After seven years with Jennifer Nettles as the emcee, CMA Country Christmas will turn to Reba McEntire to host its eighth annual showcase. The two-hour holiday music celebration, which was taped at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry House on Nov. 14, airs tonight (Nov. 27).
Here’s everything you need to know, including times, channel, performers, highlights, photos and more.
CMA Country Christmas
Date: Nov. 27 Time: 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT Channel: ABC Venue: Grand Ole Opry Host: Reba McEntire Performers: Reba, Kelsea Ballerini, Luke Bryan, CB30, Dan + Shay, Brett Eldredge, Alan Jackson, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Dustin Lynch, CeCe Winans, Trisha Yearwood and Chris Young Highlights: Reba’s “Holly Jolly Christmas,” Kelsea’s “White Christmas,” Luke’s “O Holy Night,” Dan + Shay’s “Do You Hear What I Hear,” Brett’s “Winter Wonderland,” Lady Antebellum’s “Silver Bells,” Trisha’s “Hard Candy Christmas” and more Quote Worthy: “Christmas is such a special time. It reminds me of growing up in Oklahoma and singing carols with my family. I’m just tickled to join a group of some of my best country buddies onstage to celebrate the holiday season. This is where my love of music began.” — Reba McEntire Photo Gallery (courtesy of Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com):
Jarrett Guarantano was visibly frustrated after Tennessee’s embarrassing and historic 42-24 loss Saturday to Vanderbilt before a sparse crowd at Neyland Stadium.
Tennessee’s redshirt freshman quarterback was frustrated with the way the offense bogged down after the first two possessions of the game.
He was frustrated by a season that saw the Vols lose eight games for the first time ever and go winless in the SEC for the first time in program history.
And he sounded frustrated at some of his teammates.
“Things are going to change. The culture’s gonna change,’’ Guarantano declared from the post-game podium, looking at times like he was fighting back tears.
“We’re going to be working our tails off every single day. We’re just going to have to get things done, no matter who likes it. If they don’t like it, they can leave. That’s just how things are going to be from now on.’’
It wasn’t the only time Guarantano invited teammates depart if they didn’t buy in.
“This is not how I planned things,’’ he said. “It’s not how we planned things. …
“Myself and Trey (Smith, offensive lineman) have already talked about it. It’s just going to be different. We’re going to set the tone and if nobody likes it, then they can just leave.’’
Guarantano didn’t give specific examples, but he was clearly agitated.
He also offered this: “This wasn’t a fun place to be around.’’
It wasn’t a fun place to be after an 18-point loss to a Vanderbilt team that was 0-7 in the SEC and had allowed 46 points per game to conference competition. Not many UT fans endured the defeat: estimated actual attendance was between 50-to-55,000 – the smallest I can remember when weather wasn’t a factor in my 33 years of covering UT football
Perhaps it wasn’t a fun place to be because there was a lack of leadership among players and coaches.
Perhaps it wasn’t fun to be around when Nigel Warrior sucker punched teammate Shy Tuttle then was not suspended; when Darrell Taylor stomped on Smith’s face and was suspended two games; when Jauan Jennings went AWOL for about 10 weeks after an apparent season-ending wrist injury, showed up, got suspended, then walked off the practice field when he wasn’t allowed to play quarterback, then dived into a profanity-laced tirade that correctly caused Tennessee to dismiss him from the team.
Smith, a cinch for Freshman All-American honors and one of the best young offensive linemen Tennessee has had in years, was also upset about the outcomes.
Smith said that in the postgame locker room, players remembered the moments.
“We’re not allowing this to happen again,’’ Smith said. “We’re gonna be great leaders in the locker room, have a lot of control.’’
Will the 4-8 season motivate Smith?
“Every day,’’ he said. “Every day. Point blank. Period.’’
Guarantano delivered the same message.
“I’m not going to forget this and I’m going to let it drive me,’’ he said. “And I think that has to be the team mindset. We wound up going 4-8. It feels terrible and we’re going to let it feel terrible for every single practice and workout going forth.’’
So what led to this terrible season and terrible feeling?
“I think the coaches lost the locker room and lost it early,’’ said former Vol great Tim Irwin, an analyst on Sunday Sports Soundoff radio show on WNML and WIVK.
Irwin was also critical of both Tennessee coordinators: Bob Shoop on defense, Larry Scott on offense.
Shoop was thought to be a home-run hire after doing a good job at Vanderbilt and Penn State. He was pried away from the Nittany Lions for over $1.1 million a year.
Shoop’s defense last year was terrible, but much of that could be blamed on injuries. The defense this year was also awful, allowing Georgia Tech to rush for 535 yards and giving up over 250 rushing yards per game on the season.
Scott didn’t fare much better. He was hired to run an offense for the first time in over 12 years when he was a high school coach in Florida.
Injuries certainly had an impact on this team, but so did coaching and lack of player development and bad luck.
Still, it shouldn’t have added up to a 4-8 season.
As for next season?
“We’re going to come back better,’’ Smith said. “I promise that.’’
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Volunteers concluded the 2017 football season Saturday with a 42-24 loss to Vanderbilt at Neyland Stadium in front of a crowd of 83,117.
After a close start, Vanderbilt (5-7, 1-7 SEC) took a 21-14 lead shortly before halftime with a touchdown. While Tennessee (4-8, 0-8) came within four points on a 49-yard field goal by Aaron Medley, the Commodores pulled away and eventually out-gained Tennessee 529 to 238 yards.
Vanderbilt quarterback Kyle Shurmur completed 20-of-31 passes for 283 yards and four touchdowns, and running back Ralph Webb rushed for 163 yards and two touchdowns.
Redshirt freshman quarterback Jarrett Guarantano completed 14-of-22 passes for 183 yards and two touchdowns. Sophomore wide receiver Brandon Johnson recorded 107 receiving yards, his second career game with at least 100 yards.
The Vols honored their 22 seniors before their final home game at Neyland Stadium. This year’s senior class combined for 29 wins over their past four seasons and three-consecutive bowl game victories for the first time in program history.
The Vols wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, marching 85 yards down the field and finishing with a touchdown on the first possession. Guarantano found Marquez Callaway in the corner of the end zone with 10:06 on the clock.
Vanderbilt answered on its first possession, a 75-yard drive capped by a nine-yard connection from Shurmur to C.J. Duncan to tie the game 7-7.
John Kelly pushed across the goal line on a one-yard gain for his ninth touchdown of the year on the next Tennessee drive with 2:50 left in the first to put the Vols ahead, 14-7, after the extra point by Medley.
The Commodores converted on the following six-minute, 75-yard drive to tie the game again with Webb spinning over the defense and into the end zone.
After the Vols went scoreless on a drive, Vanderbilt took the lead for the first time. Shurmur found Kalija Lipscomb in open space down the right side for a 30-yard touchdown to give the Commodores a 21-14 lead with 2:37 left in the first half. Vanderbilt had a touchdown called back for an ineligible receiver in its next possession, and the score remained the same at halftime.
Tennessee chipped away Vanderbilt’s lead to 21-17 as Medley hit a career-long 49-yard field goal with 5:22 left in the third quarter, ending a 30-yard drive that began when Tennessee’s defense foiled a Vanderbilt fourth down attempt.
Vanderbilt tallied 21 points in the fourth quarter. Shurmur connected with Trent Sherfield for a 20-yard touchdown and added another touchdown on a 1-yard connection from Shurmur to Sherfield again. Webb rushed for a 20-yard touchdown, his second of the night, with 5:59 remaining to put Vanderbil up, 42-17.
The Vols scored their first touchdown of the second half when Guarantano hit Ethan Wolf with a 20-yard pass, making the score 42-24 with 4:27 remaining.
Defensively, sophomore linebacker Daniel Bituli led the Vols with 12 tackles, and junior defensive back Micah Abernathy added 11 tackles.
PUERTO AVENTURAS, MEXICO — No. 12/14 Tennessee moved to 6-0 on the season and went undefeated in the Cancun Challenge, besting South Dakota 69-49 on Saturday evening at the Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya Convention Center.
Senior Jaime Nared was named MVP of the tournament, averaging 19.3 points, 11.3 rebounds and 4.0 assists. She shot 45 percent from the field, 50 percent from the three-point arc and 89 percent from the free throw stripe.
The Lady Vols had four players in double figures against the Coyotes. Freshmen Rennia Davis and Anastasia Hayes each had 12, while Nared and Russell finished with 11 and 10, respectively.
Tennessee jumped out to a quick lead, going 2-of-3 from behind the arc and shooting 69 percent from the field to take a 24-9 lead into the second quarter.
The Lady Vols continued to build on their advantage, stretching it to 41-18 in the second quarter. Freshmen led Tennessee in scoring during the first half with Evina Westbrook notching nine points and Hayes tallying eight.
The entire UT bench saw action in the third quarter, combining for 17 points while holding the Coyotes to 14. Davis knocked down a jumper and converted on a three-point play before subbing out, tying her for a team-high 12 points on the game. The Lady Vols took a comfortable 58-32 lead into the final stanza.
Redshirt junior Cheridene Green turned in some good results in the fourth quarter, pulling down five rebounds while adding two points and a steal as Tennessee cruised to a 69-49 victory.
Monica Arens was the sole Coyote to score in double figures, finishing the contest with 10 points.
Up Next: Tennessee returns to Knoxville for a four-game home stand, starting with Central Arkansas on Thurs., Nov. 30. The game is set for a 7 p.m. start time and is available for streaming online via SECN+.
Westbrook Dishing: Freshman point guard Evina Westbrook has led the team in assists on four occasions, dishing out at least three assists in every game this season and notching six in three contests. She is averaging 4.67 assists per game.
Nared Averaging A Double-Double: Through six games Nared is averaging 17.5 points and 10.8 rebounds per game.
PUERTO AVENTURAS, MEXICO — No. 12/14 Tennessee (5-0) meets South Dakota (3-2) for the first time ever at 4 p.m. ETon Saturday in the Cancun Challenge at the Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya Convention Center.
This will mark each team’s third contest of the Cancun Challenge, where both teams are competing in the Riviera Tournament. They are the only teams in the division playing three games.
UT enters undefeated after winning three straight at home to open the season (East Tennessee State, James Madison, Wichita State) and then winning its first two games of the Cancun Challenge, knocking off No. 20/20 Marquette, 101-99, in overtime on Thursday night and taking down Oklahoma State, 79-69, on Fridayevening.
South Dakota is 3-2 overall, including 1-1 in this tournament. The Coyotes beat Indiana State, 71-59, Friday and lost to Oklahoma State, 76-68, on Thursday. In addition to playing Oklahoma State, the Coyotes defeated another common opponent with Tennessee. USD took care of Wichita State, 62-48, on Nov. 18.
The three games UT is playing in Cancun are the team’s only trio of contests outside of Knoxville in the Lady Vols’ first 10 dates on the schedule.
BROADCAST INFORMATION
• Games at the Cancun Challenge will be streamed online via CBS College Sports Live. See the Hoops Central page on UTSports.com for a link to watch.
• The audio for the live streams will feature the radio broadcast audio from one of the two competing schools.
• Mickey Dearstone will handle the call for IMG College/Lady Vol Network radio/online broadcasts for the 19th season.
• Due to Saturday’s game time coinciding with the radio broadcast of the Tennessee-Vanderbilt football game, audio of the Lady Vols’ contest vs. South Dakota will be streamed online only.
• Air time for games on the Lady Vol Radio Network is generally 30 minutes prior to tip-off. Because Saturday’s contest will be streamed online only, air time will be approximately five minutes before tip.
COMING UP FOR UT
• The Lady Vols are back at home on Nov. 30, as Central Arkansas comes to town for a 7 p.m. contest at Thompson-Boling Arena.
• The game vs. UCA begins a four-game home stand, which also includes contests on Dec. 3 (Alabama State), Dec. 6 (Troy) and Dec. 10 (Texas).
ABOUT THE CANCUN CHALLENGE
• The tournament is being held in the convention center ballroom at the Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya. The resort is located along the Caribbean coastline of the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, located on the eastern portion of the Yucatan Peninsula.
• This marks the 13th year of the women’s Cancun Challenge, and this is the sixth time it’s being played at the Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya.
• This marks the program’s seventh international excursion, including a 2015 late summer excursion in Italy and a 2013 regular season trip to the Bahamas for the Junkanoo Jam, both during the Holly Warlick era.
The Lady Vols had previous summer trips to Brazil in 1987, Belgium/France/Switzerland in 1999 and Italy/Greece in 2003. They also went to Great Britain in January of 1992.
• UT is 18-7 all-time on foreign soil, including NCAA countable wins over SMU and Virginia on the 2013 Bahamas trip to win the Junkanoo Jam and triumphs over No. 20/20 Marquette on Thursday and a Friday victory over Oklahoma State at the Cancun Challenge.
TENNESSEE RESET
• Tennessee is one of only five SEC schools remaining unbeaten this season. UT, Kentucky, Mississippi State and South Carolina are 5-0, while Georgia is 4-0.
• The Lady Vols are off to their best start since the 2013-14 squad began the year 10-0 en route to a 29-6 overall record.
• UT has four players averaging in double figures, including seniors Jaime Nared (18.8) and Mercedes Russell (18.6) and freshmen Rennia Davis(12.8) and Anastasia Hayes (12.4).
• Jaime Nared has scored 21 or more points three times this season, including 25 vs. James Madison, 26 vs. Marquette and 21 vs. Oklahoma State.
• Nared became the 45th Lady Vol to eclipse the 1,000-point mark, netting 21 vs. Okie State and moving her total to 1,004 in her 100th career game.
• Against OSU, Nared recorded her third double-double this season and the 12th of her career.
• Mercedes Russell continues to shoot at a high percentage, connecting on 69.5 percent of her shots (41 of 59). She leads the SEC with that accuracy.
• Rennia Davis has notched double-doubles the past three games and is averaging 12.8 points and 9.2 rebounds.
• Tennessee leads the SEC, pulling down 49.0 rebounds per game, with Jaime Nared (11.2) and Mercedes Russell (10.0) averaging double figures and ranking second and sixth, respectively, among SEC players.
• Jaime Nared and Mercedes Russell were named to the John R. Wooden Award Watch List last week.
• The Lady Vols are averaging 18.6 made free throws per game, while their opponents are hitting 9.6.
• Reserve freshman guard Anastasia Hayes has gotten to the free throw line an average of 10.1 times per game, hitting 38 of 52 for a 73.1 percentage.
• After getting off to a slow start at the free throw line this season, Jaime Nared has hit 14 of 16 at this tourney to improve her percentage to 76.7 (23-30).
• Tennessee has had at least one player score 20 or more points in four of five games.
• Tennessee has put together some scoring runs this season, stringing together 17 straight points spanning the first and second quarters vs. East Tennessee State. Against Marquette, UT opened the game on a 10-0 spurt and used a 14-0 blitz to erase a seven-point deficit. UT also added a 12-0 run vs. Wichita State (2Q) and an 11-0 spree (3Q) as well.
• Tennessee used an 11-0 run vs. Oklahoma State, bridging the first and second quarters, to take a 25-10 lead over the Cowgirls.
• Freshman Evina Westbrook has recorded at least six assists in three of five games and is leading UT with an average of 5.0 assists per game.
UT LAST TIME OUT (UT 79, OSU 69)
• Mercedes Russell led four players in double figures, notching 25 points and eight rebounds in Tennessee’s 79-69 win over Oklahoma State on Friday night.
• Jaime Nared and Rennia Davis posted double-doubles of 21 points and 10 rebounds, and 12 points and 10 rebounds, respectively, while Anastasia Hayes chipped in 10 points to the cause.
• Nared’s total moved her past the 1,000-point milestone, pushing her to 1,004 in her 100th career game.
• UT jumped out to a 25-10 early second quarter lead but had to repeatedly stave off Cowgirl comeback attempts.
SOUTH DAKOTA RESET
• South Dakota features three players averaging double figures in scoring, including guards Allison Arens (12.8) and Jaycee Bradley (10.8) as well as center Kate Liveringhouse (10.4).
• The Coyotes have won three of their last four after opening with a road loss at Iowa State (81-76).
• USD is coached by Dawn Plitzuweit, who is 26-11 in her second season there and is 214-104 in her 11th year as a head coach.
• The team finished 23-9 a year ago and was fourth in the Summit League (11-5).
• USD returned three starters and nine letterwinners from that squad.
USD LAST TIME OUT (USD 71, ISU 59)
• South Dakota overcame a seven-point second quarter deficit to triumph over Indiana State, 71-59, on Friday night.
• Madison McKeever led four Coyote guards scoring in double figures with 14 points.
• Jaycee Bradley, who had 11 points, drained three of USD’s nine successful three-point attempts (out of 21 by the team) that enabled the ‘Yotes to score 27 points at the trifecta line.
• South Dakota forced 22 ISU turnovers and converted those into 18 points.
• No. 12/14 Tennessee (5-0) meets South Dakota (3-2) at 4 p.m. ETon Saturday in the Cancun Challenge at the Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya Convention Center in Puerto Aventuras, Mexico.
• This will mark each team’s third contest of the Cancun Challenge, where both teams are competing in the Riviera Tournament. They are the only teams in the division playing three games.
• UT enters undefeated after winning three straight at home to open the season (East Tennessee State, James Madison, Wichita State) and then winning it first two games of the Cancun Challenge, knocking off No. 20/20 Marquette, 101-99, in overtime on Thursday night and taking down Oklahoma State, 79-69, on Fridayevening.
• South Dakota is 3-2 overall, including 1-1 in this tournament. The Coyotes beat Indiana State, 71-59, Friday and lost to Oklahoma State, 76-68, on Thursday.
• In addition to playing Oklahoma State, the Coyotes defeated another common opponent with Tennessee. USD took care of Wichita State, 62-48, on Nov. 18.
• The three games UT is playing in Cancun are the team’s only trio of contests outside of Knoxville in the Lady Vols’ first 10 dates on the schedule.
Lady Vols C Mercedes Russell / Credit: UT Athletics
PUERTO AVENTURAS, Mexico — No. 12/14 Tennessee outlasted previously-unbeaten Oklahoma State Friday evening, winning 79-69 on day two of the Cancun Challenge.
Senior Jaime Nared and Mercedes Russell once again led the team in production, combining for 46 points and 18 rebounds. Nared had 21 points on the day, moving her career point total to 1,004 while adding 10 rebounds to notch her second straight double-double. Russell recorded a season-high 25 points and added eight rebounds.
Freshman Rennia Davis logged her third straight double-double, tallying 12 points and 10 rebounds in the contest.
Nared came out with a hot hand, scoring 10 points and going 2-for-2 from behind the arc in the opening minutes. She went 4-or-4 to close the quarter, putting Tennessee (5-0) ahead 24-10.
Tennessee maintained its double-digit lead until the 6:57 mark of the second quarter when OSU (5-1) went on a 12-5 run to cut the lead to 30-22. Nared countered, stealing a ball off the dribble and converting it into two points, but the Cowgirls answered with five quick points to creep within five. Tennessee closed out the final two minutes of the half with a 7-1 run to take a 10-point lead into the locker room.
OSU started the half with a 9-2 run to cut the lead to three at the 7:45 mark. Two Anastasia Hayes buckets would break the slump. As the quarter wound down, UT weathered a field goal drought of nearly four minutes before Russell converted on three-point play with 1:07 to go in the third. She would do so again with just six seconds left in the quarter to give Tennessee a 57-49 lead heading in to the final stanza.
Russell opened up the fourth quarter with a layup to stretch UT’s lead to 10. The team traded baskets for several possessions until OSU’s Loryn Goodwin cut the lead to six with 4:36 to go in the game. Russell answered with back-to-back buckets and Tennessee went on to win 79-69.
Goodwin led OSU in scoring with 29 points.
Up Next: Tennessee will play its final game of the Cancun Challenge, facing off against South Dakota at 4 p.m. ETtomorrow. The game is available for streaming online at CBS College Sports Live.
Nared Breaks 1,000:Jaime Nared scored 21 points to bring her career total to 1,004, making her the 45th Lady Vol to surpass 1,000 career points.
Freshman Three-Peat:Rennia Davis notched her third consecutive double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Through five games she is averaging 12.8 points and 9.2 rebounds per game.
Points In The Paint: The Lady Vols scored 42 points in the paint, accounting for more than half of their total points. Russell was a large part of that, connecting on 11 of 16 shots from the field. She now has hit 41 of 59 for the season, knocking down a sizzling 69.5 percent of her attempts.
