 14th season as a head coach.
  • ETSU returns nine players, including two starters,  and welcomes six newcomers to the roster for 2019-20.
  • The team’s top two leading scorers from a year ago return, including junior guards Erica Haynes-Overton (16.8 ppg.) and Micah Scheetz (11.2 ppg.).
  • Haynes-Overton is poised to become the 24th Buc to score 1,000 points in a career. She enters the 2019-20 campaign just 45 points shy of that milestone.
  • Besides scoring, Haynes-Overton is ETSU’s returning leader in rebounding, steals, blocks, assists and minutes played.
  • The Bucs typically play their games at 3,500-seat Brooks Gym on campus, but the school has moved the contest to 6,149-seat Freedom Hall, where the ETSU men’s team plays its home games.
  • The last time ETSU hosted the Lady Vols, 6,072 fans filed into the ETSU Minidome to see a Volunteer State showcase of women’s hoops.

LAST SEASON AT A GLANCE FOR THE BUCS

  • ETSU finished the 2018-19 season with a 10-21 overall record and an 8-6 mark in the Southern Conference, good for a tie for third in the league.
  • After opening 0-8 and standing 2-15 through 17 contests, the Buccaneers won eight of their last 14, with three of their losses coming in overtime.
  • ETSU lost starters Britney Snowden (9.3 ppg., 6.2 rpg.), Lexus Spears (7.1 ppg., 4.1 rpg.) and Raven Dean (6.8 ppg., 4.0 rpg.) from a year ago.

THE LAST TIME WE MET ETSU

  • Senior wing Meme Jackson fired in 23 points to help No. 9/8 Tennessee head into the holiday break at 9-1 with an 80-61 win over ETSU on Dec. 21, 2018, at Thompson-Boling Arena.
  • Senior Cheridene Green (12 points) and sophomore Rennia Davis (11 points and seven rebounds) joined Jackson as double-digit scorers for the Lady Vols, who bounced back from a loss to No. 8/9 Stanford.
  • Jackson notched 21 of her 23 points from beyond the arc on 7-of-12 shooting from deep, tying for the fourth-most treys made by a Lady Vol in a single game.
  • Freshman Jazmine Massengill led the Lady Vols defensively with nine rebounds, five blocks and a pair of steals.
  • Tennessee held the Buccaneers to 31-percent shooting on the night and won the rebounding battle by a 50-33 margin.

UT Athletics

Jimmy’s blog: Vols take care of business against outmanned UAB

Jimmy’s blog: Vols take care of business against outmanned UAB

Posted on November 3, 2019

By Jimmy Hyams

When Ty Chandler was asked earlier this week if an upset loss to Georgia State in the season opener would prevent Tennessee from overlooking Alabama-Birmingham, the Vols’ running back had a simple answer:

“Yes sir.’’

Yes sir, indeed. Tennessee kept its eye on the Blazer and kept its improving bowl hopes alive with an easier-than-expected 30-7 victory Saturday night at Neyland Stadium over a 12-point underdog.

UAB was a benevolent guest, throwing three interceptions a losing a fumble in the first half – with three turnovers coming on the initial play of a possession. UT started five of its nine first-half possessions in UAB territory.

Tennessee (4-5) turned those miscues into 20 points as the Vols took a 23-0 halftime lead and coasted to a second win in a row – a first this season.

The Vols allowed a touchdown in the final 2:35 that prevented a second shutout this season. UT had gone seven quarters without allowing a point.

While not an artistic success, UT’s win was efficient. The Vols had just 302 total yards and held UAB to 237  — 63 on the ground.

UAB entered the game with a 6-1 record and the nation’s No. 5 ranked defense, but that was misleading, considered the Blazers played four teams that had no more than one win and a fifth team from the FCS.

But at least Tennessee was focused against a team it was supposed to beat – unlike the opener when Georgia State, a 25-point dog, upended the embarrassed Vols.

Being focused wasn’t the only story line.

The other two were cornerback Bryce Thompson tying a school record with three interceptions – the last to do it was All-American Deon Grant in 1999 — and the play of quarterback Jarrett Guarantano, who passed for 147 yards and touchdown less than a week after having surgery on a broken bone in his left (non-throwing) hand.

Both Thompson and Guarantano have overcome significant adversity this season.

Thompson was suspended over allegations of threatening a women and saying he would “shoot up the school.’’ He was reinstated, then charges were dismissed but he missed three weeks of practice and wasn’t sharp when he returned.

A freshman All-American last year, Thompson had his best game by far against UAB.

A week ago, UT’s defense allowed a 75-yard touchdown pass on the first snap.

This time, Thompson picked off an errant pass on the first play and returned it 23 yards to the UAB 19-yard line.

Thompson got a second pick when he jumped a route and a third on a tipped ball by freshman linebacker Henry To’o To’o.

“I told Bryce I tipped it for him,’’ said a smiling To’o To’o.

Thompson agreed: “He can take credit. It wouldn’t have happened without him.’’

UT coach Jeremy Pruitt seemed to downplay Thompson’s exploits.

“He really just done what he was supposed to,’’ Pruitt said.

Thompson’s play was more revered by his teammates.

“He’s elusive,’’ To’o To’o said. “He studies film. He knows what route a receiver will run. He’s a dog.’’

Thompson played while wearing a knee brace.

“I tried to tell myself, mind over matter,’’ Thompson said.

Thompson said sitting out the opening three games hurt.

“It was definitely a learning lesson,’’ Thompson said. “I’m glad to be back on the team with my family.’’

Guarantano was glad he was able to play after suffering the injury in the first half against South Carolina last week. He had surgery Sunday and wore a protective glove that probably led to one fumble exchange.

“It just shows how tough he is,’’ said running back Eric Gray. “I didn’t think he’d play.’’

Guarantano didn’t start. The nod went to redshirt freshman J.T. Shrout, who played one series, threw a pass across his body that fell incomplete and was benched.

UT also sat Brian Maurer, who Pruitt said was cleared after suffering concussions in back to back games. Maurer missed his second game in a row.

Guarantano wasn’t particularly sharp. He completed 13 of 21 passes for 147 yards and a touchdown, but threw an ill-advised end-zone interception off his back foot that drew the ire of the Vols coaching staff.

Still, the fact Guarantano played impressed his teammates.

Offensive lineman Trey Smith, who has overcome recurring blood clots to start this season, tipped his cap to his quarterback.

“It’s a testament to who he is,’’ Smith said.

Guarantano, who didn’t play well at the start of the season and ran the blow-up-in-your-face quarterback sneak against Alabama, said he never doubted himself.

“I was always taught to have unwavering confidence,’’ Guarantano said.

Yet, he recognized his play earlier wasn’t up to snuff, so he fought through pain and numbness in his left hand to help the Vols on Saturday night.

Where was his pain level in a 1-to-10 scale?

“My dad would say a three, my Mom would say an 11,’’ he said. “It’s somewhere in the middle.’’

But there was no middle ground when it came to whether he would play.

“I owed it to my teammates,’’ Guarantano said. “I didn’t like the way I started the season. I think my teammates deserved this from me.’’

And Guarantano deserved a pat on the back from his teammates for a gutsy performance.

Sponsored by Big Kahuna Wings: The wings that changed it all 

Vince’s View: SEC Week 10 score predictions including UT/UAB

Vince’s View: SEC Week 10 score predictions including UT/UAB

Posted on November 2, 2019
Vols offense / Credit: 99.1 The Sports Animal

By Vince Ferrara / @VinceSports

Below are my predictions for SEC games in Week 10 of the college football season here on my blog, “Vince’s View.”

These are straight-up picks. The point spreads are just for some context of who the favorites are. I will list broadcast information all season as well.

Check back here all season for score predictions on every game involving an SEC team all the way through the bowl season and perhaps, again, the national championship game.

2018 Game Prediction Record: 93-32 (74%)
2019 Week 9 Prediction Record: 3-2 (60%)
2019 Game Prediction Record: 62-14 (82%)

SEC WEEK 9 SCHEDULE

SATURDAY, NOV. 2

UT-San Antonio (3-4) at Texas A&M (5-3, 3-2 SEC)
College Station, Texas • Kyle Field (102,733)
Noon ET • SEC Network
Series: TAMU leads, 1-0
Sirius: 105 • XM: 190
Line: Texas A&M -38
Score Prediction: Texas A&M 56 UT-San Antonio 14

Florida (7-1, 4-1 SEC) vs. Georgia (6-1, 3-1 SEC)
Jacksonville, Fla. • TIAA Bank Field (82,871)
3:30 p.m. ET • CBS
Series: UGA leads, 51-43-2
Last: UGA, 36-17 (2018 at Jacksonville)
Sirius: 98/81 • XM: 191/81
Line: Georgia -6 ½
Score Prediction: Georgia 27 Florida 26

Mississippi State (3-5, 1-4 SEC ) at Arkansas (2-6, 0-5 SEC)
Fayetteville, Ark. • Reynolds Razorback Stadium (76,000)
4 p.m. ET • SEC Network
Series: ARK leads, 16-12-1
Last: MSU, 52-6 (2018 at Starkville)
Sirius: 134/105 • XM: 192/190
Line: Miss State -7 ½
Score Prediction: Miss State 20 Arkansas 16

Ole Miss (3-5, 2-3 SEC) at Auburn (6-2, 3-2 SEC)
Auburn, Ala. • Jordan-Hare Stadium (87,451)
7 p.m. ET • ESPN
Series: AU leads, 32-10
Last: AU, 31-16 (2018 at Oxford)
Sirius: 134/81 • XM: 192/81
Line: Auburn -19
Score Prediction: Auburn 38 Ole Miss 17

UAB (6-1) at Tennessee (3-5, 2-3 SEC)
Knoxville, Tenn. • Neyland Stadium (102,455)
7 p.m. ET • ESPNU
Series: UT leads, 4-0
Sirius: 98 • XM: 191
Line: Tennessee -12
Score Prediction: Tennessee 31 UAB 17

Vanderbilt (2-5, 1-3 SEC) at South Carolina (3-5, 2-4 SEC)
Columbia, S.C. • Williams-Brice Stadium (80,250)
7:30 p.m. ET • SEC Network
Series: SC leads, 24-4
Last: SC, 37-14 (2018 at Nashville)
Sirius: 105 • XM: 190
Line: South Carolina -15
Score Prediction: South Carolina 30 Vanderbilt 14

Open: Alabama (8-0, 5-0 SEC); Kentucky (4-4, 2-4 SEC); LSU (8-0, 4-0 SEC); Missouri (5-3, 2-2 SEC)

Find more of my broadcasting work at VinceSports.net

Brandi Carlile’s 6 Shows at the Ryman Are Sold Out, But You Can Still Win Tickets, Airfare, Hotel & More

Brandi Carlile’s 6 Shows at the Ryman Are Sold Out, But You Can Still Win Tickets, Airfare, Hotel & More

Posted on November 1, 2019

Brandi Carlile’s upcoming six shows at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium on Jan. 14, 15, 16, 19, 20 and 21 are sold out, but you can still win tickets, airfare, hotel, dinner and more through the Ryman Flyway Sweepstakes.

The winner of the Ryman Flyway Sweepstakes will receive a prize package that includes:

  • 2 Round Trip Tickets to Nashville, TN
  • 1 Double Occupancy Room / 2 Nights
  • 2 tickets to a Brandi Carlile performance (Dates to choose: Jan 14, 15, 16, 19, 20, 21)
  • Dinner for 2 at Cafe Lula
  • $100 Ryman Merchandise
  • $250 Gift Card
  • Round trip car service in a Nissan to the Ryman Concert
  • Nissan Gift

To enter the Ryman Flyway Sweepstakes, fill out the Entry Form by 11:59 p.m. ET on Nov. 17. The winner will be randomly drawn from among all eligible entries. Maximum of one entry per person per day. Official rules are listed here.

Good luck!

photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

Craig Morgan Talks Inspirational Late Son, No. 1 Single “The Father, My Son & the Holy Ghost,” Upcoming Album, Veterans & More

Craig Morgan Talks Inspirational Late Son, No. 1 Single “The Father, My Son & the Holy Ghost,” Upcoming Album, Veterans & More

Posted on November 1, 2019

Jim Casey talks with Craig Morgan about:

  • his family business, The Gallery at Morgan Farms, in Dickson, Tenn.
  • the passing of his 19-year-old son, Jerry Greer, in 2016
  • the therapeutic nature of woodworking
  • writing his new single, “The Father, My Son and the Holy Ghost,” in honor of Jerry
  • the impact the song has had on people around the world
  • the song reaching No. 1 on the all-genre iTunes chart after a social media push by Blake Shelton, Kelly Clarkson, Ellen and more
  • the physical and emotional toll of performing the song live
  • his upcoming album
  • reuniting with his old label, Broken Bow
  • touring in November
  • plans for Thanksgiving and Christmas
  • his message for his brothers and sisters serving in the military

Podcast participants:

    • Craig Morgan
    • Jim Casey, Nash Country Daily editor in chief

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