Highlights/Postgame/Stats/Story: Strong Second Half Lifts Lady Vols To 86-59 Victory Over Vanderbilt In UT’s Play4Kay Game

Highlights/Postgame/Stats/Story: Strong Second Half Lifts Lady Vols To 86-59 Victory Over Vanderbilt In UT’s Play4Kay Game

Posted on February 12, 2023

Box Score (PDF) | Postgame Quotes | Highlights | Horston/Harper/Darby Presser

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — A 28-point third quarter effort propelled the Lady Vols to an 86-59 victory over Vanderbilt in UT’s Play4Kay game at Thompson-Boling Arena on Sunday afternoon.
 
Senior Rickea Jackson led Tennessee (18-9, 10-2 SEC) in scoring with 21 points on the day, while senior Jordan Horston narrowly missed a double-double with 18 points and nine rebounds. Junior Tess Darby also had a productive outing with 14 points, and graduate Jordan Walker dished out a game-high eight assists and logged an eye-popping +40 plus/minus effort.

Vanderbilt (11-15, 2-10 SEC) was led by Marnelle Garraud who tallied 16 points. Sacha Washington and Ciaja Harbison were also in double figures with 12 and 11, respectively.
 
Jackson knocked down a jumper 21 seconds into the contest to get UT on the board, and Tennessee held Vandy without a bucket for nearly two minutes before Harbison hit her first basket of the game. Horston scored on consecutive possessions to put UT ahead 6-2, but the Commodores responded with an 8-2 run punctuated by back-to-back treys by Ryanne Allen to give VU a 10-8 lead by the 5:53 mark. Jackson tied it up with a layup on the next possession, and Vandy leveled the score again before Tennessee scored six points in less than a minute to lead 18-12 with 3:25 left in the first. VU bounced back with a 7-0 run of its own to take a one-point lead at 19-18, and the teams tied it up twice more before the end of the quarter, with the game going into the second period with the score knotted at 21-all.
 
The Commodores went ahead 27-21 early in the second frame off a pair of threes by Washington and Garraud before Horston snapped the UT drought with a 10-foot jumper with 7:52 left in the half, setting off a 12-2 UT run capped off by a trey from Sara Puckett to put the Lady Vols ahead by four two minutes later. Vandy whittled that lead down to one via the free-throw line, and jumper by Harbison in the final minute sent the game into halftime with the score knotted at 38.
 
The Lady Vols came out of the locker room hot, starting the second half with nine unanswered points, capped by a Horston trey to lead 47-38 by the 7:03 mark. Washington ended Vandy’s scoring slump with a layup 45 seconds later, but five quick points by Walker and Darby had UT up by 12 before the media timeout. Yaubryon Chambers hit a layup for Vandy following the break, but the Lady Vols strung together a 10-0 run to explode to a 62-42 lead by the 2:29 mark.  Tennessee maintained a 20-point advantage through the end of the quarter, sending the game into the final stanza with UT on top 66-46.
 
Horston opened the fourth with a jumper before Garraud hit back-to-back threes to pull Vandy within 16. Jackson answered with two straight layups to kickstart a 13-0 UT run that put the Lady Vols ahead 81-52 with 3:52 left in the game. VU hit a jumper to set the deficit at 27 on the next possession, and the Tennessee reserves maintained that advantage through the final buzzer as Tennessee prevailed, 86-59. 
 
UP NEXT: The Lady Vols will travel to Arkansas for a 7 p.m. ET matchup on Thursday that will be broadcast on SEC Network.
 
DOMINATING THE PAINT: The Lady Vols were sensational around the basket, out-rebounding the Commodores 51-25 on the day and outscoring them in the paint 48-14. On the offensive glass, UT out-rebounded Vandy 15-4, turning that into 19 second-chance points while holding VU to a Lady Vol opponent season-low zero second-chance points in the contest.
 
HOLLINGSHEAD CLEANING THE GLASS: Jillian Hollingshead co-led UT with nine rebounds against Vanderbilt, marking the sixth time this season she has topped UT on the boards. Entering SEC play, her rebounding season high was eight set against EKU, and she had exceeded four rebounds on just four occasions. Over the last five contests she is averaging 8.0 rpg.
 
SECOND-HALF HORSTON: Jordan Horston was key in Tennessee’s explosive third quarter, scoring 10 of her 18 points during that period, and leading UT in scoring for the half with 12 points while adding five second-half rebounds.
 
ANOTHER THIRD FRAME SURGE: Tennessee broke open a 38-38 tie at the half with a 28-8 explosion in the third quarter to forge a 66-46 lead after three frames. UT shot 73.3 from the field (11-15), 100 percent on threes (2-2) and 100 percent on free throws (4-4) in the period while holding Vandy to 20-percent shooting from the field (3-15), zero percent on threes (0-3) and 50 percent (2-4) on free throws.  Tennessee is averaging 21.7 points in the third period in SEC play and 22.4 over the last 18 games.

DYNAMIC DUO CONTINUES TO DOMINATE: Rickea Jackson and Jordan Horston continue to dominate for the Lady Vols, with Jackson tallying her tenth 20-point game and 23rd double-digit effort of the season while averaging 20.5 ppg over the last four games. Horston has averaged 14.3 ppg over the last four and notched her 21st double-digit contest of the 2022-23 season.
 
TESS AND DOUBLE-DIGIT POINTS: Darby’s productive 14 points against the Commodores marked the seventh time this season the junior has scored 10+ points in a game, the sixth time against SEC opponents. It also marked the 16th game this season where she’s knocked down two or more threes. She now has 50 makes on the season, topping her total last season by one and becoming the first Lady Vol since Ariel Massengale hit 74 in 2014-15 to reach the half century mark.

-UT Athletics

Jordan Horston – Lady Vols / Credit: UT Athletics
Stats/Story: Rogers Deals, #12 Lady Vols Defeat #8 Northwestern; Finish 3-0 in Clearwater, FL Tournament

Stats/Story: Rogers Deals, #12 Lady Vols Defeat #8 Northwestern; Finish 3-0 in Clearwater, FL Tournament

Posted on February 12, 2023

Box Score

CLEARWATER, Fla. – Behind a 13-strikeout outing from graduate Ashley Rogers and a pair of early home runs by senior Kiki Milloy and freshman Taylor Pannell, the 12th-ranked Lady Vols cruised past No. 8 Northwestern Sunday morning in their final game of the NFCA Leadoff Classic.
 
Tennessee (3-0) set the tone early as Milloy smoked the game’s first pitch over the wall in left to quickly open a 1-0 lead over the Wildcats. UT added to the lead in the top of the fourth when Pannell roped her first-career home run to left center.
 
With Tennessee leading 2-0 in the bottom of the fifth, Northwestern threatened to score as it loaded up the bases with two outs on three consecutive singles. Having fanned the first two hitters of the inning, Rogers locked in and struck out NU’s Maeve Nelson to end the threat and preserve the shutout.
 
In the sixth, the Lady Vols added to their lead, pushing four runs across the plate. Mackenzie Donihoo drove home three runs on a double to center and then came home to score off a McKenna Gibson sacrifice fly. Donihoo finished the day 3-for-4 with a pair of RBIs, a double and a run scored.
 
In the circle, Rogers was electric as she kept Northwestern (1-1) off the board – tossing a complete-game shutout. The Athens, Tennessee, native held the Wildcats’ 4-9 hitters hitless as they went a combined 0-for-14 against the Lady Vols’ righty.
 
The win is Rogers’ second of the season and her 20th career solo shutout – breaking a tie with pitching coach Megan Rhodes Smith for fifth all-time in program history.
 
For the weekend, Rogers tossed 12 innings, allowed just two runs, surrendered two walks and struck out 18.
 
OFFENSE CLICKING
The Lady Vols scored 36 runs on opening weekend and hit .392 as a team. Tennessee collected 31 hits, including three doubles, one triple and six homers.
 
NEW BEGINNING
Donihoo, a transfer from Oklahoma, hit .714 on the weekend and finished 5-for-7 at the plate with four runs scored, a pair of doubles and three RBIs.
 
Behind the dish, Giulia Koutsoyanopulos caught every game and was 3-for-7 at bat. The Arizona transfer hit .429 and scored two runs.
 
FRESHMAN IMPACT
Several Tennessee freshmen made an immediate impact for the Lady Vols in the first weekend of the season. Pannell highlighted the class in Clearwater, starting all three games for UT and hitting 3-for-8 (.375) at the plate. The Milan, Illinois, native hit her first-career home run on Sunday against Northwestern and finished the weekend with three RBIs and three runs scored.
 
UP NEXT
Tennessee goes international next weekend as it travels to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, for the Puerto Vallarta Challenge. The Lady Vols will face Sacramento State, North Dakota State, Cal State Fullerton and Liberty along Mexico’s Pacific coast.

-UT Athletics

Highlights/Postgame/Stats/Story: Mizzou Edges Vols on Buzzer-Beater After Key Leads Second-Half Rally

Highlights/Postgame/Stats/Story: Mizzou Edges Vols on Buzzer-Beater After Key Leads Second-Half Rally

Posted on February 12, 2023

BOX SCORE  |  HIGHLIGHTS  |  BARNES POSTGAME  |  KEY POSTGAME  |  MASHACK POSTGAME

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – For the second time in four days, a buzzer-beating 3-pointer defeated sixth-ranked Tennessee, as Missouri edged the Vols, 86-85, Saturday night at Thompson-Boling Arena.

Tennessee (19-6, 8-4 SEC) mounted a 17-point second-half comeback and had the lead for the final third of the second half, but off a late inbound, DeAndre Gholston chucked up a 3-point shot from just inside the halfcourt line that found the bottom of the net with 0.0 remaining on the clock, giving Missouri (19-6, 7-5 SEC) a one-point victory.

Despite the loss, Tyreke Key starred in the second half, dropping 21 points on 5-of-7 3-point shooting. He also knocked down all six attempts from the free-throw line. Aiding Key with a big second half was Santiago Vescovi, who drained 13 points and a trio of 3-pointers in the final 20 minutes. Vescovi sank 4-of-5 free throws as well. Together the pairing combined for 64 percent of Tennessee’s second-half scoring.

The second-half scoring total of 53 marked the Vols’ largest scoring effort in any half this season. The Big Orange connected on half of its 3-pointers, hitting 9-of-18 after halftime.

Missouri shot lights-out all game long, hitting 30-of-57 (52.6 percent) from the field and an impressive 14-of-26 (53.8 percent) from beyond the arc. In both the first and second halves, Mizzou made more than half of its threes, and four players combined to contribute 70 of the Tigers’ 86 points.

Kobe Brown led MU in scoring, posting 21 points. He was complemented by Gholston’s 18 points, and 4-of-5 3-point shooting, Sean East II’s 17 points and D’moi Hodge’s 14 points.

Zakai Zeigler provided the offensive spark for Tennessee early and finished the game with 11 points and 10 rebounds. The effort marked his fourth career double-double. Zeigler is just one points/assists double-double away from tying the program record of five, held by Rodney Woods (1972-75).

UP NEXT: Tennessee looks to bounce back as it welcomes No. 3 Alabama to Rocky Top Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2. Tickets for the game are sold out.

BIG SECOND HALF FOR KEY: Of Tyreke Key’s season-high 23 points Saturday, 21 came during the second half. Key is the first Vol to score 20 or more points in the second half of a game since Grant Williams scored 25 in the second half at Vanderbilt on Jan. 23, 2019.

ANOTHER DOUBLE-DOUBLE FOR ZEIGLER: Saturday’s 11-point, 10-assist effort from Zakai Zeigler marked his fourth points/assists double-double of the season. Zeigler’s four points/assists double-doubles rank second in Tennessee program history for a career—only behind Rodney Woods, who had five from 1972-75.

FIRST CAREER START FOR AIDOO: In the absence of Josiah-Jordan James, sophomore forward Jonas Aidoo made his first career start Saturday, recording six points, four rebounds and two blocks in 20 minutes.

EDWARDS SEES EXTENDED ACTION: Freshman forward B.J. Edwards saw 5:55 of action in the first half Saturday, his most total playing time in any game this season.

-UT Athletics

Jimmy’s blog: Tennessee stunned by another buzzer-beating 3-point shot

Jimmy’s blog: Tennessee stunned by another buzzer-beating 3-point shot

Posted on February 11, 2023

By Jimmy Hyams

Rick Barnes didn’t look, act or talk like a coach who had just lost two games in a row on miraculous buzzer-beating 3-point shots.

Tennessee’s coach was disappointed in the gut-wrenching 86-85 home loss Saturday to Missouri, make no mistake.

But his mind was on two other matters.

One, Barnes was encouraged by the way his team clawed back from a 17-point second half deficit to take a six-point lead over a red-hot Missouri team.

“I was really proud of the fight the guys showed in the second half,’’ Barnes said.

Secondly, he was despondent for his senior guard Santi Vescovi, who had a chance to ice the game for the Vols with 4.2 seconds left but missed his first free throw attempt, then his second, although it would have been nullified by a lane violation by Tobe Awaka.

“I hate it for Santi,’’ said Barnes. “That’s where my mind is right now. It’s heart-breaking for him. I know how he feels.

“That’s two games in a row he’s had a chance to put it on ice.’’

Instead, Vescovi missed the two free throws against Missouri after missing the front end of a one-and-one at Vanderbilt before Vandy hit a 3 at the buzzer to pull out a 66-65 victory Wednesday.

It’s the first time in 59 outings Tennessee has lost back-to-back games.

And it’s the first time Vescovi had not come through at the foul line two games in a row.

Vescovi is a career 80 percent free-throw shooter. He has been even better in the final minutes of games. There’s no one Barnes would rather have at the line in the clutch than Vescovi. The coach even designs in-bounds plays to get the ball in Vescovi;’s hands in late foul shooting situations.

That’s probably why Barnes wasn’t as upset about losing to Missouri as he was the way it went down.

“Santi has won a lot of games for us,’’ Barnes said.

Vescovi almost helped Tennessee (19-6, 8-4 SEC) nip Missouri in what might have the greatest UT comeback in the Barnes Era.

Playing without Josiah-Jordan James (ankle) for the game and Julian Phillips (hip flexor) for the second half, Tennessee appeared to have little hope rallying from a 17-point hole.

But UT chipped away and Vescovi nailed a 3 with 7:40 left in the game to put UT ahead 67-64, its first lead since early in the first half. It helped the Vols rally from a 49-32 deficit early in the second half.

Vescovi hit another 3 with 2:31 left for an 81-77 lead.

He converted two free throws with 7.1 seconds left for an 85-82 lead.

After Missouri split two free throws with 4.2 seconds left, Vescovi (who scored 16 points) was fouled with 4.2 seconds left.

A Tennessee sellout crowd that had been whipped into a frenzy by the frantic rally and DJ-cheerleader-noisemaker Sterling Henton, was ready to erupt with Vescovi going to the line to seal the deal.

Instead, two misses and a stunning running 30-footer by Deandre Gholston sent the shocked fans home wondering what had happened.

The key to Tennessee’s rally was Tyreke Key, who scored a season high 23 points (21 in the second half). With his teammates struggling to find the basket, Key swished 5 of 9 3-pointers and almost single-handedly surged the Vols back into the game.

UT stretched the lead to 76-70 on two Zakai Ziegler free throws with 4:32 left.Is back-to-back 3s cut Missouri’s 10-point lead to 64-60 with 9:26 left.

Tennessee maintained the lead until Gholston’s acrobatic shot allowed Missouri, a 13-point underdog, to score a huge upset.

The Tigers (19-6, 7-5) shot at a blistering pace from the get go. They led 44-32 at halftime, thanks to drilling eight of 16 from 3-point range., which included a banked in 3 and three airballs.

Missouri finished the game hitting 14 of 26 3s against the best 3-point defense in the nation.

Vanderbilt made 10 of 25, meaning UT allowed 24 3s in two games after allowing 4.9 per game through 23 games and 22.8% from long range.

Missouri also shot 52.6% from the field.

Tennessee shot well enough to win: 45.3% from the field (24 of 53) and 42.9% from beyond the arc (12 of 28).

But for one of the few times this season, the defense didn’t hold up its end of the bargain.

And for one of the few times in his career, Vescovi didn’t come through at the foul line.

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Hoops Preview: Lady Vols vs. Vanderbilt

Hoops Preview: Lady Vols vs. Vanderbilt

Posted on February 10, 2023

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee (17-9, 9-2 SEC), which is receiving votes in both polls, welcomes Vanderbilt (11-14, 2-9 SEC) to Thompson-Boling Arena for a 2:02 p.m. matchup on Sunday in the Lady Vols’ annual Play4Kay game.

This will mark the 88th meeting of the in-state rivalry, with UT leading the series, 77-10, after winning the programs’ first tilt this season, 84-71, at Memorial Gymnasium on Jan. 8.

The Lady Vols enter the contest residing in third place in the SEC standings, while the Commodores are tied for 12th with Kentucky.

Tennessee looks to bounce back after dropping a 91-90 double overtime heartbreaker at Mississippi State on Feb. 6 in which Rickea Jackson (28/11) and Jillian Hollingshead (18/12) produced points/rebounds double-doubles.

The Lady Vols finally reached their first open date of conference play on Thursday, taking advantage this week of extra time for practice, additional attention to academics and much-needed rest.

Vanderbilt hosted Arkansas on Thursday night, and the Commodores picked up their second SEC win of the campaign, taking down the Razorbacks, 78-70, behind four players scoring in double figures and three playing all 40 minutes of the contest.

Game Info./Promotions

  • Sunday’s game is UT’s #Play4Kay game, with each team wearing pink as part of their uniform design to bring awareness to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund’s fight toward ending all forms of cancer affecting women.
  • Uniting players, coaches and fans to do something for the greater good that far exceeds wins and losses on the court, the #Play4Kay initiative is the largest fundraiser and plays a major role in the success of the Kay Yow Cancer Fund.
  • There is free admission for cancer survivors.
  • Pink shirts are available to purchase from Orange Mountain Design, with those buying one receiving a free ticket to the Play4Kay game vs Vanderbilt.
  • Proceeds from the shirts will be donated to the Play4Kay Foundation.
  • The Weekend Family 4 Pack Deal will be available, featuring four tickets & four $10 concession vouchers starting at $72 (plus tax/fees).
  • Free parking and shuttle service from the Ag Campus (Lot CF near Brehm & Food Science Bldgs.).
  • For additional details and information, please call 865-974-1734 or visit the Fans tab on UTSports.com and click on the Fan Experience link.

Broadcast Information

  • Sunday’s game will be streamed on SECN+, with Michael Wottreng (PxP) and Kamera Harris (Analyst) on the call.
  • All of the games included in the ESPN package (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU) will be available through WatchESPN, accessible online at WatchESPN.com, on smartphones and tablets via the WatchESPN app, and streamed on televisions through Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku, Xbox 360 or Xbox One to fans who receive their video subscription from an affiliated provider.
  • The contest also can be heard on Lady Vol Network stations and by audio stream, with Brian Rice on the call and Andy Brock serving as studio host. 
  • A link to the live audio stream can be found on the Hoops Central page or the schedule on UTSports.com.
  • For a list of Lady Vol Network affiliates, please click on the Fans tab at the top of UTSports.com, select Vol Network and then click on the Vol Network Affiliates tab.
  • Air time for games on the Lady Vol Radio Network generally occurs 30 minutes prior to tip-off.
  • The Lady Vol Network broadcast also can be heard frequently on satellite radio via SiriusXM and the SXM App. This game, however, will not be available.

I-40/17th Street Construction Alert

  • Expect I-40 delays this weekend near campus and arrive early.
  • Significant traffic congestion could increase due to TDOT repairs to the I-40 bridge over 17th Street.
  • Lane closures: I-40 East & West between MM 386 & almost 389, small sections of I-275 as well as Alcoa Highway.  

History Between Them

  • The 2021-22 season brought a brand new look to the Tennessee-Vanderbilt rivalry, as former Lady Vol standout Kellie Harper, who was then in her third year leading her alma mater, met then first-year Vandy skipper Shea Ralph, a UConn alum, for the very first time as head coaches.
  • It’s now year four at UT for Harper and year two for Ralph at VU, with Harper getting victories in the coaches’ two meetings a year ago and in the first matchup at Nashville in 2022-23. 
  • The duo’s careers at UT and UConn overlapped from 1996-97 to 1998-99, with Harper (then known as Kellie Jolly) helping lead UT to the second and third of three-straight NCAA titles in 1997 and 1998, while Ralph contributed to a UConn crown in 1999-2000 after Harper had graduated.
  • Harper was 4-2 as a player vs. UConn, including 3-1 in games when both were on the rosters of the respective programs.
  • Both coaches feature spouses on their staff, with Jon Harper serving as an assistant coach alongside his wife, Kellie, for the 19th season. Tom Garrick is Ralph’s husband, and he is in his second year as an associate head coach on her staff. SEC observers may also recall Garrick was an assistant at Vandy from 2009-15.
  • Harper has two children, including son Jackson and daughter Kylie. Ralph has a daughter, Maysen.

Lady Vols vs. In-State Foes

  • The Tennessee women are now 259-61-1 all-time vs. four-year college teams from the Volunteer State, and Kellie Harper is 15-0 in those matchups in her fourth season on Rocky Top.
  • The Lady Vols are 2-0 in 2022-23 (wins vs. Chattanooga and Vanderbilt), were 6-0 in 2021-22 (wins vs. Tenn. Tech, ETSU, Chattanooga and Belmont at home and vs. Vanderbilt on the road and at home) and were 3-0 in 2020-21, with wins over ETSU, Lipscomb and Middle Tennessee, with two games on the schedule vs. Vandy (home and away) canceled.
  • UT has won 15 in a row over schools from within the state border and 31 of the last 32, with the lone setback during that run being a 76-69 loss to Vanderbilt in Knoxville on Feb. 28, 2019.

Looking Back At The MSU Game

  • The Lady Vols suffered a 91-90 loss to Mississippi State on Monday night in a double-overtime thriller that featured 17 lead changes and 14 ties inside Humphrey Coliseum.
  • Senior Rickea Jackson recorded a double-double to lead UT (17-9, 9-2 SEC), tying her season highs of 28 points and 11 rebounds.
  • Sophomore Jillian Hollingshead recorded the first double-double of her career with 18 points and 12 rebounds, setting career highs in both categories. Junior Tess Darby was also in double figures, turning in 10 points on the night.
  • MSU (16-7, 5-5 SEC) was led by Jerkaila Jordan, who tallied 24 points. Asianae Johnson and Anastasia Hayes were also in double figures with 16 and 14, respectively.

Hollingshead Becoming A Force

  • Sophomore Jillian Hollingshead is hitting her stride, recording her first career double-double against Mississippi State with 18 points and 12 rebounds to find her way into double-digit scoring for fourth time this season and second time in the last four games.
  • Over her last four outings, she is averaging 11.3 ppg. and 7.8 rpg. off the bench.

Team Free Throws In Record Book

  • Tennessee’s 37 made free throws vs. MSU tied as the third-most in school history along with the 37 netted vs. Vanderbilt on Jan. 19, 1997.
  • The 44 attempts against the Bulldogs matched UT’s effort vs. Alabama on March 6, 1994.
  • The 84.1 percent accuracy vs. State was a season high for the Lady Vols.

Rickea Ties UT’s Best Free Throw Mark

  • Rickea Jackson’s 13-for-13, 100-percent effort at the charity stripe vs. Mississippi State tied a school free throw percentage record set by Gail Dobson on March 1, 1975, vs. Union (Tenn.).
  • Jackson’s 13 makes tied for the No. 8 school mark with seven other Lady Vols.

UT/VU Notes

  • The Lady Vols are 35-1 vs. the Commodores in Knoxville, 32-7 in Nashville and 10-2 at neutral sites (all postseason).
  • UT has won 15 of the past 16 games vs. Vanderbilt.
  • These squads have been to overtime on one occasion, with Tennessee seizing a 92-79 decision in Nashville on Jan. 19, 1997.
  • Including that OT game in ’97, Kellie (Jolly) Harper was 9-0 vs. VU as a Lady Vol point guard, and she is 5-0 as UT’s coach.
  • Harper was 0-1 vs. VU at Western Carolina and 1-1 at NC State.
  • The 84 points scored by the Lady Vols in Nashville earlier this season were the most in Memorial Gymnasium since defeating Vandy, 94-88, on Feb. 15, 2004.

A Look At The Commodores

  • Ciaja Harbison, a transfer from St. Louis Univ., leads Vanderbilt in scoring at 19.7 ppg., hitting 81.7 pct. (125-153) on free throws.
  • Boston College transfer Marnelle Garraud is putting up 12.7 ppg., draining 69 treys and hitting 81.4 pct. on free throws.
  • The Commodores are surrendering 80.5 points per game and 51.5 field goal percentage to SEC opponents.
  • On the boards, VU has a 28.6-40.3 deficit (-11.7) vs. SEC foes that has improved from -22.0 the last time these teams played.

Vanderbilt’s Last Game

  • Marnelle Garraud posted a team-high 19 points and added seven rebounds Thursday to lead four Vanderbilt players in double figures as the Commodores defeated Arkansas 78-70 at Memorial Gymnasium.
  • Ciaja Harbison contributed 16 points, eight assists and four steals, Sacha Washington recorded 16 points and eight rebounds, and Ryanne Allen finished with 12 and six, respectively, to help Vandy improve to 11-14 on the season and 2-9 in the SEC. Makayla Daniels had 31 for the Razorbacks.

Last Meeting Between UT/Vandy

  • Tennessee remained perfect in SEC women’s basketball play, defeating Vanderbilt in Memorial Gymnasium on Jan. 8, 2023, 84-71.
  • The 84 points scored by the Lady Vols in Nashville were the most by UT in Memorial Gymnasium since defeating Vandy there, 94-88, on Feb. 15, 2004.
  • Three players were in double figures for the Lady Vols (12-6, 4-0 SEC). Senior Rickea Jackson was the top scorer for UT with 23 points, while sophomore Karoline Striplin had a career-high 13 and senior Jordan Horston turned in 13 points to go along with eight assists and eight rebounds.
  • The Big Orange built its win streak to five games and claimed victory for the 10th time in the past 12 contests. Tennessee, which beat VU for the 15th time in the past 16 meetings in the series, remained tied atop the SEC standings along with South Carolina, LSU, Arkansas and Ole Miss.
  • The Commodores (9-9, 0-4 SEC), who fell to their in-state rivals at Memorial Gymnasium for the eighth-straight occasion, were led by Ciaja Harbison who had a game-high 27 points. Marnelle Garraud and Sacha Washington were also in double figures with 19 and 13, respectively.

Last Time In Knoxville

  • Reaching 10 wins in SEC action, the No. 13/10 Lady Volunteers topped Vanderbilt, 66-52, on Feb. 13, 2022, the last time they met in Knoxville.
  • Guard Jordan Horston was stellar for the Lady Vols, tallying 16 points, 13 boards and seven assists while carding her 12th double-double of the season.
  • Rae Burrell posted her third game in a row with double-figure points off the bench and seventh game in nine scoring 10 plus. The senior tallied 15 points, while four Lady Vols scored eight, including graduate Alexus Dye, graduate Jordan Walker, junior Tamari Key and freshman Sara Puckett.
  • The Big Orange dominated on the glass all day long, out-rebounding the Commodores, 48-29, and posting their 19th double-digit margin on the boards in 25 contests. 
  • UT also got a jolt from its bench, which posted 26 points to VU’s seven, and used its height advantage to double up Vandy on points in the paint, 32-16.

Upcoming Games

  • After Sunday, there are only two more regular season Lady Vol home games.
  • Tennessee’s next home contest will be the Senior Day matchup vs. Auburn at noon on Feb. 19.
  • UT seniors will be saluted during pregame festivities.
  • The Weekend Family 4 Pack Deal will be available, with four tickets & four $10 concession vouchers starting at $72 (plus tax/fees).

-UT Athletics

Lady Vols vs. Vanderbilt / Credit: UT Athletics
Program-Record Four Vols Named to Golden Spikes Award Preseason Watch List

Program-Record Four Vols Named to Golden Spikes Award Preseason Watch List

Posted on February 10, 2023

2023 Golden Spikes Award Preseason Watch List

CARY, N.C. – A program-record four Tennessee Volunteers have been named to the 2023 Golden Spikes Award Preseason Watch List, as announced by USA Baseball on Friday afternoon.

The pitching trio of Chase Dollander, Chase Burns and Drew Beam, along with newcomer Maui Ahuna, were all recognized on the 55-man preseason watch list for the award, which is presented annually to the nation’s top amateur baseball player.

The group of Dollander, Burns and Beam combined to make 43 starts last season, posting a 26-3 record with 273 strikeouts while issuing just 59 walks. Ahuna was a first-team All-Big 12 selection while at Kansas and played for the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team over the summer before joining the Vols’ program this fall.

With this year’s four selections, UT has now had at least one player named to the Golden Spikes Award Preseason Watch List for four straight years and has had 13 total players named to the preseason list in the award’s history. Dollander, Burns and Beam all appeared on the Golden Spikes Award Midseason Watch List last season, with Burns also making the list of semifinalists in 2022.

Friday’s honor adds to a long list of preseason accolades for all four Vols, who have each garnered spots on multiple preseason All-America teams, as well.

In all, 40 different schools and 16 conferences are represented on this year’s preseason watch list. Tennessee and LSU led all programs with four selections apiece, while the SEC’s 17 players on the list led all conferences.

To view the full 2023 Golden Spikes Award Preseason Watch List, click HERE.

Fan voting will again play a part in the Golden Spikes Award in 2023. Amateur baseball fans can vote for their favorite players on GoldenSpikesAward.com, beginning on May 22 with the naming of the semifinalists. USA Baseball will announce the finalists for the award on June 7, and fan voting will once again open at GoldenSpikesAward.com before closing on June 21.

The 2023 Golden Spikes Award timeline is as follows:

• April 5: Golden Spikes Award Midseason Watch List announced
• May 22: Golden Spikes Award semifinalists announced and fan voting begins
• June 5: Golden Spikes Award semifinalists fan voting ends
• June 7: Golden Spikes Award finalists announced and fan voting begins
• June 21: Golden Spikes Award finalists’ fan voting ends
• June 25: Golden Spikes Award winner announced

To stay up to date on the 2023 Golden Spikes Award, visit GoldenSpikesAward.com and follow @USAGoldenSpikes on Instagram and Twitter.
 

2023 Tennessee Baseball Preseason Honors

INF Maui Ahuna
Golden Spikes Award Preseason Watch List
Preseason All-America Second Team – NCBWA
Preseason All-America Third Team – D1Baseball, Collegiate Baseball News, Perfect Game
Preseason All-SEC Second Team – SS

RHP Drew Beam
Golden Spikes Award Preseason Watch List
Preseason All-America First Team – NCBWA
Preseason All-America Second Team – Collegiate Baseball News, Perfect Game
Preseason All-America Third Team – D1Baseball

RHP Chase Burns
Golden Spikes Award Preseason Watch List
Preseason All-America First Team – D1Baseball, Baseball America, Collegiate Baseball News, NCBWA, Perfect Game
Preseason All-SEC First Team – SP

LHP Kirby Connell
Preseason All-America Second Team – NCBWA

OF/C Jared Dickey
Preseason All-America Third Team – Baseball America

RHP Chase Dollander
Golden Spikes Award Preseason Watch List
Perfect Game Preseason Pitcher of the Year
Preseason All-America First Team – D1Baseball, Baseball America, Collegiate Baseball News, NCBWA, Perfect Game
Preseason All-SEC First Team – SP

RHP Camden Sewell
Preseason All-America Second Team – Collegiate Baseball News
Preseason All-America Third Team – NCBWA
Preseason All-SEC Second Team – RP

-UT Athletics

Vols Baseball / Credit: UT Athletics
Vols Announce Two More Hoops Sellouts; Limited Tickets Remain for Arkansas Game

Vols Announce Two More Hoops Sellouts; Limited Tickets Remain for Arkansas Game

Posted on February 10, 2023

As the college basketball postseason rapidly approaches, two more Tennessee home games sold out this week.
 
With upcoming clashes against Missouri (Saturday) and South Carolina (Feb. 25) joining the Feb. 15 Alabama game as sellouts, the only remaining home game with (very limited) ticket availability is the Feb. 28 Senior Day showdown vs. Arkansas. Remaining ticket inventory for the Arkansas game can be viewed/purchased HERE.
 
Tennessee has now sold out five home games this season and currently ranks fourth nationally in average home attendance (18,212).
 
Season tickets for the 2023-24 campaign are selling rapidly as well. Fans interested in lower-level seat availability next season are encouraged to fill out and submit a season-ticket interest form.

-UT Athletics

Thompson-Boling Arena / Credit: UT Athletics
Softball Preview: Season Opening NFCA Leadoff Classic in Clearwater, FL

Softball Preview: Season Opening NFCA Leadoff Classic in Clearwater, FL

Posted on February 9, 2023

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee softball’s 2023 campaign begins Friday as the No. 12/13-ranked Lady Vols travel to Clearwater, Florida, for the NFCA Leadoff Classic, played at the Eddie C. Moore Complex.
 
The weekend opens with a doubleheader on Friday against Howard at 6:30 p.m. ET, followed by the nightcap at 8:30 p.m. versus Illinois. Tennessee plays two more on Saturday against South Alabama at 4 p.m. and No. 6 Texas at 6:30 p.m. The Lady Vols close out the tournament with a 10 a.m. first-pitch on Sunday versus No. 8 Northwestern.

A full tournament schedule along with additional information about the 2023 NFCA Leadoff Classic can be found at this LINK.
 
FOLLOW LIVE
Live stats will be available for each game throughout the weekend via SIDEARM Stats. All stat links can be found by visiting the Tennessee softball schedule page on UTsports.com. GameChanger will provide a free live stream for all games during the NFCA Leadoff Classic.
 
How to Download & Watch
1. Download the GC app on your phone or device
2. Create your free account
3. Search for your team type: University Name + Mascot + NFCA
4. Click the blue ‘Join Team’ button
 
Andy Brock will lead the radio call for Tennessee softball during its trip to Clearwater with an audio broadcast for all five of Tennessee’s games this weekend. Links to each audio broadcast can be found on the Tennessee softball schedule page and will be shared on @Vol_Softball social media accounts throughout the weekend.
 
LADY VOLS IN THE POLLS
Tennessee will begin the campaign as top-15 program in the four major softball polls. The Lady Vols are ranked No. 12 in the country by ESPN.com/USA Softball and D1Softball, while checking in at No. 13 in the USA Today/NFCA and Softball America national rankings.
 
In a vote of the league’s head coaches, the Lady Vols were tabbed to finish second in the SEC Preseason Poll, garnering three first-place votes.
 
PRESEASO HONORS
Tennessee players have garnered a plethora of preseason recognition from numerous softball outlets over the past month. Most notably, Kiki Milloy and Ashley Rogers were named Preseason All-Americans by D1Softball and Softball America. Both mentioned on USA Softball’s Top 50 Watch List for Collegiate National Player of the Year for the second consecutive season. The duo also picked up Preseason All-SEC accolades from the league’s head coaches earlier this month – joined by senior Zaida Puni in that recognition.
 
Milloy, Rogers and newcomer Payton Gottshall were featured on Extra Inning Softball and D1Softball’s Top 100 players entering the season. Milloy ranked No. 12/13, while Rogers came in at No. 16 and 49. Gottshall landed at No. 71/72.
 
SCOUTING THE FIELD
Howard

  • 2022 Record: 31-24 (17-4 MEAC)
  • 2022 Conference Finish: 2nd
  • Series Record: First Meeting
  • Last Meeting: N/A
  • Key Player/Stat: Howard had six players selected MEAC Preseason All-Conference, including Kalita Dennis who was tabbed as the preseason player of the year. The Bison were picked to finish first in the MEAC by the league’s coaches.

Illinois

  • 2022 Record: 34-22 (15-7 Big Ten)
  • 2022 Conference Finish: 3rd
  • Series Record: UT leads, 4-0
  • Last Meeting: Feb. 15, 2014 (W, 10-0)
  • Key Player/Stat: Illinois returns fifth-year senior Avery Steiner along with its top two pitchers from a year ago in Sydney Sickels and Tori McQueen. Steiner led the Illini with a .391 average, 77 hits and 35 runs scored. Sickels and McQueen combined for 25 of Illinois’ 34 victories in 2022.

South Alabama

  • 2022 Record: 25-21 (16-6 Sun Belt)
  • 2022 Conference Finish: 2nd
  • Series Record: UT leads, 3-0
  • Last Meeting: March 5, 2022 (W, 9-0 (6))
  • Key Player/Stat: For the second straight year, Olivia Lackie and Mackenzie Brasher were named to the Sun Belt Conference preseason all-league team. The Jaguars also received 118 points and were picked to finish third in the preseason poll by the league coaches.

No. 6 Texas

  • 2022 Record: 47-22-1 (12-6 Big 12)
  • 2022 Conference Finish: 3rd
  • Series Record: Texas leads, 5-3
  • Last Meeting: Feb. 14, 2020 (L, 11-0 (5))
  • Key Player/Stat: Sophomore Mia Scott was selected to the 2023 Big 12 Softball Preseason Team and was tabbed to USA Softball’s Top 50 Watch List for Collegiate National Player of the Year. Texas finished the 2022 season as the national runner-up.

No. 8 Northwestern

  • 2022 Record: 45-13 (19-4 Big Ten)
  • 2022 Conference Finish: 1st
  • Series Record: UT leads, 7-6
  • Last Meeting: Feb. 8, 2020 (W, 6-3)
  • Key Player/Stat: Jordyn Rudd and Danielle Williams lead a Wildcats squad that reached Oklahoma City in 2022. Both player were also named to USA Softball’s Top 50 Watch List for Collegiate National Player of the Year.
     

UP NEXT
Tennessee goes international next weekend as it travels to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, for the Puerto Vallarta Challenge. The Lady Vols will face Sacramento State, North Dakota State, Cal State Fullerton and Liberty along Mexico’s Pacific coast.

-UT Athletics

Lady Vols / Credit: UT Athletics
Tennessee places record 91 on fall SEC Honor Roll including 36 football players

Tennessee places record 91 on fall SEC Honor Roll including 36 football players

Posted on February 9, 2023

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The University of Tennessee placed an athletics department-record 91 student-athletes on the 2022 Fall SEC Academic Honor Roll that was announced Thursday by league commissioner Greg Sankey.

The Vol football program had 36 members make the list, followed by women’s soccer with 21, women’s cross country with 13, volleyball with 12 and men’s cross country with nine.

A total of 1,154 student-athletes were named to the 2022 Fall SEC Academic Honor Roll. It includes the sports of cross country, football, soccer and volleyball, and it is based on grades from the 2022 Spring, Summer and Fall terms.
 
Any student-athlete who participates in a Southeastern Conference championship sport or a student-athlete who participates in a sport listed on his/her institution’s NCAA Sports Sponsorship Form is eligible for nomination to the SEC Academic Honor Roll.
 
The  following  criteria  will  be  followed:  (1)  A  student‐athlete  must  have  a  grade point average of 3.00 or above for either the preceding academic year (two semesters or three quarters) or have a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or above  at  the  nominating  institution.  (2)  If a student‐athlete attends summer school, his/her grade point average during the summer academic term must be included in the calculation used to determine eligibility for the Academic Honor Roll.  (3)  Student‐athletes eligible for the Honor Roll include those receiving an athletics scholarship, recipients of an athletics award (i.e., letter winner), and non‐scholarship student‐athletes who have been on a varsity team for two seasons. (4) Prior to being nominated, a student‐athlete must have successfully completed 24 semester or 36 quarter hours of non‐remedial academic credit toward a baccalaureate degree at the nominating institution. (5) The student‐athlete must have been a member of a varsity team for the sport’s entire NCAA Championship segment.

University of Tennessee 2022 Fall SEC Academic Honor Roll Members 

Men’s Cross Country (9)
Fuji Anday – Biological Sciences
Canaan Anderson – Aerospace Engineering
Will Cronin – Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications
Mike Griffin – Sport Management
Conner Hawkins – Business Administration
Will Mazur – Biological Sciences
Matthew McMillan – Marketing
Eli Nahom – Mechanical Engineering
Karl Thiessen – Communication & Information Advertising
 
Women’s Cross Country (13)
Msgana Araya – Neuroscience
Carolyn Barksdale – Kinesiology
Ainsley Cooper – Psychology
Jette Davidson – Marketing
Brooke Dixon – Marketing
Jasmine Fehr – Communication & Information Advertising
Kayla Gholar – Psychology
Kathleen Maley – Sport Therapeutic Recreation Management
Marilyn McCarthy – Biological Sciences
Erin Spreen – Management
Rachel Sutliff – Mechanical Engineering
Callie Tucker – Neuroscience
Landri Wilcox – Chemistry

Football (36)
Will Albright – Finance
Parker Ball – Therapeutic Recreation
Montrell Bandy – Pre-Professional Programs
Michael Bittner – Finance
Paxton Brooks – Kinesiology
Will Brooks – Finance
Dayne Davis – Supply Chain Management
Kwauze Garland – Communication Studies
Jerrod Gentry – Sport Management
Jimmy Holiday – Sport Management
Nick Humphrey – Agricultural Leadership
Tayven Jackson – Sport Management
Cheyenne Labruzza – Sport Management
Ollie Lane – Management & Human Resources
Nigel Lanier – Sport Management
Cooper Mays – Sport Management
Chase McGrath – Agricultural Leadership
Gerald Mincey – Sport Management
Gaston Moore – Supply Chain Management
Kolby Morgan – Finance
Addison Nichols – Finance
Solon Page III – Agricultural Leadership
Jordan Phillips – Sport Management
Matthew Salansky – Kinesiology
Hunter Salmon – Nuclear Engineering
Navy Shuler – Communication Studies
Maurese Smith – Agricultural Leadership
Javontez Spraggins – Sociology
Alton Stephens – Agricultural Business
Da’Jon Terry – Communication Studies
Toby Wilson – Management & Human Resources
Jacob Warren – Agricultural Leadership
Kaleb Webb – Communication Studies
Patrick Wilk – Exploratory
Justin Williams-Thomas – Biological Sciences
Jaylen Wright – Sport Management
 
Women’s Soccer (21)
Nolyn Bartholomew – Kinesiology
Lindsey Brick – Psychology
Abbey Burdette – Marketing
Jenna Chatterton – Environmental and Soil
Claudia Dipasupil – Marketing
Maddie Eskin – Biological Sciences
Jordan Fusco – Kinesiology
MacKenzie Haba – Management
Sydney Hennessey – Kinesiology
Taylor Huff – Management
Tara Katz – Biological Sciences
Macaira Midgley – Marketing
Maria Nelson – Kinesiology
Claire Rain – Journalism & Electronic Media
Lawson Renie – Accounting
Lindsey Romig – Supply Chain Management
Layla Shell – Management
Jenna Stayart – Marketing
Jaida Thomas – Master’s in Management and HR
Hannah Zaluski – Master’s in Management and HR
Ally Zazzara – Mechanical Engineering
 
Volleyball (12)
Emily Beeker – Psychology
Abby Ekeler – Communication Studies
Morgahn Fingall – Kinesiology
Natalie Hayward – Child & Family Studies
Ashllyn King – Journalism & Electronic Media
Erykah Lovett – Management
Danielle Mahaffey – Mathematics
Abigail Matoso – Management & Human Resources
Ava Moes – Civil Engineering
JaKya Moore – Recreation/Sport Management
Klaudia Pawlik – Finance
Kylie Robinson – Management & Human Resources

-UT Athletics

University of Tennessee / Credit: UT Athletics
Hoops Preview: #6 Tennessee vs. Missouri

Hoops Preview: #6 Tennessee vs. Missouri

Posted on February 9, 2023

Sixth-ranked Tennessee men’s basketball is back inside Thompson-Boling Arena this weekend, taking on Missouri at 6 p.m. ET on Saturday.
 
Fans can catch Saturday’s game on SEC Network and online or on any mobile device through WatchESPN. WatchESPN can be accessed through the ESPN App, or online at espn.com/watch. Kevin Fitzgerald (play-by-play) and Perry Clark (analyst) will have the call.
 
Fans can also listen live on their local Vol Network affiliate to hear Bob Kesling and Bert Bertelkamp describing the action.
 
Tennessee (19-5, 8-3 SEC) fell on the road at the buzzer Wednesday at Vanderbilt, 66-65. The Vols had four double-figure scorers in the loss, led by Santiago Vescovi and Tyreke Key, who had 14 apiece. Key’s 14 points were his career-high against an SEC opponent, while Vescovi’s four threes were tied for his most in SEC play this season.
 
Saturday marks Missouri’s first trip to Thompson-Boling Arena since Jan. 23, 2021, and first game in Knoxville in front of a non-reduced capacity crowd since Feb. 5, 2019. Tennessee has won five of its last six against the Tigers, with the 2021 game in Knoxville being Missouri’s lone win during that span.
 
Up next, Tennessee is home for a second consecutive game, taking on No. 3 Alabama on Wednesday inside Thompson-Boling Arena. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. ET and will be televised on ESPN2.
 
THE SERIES
• Tennessee leads its all-time series with Missouri, 11-8, dating to 1961.
• When the series is contested in Knoxville, the Vols own a 5-3 advantage. But the last time the Tigers visited Rocky Top, they upset sixth-ranked Tennessee, 73-64, on Jan. 23, 2021.
• That 2021 loss is UT’s lone setback in its last six games vs. Mizzou.
• As a junior at Cal, current Mizzou head coach Dennis Gates lost to Rick Barnes‘ Texas squad in the Preseason NIT. See note below.
• The Vols are 5-1 this season vs. the SEC teams whose head coach is in his first year with that program.
• In four career games vs. Missouri, Santiago Vescovi averages 11.0 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.0 assists while shooting .714 from 3-point range (10 of 14).
 
SCOUTING REPORT
• The Vols occupy the No. 3 spot in the NCAA’s NET ratings after holding steady at No. 2 from Jan. 3 through Feb. 8.
• Tennessee has two wins over teams with a current top-10 NET rating—No. 9 Texas and No. 10 Kansas. UT is one of only seven teams in the country that can claim that.
• Tennessee has played 59 games since the last time it suffered back-to-back losses.
• During SEC play, Tennessee leads the league in scoring defense (56.1 ppg) and assists per game (15.9).
• Tennessee’s offensive rebounding percentage of 38.0 ranks second in the country behind only Purdue (38.7).
• Zakai Zeigler averages a league-best 6.7 assists during SEC play while ranking among the league leaders in both assist/turnover ratio (2.96. 3rd) and steals (1.8, 6th).
• In its last 27 games against SEC opponents, the Vols are 23-4 with wins over every league opponent except Alabama (no meetings).
• UT ranks fourth nationally in average home attendance (18,212)—one of three SEC teams in the top four.
 
THE NATION’S BEST DEFENSE
• For the 11th straight week, the Volunteers own the best adjusted defensive efficiency in the country per KenPom, allowing only 85.0 points per 100 possessions.
• Tennessee owns the nation’s best field-goal percentage defense (.347) and 3-point defense (.228) along with the nation’s second-best scoring defense (55.0 ppg).
• 11 times this season, the Vols have held their opponents to 50 points or less.
• Only three teams have reached the 70-point mark against these Vols.
• Only five opposing players have scored 20 or more points against the Vols this season.
• Tennessee has trailed at the break only four times this season and is outscoring its opponents 34.3 ppg to 25.1 ppg in first-half action (+9.2 ppg).
 
ABOUT MISSOURI
• Missouri (18-6, 6-5 SEC) has won four of its past five games, including a 78-61 home win over No. 12 Iowa State in the SEC/Big 12 Challenge on Jan. 28. The Tigers’ lone loss during that stretch came last Saturday at Mississippi State, 63-52.
• Currently ranked No. 49 in the NET, Missouri is 3-6 in Quadrant 1 games and a combined 15-0 in Quadrant 2, 3 and 4 games. In Quadrant 1, the Tigers own home wins over Iowa State and Arkansas and a neutral-site win over Illinois.
• The Tigers are 2-4 in true road games this season, notching wins at Ole Miss and Wichita State.
• Missouri is led by first-year head coach Dennis Gates, who arrived in Columbia after a three-year stint at Cleveland State that included back-to-back Horizon League championships in 2021 and 2022. Prior to serving as the head coach at Cleveland State, Gates was an assistant at Florida State for eight seasons from 2011-19.
• Senior Kobe Brown, a 2022 second-team All-SEC selection, is Missouri’s leading scorer (16.3 ppg) and rebounder (6.1 rpg).
• Brown is averaging 18.2 ppg and shooting .526 from the field during SEC play—both of which rank second in the conference.
• According to KenPom, Missouri ranks No. 9 in the nation in adjusted offensive efficiency and No. 183 in adjusted defensive efficiency.
• On the offensive end, Missouri ranks 13th in Division I in scoring offense (82.0 ppg), 13th in the nation in assists per game (17.1 apg) and 26th in the nation in field-goal percentage (.480).
• Defensively, Missouri is second in Division I in steals (10.6 spg) and third in turnover margin (6.1).
 
LAST CLASH WITH MISSOURI
• Hot shooting led No. 17 Tennessee to a definitive road win on Feb. 22, 2022, at Missouri, 80-61.
• Kennedy Chandler led the way with 23 points (on 9-for-12 shooting), eight rebounds and six assists.
• Santiago Vescovi scored 14 points on 4-for-6 shooting from 3-point range, and Victor Bailey Jr. added 11 points.
• Javon Pickett had 16 points to lead Missouri.
• The Vols and Tigers played back-and-forth for the first four minutes of the second half before a Jonas Aidoo and-one fast-break dunk on a feed from Chandler kicked off a 16-3 Tennessee run that gave the Vols a 21-point lead at 57-36 with 10:44 remaining.
• Missouri responded with a 14-5 run to cut the Tennessee lead to 12 at 62-50 with 6:37 left, but never was able to draw any closer, as Vescovi’s three 3-pointers in the final six minutes helped the Vols maintain distance.
 
SATURDAY NOT RICK BARNES’, DENNIS GATES’ FIRST MEETING
• Early in Dennis Gates’ junior season as a guard at Cal, his Golden Bears squad traveled to Austin, Texas, for a Preseason NIT second-round game against Texas on Nov. 15, 2000—the Longhorns’ third year under head coach Rick Barnes.
• Gates played 10 minutes off the bench and totaled two points and two assists, but the Bears fell, 57-54.
• Barnes’ Texas team was led by Maurice Evans, who scored a game-high 17 points. Chris Owens added nine points, eight blocks and six rebounds.
 
AWAKA EARNING LARGER ROLE
• True freshman forward Tobe Awaka logged a career-high 22 minutes when the Vols faced Vanderbilt on Feb. 8, contributing eight points and nine rebounds for a +5 plus/minus rating.
• In the five games in which he’s played 15 minutes or more, Awaka is averaging 7.6 rebounds.
• Most impressively, Awaka ranks third among all Division I players in offensive rebounding percentage (21.0) and 13th nationally in total rebounding percentage (21.4).

-UT Athletics

Vols F Tobe Awaka / Credit: UT Athletics

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