LEXINGTON, Ky. — Tennessee came out strong against Kentucky as the Volunteers forced four fumbles in the game and rushed for a season-high 155 yards in the first half on Saturday, but the Wildcats held on for a 29-26 final at Kroger Field.
Tennessee (3-5, 0-5 SEC) now holds a 79-25-9 all-time record against Kentucky (6-2, 3-2 SEC), including a 37-15-3 record in Lexington.
Redshirt freshman quarterback Jarrett Guarantano completed 18 of 23 passes for a career-high 242 yards in a contest that turned into a battle between two young running back corps. Tennessee’s duo of freshman Ty Chandler and sophomore Carlin Fils-aime combined for 193 yards and two touchdowns while Kentucky sophomore Benny Snell ran for 180 yards and three touchdowns.
The Vols’ defense opened Saturday’s game with a forced fumble on the Wildcats’ first drive. Redshirt senior defensive lineman Kendal Vickersstripped the ball from UK’s Snell on a rush and sophomore defensive back Nigel Warrior recovered it at Kentucky’s 15-yard line. The play set up freshman kicker Brent Cimaglia‘s first field goal of the night that put the Vols up, 3-0.
Kentucky then used a three-minute, 60-yard drive to score the first touchdown of the game before Cimaglia made a 24-yarder to pull UT within one point.
To start the second quarter, the Wildcats capped a five-play sequence with a two-yard rushing touchdown, taking a 14-6 advantage.
With 11:15 left in the second, Tennessee marched 75 yards down the field, gaining 11 yards or more on four plays, before Chandler ran the ball into the end zone to trim UK’s lead to 14-13.
After Kentucky extended its lead to 21-13 on a rushing touchdown by Snell, the Vols made it a one-point game with 1:14 left in the half. UT put together a 10-play, 71-yard drive that ended with Chandler’s second touchdown of the night.
Redshirt junior defensive back Rashaan Gaulden then forced Tennessee’s third fumble which was recovered by senior linebacker Evan Berry in the third. The turnover led to a 30-yard field goal by Cimaglia and gave UT a 23-21 lead.
To start the fourth quarter, Cimaglia hit a 45-yard field goal after Vickers forced his second fumble of the night to put the Vols up, 26-21.
Kentucky rallied back with 4:43 left, scoring the final touchdown of the game with 0:33 seconds on the clock. The Wildcats opted for a two-point conversion, successfully completing a pass from quarterback Stephen Johnson to Snell for the 29-26 final.
Tennessee attempted a final drive as the clock wound down, moving the ball 72 yards down the field to the UK three-yard line. On the final play, Guarantano connected with redshirt senior wide receiver Jeff George for 48 yards.
The Vols host Southern Miss at Neyland Stadium next Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET. Tennessee’s homecoming game will be aired on SEC Network.
The 2017 Nash Next challenge is down to 10 finalists, and in the lead-up to the announcement of the champion on Nov. 1, NCD will be profiling each of the 10 finalists.
Today, we are getting to know the Morgan Leigh Band.
In May, Cumulus Media and Big Machine Label Group invited aspiring country artists and bands to participate in Nash Next 2017, a grassroots talent search and artist development program for country music. Sponsored nationally by Country Inns & Suites by Carlson, the winner of the competition will receive a recording contract with Nash Next Records under the Big Machine Label Group and garner substantial exposure, commensurate with a major-label release, on Cumulus radio stations nationwide.
The 10 finalists were selected by a panel of country radio professionals and will be judged in the finale by a group that includes Brooks & Dunn’s Kix Brooks and Scott Borchetta, president and CEO of Big Machine Label Group. The 10 finalists will perform at the 2017 Nash Next finale event at Nashville’s Wildhorse Saloon on Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2017, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. The event is open to the public.
I’ve been performing onstage since I was young, whether it was a musical, dance recital, monologue or choir. In a sense, music has always been a part of my life. At a young age, I decided I wanted to be a singer so I did everything I could to make my dreams come true. My parents were extremely supportive and encouraged me along the way. When I was 15, I competed in an international performing contest and something just clicked in my mind. I knew I wanted to be a singer.
At what age did you realize you wanted to make music your career?
Paul Coughlin [songwriter/rhythm guitarist] and I begin writing together when I was 17. He was renting an office space from my dad and I was just getting started as a songwriter. After writing and learning some songs together, we began playing at a local coffee shop in town. At first, we had a handful of people coming to listen, most of which were family members. Then people we didn’t know started coming to our shows. It never occurred to me that we were onto something special until we completely packed the place and had people standing in the street to listen. I’ve always wanted a career in music, but I always second guessed myself with the possibility of it actually happening. Our coffee shop shows gave me the courage and confidence to pursue music as a career. I’ll always think of the coffee shop as the place where it all began.
What three words describe you?
Vulnerable, energetic, fun.
Who are some of your musical influences?
Growing up, my dad always had country music playing in the car and my mom listened to the Beatles and Motown. Shania Twain was my idol, and my favorite CD to sing along to was Best of Motown. I’m a ’90s country girl with a little bit of soul and rock ’n’ roll.
What is unique about your sound?
I think we’ve got a really unique sound because we rock a four-part harmony. I’ve got the best back-up boys and they can sing anything. We write a lot of songs that really showcase our vocals. Plus, we’ve been singing together for five years now, so we know how to blend our voices together.
What three albums would you take with you to a deserted island?
Dixie Chicks’ Wide Open Spaces, Pistol Annies’ Hell on Heels and Kacey Musgraves’ Same Trailer Different Park. These three albums got me through a whole lot while growing up.
What’s a song you wish you had written?
“Gunpowder & Lead,” which was written by Miranda Lambert and Heather Little. I love everything about it—the lyrics, the production and Miranda.
What was the first concert you attended?
John Mayer in San Diego during the Continuum Tour. I was so inspired and so jealous. I wanted to be on that stage so badly and doing what he was doing. I love attending concerts, but it always leaves me itching to get onstage.
What’s the last song you heard that blew you away?
“Dear Hate” by Marren Morris and Vince Gill. It’s such a beautiful song and delivered perfectly. I heard it for the first time a day after the Route 91 Harvest Festival tragedy and I couldn’t stop listening. I just kept replaying it over and over.
What’s your go-to karaoke song?
“Kiss” by Prince.
Where is the coolest place you’ve performed?
Madison Square Garden. That was a huge check off of my bucket list. It was a cool experience singing in New York City at one of the world’s most famous arenas.
What’s the first thing you do after a show?
We head to the bar to drink with our friends. We love having a good time.
What’s your favorite song to cover?
“Gunpowder & Lead” will always be my favorite go-to cover song. I love Miranda’s style.
What was your reaction when you learned you were one of 10 Nash Next 2017 finalists?
We were all shocked. We entered Nash Next on the last day possible. For the local round, we drove four hours to play two songs and thought we had no chance. So when we won the local competition, we were once again shocked. It’s crazy to think that in a few days we will be flying to Nashville to compete in the finals. We are really grateful for the opportunity and support we have received.
What family member or friend has been the most supportive of your music career?
It wouldn’t be fair to spotlight one person because we’ve got an entire family of support back home. We are so incredibly lucky to have such supportive family and friends. They are the reason we recorded our first album, the reason we continue to be asked to play amazing shows all over the country and the reason we are able to say music is our career. We are a team and we wouldn’t be able to do what we do without all of them.
Many Tennessee fans have already made up their mind: Fire Butch Jones!
Why else would so many irrational people strike out at Tennessee athletic director John Currie simply because he encouraged the Vol Nation on Sunday night to support a tennis player who had made the finals of a tournament?
Who cares about tennis when you should be cutting ties with your football coach after losing to Alabama, was the reasoning.
But will Jones actually be fired at some point in the next five weeks?
Before we tackle that question, let’s clear up a few fake news reports from previous days.
Jones’ roughly $8 million buyout is not reduced if Tennessee does not make a bowl game.
Jones’ agent, Jimmy Sexton, has not been negotiating a buyout compromise due to the offset language in Jones’ contract that says UT can reduce its payout to him if he gets another job.
If Jones survives at Tennessee, you can bet Sexton will address that issue. But not at this time.
As you might know, mitigated contracts for head coaches is not Sexton’s style. Two Tennessee coaches fired in the past decade represented by Sexton – Phillip Fulmer and Derek Dooley – didn’t have offset language. Fulmer got $6 million, Dooley $5 million.
In fact, I don’t know of any head coach represented by Sexton that has a mitigated provision.
But back to the issue of Jones.
Contrary to some others in the media, we reported last week that Jones would not be fired last Sunday if he lost to Alabama. He wasn’t.
Some of those same sources are mixed on whether Jones will be fired if the Vols lose at Kentucky this Saturday.
If it’s close, maybe he stays.
If it’s not, he’s gone.
That is the consensus from my sources.
I’m not 100 percent convinced Jones gets fired if he loses at Kentucky, but I wouldn’t want to be in his shoes if he does. The majority of fans have already turned on him. I’m not sure about the key boosters or the administration.
You will hear a lot of misinformation over the next few days about Jones’ status, but here are the things I believe.
I believe Currie doesn’t want to fire Jones.
I believe Jones has to give Currie a reason to keep him.
I believe if Jones wins out, he will be Tennessee’s coach in 2018 – if he wants to stay.
I believe anything short of a 5-0 finish and Jones is gone. You might argue that he could survive at 7-5 if the defeat is a close one to LSU. But I think it’s unlikely.
I believe Tennessee’s ineptness on offense makes it difficult for Tennessee to finish 4-1.
I believe Tennessee without running back John Kelly – suspended for the Kentucky game for a drug citation – will struggle to score more than 14 points against the Wildcats.
There are a couple of X-factors: Home attendance for the Southern Miss game Nov. 4 and the input from Jimmy Haslam and Peyton Manning.
And I believe this: Currie won’t tweet about tennis this weekend.
Cam is giving fans the first taste of her upcoming sophomore album by releasing the record’s lead single, “Diane,” which was inspired by the storyline of Dolly Parton’s 1973 hit, “Jolene.”
Co-penned by Cam, Jeff Bhasker and Tyler Johnson—the same songwriting team behind “Burning House”—“Diane” is an uptempo tale of a love triangle in which the “other” woman apologetically breaks the news to Diane that her husband is having an affair.
“‘Diane’ is my response to Dolly Parton’s ‘Jolene,’” says Cam. “It’s the apology so many spouses deserve, but never get. The other woman is coming forward to break the news to the wife about an affair, respecting her enough to have that hard conversation, once she realized he was married. Because everyone should be able to decide their own path in life, based on the truth. Women especially should do this for each other, since our self-worth can still be so wrapped up in our partners. And in true country fashion, I’ve set the whole raw story to upbeat music, so you can dance while you process it all.”
Listen to “Diane” below.
Cam will launch her nine-date Best Coast Tour on November 28.
It’s hard to believe the seemingly ageless Keith Urban turned the big 5-0 on Oct. 26.
The milestone birthday prompted wife Nicole Kidman, who turned 50 in June, to pen a heartfelt message on Facebook, saying: “Happy birthday to my husband, best friend, lover, baby daddy and the greatest man in the world. We are so lucky that you are ours. Love you from Nicole Mary, Sunday Rose & Faith Margaret xx.”
Check out the sweet message below.
Keith and Nicole married in 2006 and have two daughters together, Sunday Rose, 9, and Faith Margaret, 6.
The Country Music Association announced addition performers and collaborations for the 51st CMA Awards on Nov. 8.
New performers include Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, Pink, Keith Urban and an opening collaboration featuring Eric Church, Lady Antebellum, Darius Rucker and Keith Urban.
The all-star event also includes performances by Garth Brooks, Brothers Osborne, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Old Dominion, Jon Pardi, Chris Stapleton, Thomas Rhett and Carrie Underwood. But that’s not all—2017 Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Alan Jackson will also take the stage during Country Music’s Biggest Night.
Previously announced collaborative performances include Kelsea Ballerini and Reba McEntire; Dierks Bentley and Rascal Flatts; Maren Morris and Niall Horan; and Brad Paisley and Kane Brown.
Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley will team up for the 10th time to co-host the upcoming CMA Awards, which will air live from Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 8, 8-11 p.m. ET on ABC.
Miranda Lambert’s MuttNation Foundation partnered with Rescue Rebuild—an organization that works to rebuild, repair, and renovate animal shelters—to construct an adoption center in her hometown of Lindale, Texas.
Miranda posted a few photos on Instagram of the official opening of the adoption center with the caption: “The MuttNation Station adoption center in my hometown is officially OPEN! A lot of people worked hard to make this happen and we’re so thankful for their support of our mission to help dogs find loving homes! And a special thanks to @greatergoodorg for celebrating your 10th anniversary with @MuttNationFoundation and to #CertifiedRoses, @rescue.rebuild, @tjcapaches and #CityOfLindale.”
A post shared by Miranda Lambert (@mirandalambert) on
MuttNation and Rescue Rebuild raised funds to complete renovations to an older building donated by the City of Lindale. The new facility includes updated amenities, a meet-and-greet area for potential adopters to meet pets and two dog parks. In addition, the City of Lindale will donate two acres of land and be responsible for ongoing maintenance of the dog parks.
“MuttNation has grown from a dream of ours into an organization that assists thousands of rescue facilities and pets,” said Miranda. “This collaboration serves as an exciting way to give back to the town where my passion for rescue pets all began.”
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee continues SEC road play this week as the Vols head to Lexington to take on Kentucky at Kroger Field. Saturday’s game will feature at 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff on SEC Network.
Tom Hart (play-by-play) and Jordan Rodgers (analyst) will be in the booth and Cole Cubelic will report from the sidelines. Vol Network radio affiliates will have a live audio broadcast with Bob Kesling, Tim Priest and Brent Hubbs. Sirius Channel 119 and XM Channel 191 will also carry a live audio broadcast.
Tennessee (3-4, 0-4 SEC) is coming off a 45-7 road loss to No. 1 Alabama on Oct. 21. Redshirt freshman quarterback Jarrett Guarantano completed nine of 16 passes for 44 yards and the Vols totaled 64 rushing yards in the loss. Freshman cornerback Shawn Shamburger had a breakout game on defense, posting a career-high 12 tackles and one sack.
Kentucky (5-2, 2-2 SEC) suffered a 45-7 road loss against Mississippi State last week. Senior quarterback Stephen Johnson went 13-for-28 for 117 yards and two interceptions and the Wildcats combined for 115 rushing yards.
Kentucky received four votes in the Week 9 Amway Coaches Poll.
Tennessee-Kentucky Rivalry
Tennessee and Alabama will meet for the 113th time on Saturday. The Vols are 79-24-9 all-time against the Wildcats and hold a 37-14-3 against UK when the game is played in Lexington.
UT has won the last five games of the series. In 2016, Tennessee took a 49-36 win in Knoxville thanks largely to a strong showing by quarterback Joshua Dobbs, who went 11-for-17 for 223 yards and three scores and also rushed for 147 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries.
The Vols are 31-1 in their last 32 games against Kentucky.
UK last defeated Tennessee on Nov. 26, 2011, when the Wildcats took a 10-7 win in Lexington.
Freshmen Smith, Guarantano Stepping Up For UT Offense
Freshman offensive lineman Trey Smith has lived up to the hype after coming to Rocky Top as the nation’s No. 1-rated recruit in the 2017 class according to ESPN with a freshman All-American-caliber season this fall.
Smith has started all seven games this season at right guard and leads the Vols’ offensive line with 30 knockdowns. He is the second-highest graded offensive lineman for the Vols behind preseason All-SEC senior Jashon Robertson.
Redshirt freshman quarterback Jarrett Guarantano will make his third-consecutive start against the Wildcats. The Lodi, N.J., native has completed 32 of 58 passes for 231 yards and one touchdown with one interception. Against No. 1 Alabama, Guarantano passed for 44 yards on 9-of-16 passing and rushed for 26 yards, but took four sacks for a loss of 34
Shamburger Enjoys Breakout Game vs. Alabama
True freshman cornerback Shawn Shamburger led Tennessee with 12 tackles and his first sack in his first-career start at No. 1 Alabama. Shamburger’s 12 tackles were the most by a true freshman since Brian Randolph had 12 against Kentucky in 2011. His 12 tackles were also the most by a Vol in an SEC game this season.
Late in the second quarter, Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts completed a 34-yard pass to Irv Smith Jr. and Shamburger stripped the ball from Smith. The ball rolled out of the back of the end zone. However, Jonathan Kongbo was called for illegal hands to the face, negating the turnover.
Shamburger has played in all seven games for the Vols this season and has 13 tackles.
Daniel Making Case for Ray Guy Award
Redshirt senior punter Trevor Daniel is a nominee for the Ray Guy Award and ranks second in the SEC and fourth nationally among FBS punters with an average of 47.7 yards per attempt.
Daniel leads the SEC and ranks second in the Power 6 with 18 punts inside the 20. He also has seven punts inside the 10.
His 45.7-yard average is the best in Tennessee history and ranks second among active NCAA punters, regardless of division.
The NCAA this week approved a waiver enabling Clemson to host a men’s basketball charity exhibition game against Tennessee on Sunday, Nov. 5, at Littlejohn Coliseum, with net proceeds going toward hurricane relief efforts in Texas and Florida.
Tipoff for the exhibition is set for 12:30 p.m. ET. Admission is free, although donations to the Salvation Army’s continued hurricane relief efforts in Texas and Florida are encouraged. The game will not be televised, and there will be no video stream available.
Third-year Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes is preparing to enter his 31st season as a collegiate head coach. He spent four of those years as Clemson’s coach, guiding the Tigers to a 74-48 (.607) record from 1994-98 before being hired at Texas. Barnes led the Tigers to a school-record three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances (1996, 1997 and 1998) and 13 wins over ranked opponents. Clemson climbed as high as No. 2 in the national rankings during the 1996-97 season, and Barnes’ Tigers advanced to the Sweet Sixteen that year.
While Barnes was the head coach at Providence in the early 90s, he suffered one loss to Clemson. And since leaving Clemson to take the head coaching job at Texas in 1998, he has never faced the Tigers.
Brad Brownell is entering his seventh year as Clemson’s head coach. The Tigers went 17-16 (6-12 ACC) last season and lost in the first round of the NIT. Clemson boasts an athletic roster highlighted by senior forward Donte Grantham (7.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg) and senior guards Marcquise Reed (10.0 ppg, .400 3FG%) and Gabe DeVoe (7.1 ppg). Significant contributions also are expected from point guard Shelton Mitchell (10.8 ppg, .453 3FG%), a Vanderbilt transfer who had offseason knee surgery, and forward Mark Donnal, a graduate transfer from Michigan.
Though this exhibition result will not count toward the all-time series record, the Volunteers lead their all-time series with Clemson, 15-4, dating to 1924. However, the teams haven’t met on the hardwood since Ernie Grunfeld and Bernard King led Tennessee to a 77-66 home victory—it’s third straight win in the series—in December of 1975. The Vols have only visited Clemson three times (1927, 1931 and 1937), going 1-2.
The Nov. 5 exhibition between the Vols and Tigers is the first game of a doubleheader at Littlejohn Coliseum; Clemson’s women’s basketball team hosts Belmont Abbey College for an exhibition at 5 p.m. ET.
Prior to its trip to Clemson, Tennessee hosts a home exhibition against Carson-Newman on Thursday, Nov. 2, at Thompson-Boling Arena. Tipoff for that game is set for 7 p.m. ET, and it can be viewed on SEC Network+ (WatchESPN). Tickets to that, as well as all other UT home games can be purchased at AllVols.com or by calling 1-800-332-8657.
THE STORY BEHIND THE GAME
The National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Board of Directors during an August meeting, discussed ways NABC coaches could support relief efforts in Texas from Hurricane Harvey. Within 10 days of that meeting, Hurricane Irma hit Florida. The board proposed to the NCAA that institutions be permitted to play an additional exhibition game to raise money for hurricane relief.
Based on the limited time to organize the extra exhibition game prior to the start of the regular season, the NCAA did not approve the blanket waiver the NABC requested. However, the door was left open for schools to apply for a waiver to raise money for hurricane relief through a charity exhibition game. It is suggested that the net revenue from all such games be paid to hurricane relief efforts through a bonafide agency. Proceeds from the Nov. 5 Tennessee-Clemson game will be donated to the Salvation Army’s hurricane relief efforts in Texas and Florida.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The Lady Vol basketball team, which debuted at No. 18 in today’s release of the USA TODAY Sports Preseason Coaches Poll, held its media day Thursday in the Ray and Lucy Hand Digital Studio and at Pratt Pavilion.
Sixth-year head coach Holly Warlick and seniors Mercedes Russell and Jaime Nared participated in a press conference, and members of the team and coaching staff spent time doing media interviews and participating in a Lady Vol Basketball Facebook Live Show. The media was invited to view a portion of practice following media day festivities.
Below is the transcript from Coach Warlick’s press conference, which has a video link above. Video and a transcript of the Russell and Nared presser, a replay of the Facebook Live session, photos and comments from other team members are linked on this page.
(Opening Statement)
“Thank you all for being here. New team, new year, new group. I’m really excited about this group. We have seniors that are mature and freshmen that are new trying to gel together, which they have. I’m really confident with what we’re doing, they’re practicing hard. I love being around this team. There’s a lot of energy, a lot of hard work, and I think you’ll see the excitement that we have. We’re doing a lot away from practice in individual workouts, and we’re really ready to just get the season started.”
(On the wide range of expectations for the team heading into the season)
“The result of last year wasn’t what we wanted, but we’re working every day to get better. We’re really focused on daily work and daily practice, and we’re taking each game one at a time. So that is what we’re striving to do. I really haven’t paid attention to the polls. But I know how hard we’re working, how competitive we are, and it’s up to us to go out every day and show how hard we’re working, and get the result.”
(On using polls to motivate players)
“I have not used polls to motivate players. We haven’t played any game thus far, so we’re going off of what we’re doing in practice and again, very competitive and very impressed with what we’re doing thus far.
(On the most improved player through the offseason)
“Most improved, I think both Jaime (Nared) and Mercedes (Russell) have really stepped up into a leadership role. They’ve matured, they’re seniors, they’re seasoned, and they’ve been great leaders for our new freshmen. I think Meme Jackson has gotten more focused, worked a lot in the offseason, and has gotten into more of a leadership role. I think Cheridene Green, who is coming off a knee injury, has gotten stronger, been in the weight room, and been able to get out on the court. She’s been working extremely hard. So I think that group of people right now has probably been the most improved on our basketball team.”
(On the freshman class and what stands out about them)
“The freshmen are competitive. They don’t like losing. They play hard. They are talented, but they have that desire and the will to win. They’re willing to work, they’re willing to learn, they’re willing to listen, and they’re just competitive. And that’s what I love about them.”
(On what has changed about Meme Jackson)
“Meme has gotten more focused with her game. She’s put in a lot of time in the offseason, and you can tell. She’s in a different role, she’s a junior now. She’s more mature, and we need her leadership, and we need her to step up, and she’s done that.”
(On whether practice has changed in any way from years past)
“Different from times in the past; it’s just a different group to work with. We’re probably doing a bit of more competitive drills, breaking down our defense a lot more, and simplifying our offense a lot more. Trying to put them in positions where their roles are going to be utilized the most. I think more importantly is how hard they’re working in practice. And are these young ladies committed to work, and I’ve been really excited with what they’re doing, and how hard they’re working.”
(On the freshmen making the transition to college basketball)
“For this group, they’ve been playing basketball for a long time. They understand that the game is more physical, it’s quicker, and they’re learning to adjust to it. It’s not the level of the high school game. And they were very successful in high school. I’ve been really pleased with how they’ve adapted to the speed, the quickness and the physicality. It’ll get better, but I love where they are right now.”
(On potentially starting a freshman at point guard)
“Hadn’t really thought about our starting lineup, but Anastasia (Hayes) and Evina (Westbrook) have proven that they can be in that situation. We’ve had a lot of practices, they’ve led our team, we’ve played them together, and we’ve played them separate. They’re ready for it. They did it in high school, and I have confidence in them that they’re going to get the job done. Both of those two young ladies know the game really well and they continue to listen, learn and apply, so I have all the confidence in the world in those two young ladies stepping in and leading this basketball team.”
(On only having 10 players on the roster)
“It’s more than we’ve had (said with a chuckle). It may toe the line of injuries, but they’re 10 young ladies that are really gelling and coming together. I like it because we can go against each other. It’s not too many that we have to worry about ‘are they getting a lot of playing time?’ I think this group has opportunity, in fact I know that this group has the opportunity, to get a lot of minutes as long as they continue to get better in practice and in competitive situations. But the door is wide open, and I think our practices have proven that we’re going to play a lot of people.”
(On following up this year’s highly-ranked recruiting class with another solid class)
“Recruiting is always key to any success of a basketball team, and I think thus far I’m very, very pleased with our recruiting class. We’re going to continue to get young ladies that fit into our system, and I think we’ve done just that. We’ve recruited some kids that will fit well, and we’re going to continue to do that. Recruiting never stops, so as we find kids that fit into our program now, we’re looking on down the road, we’re looking at 2019, 2020, 2021. You just want to identify those ladies that you need at the time and fit into your system.”
(On what she’s learned in five years as a head coach)
“Getting your players to gel, getting players that fit into your system, continue to be demanding on your players in practice. I think putting them in situations that emulate the game is so important. But also, this season, we’ve gone back to teaching a lot of fundamentals, especially on the defensive end. (Having) Talented young ladies doesn’t always mean they know how to do things a certain way. These kids have really stepped up and listened. We’ve been great communicators, and I think it has shown in our practices. So really just having that senior leadership, and giving them the opportunity to lead this basketball team, and I’ve got a staff that’s solid, we’re on the same page, they work hard in practice, they work hard on the recruiting trail, so it’s always a learning process. And you see something in practice and you go ‘we have to get better at that’. And so we go back and work at it. So, it’s just a daily grind, and you’re never satisfied. You’re never satisfied. I continue to plug along, I watch games, I watch practices, and I’m going to do whatever I can to make this team the best that it can be.”
(On Evina Westbrook and Anastasia Hayes potentially both starting together)
“Truly, they could both start. We could start three freshmen. These freshmen are extremely talented, so right now, we’re trying to get groups that gel together, and we have until our first game to figure that out. I’m not saying it’s not going to, but there will be a freshman that starts, there may be two, there may be three. It’s my goal to find the best team that’s going to get us off to a great start. And I don’t care what class they are; can they get the job done?”
(On moving on from last season)
“We moved forward the day that we lost our last game. That officially becomes a new season. So we’re focused on now, we’re focused on our daily grind, we’re focused on getting our young ladies prepared for a competitive season. It’s a new year, and it’s a new team. Again, it’s a new excitement for us. So we’ve moved on since that last loss.”
(On the recruiting pitch to get the new freshmen to campus)
“Our sales pitch is the University of Tennessee. We have great tradition, we have unbelievable fans, we play a competitive schedule, we play in the best conference in the country, and we’re Tennessee. Come play for the best. And those four young ladies chose to do just that.”
(On what the team needs to accomplish before the first exhibition game)
“We’ll keep working. We have a lot of stuff in, we feel great about where we are, but obviously never satisfied. We’ll just keep putting in more stuff and tweaking things. But could we play tomorrow? Yes. In two weeks should we be better? Yes. But again, we take it one game at a time. Practice is very important to us, and our kids understand that. But we’re going to get ready for that first game, and after that, we’re going to get ready for the next. Right now, I feel great.”
(On if the team will be a better perimeter shooting team than last season)
“I think our freshmen shoot the ball really well, I think the players that are seasoned veterans and have been in the gym all offseason, their shooting ability has gotten better. I think what will help our outside game is that Mercedes Russell has gotten stronger, more physica, and more demanding. When you have that type of player, it’s going to open up your perimeter shooting ability. I look for great things from our seniors. They had a great summer, they put in the time in the gym, and they look really, really good. And Mercedes is a fifth-year senior. And I’ve never seen her more hungry and determined. And Jaime Nared has had to step up and be a lot of things for this team. She needs to be a scorer, she needs to be a defender, she needs to be a rebounder, and to top that off, she needs to be one of our strongest leaders. And she has stepped up to the challenge. And I’ve been really, really proud of those two and how they’ve led on and off the court. And that means so much to this program and our young kids look up to those two.”
Morgan Leigh Band
