The Academy of Country Music announced that Jason Aldean has been named the ACM Artist of the Decade. The 13-time ACM Award winner—and three-time ACM Entertainer of the Year—joins an exclusive group of past Artist of the Decade winners, including Marty Robbins (1969), Loretta Lynn (1979), Alabama (1988), Garth Brooks (1998) and George Strait (2008).
While Jason is certainly more than worthy of the Artist of the Decade Award, Miranda Lambert has won more ACM Awards—32—than anyone in the 53-year history of the awards show. That begs the question: Did Miranda get passed over?
According to the Academy, the Artist of the Decade Award is “presented to an outstanding country music artist or duo/group who has dominated country music over the decade, through success at radio, digital media, sales and streaming, distinguishing events, touring, television appearances, and artistic merit.”
Let’s breakdown some the aforementioned metrics.
Distinguishing Events
Since 2008, Jason Aldean has been nominated for 27 ACM Awards (including three this year), winning 12.
Since 2008, Miranda Lambert has been nominated for 54 ACM Awards (including two this year), winning 30.
Sales
Since 2008, Jason has earned five platinum-certified albums and 17 platinum-certified singles, according to the RIAA. In addition, Jason has seven gold-certified singles and one gold-certified album.
Since 2008, Miranda has earned five platinum-certified albums and 10 platinum-certified singles, according to the RIAA. In addition, Miranda has seven gold-certified singles.
Radio Success
Since 2008, Jason has scored 19 No. 1 singles on the Billboard Country Airplay chart.
Since 2008, Miranda has scored three No. 1 singles on the Billboard Country Airplay chart, with two additional No. 1s as a featured artist.
Touring (based on box office *as reported* to Pollstar)
Since 2008, Jason’s tours have grossed $359 million, according to Pollstar. In addition, he has sold 7.2 million tickets over the course of 521 shows.
Since 2008, Miranda’s tours have grossed $116 million, according to Pollstar. In addition, she has sold 2.5 million tickets over the course of 273 shows.
Based on the stats, you can make a strong case for both Jason and Miranda to be ACM Artist of the Decade. Nevertheless, kudos to Jason for the well-deserved win—and a tip of the hat to Miranda for an outstanding decade.
Coincidentally, both Jason and Miranda are nominated for Musical Event of the Year at this year’s ACM Awards for their collaborative effort on “Drowns the Whiskey.”
AUBURN, AL – OCTOBER 13, 2018 – Defensive back Alontae Taylor #6 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the game between the Auburn Tigers and the Tennessee Volunteers at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, AL. Photo By Andrew Ferguson/Tennessee Athletics
By Vince Ferrara / @VinceSports
Tennessee football spring practice 2019 has arrived.
Year two should bring a different level of productivity for Jeremy Pruitt and his revamped coaching staff.
Here’s a position-by-position preview, listing scholarship players, on what to look for throughout 2019 spring football practice for the Vols.
Quarterbacks (3)
Jarrett Guarantano (R-Jr)
JT Shrout (R-Fr)
Brian Maurer (Fr)
Summer/Fall enrolls: Position group combined games played/starts: 21/18
Vince’s View Position Outlook: What’s the relationship between Jarrett Guarantano, new QB coach Chris Weinke and new offensive coordinator Jim Chaney? Guarantano’s social media posts indicate his excitement in working with Chaney. He sounds ready to get to work on the practice field despite a third different OC in three years. Will we see any tweaks to Guarantano’s delivery, footwork or mechanics? Guarantano improved in those areas last season, but the ball still needs to come out quicker and he has to improve in recognizing pressures, although that’s not 100% on him. For Guarantano to be the effective team leader (without Trey Smith playing) he needs to take the next step as a player and become a Top 5 QB in the SEC. Pruitt praised Shrout’s arm strength last season. Let’s see what it looks like with another year of him in the S & C program filling out that thin frame. There’s obviously the intrigue of what the newcomer, freshman Brian Maurer, looks like.
Running Backs (5)
Ty Chandler (Jr)
Tim Jordan (Jr)
Carlin Fils-aime (Sr)
Jeremy Banks (So)
Princeton Fant (R-So)
Eric Gray (Fr)
Summer/Fall enrolls: None Position group combined games played/starts: 79/14
Vince’s View Position Outlook: There’s a little projecting here with Jeremy Banks back at RB from LB. That hasn’t been announced. With Pruitt being non-committal on Banks’ position and this group otherwise not being very deep, this could be where Banks can make the most impact. With the addition of talented freshman Eric Gray, there is some talent here with different styles. Chandler has yet to be able to run behind a decent offensive line. He’s a home run threat every time he touches it, but at times doesn’t touch it enough. He topped the 100-yard mark just once last season. He’s a terrific receiver who was often under-utilized in the pass game as well. All of Chandler’s 19 receptions game in just 4 games in the middle of the season. Chaney’s offense, that adapts to his personnel, should alleviate that. That’s something to keep an eye on. How quickly can Gray show the look of a guy that will be a factor in the RB rotation this season with Chandler and Jordan? In the season, it will be interesting to see if Chaney uses more two-back sets than we’ve seen in previous years at UT. Put your best playmakers on the field. Health at this position this spring will be important. David Johnson moves from wide receivers coach to running backs coach.
Wide Receivers (11)
Marquez Callaway (Sr)
Jauan Jennings (R-Sr)
Josh Palmer (Jr)
Brandon Johnson (Sr)
Jordan Murphy (Jr)
Tyler Byrd (Sr)
Cedric Tillman (R-Fr)
Maleik Gray (R-So)
Latrell Williams (R-Jr)
Jacquez Jones (R-So)
Ramel Keyton (Fr)
Summer/Fall enrolls: 1-Jerrod Means (Fr) Position group combined games played/starts: 187/67
Vince’s View Position Outlook: I’m really excited to see freshman Ramel Keyton. I think this kid will be terrific. He has size, speed, hands, productivity and competitiveness that you’re looking for. I think the staff would love for Keyton to come in and push the veteran receivers quickly. Will the veterans look any different in this offense and with the new coaching style of the accomplished Tee Martin? Chaney should be able to find ways to get Callaway and Jennings the ball in jump ball situations in the redzone. Will there be a jump in development in the group of experienced receivers? There needs to be, because I think this position under-achieved, overall, a year ago.
Tight Ends/H-Backs/Fullbacks (7)
Dominick Wood-Anderson (Sr)
LaTrell Bumphus (Jr)
Austin Pope (R-Jr) FB
Ja’Quain Blakely (R-Jr) FB
James Brown (R-So)
Jacob Warren (R-Fr)
Jackson Lowe (Fr)
Summer/Fall enrolls: 1-Sean Brown (Fr) Position group combined games played/starts: 67/12
Vince’s View Position Outlook: Jim Chaney loves the tight end position. He has a really good one at the top in Dominick Wood-Anderson. The second-year development potential is there for him to be a Top 3 TE in the league. A second effective tight end needs to develop. Jacob Warren came in as a terrific pass catcher, but redshirted last season with a leg injury. He also needed to add weight. Will we see a bigger version of Warren that’s able to contribute as a two-way TE? True freshman Jackson Lowe gets the leg-up over his 2019 classmate at TE, Sean Brown, by getting a full spring practice in. There’s an opportunity for Lowe to rise-up the depth chart. He has the size to potentially handle the in-line blocking requirements and is mobile enough to contribute as a pass catcher. UT has had too many one-dimensional TEs on the roster in recent years. UT needs that to change. Brian Niedermeyer is hot in the recruiting circles. Can he have that same impact in year two coaching this position?
Offensive Line (13)
Ryan Johnson (R-Jr) C/G
Jahmir Johnson (R-Jr) G/T
Marcus Tatum (Sr) T
Jerome Carvin (So) G
Nathan Niehaus (R-Jr) T/G
Riley Locklear (Jr) C/G
Brandon Kennedy (R-Sr) C/G
K’Rojhn Calbert (R-So) T/G
Eric Crosby (R-So) G
Ollie Lane (R-Fr) C/G
Wanya Morris (Fr) T
Chris Akporoghene (Fr) G
*Trey Smith (Jr) T/G (out – not healthy)
Summer/Fall enrolls: 3-Jackson Lampley (Fr) C, Melvin McBride (Fr) G/C, Darnell Wright (Fr) T Transfer Portal: Drew Richmond (R-Sr) Position group combined games played/starts: 125/69
Vince’s View Position Outlook: This is one of the big questions mark positions on this team. This is also a position that will be much different in the fall versus the spring. Strength and Conditioning Coach Craig Fitzgerald had to be the MVP of the staff from the offseason. It’s imperative that the linemen are much stronger, tougher and more physical. The offensive line has been riddled with insufficient talent and a laundry list of injuries. Three of those frequently injured linemen have ended their football careers. The heart and soul of the football team, Trey Smith, is out indefinitely due to blood clots. The Vols signed one of the nation’s best o-line classes with five players including two 5-stars. One of the two early enrolls, Chris Akporoghene will miss the start of spring practice after a minor knee procedure. It will be a shame if he can’t participate full-go in the spring. Five-star tackle Wanya Morris will have every opportunity to develop and take the lead for a starting spot. The rest of the tackles need to get better and healthier. Will Jahmir Johnson return to his original tackle position? How does the returning Brandon Kennedy look at center? Will Ryan Johnson be a first team guard if he does move there from center? How big is the jump to year two for talented sophomore guard Jerome Carvin? Is everybody else healthy? How much time will Jim Chaney spend with OL coach Will Friend coaching this group? You will know where you stand as a player with those two in the ear hole of your helmet.
Defensive Line (8)
Matthew Butler (Jr) E
Emmit Gooden (R-Sr) T
Kivon Bennett (R-So) E
John Mincey (So) E So
Kurott Garland (R-Fr) E
Kingston Harris (R-Fr) T
Greg Emerson (R-Fr) T/E
*Aubrey Solomon (R-Jr) T (transfer – not yet eligible)
Summer/Fall enrolls: 3-Darel Middleton (Jr) T/E, Savion Williams (Jr) T, Elijah Williams (Fr) T Position group combined games played/starts: 67/2
Vince’s View Position Outlook: The defensive line group of players above is the biggest area of the team that needs to improve drastically. They can be helped with the outside linebackers that will play some defensive end and provide pass rush, but the bulk of this group is unproven. The players listed above have career combined totals of just 58 tackles, 2 sacks and 9.5 TFLs. All of those stats come from four players with the biggest numbers from DT Emmit Gooden. Gooden will have every opportunity to be one of the starters. Who else can be developed to be stout on the line? What impact has strength and conditioning had on the d-line? All the 2019 additions join the team this summer, so this unit may change in the fall. This is a huge area of concern. Is there even enough talent right now to be good enough to compete in the SEC? If Solomon gets granted immediate eligibility that would be a big boost. It will take more recruiting classes to get this position to a championship-caliber level.
Linebackers (10)
Darrin Kirkland Jr. (R-Sr) I
Daniel Bituli (Sr) I
Darrell Taylor (R-Sr) O
Will Ignont (Jr) I
Deandre Johnson (Jr) O
Shanon Reid (Jr) I
Jordan Allen (R-Jr) O
JJ Peterson (R-Fr) O
Solon Page III (R-So) I
Quavaris Crouch (Fr) O
Summer/Fall enrolls: 2-Roman Harrison (Fr) I, Henry To’oto’o (Fr) I Transfer Portal: Austin Smith (R-Sr) O Position group combined games played/starts: 173/64
Vince’s View Position Outlook: You have plenty of experience, some guys that have not lived-up to their recruiting rankings and some ultra-talented newcomers added in. Only one newcomer, freshman Quavaris Crouch, is practicing in the spring, but expectations will be high for him to get on the field early. Chris Rumph said he will start at outside linebacker. UT has fewer quality options outside than inside. Yes, Darrell Taylor has had some big sack games, but it’s too often feast or famine with his game. This defense needs a game-changing star OLB/DE to be most effective. Crouch is the best candidate to fill the roles of some of the star players at Alabama that did it. A fit and determined JJ Peterson would be a big boost to the competition at these four LB positions. He’s what Pruitt calls a “four-for-four guy” meaning he could play any of the four LB positions. I love To’oto’o but he won’t be on the field until the summer. Jordan Allen was a highly-rated JUCO LB in the 2018 class, but could never break through a season ago. He decided to stay after flirting with transferring. Can Allen push Taylor and Johnson at an OLB spot? You’ll see Bituli and Kirkland Jr at the top of the depth chart early, but I don’t think either one is guaranteed anything this fall.
Defensive Backs (15)
Nigel Warrior (Sr) S
Baylen Buchanan (Sr) CB/St
Bryce Thompson (So) CB
Alontae Taylor (So) CB
Shawn Shamburger (Jr) CB/St
Theo Jackson (Jr) S
Trevon Flowers (So) S
Cheyenne Labruzza (Jr) CB/St
Kenneth George Jr. (R-Jr) CB
Terrell Bailey (R-So) CB
Brandon Davis (R-Fr) CB
Jaylen McCullough (Fr) S
Tyus Fields (Fr) CB
Warren Burrell (Fr) CB
*Deangelo Gibbs (R-Jr) S (transfer – not yet eligible)
Summer/Fall enrolls: 2-Aaron Beasley (Fr) S, Kenny Solomon (Fr) CB – expected blue shirt Position group combined games played/starts: 174/61
Vince’s View Position Outlook: This group was addressed in a big way in the 2019 signing class which tells you all you need to know about many of the bodies on the team returning. The young corners, Bryce Thompson and Alontae Taylor, should excite fans with the potential of what year two can bring in their development. Will Nigel Warrior continue to mature, improve and take-on a greater leadership role? Trevon Flowers, who practiced with the Vols baseball team in the fall but was not on the final roster, appears to be locked in on football. His second-year in a Tennessee uniform could be spent in a starting role. I really like the freshman DBs. There’s desired size at corner, ball skills, leadership qualities, speed and athleticism, all of which needed upgrades in this position group. Don’t be surprised to see some of those freshmen hop over more experienced guys by the time we get to the Orange & White game. Watching Derrick Ansley and Jeremy Pruitt run this group will be interesting. They will get coached-up without a doubt. Georgia transfer Deangelo Gibbs could very well begin practice at wide receiver, but if he’s granted immediate eligibility that would be huge, regardless of where he plays.
Specialists (3) +1 walk-on
Brent Cimaglia (Jr) PK
Riley Lovingood (R-Sr) LS
Paxton Brooks (So) PK
Joe Doyle (R-So) P (walk-on)
Summer/Fall enrolls: Position group combined games played/starts: 66/0
Vince’s View Position Outlook: Kevin Sherrer takes over a group, as the new special teams coordinator, that performed pretty well last season. The exception was the return game. When your offense isn’t explosive and you have to play the field position game, you need to be able to flip the field in special teams with big returns and booming punts. UT should have enough athletes to be threats in the return game. UT is often conservative in taking touchbacks. Will Paxton Brooks challenge Joe Doyle for the starting punting job after what was said to be a close race last season? Will Riley Lovingood reclaim his long snapper roles replacing the departed Jesse Medford? Will it be a split role with two different long snappers, one for kicks and one for punts?
Notes
Classes changed for 2019 season including 12 qualifying for redshirts
76 Scholarship Players Entering Spring Practice
88 Scholarship Players in Summer/Fall
Coaching Staff (Salary)
HC – Jeremy Pruitt
OC: Jim Chaney
OL – Will Friend
QB – Chris Weinke
RB – David Johnson
TE – Brian Niedermeyer
WR/Pass Game Coor./Asst HC – Tee Martin
DC/DB – Derrick Ansley
STC/ILB – Kevin Sherrer
Co-DC/OLB – Chris Rumph
DL – Tracy Rocker
Dir of S&C – Craig Fitzgerald
The Academy of Country Music revealed that Jason Aldean will receive the ACM Artist of the Decade Award at the upcoming 54th ACM Awards on April 7.
Jason, who is a three-time—and reigning—ACM Entertainer of the Year and 13-time ACM Award winner, joins five past winners of the prestigious Artist of the Decade Award: Marty Robbins (1969), Loretta Lynn (1979), Alabama (1988), Garth Brooks (1998) and George Strait (2008).
“This is probably one of the coolest awards I’ve ever been given,” said Jason. “My heroes are on this list, something I can’t really even wrap my head around being part of. But, man I’m proud to be getting it—it’s for everyone who stuck with us and supported us through the years.”
In addition, the Academy announced that Jason will perform at the upcoming ACM Awards, which will be hosted by Reba McEntire in Las Vegas on April 7.
John Anderson is celebrating his four-decade career with a new 40-song album, 40 Years and Still Swingin’.
The new two-disc album features both new tunes and fresh takes on many of his No. 1 hits, including “Swingin’,” “Black Sheep,” “Wild and Blue,” “Straight Tequila Night” and “Money in the Bank.”
“This year has started out on fire for us and no sign of slowing down,” says John. “I feel great and am enjoying this part of my 40-year career more than any other time I remember. This two-disc set was long overdue and has the hits you’d expect, but also includes a few previously unreleased songs that didn’t make it onto past albums for one reason or another, but I felt they deserved a chance to be heard. It’s always nice to walk down memory lane, but we aren’t resting either.”
In addition to more than a dozen upcoming tour dates, John is featured in the new exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame: American Currents: The Music of 2018.
40 Years and Still Swingin’ Track Listing Disc 1
1. I’m Just an Old Chunk of Coal
2. I’ve Got It Made
3. Freedom Isn’t Free
4. Straight Tequila Night
5. Would You Catch a Fallen Star
6. Magic Mama
7. When I Get Down
8. Money in the Bank
9. I Loved You a Thousand Ways
10. Chicken Truck
11. I Will Cross Over the River
12. Small Farm in Kentucky
13. Bend It Till It Breaks
14. Somebody Slap Me
15. Long Black Veil
16. Goldmine
17. Peace in the Valley
18. She Just Started Liking Cheatin’ Songs
19. I Just Came Home to Count the Memories
20. Seminole Wind
Disc 2
1. Black Sheep
2. Your Lyin’ Blue Eyes
3. Song the Mountain Sings
4. When It Comes to You
5. Back Home
6. Let Somebody Else Drive
7. Wish I Could’ve Been There
8. Walkin’ in the Shadows
9. Wild and Blue
10. Mississippi Moon
11. Tokyo, Oklahoma
12. 1959
13. Louisiana Son of a Beast
14. Someday I’m Gonna Go Fishin’
15. Down in Tennessee
16. On and On
17. Goin’ Downhill
18. The Rain
19. Occasional Eagle
20. Swingin’
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Tennessee senior Admiral Schofield is one of five players who has been named a 2019 Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award finalist, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced Wednesday.
Named after Hall of Famer and former UMass standout Julius Erving, the annual honor now in its fifth year recognizes the top small forward in Division I basketball. Previous winners include Mikal Bridges of Villanova (2018), Josh Hart of Villanova (2017), Denzel Valentine of Michigan State (2016) and Stanley Johnson of Arizona (2015).
Schofield has been a major contributor to the Vols’ success this season. He is averaging 16.4 points per game, which ranks second on the team and fifth in the SEC, to go along with 6.4 rebounds and 2.1 assists. He also ranks fifth in the conference in field-goal percentage, shooting a 48-percent clip for the year.
The Zion, Ill., native leads the team in shooting from beyond the arc with 56 3-pointers one the year. While being a high-volume shooter, he has shot 50 percent or better from the field in 17 games this season, including 11 times during SEC play.
The senior recorded key performances for Tennessee in wins over No. 1 Gonzaga, in which he scored 30 points and made six three-pointers. Schofield followed up that performance with a 29-point game at Memphis.
For his effort against the Bulldogs and the Tigers, Schofield was named the 2018 Jerry Colangelo Classic Most Valuable Player. He was also named SEC Player of the Week in back-to-back weeks (Dec. 10 and Dec. 17) and the Oscar Robertson National Player of the Week on Dec. 11.
Schofield is the only SEC player included amongst the finalists. The winner of the award will be presented at the ESPN College Basketball Awards Show live from The Novo by Microsoft in Los Angeles, Calif. on Friday, April 12.
For more information on the 2019 Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award and the latest updates, log onto www.hoophallawards.com and follow @hoophall on Twitter and Instagram.
2019 Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award Candidates
Rui Hachimura, Gonzaga
Marial Shayok, Iowa St.
Caleb Martin, Nevada Admiral Schofield, Tennessee
De’Andre Hunter, Virginia
ATLANTA – Tennessee’s Grant Williams earned more recognition for his impressive season Wednesday, being named a 2019 Citizen Naismith Trophy Men’s Player of the Year Semifinalist by the Atlanta Tipoff Club.
Williams, who was on the preseason watch list and the midseason team, was one of 10 players across the country selected as a potential recipient of the honor. He ranks in the top 10 of the SEC in scoring (1st), field-goal percentage (2nd), free-throw percentage (3rd), rebounding (5th) and assist/turnover ratio (9th).
Williams, the reigning SEC Player of the Year, has been one of the nation’s most all-around players this year, averaging 19.1 points, 7.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.4 blocks and 1.2 steals per game. The Charlotte, N.C., native is also shooting 57 percent from the field and an impressive 83 percent from the charity stripe.
So far this year, the junior forward was been tabbed to the John R. Wooden Award Men’s Late Season Top 20 Watch List, the 2018-19 Oscar Robertson Trophy Final Midseason Watch List and was selected as a Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year finalist.
Williams is joined by Kentucky’s P.J. Washington as the only SEC players to make the team.
A list of the four finalists March 19, 2019. The 2019 Citizen Naismith Trophy will be awarded on at the Naismith Awards Brunch on April 7, 2019, during the Final Four in Minneapolis.
The Naismith Trophy is awarded annually to the women’s and men’s college basketball players of the year. First awarded in 1969 to UCLA’s Lew Alcindor, later known as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the Naismith Trophy has become one of the most prestigious national honors awarded each year to the top players in the nation.
Named in honor of Dr. James Naismith, the founder of the sport, Tennessee has never had a player win the award.
Little Big Town surprised Kelsea Ballerini with an invitation to join the Grand Ole Opry.
After Kelsea performed her segment during the Opry’s showcase on March 5, Little Big Town took the stage to close out the show, inviting Kelsea onstage to help them perform “Girl Crush.” As LBT was concluding the song, the group changed the lyrics to “Kelsea Ballerini, do you wanna join the Opry?”
A stunned Kelsea exclaimed, “Yes, I’m gonna pass out I think.” After collecting her thoughts, Kelsea added, “To be on this stage is the greatest gift in the world. This is the home of country music, and I get to be a part of it.”
“For the rest of your life,” added LBT’s Karen Fairchild.
Kelsea’s formal Opry induction is set for Tuesday, April 16. Kelsea, 25, will be the Opry’s youngest member, a title currently held by 32-year-old Chris Janson.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – No. 5 Tennessee used a fast second-half start to power past Mississippi State on Senior Night at Thompson-Boling Arena, 71-54.
Heading into its final game of the regular season Saturday at Auburn, Tennessee remains in a tie atop the Southeastern Conference standings.
Leading by six points at halftime, Tennessee (27-3, 15-2 SEC) used a 17-4 run to open the second half and create a comfortable, 19-point lead, capped by a Jalen Johnson 3-pointer from the left wing. The Bulldogs (21-9, 9-8) never drew closer than 14 points after the Vols’ initial second-half burst, and Tennessee’s lead expanded to as many as 24 points.
Mississippi State’s 54-point total was its lowest scoring output of the season, and the Bulldogs’ 33 percent shooting performance was their second-lowest of the season.
For the Vols, the win capped off a perfect 18-0 home campaign for during 2018-19 season.
Playing in his final home game, senior Admiral Schofield led all scorers with 18 points. Grant Williams had 14 points and 10 rebounds, while Jordan Bowden had 12 to round out Tennessee’s double-figure scorers. Senior Kyle Alexander grabbed 10 rebounds, scored six points and blocked four shots in his final performance on Rocky Top.
Tennessee’s defensive effort of holding Mississippi State to just 54 points — coupled with limiting Kentucky to 52 on Saturday — marks the first time that the Vols have won back-to-back SEC games while holding the opponent to less than 60 points since the 2013-14 season.
Tennessee also recorded a season-high in steals, registering 12 takeaways in the win.
At halftime, the Vols led, 31-25, thanks to a Lamonte Turner layup at the buzzer. Schofield led all scorers with 11 points at the break, while Alexander grabbed seven rebounds in the opening frame.
Tennessee led by as many as nine points in the first half, taking a 24-15 lead on the heels of a 10-0 run – capped by an Alexander dunk on a cross-court bounce pass from Jordan Bone.
Vols Surpass Last Season’s Win Total: The win over Mississippi State is Tennessee’s 27th of the season, surpassing last season’s year-end total. Last season, 23 of Tennessee’s 26 wins came in the regular season.
Additionally, the Vols reached 15 regular-season SEC wins for just the third time ever. Tennessee went 15-3 during the 1966-67 season and 16-2 in league play during the 1976-77 campaign.
Vols Continue Defensive Stand Versus Bulldogs: Mississippi State has scored 54 points or less just three times since the start of SEC play last season – two of which have been against Tennessee. In addition to Tuesday’s 71-54 win, the Vols defeated the Bulldogs in Starkville last season, 76-54.
Williams Climbs Blocks List: With a two-block performance in Tennessee’s win over Mississippi State, junior Grant Williams claimed sole possession of fourth-place on Tennessee’s all-time blocked shot leader list, surpassing Doug Roth. Williams now has 148 blocks during his Tennessee career, just four behind third-place Wayne Chism.
Seniors Close Out Defense of Home Court: Seniors Kyle Alexander, Lucas Campbell, Admiral Schofield and Brad Woodson concluded their home careers in Thompson-Boling Arena with a win Tuesday, bringing the group’s final four-season home court record to 54-11 (.831).
Senior Night: Tennessee has now won three straight Senior Night games, including last season’s 66-61 win over Georgia that clinched a share of the SEC regular-season title.
Up Next: Tennessee closes out regular-season play this Saturday with a road contest against the Auburn Tigers. Tipoff is scheduled for noon ET on ESPN.
Tennessee men’s basketball seniors Kyle Alexander (F) and Admiral Schofield (F/G) spoke with the media in the postgame after Tennessee’s 71-54 win over the Mississippi State on Senior Night in Knoxville.
Vols F Kyle Alexander & F/G Admiral Schofield / Credit: WNML Staff
Disc 1
