Tennessee’s second-round NCAA Tournament game against Loyola-Chicago on Saturday has been set for a 6:10 p.m. ET tipoff.
The game will be televised on TNT and will take place at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.
Vol Network radio pregame coverage begins at 5:30pm.
Tennessee Quotes:
Opening Statement:
“Obviously, excited about the tournament, and the opportunity to get to play in Knoxville. Just
the competition is outstanding, so these young ladies have been focusing in on our game against
Liberty and put in a lot of time, got some rest, and then put in a lot of time on some individual
things so that we are ready to go.”
Tennessee Player Quotes:
On watching film on Liberty and their rebounding on the offensive end:
Mercedes Russell:
“Well they are top five in the nation in offensive rebounding, and just from film, it seems like they
crash the board on every single shot no matter what. It is going to be a big key for us just to push
back and get good box outs.”
On the tradition on playing at home and being 56-0 playing NCAA Tournament games in
Knoxville:
Jaime Nared:
“I did not know that. I did see something about this being our 37th NCAA tournament this year.
Obviously, that is amazing just having the tradition and being 56-0 at home is amazing. We are
focused one game at a time from this point on. I think we are just worried about Liberty and just
play our game as well.”
On being in big stage game, being a team leader and playing within the system:
Jaime Nared:
“No, I would not say that at all. I think if we play our game we will be fine. Obviously, we are
watching film on them. We understand that they are a good rebounding team. We know that
everybody wants to win at this point. Us, everybody on our team, every team in country, and
every team is going to compete in every game, so I would not say its consciously doing too much.
I think everybody on our team wants one, and I think we are going to do what it takes to win.”
On how nice getting a break to recover is before the NCAA tournament starts:
Jaime Nared:
“It’s been good. Time heals a lot of things. Just taking time off and letting your body heal. Getting
good rest has been really good, especially as a women’s team. I know the men didn’t get a break.
Just getting time to heal our bodies because everyone is banged up at this time of the year, so
getting a break is really nice for us.”
Tennessee Head Coach Holly Warlick Quotes:
On being aware of the best players trying to do too much in big games:
“I think it depends on the situation. We’ve had players do it this year. I think Jaime has felt like
she’s had to do a lot. Mercedes has done that a lot, but our success has come from playing as a
whole on the floor. When we play together, we are outstanding. We’ve talked about these
underclassmen listening to the seniors because they’ve played in the tournament. We’ve also
talked about these seniors needing help from the underclassmen, so it kind of goes hand in hand.
We’re just asking our kids to do what you do best, not something you aren’t good at, just do what
you do best.”
On what Liberty point guard, Ashtyn Baker, brings to the table with her speed:
“You just said it, she’s outstanding. She’s been a great leader for her basketball team. She’s quick
with the ball, gets to the paint and makes sure players get the ball when they need it. I think she’s
had an outstanding year. To be a freshman on a young team with some experience is
outstanding.”
On importance of keeping the home streak:
“We really have not talked about that. We are excited to be playing at home, but does that
guarantee us to win? Absolutely not. But it should give us an advantage to be able to sleep in
your own bed and play in your own arena. I think Jaime said it best, they did not know about the
streak until now, so I appreciate you reminding them about it. I have tried to avoid it a little bit. I
will say that this group has really been good at taking one game at a time, and that is what we
talk about. We do not talk ahead of what we want to do, and where we are going to be. We have
really, truly focused on staying in the moment, and that has helped us so much, especially for the
young players. Our seniors have made sure that we stay in the moment and we don’t get ahead
of our self. It’s a great record, and we have been in every NCAA tournament since the NCAA
started, and we hope we continue that. We are excited. This is the first time we have played at
home in a while, so we are excited about it.”
On if she has crossed paths with Carey Green since he is from the area, and on what she thinks
it means to Coach green being back near his hometown
“Well yeah, I have known Carey since he was at Clemson, and he did a great job there. I saw him
today and I asked, ‘how long have you been at liberty?” Because I thought it was forever, and he
replied, ’19 years.’ And I said, ‘well that’s pretty much forever.’ He loves Liberty, and he does a
great job there. We do cross paths in recruiting, we go to the same events, and sometimes we
look at the same kids, and sometimes we don’t. But he is going to recruit kids to his system, and
we recruit kids to our system, but the bottom line is what you do with the kids once they are
there. He gets them to play, and he gets them to play hard. You mentioned that Liberty was a
great rebounding team, and they are. I think he gets the kids to be what he emphasizes. I don’t
know how many times he’s been in the tournament, I know a lot. I don’t know the exact number,
but they have been quite a bit, and they have one their league quite a bit. I am familiar with him,
and I’m sure he will have a lot of people here to cheer him on.”
On Liberty Head Coach Carey Green being from East Tennessee:
“The bottom line is what you do with these kids once you’ve got them, and he gets them to play
hard. You mentioned being a great rebounding team and they are. I think he gets the kids to be
what he emphasizes. I know he’s been to the NCAA tournament a lot and I know they have won
their league quite a bit. I am familiar with him and I am sure he will have a lot of people here to
cheer him on.”
On the talent in this group of teams:
“I think it’s a result of how good women’s basketball is becoming. You know (John) we lost in the
first round one year. We lost to Ball State and we were really talented, but they worked harder
than us. We’ve won in the first round, we’ve won a national championship. I’ve been in all
situations from getting out early to staying in late. All of these teams-Western Kentucky-you never
count them out. You can never count them out. I know their coach well and I know Scott Rueck at
Oregon State and he has done a great job too. It is difficult. It is difficult. And honestly I’ve kept
my focus on Liberty because I didn’t want to look ahead; because Liberty is just as outstanding as
well. It is a tough first and second round, but I think all of them are getting that way, I do. Two
years ago we went to Arizona State and played Green Bay and Green Bay was outstanding and
so was Arizona State. I think that is where the game is going.”
Knoxville, Tenn.– The Lady Vols will take on the Lady Flames at approximately 2:30 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast on ESPN2. This is the 37th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance for Tennessee.
Tickets: All-session and single-session tickets will go on sale to the general public at 8:30 a.m. on Tues., March 13, at AllVols.com. Youth pricing (high school ages and younger) is available in-person at the ticket office windows during normal business hours or on game day. For more information, call the Tennessee Ticket Office at 865-656-1200.
Ag Campus Parking (Free): Free parking and shuttle service is available on UT’s Ag Campus. Shuttle service begins two hours prior to the tip-off time of the first game of each round and will end one hour following the final game.
Arena Parking ($10): Parking is available closer to the Arena in lots designated on game day. The charge for those lots is $10.
Gate Opening Times: Arena gates will open one hour prior to the tip-off time of the first game.
Arena Dining Closed: The Thompson-Boling Arena dining facility will not be open to the general public during NCAA First and Second Round games.
Clear Bag Policy: A clear bag policy is in effect for visitors to Thompson-Boling Arena. For more information regarding UT’s clear bag policy, please go to //utsports.com/clearbag.
Travel Advisory: Fans travelling to Thompson-Boling Arena via I-40 should be alert for lane closures that will have a significant impact on travel times starting Friday at 8 p.m. and ending Monday at 6 a.m.
-UT Athletics
DALLAS — A trio of double-digit scorers fueled No. 3-seeded Tennessee to a dominant 73-47 win over #13 seed Wright State Thursday at American Airlines Center in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
All-SEC wing Admiral Schofield posted his second double-double in as many games, with 15 points and 12 rebounds to go along with a pair of blocks in 32 minutes of action. Vols sophomore Lamonte Turner led all players with 19 points and a career-high nine assists off the bench.
SEC Player of the Year Grant Williams just missed out on a double-double, recording 14 points on 6-of-10 shooting and hauling down nine boards. The Vols (26-8) held a 44-32 edge on the glass over WSU. Tennessee was also very active on the defensive end of the court, finishing with six blocks and six steals to hold the Raiders (25-10) to a season-low for scoring.
Tennessee opened the second half on a 14-4 run to extend its lead to 21 points with less than 15 minutes to go in the game. After the Raiders pulled to within 15, UT went on a 9-0 run and never looked back, coasting to a 26-point victory.
After missing their first six attempts to open the game, the shots finally started falling for the Vols after being held scoreless for the first three minutes. Tennessee then knocked down five consecutive baskets to jump out to an 11-6 lead early on.
The Big Orange got hot after its slow start, using a 14-2 run to take a 21-8 lead at the 8:23 mark. UT ended the half shooting 42 percent (14-of-33) from the field compared to Wright State’s 32 percent (10-of-31) shooting.
Schofield led the charge in the opening frame for the Vols, posting 10 points and six rebounds to lead all players. Turner chipped in eight points and four assists in the period to help Tennessee take a 34-23 advantage into halftime.
THE ADMIRAL DOES IT AGAIN: Admiral Schofield‘s hot streak continued on Thursday afternoon, as the Zion, Illinois, native posted his second consecutive double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds against the Raiders. It marked his fourth double-double of the season.
DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS: Tennessee held Wright State to a season-low 47 points. The Vols were efficient defensively, recording six blocks and six steals while holding the Raiders to just 32 percent shooting. The impressive performance also stood as the fewest points the Vols have ever allowed in an NCAA Tournament game. The previous record was 51 points on two occasions, most recently coming in a 65-51 win over UConn in the second round of the 2000 NCAA Tournament.
-UT Athletics
Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium will host a tribute concert on March 27 in honor of Daryle Singletary, who died unexpectedly on Feb. 12 at his home in Lebanon, Tennessee. Daryle had a string of Top 10 hits in the mid-1990s with “I Let Her Lie,” “Too Much Fun” and “Amen Kind of Love.
Those slated to perform at the Daryle Singletary Keepin’ It Country Tribute include Darryl Worley, Rhonda Vincent, Chris Young, Rhett Akins, Dallas Davidson, Jeff and Sheri Easter, Andy Griggs, Ben Hayslip, Jamey Johnson, Alison Krauss, Mo Pitney, Pete Schlegel, Josh Turner and Curtis Wright. The event will be hosted by Eddie Stubbs.
The tribute is free and open to the public.
Daryle is survived by his wife, Holly, two sons, Jonah and Mercer, and two daughters, Nora and Charlotte.
An online fundraiser on YouCaring.com has been organized by Franklin Synergy Bank for Daryle’s family. More than $16,000 has been raised so far.
photo courtesy of Absolute Publicity
The Academy of Country Music announced more of its roster of performers for the events surrounding ACM Awards weekend in Las Vegas on April 12–15.
More than 80 country artists—including Thomas Rhett, Kelsea Ballerini, Cole Swindell, Chris Young, Cam, Scotty McCreery, Locash, Kip Moore, Midland, Old Dominion and Parmalee—are scheduled to take the stage at various Vegas venues for the 6th annual Party for a Cause events.
Portions of all event proceeds will benefit ACM Lifting Lives, the philanthropic arm of the Academy of Country Music, which works to lift lives through the power of music. Check partyforacause.com for ticket info.
The ACM Awards will air live from MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 15, 2018 at 8 p.m. ET. on CBS.
THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2018
6:00 PM 95.5 The Bull’s 10th Annual All-Star Guitar Pull
Location: The Pearl, Palms Resort
Performers: Kelsea Ballerini, Kane Brown, Luke Combs, Russell Dickerson, Chris Lane, Midland, Justin Moore, and Tyler Rich
10:00 PM ACM After Party for a Cause: Stoney’s Rockin’ Country
Location: Stoney’s Rockin’ Country
Performer: Russell Dickerson
FRIDAY, APRIL 13, 2018
11:00 AM ACM Party for a Cause: Tailgate Party
Location: Stoney’s Rockin’ Country
Performers: Rodney Atkins, Travis Denning, Cale Dodds, FILMORE, Ben Gallaher, Tony Jackson, Tegan Marie, Kendall Marvel, Jackson Michelson, Josh Mirenda, Stevie Monce, Tim Montana, Kip Moore, Mitchell Tenpenny, and Aaron Watson
6:00 PM ACM Party for a Cause with Old Dominion
Location: Sandbar Pool at Red Rock Casino Resort
Performers: Old Dominion, Michael Ray
7:00 PM WME’s Bash at The Beach
Location: Mandalay Bay Beach, Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino
Performers: Cam, Jordan Davis, Chris Janson, LANCO, Dee Jay Silver, Granger Smith, and Morgan Wallen
8:00 PM ACM Stories, Songs & Stars: A Songwriter’s Event Benefitting ACM Lifting Lives
Location: The Joint, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Performers: Lee Brice, Lori McKenna, Midland, Thomas Rhett, Cole Swindell and ACM Songwriter of the Year nominees Rhett Akins, Ashley Gorley, Hillary Lindsey, Shane McAnally, and Josh Osborne
Hosted by: Storme Warren
10:00 PM ACM After Party for a Cause: Stoney’s Rockin’ Country
Location: Stoney’s Rockin’ Country
Performer: Montgomery Gentry
10:00 PM ACM After Party for a Cause: Nashville Unplugged
Location: Rhythm & Riffs Lounge, Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino
Performers: Levi Hummon, Marcus Hummon, Eric Paslay, and RaeLynn
SATURDAY, APRIL 14, 2018
8:00 AM ACM Workout for a Cause: Erin Oprea Unleashed Tour with special guest Kelsea Ballerini
Location: Stoney’s Rockin’ Country
Talent: Kelsea Ballerini, Erin Oprea (Celebrity Trainer), and more
9:00 AM ACM Pool Party for a Cause
Location: Flamingo GO Pool, Flamingo Las Vegas
Performers: Craig Campbell, Chase Rice
10:00 AM ACM Lifting Lives Topgolf Tee-Off Hosted by Charles Kelley & Darius Rucker
Location: Topgolf, MGM Grand Hotel & Casino
Performers: Levi Hummon, Chris Lane, Tegan Marie, and Eric Paslay
11:00 AM ACM Party for a Cause: Tailgate Party
Location: Stoney’s Rockin’ Country
Performers: Jimmie Allen, Kenny Foster, Walker Hayes, High Valley, Lucas Hoge, Austin Jenckes, LOCASH, Eric Paslay, Jon Pardi, Stephanie Quayle, Brandon Ray, Jake Rose, Smithfield, Scott Stevens, and Tenille Townes
7:00 PM WME’s Bash at The Beach
Location: Mandalay Bay Beach, Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino
Performers: Lindsay Ell, Morgan Evans, Scotty McCreery, Parmalee, RaeLynn, Dee Jay Silver, and Chris Young
10:00 PM ACM After Party for a Cause: Nashville Unplugged
Location: Rhythm & Riffs Lounge, Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino
Performers: Jimmie Allen, Kristian Bush, Adam Hambrick, and Terry McBride
10:00 PM ACM After Party for a Cause: Stoney’s Rockin’ Country
Location: Stoney’s Rockin’ Country
Performers: Craig Wayne Boyd, Josh Gracin, and The Swon Brothers
SUNDAY, APRIL 15, 2018
8:00 PM ACM Awards Official After Party
Presented by Security Benefit
Location: The Joint, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Performers: Lauren Alaina, Lee Brice, Luke Combs, High Valley, Home Free, Tracy Lawrence, Jerrod Niemann, Eric Paslay, Cassadee Pope, and more
Hosted by: Shawn Parr
photos by Jason Simanek
The Atlanta Tipoff Club announced finalists for the Werner Ladder Naismith Trophy for Men’s College Coach of the Year on Thursday, and Tennessee’s Rick Barnes made the four-man cut.
Ten semifinalists were previously announced on Feb. 23. Other finalists include Virginia’s Tony Bennett, Ohio State’s Chris Holtmann and Villanova’s Jay Wright.
A fan vote will account for five percent of the final Coach of the Year selection tally, and fans will have the opportunity to cast their vote once daily by visiting www.naismithtrophy.
In his third season at Tennessee, Barnes took a team picked in the preseason to finish 13th in the 14-team Southeastern Conference to a 25-8 (10-5 SEC) record, the regular-season SEC Championship and a run to the SEC Tournament Championship Game. The Volunteers are rated No. 8 in the NCAA’s RPI listing and have spent 14 consecutive weeks in the Associated Press Top-25 poll. Tennessee has won 12 games away from home and defeated five “Power Five” opponents during non-conference play (Purdue, NC State, Georgia Tech, Wake Forest and Iowa State).
The Vols earned a No. 3 seed in the South Region of the NCAA Tournament and face Wright State in a first-round matchup Thursday at 12:40 p.m. ET (TruTV).
The Werner Ladder Naismith Trophy for Men’s College Coach of the Year will be announced on during the Naismith Awards brunch April 1 at Pearl Stable in San Antonio, Texas.
-UT Athletics
A who’s who of artists from multiple genres have come together to record some of Elton John’s biggest hits for two new tribute albums, Revamp and Restoration.
Revamp features the hits reimagined by the best in pop, rock and R&B with Mary J. Blige, Alessia Cara, Coldplay, Miley Cyrus, Florence And The Machine, Lady Gaga, The Killers, Mumford and Sons, P!nk and Logic, Q-Tip ft. Demi Lovato, Queens of the Stone Age, Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith,
Restoration features some of countries biggest stars with interpretations by Dierks Bentley, Rosanne Cash and Emmylou Harris, Vince Gill and Don Henley, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Maren Morris, Kacey Musgraves, Willie Nelson, Brothers Osborne, Chris Stapleton, Rhonda Vincent and Dolly Parton and Lee Ann Womack.
“It’s always a huge compliment when an artist loves your song enough to take the time and effort to rework it,” says Elton John. “As songwriters, Bernie [Taupin] and myself are thrilled when singers we admire and respect as much as those on Revamp and Restoration choose to add their own unique twist in the process. It means that our music is still relevant and ultimately that our songs continue to reach new audiences. We’re humbled and thank them all for their generosity.”
Revamp and Restoration will be released on April 6.
Revamp
Restoration
photo by Jason Simanek
In Jenny Tolman’s new video for “Something to Complain About,” the up-and-coming artist turns a clever lyric and brings it to life with an almost-effortless alto as she playfully dishes about blisters, thousand-dollar heels and double Ds.
The video, which is Jenny’s first, gives fans a glimpse into her upcoming concept project, Jennyville—and one of its entertaining inhabitants: a rich woman with first-world problems. There are more characters throughout the album, including a woman who contemplates becoming a stripper for a week to pay the bills and a flirty coupon-clipper who tries to put the moves on her butcher.
The Nashville native, who has opened shows for Alabama, Cole Swindell, Michael Ray and more, is working with producer Dave Brainard on the new album, which Jenny hopes to release later this year as she continues looking for her ideal label partner.
Check out Jenny’s new video for “Something to Complain About.”
![Wynonna, Crystal Gayle, Clay Walker, Terri Clark & More Come Together for Anita Cochran Benefit Concert [Photo Gallery]](https://cdn.socast.io/6616/sites/1446/2018/03/15123858/Wynonna.jpg#aqua_resizer_image_not_local)
Crystal Gayle, Clay Walker, Wynonna, Ty Herndon, Lorrie Morgan, Steve Wariner, Terri Clark and more performed during a sold-out show at Nashville’s 3rd and Lindsley on March 13 as part of ’90s Unplugged, a benefit concert for Anita Cochran.
Anita, who scored a No. 1 hit in 1997 with “What If I Said,” was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017 and is currently undergoing treatment, which has kept her from touring.
Terri Clark organized the fundraising event that featured additional performances by Wade Hayes, Jamie O’Neal, Mandy Barnett, Bryan White, Pam Tillis, Suzy Bogguss and The Lynns.
Take a look at our photo gallery below.
photos by Jason Simanek
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — As one of the top 16 overall seeds in the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship field, the University of Tennessee Lady Vols earned the right to host first and second round games. This marks UT’s initial time hosting women’s tourney games since 2015.
No. 12/13 Tennessee (24-7), which earned the No. 3 seed in the Lexington Regional, will play host to No. 14 seed Liberty (24-9) on Friday, March 16, at 2:30 p.m. ET in Thompson-Boling Arena.
In Friday’s opening game in Knoxville, No. 13/12 Oregon State (23-7), seeded sixth, will meet No. 11 seed Western Kentucky (24-8) in the other first round contest at noon.
The winners of those games will face one another on Sunday (time to be determined) in Knoxville in the second round for the right to advance to the Sweet 16 in Lexington, Ky.
No. 1 Louisville, No. 2 Baylor, No. 3 Tennessee and No. 4 Stanford are the top four seeds in the Lexington Regional.
The Lexington Regional contests are slated to be played on March 23 and 25 in Rupp Arena.
Liberty is making its first appearance at Thompson-Boling Arena since facing Tennessee in the 1998 NCAA Tournament, while Oregon State last played here (vs. the Lady Vols) on Dec. 28, 2014, and Western Kentucky most recently played here (vs. UT) during the 1998 NCAA Tournament.
Broadcast Information
UT’s NCAA Tourney History
UT In The First & Second Rounds
56-Game Home NCAA Streak
Lady Vol NCAA Experience
UT Seeking 35th 25-Win Season!
The Latest On Tennessee
Tennessee Notes vs. Liberty
Last Meeting Between UT & Liberty
Liberty Last Time Out (LU 60, UNCA 42)
About The Lady Flames
Potential Second-Round Foes
Tenn. Last Time Out (USC 73, UT 62)
