Tennessee guard Lamonte Turner spoke in the postgame after Tennessee’s 96-50 win over Georgia in Knoxville Saturday afternoon.
Tennessee forward Kyle Alexander spoke in the postgame after Tennessee’s 96-50 win over Georgia in Knoxville Saturday afternoon.
Tennessee guard Jordan Bowden spoke in the postgame after Tennessee’s 96-50 win over Georgia in Knoxville Saturday afternoon.
By Jimmy Hyams
When Bruce Pearl was in his heyday as Tennessee’s coach, Thompson-Boling Arena didn’t host a game.
It hosted an event.
Tennessee’s men’s basketball is back to the “event’’ status.
And the event Saturday afternoon was a knockout – a one-sided, dominating, almost comically easy victory over nemesis Georgia, 96-50, before a raucous sellout crowd of 21,678
Georgia had won five of its last six games, and blew a 19-point lead against a ranked Arizona State team. The Bulldogs had won five of the last six against Tennessee.
But Tom Crean’s first club in Athens was no match for the nation’s third-ranked team.
“It was uncharacteristic for us to be that uncompetitive,’’ Crean said post-game.
“Our effort level had a lot to do with how successful they were today.’’
Asked if the sellout crowd at TBA impacted his team, Crean deflected that notion.
“I don’t think the crowd had anything to do with how slow we were running or how lethargic we were,’’ he said. “We ran like we were wearing 50-pouind weights on our shoulders.’’
They shot like they were weighing 50-pound weights as well. The Bulldogs missed their first 14 three-point attempts and finished one of 20 beyond the arc. Georgia hit 32.2 percent from the field overall.
Meanwhile, the Vols shot 53.1 percent from the field and four starters were a combined 20 of 34. When UT took an 80-35 lead in the second half, Georgia had missed all 14 three-point tries while Tennessee was six of 12.
As you might expect, UT’s Grant Williams and Admiral Schofield were sharp, scoring 18 each. Kyle Alexander had 12 points and a career-high 14 points.
“That’s as good as he’s been,’’ coach Rick Barnes said of his senior center.
But that trio wasn’t the story.
The story was two-fold.
Jordan Bowden snapped out of a slump to score a game-high 20 points on 8 of 13 shooting after not hitting a field goal in his last two games.
And Lamonte Turner played for the first time since Nov. 28 due to a shoulder injury. The SEC’s co-sixth man of the year last year had missed six consecutive games.
“We can’t get to our full potential without (Turner),’’ Barnes said.
Turner wasn’t effective. In fact, he looked rusty. His first three-point attempt was an air ball, which came, he said as he hiccupped.
Turner entered the game to a standing ovation. In 15 minutes, Turner had six points, two assists and one rebound.
Turner said he expects to play in each game the rest of the season, unless he reinjures the problematic shoulder.
Bowden, who hasn’t shot as well this year as last year, got going after making a couple of mid-range jumpers – and enduring a lecture from Barnes, who accused Bowden of turning down a couple of shots.
“If you’re not going to play the way you practice,’’ Barnes told Bowden, “we’re not going to play you.’’
Bowden got the message, and responded.
In addition to the shooting disparity, Tennessee had a 25-3 edge in points off turnovers, had assists on 25 of 34 baskets and outscored Georgia’s bench 37-19, thanks mainly to Bowden.
This was a much better start to SEC play than a year ago, when the Vols opened 0-2 before going on a run to claim the SEC co-championship.
Interestingly, since the SEC expanded in 1992, the Vols have not started conference play better than 3-0. The Vols won their first three games in 2010, 2008 and 2001.
Tennessee’s best SEC start was 8-0 done twice – in 1982 and 1977.
It’s unlikely the Vols will start 8-0 this season, but don’t rule it out.
This team is on a mission.
And each home game has become an event.
Sponsored by Big Kahuna Wings: The wings that changed it all
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — No. 10/10 Tennessee (12-1, 1-0 SEC) plays its second straight game against a team with a Tiger mascot, as Missouri (12-3, 1-0 SEC) comes to town for a Sunday matinee. Tip-off is slated for 2:02 p.m. ET at Thompson-Boling Arena, with the game being broadcast by ESPN2 and the Lady Vol Radio Network.
On Thursday night, the Lady Vols improved to 31-6 all-time and 6-1 during the Holly Warlick era in SEC openers, outlasting a talented Auburn team (12-2, 0-1 SEC) on the road, 78-69. The win was UT’s fourth straight after suffering its only loss on Dec. 18 to No. 8/9 Stanford in Knoxville, 95-85. Auburn had one of the four best records produced by SEC teams during the non-conference slate and had been outscoring foes, 82-0 to 62.7. The Lady Vols improved to 4-0 in road SEC openers under Warlick and to 15-3 in those games all-time. UT has won its last 12 SEC openers on the road.
Mizzou comes into Sunday’s tilt on a four-game streak of its own, getting its first SEC win on Thursday night with a 78-55 triumph over Ole Miss. The Tigers’ losses are at the hands of Green Bay (56-49), Michigan (70-54) and South Dakota (74-61). MU has wins over Duke (62-54) and West Virginia (68-51) to its credit.
The game will feature the SEC’s second-best scoring offensive (UT/82.4 ppg.) vs. the league’s No. 5 scoring defense (MU/55.9).
BROADCAST INFORMATION
GAME PROMOTIONS
UT-MISSOURI SERIES NOTES
NOTING THE LADY VOLS
NOTING MISSOURI
THE LAST TIME WE MET
THE LAST TIME WE PLAYED MIZZOU IN KNOXVILLE
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Running from February 25 to March 17—yes, 21 days—Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is one of the largest rodeo and livestock exhibitions in the world. Rodeo Houston features a carnival, a bar-b-que contest, 10K race and some of the best live entertainment in the country. The event pulled in more than 2.4 million attendees during last year’s festivities and more than 1.3 million showed up just for the concerts.
And why wouldn’t they? Country music dominates the week’s lineup at NRG Stadium, and this year is no exception with a star-studded cast that includes George Strait, Kacey Musgraves, Luke Bryan, Turnpike Troubadours, Old Dominion, Luke Combs, Tim McGraw, Kane Brown, Zac Brown Band, Brooks & Dunn, Chris Stapleton, Cody Johnson, Robert Earl Keen, Lyle Lovett, Brad Paisley and more.
Tickets for the event go on sale Jan. 10 at 10 a.m.
2019 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Lineup
Feb. 25 – Kacey Musgraves
Feb. 26 – Prince Royce
Feb. 27 – Brooks & Dunn
Feb. 28 – Luke Bryan
March 1 – Cardi B
March 2 – Turnpike Troubadours
March 3 – Panic! At The Disco
March 4 – Old Dominion
March 5 – Camila Cabello
March 6 – Luke Combs
March 7 – Tim McGraw
March 8 – Zedd
March 9 – Kane Brown
March 10 – Los Tigres del Norte
March 11 – Zac Brown Band
March 12 – Kings of Leon
March 13 – Santana
March 14 – Chris Stapleton
March 15 – Cody Johnson
March 16 – Brad Paisley
March 17 – George Strait, with special guests Lyle Lovett and Robert Earl Keen
photo by Curtis Hilbun, AFF-USA.com
AUBURN, Ala. – The No. 10/10 Lady Vols (12-1, 1-0 SEC) shot a season-high 54.0 percent from the floor to claim their first SEC win of the season at Auburn (12-2, 0-1 SEC) on Thursday night, 78-69.
Senior Meme Jackson went five of eight from behind the arc and a perfect 6-of-6 from the line to lead Tennessee in scoring with 27 points. Sophomore Rennia Davis managed her fourth double-double of the season with 21 points and a career-high tying 14 rebounds. Zaay Green also found her way into double digits with 10 points while setting career highs in both rebounds and assists with eight and seven, respectively.
The Tigers were led by Unique Thompson who posted a double-double with 19 points and 12 rebounds. Crystal Primm was their second highest scorer with 16 points, while Daisa Alexander added 13.
Auburn started the game strong, scoring three points and forcing a turnover in the opening minute of the game, but Jackson answered, knocking down her first 3-pointer of the contest at the 8:52 mark. While Jackson scored from the perimeter, Rennia Davis found success inside, racking up seven points by the 4:28 mark to put Tennessee ahead 16-12. Auburn answered by closing out the quarter with a 6-1 run, taking an 18-17 lead into the second period.
The Tigers went up by three on their first possession of the second stanza, but Jackson responded again with a trey to tie it at 20 before Evina Westbrook also got in on the action, hitting a three herself to put UT up 23-20 with 8:15 to play in the half. The Lady Vols went on to lead 27-22 before Auburn rallied back with an 8-0 run, taking a 30-27 lead with 2:23 to play in the half. Jackson again answered, nailing her third trey of the game to knot it up at 30-all on the next possession. Both teams added five points to their tally by the end of the period, making it 35-35 at the half.
Tennessee took its first lead of the second half via a Davis 3-pointer just under two minutes into the third period. The teams traded buckets through the media timeout, after which UT launched an 11-4 run to go ahead 56-48 with two minutes remaining in the stanza. The Lady Vols maintained their eight-point advantage, taking a 58-50 lead into the final quarter.
The Tigers opened the fourth with two straight threes by Erin Howard, cutting UT’s lead to 58-56 with 8:53 left in the game. Davis countered with an old-fashioned three-point play off a Zaay Green assist. Auburn rallied with a 6-0 run to take a one-point lead with 5:41 to play before UT hit back-to-back buckets to go up 65-62. The Tigers would reclaim a one-point lead off a Thompson layup at the 4:16 mark, but the Lady Vols replied with a 6-0 run and hit seven of eight free throws in the final two minutes to walk away with a huge 78-69 victory.
Up Next: The Lady Vols will return home to host Missouri at 2 p.m. on Sunday in Thompson-Boling Arena. Children attending the game can enjoy Kids’ Corner at Gate F, with gates opening one hour prior to tip-off. Activities include free face painting, the Big Orange prize wheel, visits from Smokey and cheerleaders, crafts and more.
20+ Point Club: Meme Jackson fired in 27 points and Rennia Davis recorded 23 points against Auburn, marking Tennessee’s 11th and 12th 20+ point performances of the season. This is the third time both Jackson and Davis have scored in excess of 20, and Evina Westbrook has done so six times. The Lady Vols have now had a 20-point scorer in eight-straight games.
A Three-Point Shooting Team: The Lady Vols knocked down seven treys against Auburn, moving their total to six straight games with seven or more 3-pointers. They have hit nine or more threes in four of those six outings.
Big On The Boards: After out-rebounding Auburn 43-29, Tennessee has out-rebounded 11 of 13 opponents on the season.
Lady Vols and Warlick in SEC Openers: Tennessee improved to 31-6 all-time in SEC openers, including 15-3 on the road. Tonight’s victory was UT’s 12th straight SEC-opener win on the road. Holly Warlick improved to 6-1 in SEC openers, including 4-0 on the road.
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![Chris Young Salutes His Country Music Heroes With Release of New Single, “Raised on Country” [Listen]](https://cdn.socast.io/6616/sites/1446/2018/01/11072538/Chris-Young.jpg#aqua_resizer_image_not_local)
Chris Young will try to score the 12th No. 1 single of his career with the release of “Raised on Country,” which will impact country radio on Jan. 28.
Co-penned by Chris with frequent collaborators Corey Crowder and Cary Barlowe, “Raised on County” name-drops some of Chris’ country music heroes, including George Strait, Merle Haggard, Joe Diffie and Willie Nelson.
“This song is so crazy because when I wrote ‘Raised on Country,’ we were actually out on the road—it was me, Corey Crowder and Cary Barlowe,” says Chris. “And we were like, ya know, we really want just kind of a country anthem. And those are so hard to write, because it seems like they’d be super obvious, but you’ve just got to come at it the perfect way. From the minute we started writing this song, we knew we were on to something. That day, I think I even said, ‘This is definitely going on the record. This is single potential.’ I can’t wait for everyone to hear ‘Raised on Country.’”
“Raised on Country” will be the lead single from Chris’ upcoming eighth studio album, although no date has been set for its release. Chris recently topped the charts with his 11th No. 1 single, “Hangin’ On,” which was the second single from his 2017 album, Losing Sleep.
Listen to “Raised on Country” below.
photo by Jason Simanek
Stay gold, Dolly Parton.
Today (Jan. 4), the Queen of Country is celebrating her golden anniversary—that’s 50 years—as a member of the Grand Ole Opry.
“It was always my dream to be on the Opry,” says Dolly. “I actually got to sing on the Grand Ole Opry when I was about 10 years old. I officially became a member back in 1969 and I cannot believe [I’m celebrating] 50 proud years of being a member of the Grand Ole Opry! They call it the ‘Mother Church’ because the old Ryman was a church, but it’s sacred to me, wherever it goes—the church of my heart. For me, the Opry is like the song ‘New York, New York’—if you can make it there, you can make it anywhere. I am excited to be coming back home to celebrate 50 years of membership.”
To commemorate the milestone accomplishment, the Opry will celebrate Dolly Week in October with a number of performances on Oct. 10, 11 and 12.
Over the course of her career, Dolly has earned eight Grammy Awards, 10 Country Music Association Awards, five Academy of Country Music Awards and three American Music Awards. In 1999, Dolly was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. She has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame—both as a solo artist and as a member of Trio. She became a member of the National Academy of Popular Music Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2001. Broadcast Music Inc. (BMI) honored her with their Icon Award in 2003, and in 2004 the U.S. Library of Congress presented her with their Living Legend Award. In 2005, she was presented the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government, the National Medal of Arts. Dolly will be honored as MusiCares Person of the Year during Grammy Week in February.
photo by Curtis Hilbun, AFF-USA.com
Memphis, Tenn. – Memphis Grizzlies General Manager Chris Wallace today announced that the Grizzlies signed forward Jarnell Stokes to a two-way contract.
Stokes (6-9, 260) has appeared in six games (five starts) this season with the NBA G League’s Sioux Falls Skyforce and has averaged 15.2 points, 10.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.00 steals and 1.50 blocks in 27.2 minutes while shooting 60.0 percent from the field and 70.6 percent from the free throw line. Stokes is in his second season with Sioux Falls after he led the Skyforce to the 2016 NBA G League Championship; he was named the NBA G League MVP and Finals MVP, selected as an NBA G League All-Star and earned All-G League First Team honors during the 2015-16 season.
The 24-year-old has started 47 of his 57 career NBA G League games and has averaged 17.8 points, 10.2 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 30.9 minutes for the Skyforce and Iowa Energy (now Wolves).
Selected by the Utah Jazz with the 35th overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, Stokes competed in 17 games for the Grizzlies to begin his NBA career. He has appeared in 28 games (two starts) over three seasons with the Grizzlies, Miami Heat and Denver Nuggets and has averaged 2.4 points and 1.4 rebounds in 5.4 minutes.
A Memphis native who attended Central High School before playing collegiately for the University of Tennessee, Stokes played professionally last season for the Zhejiang Golden Bulls, averaging 25.0 points, 13.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.11 steals and 1.04 blocks in 33.5 minutes over 25 games.
Fans who want to support the Memphis Grizzlies and purchase 2018-19 Season Tickets can do so now by calling (901) 888-HOOP or going online to grizzlies.com/tickets. Single Game Tickets are also available for purchase at the FedExForum Box Office, Ticketmaster.com, online at grizzlies.com/tickets or by calling 1-800-4NBA-TIX.
-Memphis Grizzlies
