Tennessee guard Jordan Bone after the Vols defeated the Kentucky Wildcats 82-78 in the semifinals of the SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament in Nashville. Our coverage of the SEC Tournament in Nashville is brought to you by Image Matters and Hiwassee Window & Door.
Tennessee forward/guard Admiral Schofield after the Vols defeated the Kentucky Wildcats 82-78 in the semifinals of the SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament in Nashville. Our coverage of the SEC Tournament in Nashville is brought to you by Image Matters and Hiwassee Window & Door.
Tennessee forward John Fulkerson after the Vols defeated the Kentucky Wildcats 82-78 in the semifinals of the SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament in Nashville. Our coverage of the SEC Tournament in Nashville is brought to you by Image Matters and Hiwassee Window & Door.
Tennessee forward Grant Williams after the Vols defeated the Kentucky Wildcats 82-78 in the semifinals of the SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament in Nashville. Our coverage of the SEC Tournament in Nashville is brought to you by Image Matters and Hiwassee Window & Door.
Tennessee forward Kyle Alexander after the Vols defeated the Kentucky Wildcats 82-78 in the semifinals of the SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament in Nashville. Our coverage of the SEC Tournament in Nashville is brought to you by Image Matters and Hiwassee Window & Door.
At the SEC Tournament semifinals before Tennessee’s game with Kentucky.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee football team is one-third of the way through spring practice and head coach Jeremy Pruitt is encouraged by the progress the Vols are making heading into spring break.
UT will have all of next week off before returning to practice on March 26.
Pruitt singled out ball security as a major positive through five spring practices following the latest workout at Haslam Field on Friday afternoon.
“We’ve taken care of the football, which is important,” Pruitt said. “Probably the biggest indicator of wins and losses is securing the football. So, our guys have made a conscious effort of that this spring.”
Pruitt has made ball security a priority since arriving on Rocky Top. Tennessee tied for the fewest interceptions thrown in the SEC with five in 2018, while quarterback Jarrett Guarantano set a school record with 166 pass attempts without a pick.
Defense Makes Progress
Pruitt said the defense has made progress since the beginning of spring.
“Defensively, it has improved over the last couple of days,” Pruitt said. “We’ve got some guys that are playing new positions, some guys that played a lot of ball for us. So, sometimes the only way you can learn is just to go play ball.”
Jahmir Johnson Proving Versatility
While many players are working out at multiple positions in the spring, the offensive line unit in particular will use the 15 practices to experiment at different spots and build versatility heading into fall.
Rising redshirt junior Jahmir Johnson started 11 games at left guard last fall, but he has been practicing at left tackle in addition to guard this spring.
“He’s a guy that will be a left guard and left tackle,” Pruitt said. “There’s other guys that you play on the left side whether its guard or tackle, there’s guys that play at guard to guard, there’s guys that maybe play center to guard, and every once in a while you’ll have a guy that plays center and tackle or a guy that goes left and right. So, we’ve just tried to pick a lane with all of them and find ways to create depth and start figuring out our best five, six, seven, eight guys coming out of spring and I think that’s Jahmir, he’s just playing left guard and left tackle.”
Johnson received the “Trenches Award” from the coaching staff at the end-of-season banquet after proving to be one the toughest Vols in Pruitt’s inaugural season.
Johnson started his career at Rhode Island, where he redshirted, before blossoming into one of the nation’s top junior college offensive line prospects at Arizona Western.
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Tennessee Head Coach Jeremy Pruitt Press Conference Transcript – March 15 2019 Spring Practice No. 5
Opening statement:
“With the fifth practice, we’re obviously a third of the way through. I think in five practices; we’ve made lots of improvement in different areas. I thought today, our specialists were much more accurate, they were crisper and had better timing. So, I know with special teams the second year around, it seems like we have more guys that have a better understanding of what we’re trying to get done. Offensively today, there was a couple of issues with quarterback-center exchange, and it’s hard to have success if the quarterback can’t take the ball from the center. So, we definitely have to eliminate those mistakes. It was a pretty physical day out there which is a good thing, that’s what spring ball needs to be. Both sides have made some progress this week. I think I see guys that have a better idea of the strain and the expectations that we’re looking for as far as effort. We’re making strides, and we’re nowhere close to where we need to be, but there are improvements. So, I think that’s positive. It’s spring break, so throughout the season and the offseason, guys have opportunities to do things on their own. We hope to see our guys do a good job of working out and staying in shape this week. We have ten days and then when they come back it’s a good opportunity to self-assess and see where we’re at and where we need to go.”
On positives and negatives through five practices:
“Offensively, we’ve done a good job creating some explosive plays. I thought, with exception to the quarterback-center exchanges, we’ve taken care of the football, which is important. Probably the biggest indicator of wins and losses is securing the football. So, our guys have made a conscious effort of that this spring. We’ve been able to play guys at multiple positions on the offensive front, and that’s good so we can create some depth there. I think there’s good competition at lots of positions. Defensively, it has improved over the last couple of days. We’ve got some guys that are playing new positions, some guys that played a lot of ball for us. So, sometimes the only way you can learn is just to go play ball. It’s good that we can do that, and the more reps that we get, the more live looks, and the longer you do something, the better understanding you have of how to do it. So, we just need to play some ball with some of these guys.”
On the impression so far of Aubrey Solomon:
“Aubrey is a guy that has done a really good job in five practices. He’s improved every day. I think with playing the different techniques and learning the different system, he’s done a good job. I think if he continues to work, the more times he does it, he’ll have a better understanding of our expectations and what we’re looking for. So, he’s just got to continue to work the rest of this spring.”
On the challenge of spring break interrupting practice:
“It’s when we chose to do spring break, so, we got five good practices in, and we’ll go back next week and have four more and then have a scrimmage on Saturday. So, we’ll see what guys retain from having a little bit of time off. I think our guys will do a good job with that, we’ll see next week, and we’ll see where it goes.”
On how the defense has been since Monday’s practice:
“Well, there was nowhere to go but up. So, it’s been a little better, a little more competitive. So, I think if the guys will just continue to study and work and compete, they’ll improve. There’s lots of guys that are getting more opportunities, so it’s good for everybody.”
On Jahmir Johnson playing more left tackle:
“That’s what he’s always played, so, he’s just a guy that will be a left guard and left tackle. There’s other guys that you play on the left side whether its guard or tackle, there’s guys that play at guard to guard, there’s guys that maybe play center to guard, and every once in a while you’ll have a guy that plays center and tackle or a guy that goes left and right. So, we’ve just tried to pick a lane with all of them and find ways to create depth and start figuring out our best five, six, seven, eight guys coming out of spring and I think that’s Jahmir, he’s just playing left guard and left tackle.
On spending more time with the defensive line:
“We have a lot of inexperience on the defensive line, so we are challenging these guys. I do not have to be with the defensive backs all the time. One thing about it when you break up for individual drills with the defensive backs and you are separating corners and safeties you need two coaches. I have made sure that I am down there when it comes to that.”
On transfer Deangelo Gibbs’ move to receiver:
“He played both in high school and he is a guy that when he was recruited, he probably could have played either side of the ball. We started him off at receiver to see where he was at. He has practiced at defensive back for the last two years, so we thought we would start him there. He has improved every day. He plays fast, he is a big man with big hands. We will continue to see how he progresses this spring.”
On LaTrell Bumphus’ move to defensive line:
“He is a guy that played both ways in high school, so we did this a little in the spring last year. I saw some things last spring that he liked. We felt like last year he felt a little better for us on offense. He is a guy that is learning the position, and I see a guy that has some wiggle when it comes to pass rush. He is probably 270 pounds or around there. He is doing a good job, but we probably need him to do some things with different techniques. That is probably not who he his is, but he can help us on that side of the ball.”
On JJ Peterson’s progress:
“The fact that he got here in September was hard for him to catch up. The spring has been good for him, he is not full contact yet because of his shoulder. He is taking every rep with the twos and threes. He is a guy that just needs to play. The more reps he gets, the better he will be. He just has to get out there and go play.”
On evaluating the early enrollees:
“I think all of them have improved every single day, that is why they came here. I think it will enable them to have a chance to contribute this year. They are a good group of guys, they are good students and they are very contentious because they work hard. They should still be seniors in high school, so it is good for them to get exposed to it right now.”
-UT Athletics
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — No. 8 Tennessee is set for a rematch of last year’s tournament championship, taking on No. 4 Kentucky in the semifinals of the SEC Tournament on Saturday.
The game will tip at approximately 3:30 p.m. ET and will be televised on ESPN and can also be viewed online through WatchESPN. Fans can listen live on their local Vol Network affiliate to hear Bob Kesling and Bert Bertelkamp describing the action.
Tennessee (28-4, 15-3 SEC) claimed the No. 3 seed in the tournament and earned a double bye. The Vols are one of the favorites to win the championship and have the opportunity to earn a top seed in the NCAA Tournament. UT defeated Mississippi State, 83-76, in the quarterfinals to advance to the semifinals for the second year in a row.
Earlier this week, Grant Williams became just the 10th player in conference history to win SEC Player of the Year in back-to-back season and was the first since Arkansas’ Corliss Williamson did so in 1994 and 1995. Williams was also tabbed first-team All-SEC after finishing the regular season as the top scorer in the SEC with 19.3 points per game. He has been one of the nation’s most versatile and reliable players this season, averaging 7.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.2 steals per game.
Senior wing Admiral Schofield earned first-team All-SEC recognition from the coaches after averaging 16.3 points per game, which ranked second on the team and fifth in the SEC, to go along with 6.3 rebounds and 2.0 assists. Jordan Bone rounded out the Vols’ All-SEC performers, earning a nod on the second team by both the coaches and the AP. The junior point guard led the SEC in assists per game (6.1), ranked second in assist/turnover ratio (3.0) and seventh in field-goal percentage (.475).
Tennessee and Kentucky split the two matchups during the regular season, with both teams winning on their home court. The Wildcats are the No. 2 seed in the tournament and advanced with a 73-55 victory over Alabama in the quarterfinals.
THE SERIES
• Tennessee trails the all-time series with Kentucky, 155-72, dating to 1910.
• The Wildcats have a 12-4 edge when the teams meet in the SEC Tournament.
A WIN WOULD…
• Give Tennessee its second SEC Tournament Championship Game appearance in as many years. The Vols have not won the tournament since 1979.
• Give Tennessee 29 wins this season, the second-most victories in program history.
• Signal the most victories by a Rick Barnes-coached team since his 2007-08 Texas squad finished 31-7.
• Make the Vols 4-2 against rival Kentucky over the last two seasons.
STORYLINES
• This is the second straight year that the Vols have faced Kentucky at the SEC Tournament. Last year in St. Louis, they met in the championship game.
• Two of Tennessee’s four losses this season have come in overtime, and all four were away from home against opponents who are currently ranked in the AP Top 25.
• For the first time in program history, Tennessee has spent the entire season ranked in the top 10 of the AP Top 25.
• The Vols will finish this season with no more than six losses.
• Tennessee’s final average home attendance of 19,034 ranks fourth nationally.
• Tennessee is 54-13 (.806) since the start of last season.
• Starting point guard Jordan Bone is a Nashville native. In his last four games, he has 25 assists and just four turnovers (6.3 assist/turnover ratio).
ABOUT KENTUCKY
• John Calipari’s squad has been playing the best basketball of any team in the country as of late, winning 17 of its last 19 games. In non-conference play, UK logged ranked wins over North Carolina, Louisville and Kansas. Kentucky dropped its first matchup of the SEC slate but responded by winning its next nine.
• Sophomore forward PJ Washington (14.7 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 1.2 bpg) has inserted himself into the National Player of the Year conversation with his impressive play. As the team’s leading scorer and rebounder, Washington has scored at least 20 points in 10 games and has recorded eight double-doubles.
• SEC Freshman of the Year Keldon Johnson (13.4 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 1.7 apg) gave the Vols fits in the first matchup with 19 points. He is one of several talented freshmen on the team. The backcourt duo of Ashton Hagans (7.6 ppg, 4.4 apg, 2.4 rpg, 1.8 spg) and Tyler Herro (14.4 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.1 spg) leads Kentucky in assists and steals per game and has been crucial in the maturation of the team.
• In a freshman class that featured multiple guards, UK needed some depth in the frontcourt and landed graduate transfer forward and All-Pac 12 performer Reid Travis (11.1 ppg, 6.9 rpg, .520 FG%) from Stanford. Travis also brings much-needed experience to the Wildcats, who also returned several pieces from last season’s SEC Tournament Championship squad.
SERIES HISTORY & NOTES
• The Kentucky series is UT’s oldest and most-played among SEC opponents. The Vols and Wildcats first met on Feb. 5, 1910, and have clashed 227 times over the years.
• On 12 different occasions—first in 1950 and most recently on March 2—Tennessee has defeated a Kentucky team ranked in the AP top five.
• No program in college basketball has logged more wins over Kentucky than Tennessee (72).
• Kentucky is one of only two SEC schools (along with Alabama) to lead its all-time series against the Volunteers.
• Four Tennessee All-Americans were Kentucky natives: Allan Houston, Chris Lofton, Danny Schultz and Paul “Lefty” Walther.
• Tennessee has 15 all-time wins over the Wildcats at Thompson-Boling Arena, including four straight.
VOLS HAVE 10 WINS AGAINST CALIPARI 2.0
• Since UK coach John Calipari returned to the college game in 2000-01, Tennessee has dealt him 10 losses. No team has more wins over Calipari-coached teams during that span.
LAST MEETING VS. KENTUCKY
• In front of the sellout Thompson-Boling Arena crowd, No. 7 Tennessee powered past No. 4 Kentucky, 71-52, on March 2, 2019, to move into a two-way tie for first place in the SEC.
• It was the largest loss for the Wildcats in conference play since Feb. 4, 2017, when they lost by 22 points to Florida.
• Backed by a career-high performance from Bob Cousy Award candidate Jordan Bone, the Vols maintained a perfect home record against the Wildcats in the Rick Barnes era while extending their home winning streak to 25 games.
• Bone scored a career-high 27 points on 11-of-15 shooting while knocking down all five of his attempts from behind the arc. He eclipsed his previous high on the final Tennessee shot of the game, hitting a 3-pointer falling away into the student section with 12 seconds left on the clock.
• National Player of the Year candidate Grant Williams added 24 points to go along with a game-high seven rebounds. Combined, Williams and Bone tallied 51 points, shooting 18-of-28 (64.3 percent) from the field.
• Tennessee held the Wildcats to a season-low 52 points and 31.8 percent shooting from the field while limiting them to just 10 points in the paint, outscoring Kentucky by 18 points on the block.
• Within the first four minutes of the second half, Tennessee stretched its 13-point halftime lead to 20 points, getting to the rim on four of its first five field goals. The 10-4 run was capped by a fastbreak up-and-under finish from Lamonté Turner to push it to a 47-27 edge with 16:17 left in the game.
• Turner finished with a team-high six assists, with five coming in the final 20 minutes of the game.
MEMORABLE VOL PERFORMANCES AGAINST KENTUCKY
• Junior point guard Jordan Bone scored a career-high 27 points on 11-of-15 shooting while leading Tennessee to an upset of fourth-ranked Kentucky on March 2, 2019, at Thompson-Boling Arena. Bone knocked down all five of his attempts from behind the 3-point arc. He eclipsed his previous high on the final Tennessee shot of the game, hitting a 3-pointer falling away into the student section with 12 seconds left on the clock. Tennessee held the Wildcats to a season-low 52 points and 31.8 percent shooting from the field in the 71-52 triumph.
• Kevin Punter Jr.’s 27 points were the most scored by a Vol against the Kentucky in 10 years as Tennessee defeated the Wildcats, 84-77, Feb. 2, 2016, in Knoxville. The senior point guard made three 3-pointers and was 11-of-12 at the free-throw line.
• Chris Lofton reeled off 31 points, Major Wingate scored 12 and longtime NBA point guard C.J. Watson added 10 as No. 11 Tennessee beat Kentucky 75-67 at Rupp Arena on Feb. 7, 2006.
• Beating the Wildcats was three times as nice during the 1978-79 season. UT notched program win No. 900 in Lexington on Jan. 20, 66-55, before topping UK 101-84 in Knoxville on Feb. 17. Then the Vols won the 1979 SEC Tournament with a 75-69 win over UK in Birmingham, Alabama, on March 3. Current Vol Network radio analyst Bert Bertelkamp was a junior on that Tennessee team.
• As Bernard King walked off the court at Memorial Gym after a deflating 88-82 loss on Jan. 13, 1975, a Kentucky fan flipped a lit cigarette into the Tennessee legend’s hair. Outraged, King vowed he would never lose to Kentucky again. He vigorously carried out that promise, finishing his career 5-1 against the Wildcats.
BARNES + CALIPARI = 1,300+ WINS
• Saturday’s game features the two winningest coaches (total career Division I wins) in the SEC.
• John Calipari is the league’s active leader in career wins, with 705. Rick Barnes is a close second with 689 victories to his credit.
• Among all active Division I head coaches, Calipari and Barnes rank sixth and seventh, respectively, in total head coaching wins.
• Barnes and Calipari became friends while working a Pitt basketball camp in the late 1970s. The star player at that camp? Current Arizona head coach Sean Miller.
-UT Athletics
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A second-half run vaulted No. 8 Tennessee to an 83-76 victory over Mississippi State in the quarterfinals of the SEC Tournament Friday night at Bridgestone Arena.
Tennessee faces fourth-ranked Kentucky Saturday afternoon in the semifinals. That game will start at approximately 3:30 p.m. ET and will be televised on ESPN.
All-SEC wing Admiral Schofield finished with a game-high 20 points Friday on 9-of-12 shooting from the floor. Senior Kyle Alexander also posted a dominant performance, dropping 16 points on 8-of-11 shooting, with nine rebounds, three steals and two blocks.
SEC Player of the Year Grant Williams chipped in 16 points, and All-SEC point guard Jordan Bone narrowly missed a double-double with 14 points and nine assists. Junior guard Lamonte Turner was also effective at getting open shots for his teammates, dishing out eight assists to go with four steals. Fellow junior Jordan Bowden rounded out UT’s double-digit scorers with 10 points.
Mississippi State had four players score in double figures, with Aric Holman’s 20 points on five 3-pointers leading the way.
Similar to the first half, both teams traded buckets to begin the second half. However, a 10-0 run by Tennessee made it a 13-point game with 9:33 to play. The run was highlighted by a one-handed slam by Schofield over a Mississippi State player that brought the crowd to its feet and gave the Vols all the momentum.
The game was never closer than seven points after the swing in UT’s favor. Tennessee sealed the victory by knocking down seven of its final nine shots. For the game, UT shot 52 percent (34-of-66) from the floor.
The first half went back and forth as both teams traded baskets. The Bulldogs held an early lead, but the Vols responded with a 9-0 run to pull ahead with 10 minutes left.
Tennessee maintained at least a two-possession game for the remainder of the period to head into the break up, 34-28. UT dominated the paint in the first half, outscoring Mississippi State, 24-18, down low. On the defensive side of the court, the Big Orange had six steals, three blocks and limited the Bulldogs to just 18 percent shooting from beyond the arc.
Williams led all scorers in the first half with 10 points. Schofield chipped in nine points, while Alexander had eight points, four rebounds, two steals and a block.
PDF BOX SCORE | HIGHLIGHTS | PHOTO GALLERY | VIDEO: BARNES POSTGAME INTERVIEW | VIDEO: SCHOFIELD & WILLIAMS POSTGAME INTERVIEW
-UT Athletics
AUBURN, Ala. — Three errors in the bottom of the seventh proved to be the difference in No. 21 Tennessee’s 2-0 loss to No. 15 Auburn in the SEC opener for both teams on Friday night at Plainsman Park.
The Tigers scored both of their runs in the seventh despite getting just one hit in the inning. Ryan Bliss and Kason Howell both scored unearned runs that were aided by three Tennessee errors.
Starting pitchers Garrett Stallings and Tanner Burns both turned in dominant performances on the mound, allowing zero earned runs and combining for 16 strikeouts on the night.
Burns tossed 6.2 shutout innings, allowed just four hits and had nine strikeouts for the Tigers, earning a no-decision. Stallings would not be outdone in his first Friday-night start in SEC play. The junior right hander was the tough-luck loser, scattering seven hits and striking out seven in 7.2 innings of work while giving up just two unearned runs.
The Vols had chances to score in the first, third and sixth innings, but left runners stranded in scoring position in each frame as Burns was able to work out of a couple of jams. The Tigers also squandered multiple chances to get on the board, leaving runners on base in the second, third, fourth and sixth innings before finally breaking through in the seventh.
Stallings was able to work out of some major trouble in the third after Auburn put runners on first and third with just one out. The junior right hander forced a pop up before striking out Rankin Woley to escape the jam. Auburn had the leadoff man reach base in the third, fourth, fifth and sixth innings, but Stallings was able to keep the Tigers off the board each time.
UT had a two-out rally going in the sixth after back-to-back singles by Andre Lipcius and Alerick Soularie, but had its momentum halted when Evan Russell struck out looking on a 3-2 pitch that looked to be well outside. A walk would have loaded the bases for the Vols.
After six and a half scoreless innings, the defensive miscues in the bottom of the seventh ended the shutout bid and, for all intents and purposes, the Vols chance for a victory. Bliss reached on an error to lead off the inning and scored on another error after a ball was misplayed is left field. Matt Scheffler drove in Howell with a ground out to put Auburn ahead 2-0. Both runs in the inning were unearned.
UT had a runner reach base in the eighth but went down in order to end the game in the ninth. The Big Orange struck out a season-high 13 times.
Elliott Anderson earned the win to improve to 3-0 on the year after throwing just a third of an inning. Hard-throwing right hander Cody Greenhill pitched the final two innings to record his third save of the season for the Tigers.
NOTABLE
PITCHER’S DUEL BETWEEN FRIDAY-NIGHT ACES: Friday night’s contest was a classic pitcher’s duel between two of the SEC’s best in UT’s Garrett Stallings and Auburn’s Tanner Burns. Stallings allowed just two unearned runs and struck out seven in 7.2 innings of work, tying his longest outing of the season. Burns, the SEC Preseason Pitcher of the Year, did not allow a run, walked one and struck out nine in 6.2 innings pitched.
CHARLESTON ADDS TO SEC STEALS LEAD: Jay Charleston extended his SEC lead for stolen bases with two more on Friday night. The Longwood, Fla., native stole second and third after reaching base on a walk in the top of the first. Charleston leads the conference and ranks in the top five nationally with 16 steals this season and has been caught just once. He also had one of the Vols’ four hits on the night with a single in the third.
ANDRE EXTENDS HIT STREAK: Andre Lipcius extended his hit streak to 13 games with a single through the left side of the infield in the top of the sixth. The junior third baseman finished the night 1-for-3.
UP NEXT: The Vols will look to even the series tomorrow night in Game Two of the weekend series. First pitch is slated for 7 p.m. ET and the game will air live on the SEC Network. Fans can also listen to John Wilkerson call the action on the Vol Network radio broadcast (FM 99.1 / AM 990).
Box Score (PDF) | Season Stats (PDF) | VIDEO: Vitello Postgame
-UT Athletics
