Congrats to Parker McCollum who is at number-one this week with “To Be Loved By You” – one of the 10-tracks from his album, Gold Chain Cowboy.
Parker, who co-wrote “To Be Loved By You” with Rhett Akins, says “You know, writing with Rhett, he’s probably one of my favorite people, he definitely is one of my favorite people to write with. He loves to hunt, he loves to fish, and he loves really good country songs. And so, any time we get into a room together, even from the first time we ever hung out and tried to write, we had a lot in common. So, usually we’ll talk for like an hour, showing each other pictures of deers at our ranches or some fish we caught or something, and then we’ll get around to writing a song. And every time we’ve written, I’ve walked away really digging whatever came out of that session. And he’s just a great guy – he’s a Hall of Famer now – so, it’s just another kind of pinch me moment to get to write with people like that.”
This is Parker’s second number-one (after “Pretty Heart” which topped the chart in 2020) and it follows his sold-out show at Rodeo Houston this past weekend.
73,000 tickets sold out last night. And To Be Loved By You went #1 this weekend. Idk what else to say. To Country Radio and to Houston, TX… THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! pic.twitter.com/8SifMLpEoK
Russell Dickerson just got back from playing shows over in the UK as a part of the C2C music festival that brings jam packed country music concerts and events to London England, Glasgow Scotland, and Dublin Ireland.
Russell’s All Yours, All Nighttour is in Kentucky this weekend…
But Russell won’t be putting his passport away yet, as he announced that his All Yours, All Night tour will be going Worldwide this Fall!
Russell will be packing up and heading out for the 7 dates in October to bring “Home Sweet” to his fans in the UK.
Michael Ray recently topped the Billboard airplay chart with his song “Whiskey And Rain.”
Now he’s ready to follow that one up with another song from his 2021 EP Higher Education…
“Holy Water” is Michael Ray’s new single at country radio…
Talking about the track, Michael says “’Holy water’ is the song that I’m made sure I had on this EP. I wanted something that was swamp feel Florida. It references this little white church – Cassia Baptist Church – that’s in my hometown that my great great grandfather helped build, my dad was a pastor at this church, and rumor has it my grandmother and my grandfather ran moonshine, so it’s a little tip of the hat to the old Bonnie and Clyde of my family.”
Michael went back to his family church and his hometown of Eustis, Florida to film the music video for “Holy Water” – which is out now…
One of the concert events that music fans look forward to every year is the Bonnaroo Music And Arts Festival which is held in Manchester, Tennessee.
This year’s line-up includes artists from all different genres of music.
Lainey Wilson will be taking the Bonnaroo stage Wednesday June 16th – where she’ll be bringing festival fans her ACM Song Of The Year award winning “Things A Man Oughta Know”
Bonnarro is held from Wednesday June 15th to Sunday June 19th, and Lainey is just one of the artists that will be representing country music – a list that also includes Tenille Townes, Robyn Ottolini, Maggie Rose and more.
Just about a month after her appearance at Bonnaroo, Lainey and Hailey Whitters will be on the road opening for Jon Pardi on his Ain’t Always The Cowboy tour.
Check out the schedule for the Ain’t Always The Cowboy tour
Fans who make the trek to Manchester or the Ain’t Always The Cowboy tour might see Lainey break out her smash hit with Cole Swindell, “Never Say Never.”
INDIANAPOLIS – Using hot shooting from start to finish, No. 3 seed Tennessee cruised by No. 14 seed Longwood Thursday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, 88-56, to advance to the NCAA Tournament Round of 32.
Tennessee shot a season-high 60 percent from the field on Thursday (33-for-55), including 58 percent on 3-pointers (14-for-24). The performance set a program record for field-goal percentage in an NCAA Tournament game.
Vols G Santiago Vescovi / Credit: UT Athletics
Santiago Vescovi was one of five double-figure scorers for Tennessee, pouring in a team-high 18 points on 6-for-8 shooting from 3-point range. Vescovi also had a team-high seven assists and a team-high-tying four steals.
Vescovi’s six made 3-pointers tied for the most ever by a Vol in an NCAA Tournament game. Vescovi also set the Tennessee program record for best 3-point percentage in an NCAA Tournament game (.750).
Josiah-Jordan James scored 17 points on 6-for-9 shooting—including 15 in the first half—and grabbed nine rebounds. John Fulkerson had his highest scoring total since December with 15 points on 7-for-8 shooting, scoring 11 of Tennessee’s first 17 points Thursday.
Kennedy Chandler had an impactful all-around performance with 13 points, five rebounds, five assists and four steals. Zakai Zeigler scored 10 points and had six assists.
After Longwood kept pace in the opening minutes, Tennessee took control of the game. Holding just a one point lead at 16-15 nearly nine minutes into the game, the Vols strung together a quick 13-2 run to take control—building a lead that would never be less than 10 for the remainder of the game.
The Vols further extended their lead to close the half—finishing on a 13-0 run in the final 3:13. Between Vescovi and James, the Vols made seven 3-pointers in the final 5:48 of the half on just eight attempts.
Tennessee took a 54-29 lead into halftime, setting a season-high for first-half scoring. The Vols shot 67 percent from the field (20-for-30) before the break. Tennessee had 18 assists on those 20 made field goals in the first half.
Defensively, the Vols forced 12 turnovers in the opening 20 minutes and committed just two themselves.
Three Vols scored in double figures during the first half—James with 15, Fulkerson with 13 and Vescovi with 12. That trio was a combined 15-for-20 shooting in the opening period.
UP NEXT: Tennessee advances to face No. 11 seed Michigan on Saturday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, who defeated No. 6 seed Colorado State on Thursday. Tipoff time and TV network will be announced late Thursday night.
VOLS NOTCH W NUMBER 27: Thursday marked Tennessee’s 27th win of the season, which stands as the fourth-most wins in a single-season in program history. Tennessee has won 27 or more games four times in program history. Two of those four seasons have come under the direction of seventh-year head coach Rick Barnes.
VESCOVI MOVING UP SINGLE-SEASON 3-POINTERS LIST: With six made 3-pointers during Thursday’s win, Santiago Vescovi moved into fourth place on Tennessee’s all-time single-season made 3-pointers list. Vescovi has 101 made threes in 34 games this season.
CHANDLER ASCENDING SINGLE-SEASON STEALS LIST: With four steals Thursday, Kennedy Chandler brought his season total to 72—moving him into sole possession of third place on Tennessee’s all-time single-season steals list. The program record for steals in a season is 78.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – No. 2 Tennessee begins its SEC slate this Friday night as the Volunteers host eastern division foe South Carolina to kick off a three-game series at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
The Vols enter SEC play on an eight-game winning streak after going 5-0 last week and starting this week with a 7-1 victory over Eastern Kentucky on Tuesday.
Vols LHP Redmond Walsh / Credit: UT Athletics
GAMEDAY INFORMATION
For the most updated gameday information related to Tennessee baseball, please visit our Gameday Central page by clicking HERE. The baseball Gameday Central page contains info in regard to tickets, parking, stadium policies and more.
TICKET INFORMATION
Season tickets and single-game tickets for all SEC contests are SOLD OUT. Single-game tickets for all remaining non-conference home games can be purchased at AllVols.com or by calling the Tennessee Athletic ticket office at 865-656-1200.
Single-game tickets for all games can also be purchased through Vivid Seats, the exclusive resale marketplace for Tennessee Athletics, by clicking HERE.
In order to keep Lindsey Nelson Stadium as full as possible, we are encouraging season ticket holders who are unable to use their tickets for a game(s) to either transfer your tickets to someone else (Instructions HERE).
BROADCAST INFO
Friday and Sunday’s games will be streamed live on SEC Network+ with Andy Brock (PxP) and Charlie Puleo (color) calling the action. Saturday’s game will be broadcast on the SEC Network with John Schriffen (PxP) and VFL Chris Burke (color) on the call.
The online broadcast can be accessed on any mobile device through WatchESPN. WatchESPN can be accessed through the ESPN App, or online at espn.com/watch.
Fans can also listen to the Voice of Tennessee Baseball John Wilkerson call the games on the Vol Network (FM 99.1/AM 990) as well as UTSports.com and the Tennessee Athletics App.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE/PROJECTED STARTING PITCHERS
Game 1 – Friday, March 18 (6:30 p.m.) RHP Chase Burns (3-0, 0.45 ERA) vs. RHP Noah Hall (0-2, 9.42 ERA)
Game 2 – Saturday, March 19 (12 p.m.) RHP Chase Dollander (2-0, 3.79 ERA) vs. RHP Will Sanders (3-0, 2.52 ERA)
Game 3 – Sunday, March 20 (1 p.m.) RHP Drew Beam (3-0, 1.59 ERA) vs. LHP Matthew Becker (1-0, 2.25 ERA)
SERIES HISTORY
Overall: South Carolina leads, 66-40 In Knoxville: South Carolina leads, 24-22 In Columbia: South Carolina leads, 39-16 Neutral Sites: South Carolina leads, 3-2 Last Meeting: W, 5-4 (May 22, 2021)
After playing each other to close the regular season in 2021, the Vols and Gamecocks will meet to open SEC play this year. After getting swept in three straight series from 2016-18, Tennessee has won its series against Carolina in each of the past two years.
NOTABLE
Climbing in the Polls The Vols continued their climb in the rankings after going 5-0 last week. Tennessee is ranked as high as No. 2 in the nation this week by Collegiate Baseball News and is a consensus top 10 team overall. UT’s No. 2 ranking is tied for the highest ever in program history.
SEC Opening Weekend For the first time under head coach Tony Vitello and the first time since 2017, Tennessee opens SEC play at home. The Vols also opened conference play against South Carolina in that 2017 season. The Big Orange will be looking to notch their second straight series win on SEC Opening Weekend after taking two of three at Georgia last season.
The Vols are 5-8 in SEC openers at home since 1980 and 32-45 all-time in SEC openers. They will be looking for their first victory in an SEC opener against the Gamecocks (0-2).
Strikeout Kings Tennessee’s pitching staff has been racking up the strikeouts so far this season. Vols’ pitchers totaled 60 strikeouts over their five games last week, including 15 in the second game of Friday’s doubleheader against Rhode Island. UT’s pitching staff has recorded double-digit strikeouts in 13 of its 17 games this season and ranks fifth nationally in strikeouts per nine innings (12.2).
Knoxville Cleaning Service After its series sweep over Rhode Island last weekend, UT has swept three opponents already this season. Since Vitello took over as head coach in 2018, Tennessee has swept 15 weekend series (not including tournaments).
Series Sweeps by Year Under Vitello 2022: 3 | 2021: 5 | 2020: 2 | 2019: 3 | 2018: 2
KNOCKSville Bomb Squad The Vols hit 13 more home runs last week and three on Tuesday to increase their NCAA-leading total to 46. Tennessee tied its single-game program record with seven long balls in last Wednesday’s 10-2 victory over James Madison. Those seven homers came from six different players.
The Big Orange have homered at least once in 15 of its 17 games this season and have hit multiple home runs 11 times already this year. In total, 13 different players have gone deep this season and 12 of those players have hit multiple homers.
OPPONENT SCOUT
South Carolina Gamecocks
Record: 10-6 (0-0 SEC)
2021 Postseason: NCAA Columbia Regional (1-2)
2022 SEC Preseason Poll: 5th in Eastern Division
Head Coach: Mark Kingston (5th Season)
Preseason Honors:
RHP Will Sanders (Preseason All-SEC)
Stat Leaders:
Batting Avg: Michael Braswell (.429)
Runs: Michael Braswell (17)
Hits: Michael Braswell (27)
Home Runs: Andrew Eyster/Kevin Madden (3)
RBI: Andrew Eyster (23)
Stolen Bases: Braylen Wimmer (5)
Wins: Aidan Hunter/Will Sanders (3)
Saves: Michael Braswell (3)
ERA (min. 1 IP/G): John Gilreath (0.84)
Innings Pitched: Will Sanders (25.0)
Strikeouts: Will Sanders (28)
GAME PROMOTIONS
Gameday promotions for all Tennessee athletics home events can be found on the UT Fan Experience page by clicking HERE.
Fans are encouraged to download the My All App for their phones and devices this season. The app is available on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store and will allow fans to participate in in-game trivia, the custom filter selfie cam and more throughout the year.
NEW TO LINDSEY NELSON STADIUM
With a palpable excitement surrounding the program, Lindsey Nelson Stadium has added some new and improved seating areas and fan amenities to increase capacity and provide a better fan experience this season.
One of the first things fans will see upon arriving is an additional deck of porches behind the left-field wall as well as new chair-back bleacher seating down the left-field line.
All porches for the 2022 season are sold out, however, the left-field bleachers will be sold as general admission seating. Additional food and beverage options will be located next to the new bleachers throughout the year. For SEC games, a VolShop location and food trucks will be located in that area, as well.
UT has removed the playground down the right-field line and re-branded the area as “The Deck”, which will feature a standing room only area for UT’s students while also providing additional concessions options to help negate congestion throughout the main concourse. In order to enhance the gameday experience, a Petro’s Chili & Chips, Moe’s Southwest Grill, Gameday Sausage kiosk and a new beer kiosk have been added to the deck area.
Vol fans can look for Coca-Cola, popcorn and beer at kiosks on the Plaza located down the first-base line. The VolShop will have hats and merchandise available on the Plaza, as well. The Fan Experience Hub, your one-stop shop for game programs, posters, schedule cards, contest info and more, will also be located in the Plaza area.
Tennessee’s MVP season-ticket holders will also be greeted with a brand new, completely renovated MVP Room this season.
Friday SEC Block Parties Starting with Friday’s SEC opener, an exciting new area will be in place for fans this season. Friday SEC Block Parties will take place for ticketed fans on Pat Head Summitt Street for every Friday SEC contest (weather permitting). The area will only be accessible for fans with tickets to Friday’s game.
Friday’s SEC Block Parties will feature music, giveaways, face painting, food/beverage options, VolShop sales locations and Vol Network sponsor activations. Additionally, VFL Sterl the Pearl will join various SEC weekend games to add to the electricity in Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
Food, drink, and anything else acquired at the block party can be brought inside the stadium. Gates 10A and 11 will be open for fans to use to enter the stadium. Fans may come and go from stadium to the block party as they please.
ON DECK
The Vols finish their 10-game homestand with a midweek matchup against Butler on Tuesday, March 22 at 6:30 p.m. at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. Tickets for the game can be purchased by visiting AllVols.com.
No. 18/17 Tennessee (23-8), which remained perfect in NCAA Tournament participation by earning the program’s 40th-straight invitation to March Madness, will play host to the NCAA First and Second Rounds on March 19 and 21.
UT is hosting the NCAA First and Second Rounds for the first time since the 2018 tournament.
Lady Vols / Credit: UT Athletics
The Lady Vols were selected as a No. 4 seed in the Wichita Region and will meet No. 13 seed Buffalo (25-8) in the NCAA First Round on Saturday in Knoxville. Tip-off is slated for 3 p.m. ET at Thompson-Boling Arena. The game will be televised by ABC and carried by the Lady Vol Radio Network and on SiriusXM.
In the other Knoxville first-round game in the bracket opposite UT and UB on Saturday, No. 5 seed Oregon (20-11) meets No. 12 seed Belmont (22-7) at 5:30 p.m.
The winner of those games will advance to the NCAA Second Round and play on Monday at the same venue. Tip time and TV information will be announced after Saturday’s NCAA games are completed.
Louisville is the No. 1 seed in the Wichita Region, while Baylor and Michigan hold down the No. 2 and 3 seeds.
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Eric Frede (play-by-play) and Tamika Catchings (analyst) will have the call for ABC.
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 radio stations and by audio stream, with Mickey Dearstone behind the microphone for his final regular-season home game. He will be joined by studio host Bobby Rader.
A link to the live audio stream can be found on each game’s Hoops Central page or the Lady Vol 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 contest also will be available on satellite radio on SiriusXM channel 133 or 201 and on the SXM app on channel 964.
GET YOUR TICKETS
Tickets to the NCAA First and Second Rounds in Knoxville may be purchased at AllVols.com.
Current UT students will receive a free ticket for the 1st and 2nd rounds of the NCAA Women’s Tournament for the session(s) in which UT is playing. Students must show a current UT ID at the Gate B Ticket Office window starting two hours prior to tip-off.
Free parking and shuttle from the Ag Campus in parking area CF (across from Brehm and Food Science).
Fans with a current valid accessible placard or license plate may park on the Ag Campus in lot CF (across from Brehm and Food Science) and take the shuttle, which is fully accessible for those with disabilities (purple star).
Limited $10 parking is available in G-10 (Neyland Drive or Phillip Fulmer Way entrances), G3, G4, G5-30 and Staff 30-A (Peyton Manning Pass entrance).
TENNESSEE’S NCAA TOURNEY HISTORY
As mentioned, the Lady Vols are making their 40th appearance in the NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship, and UT is the only program to appear in all 40 tournaments.
Tennessee was an at-large qualifier for the NCAA Tournament field, finishing third in the Southeastern Conference regular season for the third-straight season and bowing out in the semifinal round of the league tourney to No. 7 seed Kentucky, the eventual champion.
UT earned a No. 4 seed for only the second time ever and has a 3-1 record in that role after defeating Iowa, Georgia and LSU before falling to USC in the NCAA Final Four semifinals in 1986 in Lexington, Ky.
The Lady Vols are 126-31 in NCAA Tournament play, and they rank first in games played (157) and victories (126) in NCAA tourney history.
Tennessee is second behind UConn in winning percentage at .803 in tourney play.
UT is 1-1 in NCAA play under Kellie Harper, making its first appearance with her at the helm in 2021 after the tourney was canceled in 2020 due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) global health pandemic.
Tennessee has advanced to the NCAA regional round on 34 occasions, posting a 28-6 record in the Sweet 16.
The only seasons UT did not make the regional level were in 2009 and from 2017 to 2021. UT lost its opening round contest as a No. 5 seed to No. 12 Ball State in Bowling Green, Ky., in 2009. No. 5 seed UT lost its second-round game at No. 4 seed Louisville in 2017. No. 3 seed UT lost its second-round game to No. 6 seed Oregon State in Knoxville in 2018. No. 11 seed Tennessee fell to No. 6 seed UCLA in the first round at College Park, Md., in 2019. No. 3 seed UT dropped a 70-55 second-round decision to No. 6 seed Michigan in 2021.
UT has made the Elite Eight 28 times and in five of the past 10 tournaments, posting an 18-10 record in that round.
The Lady Vols have seen their season ended in the regional championship game in five of the past 10 years (2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016).
UT has advanced to 18 NCAA Final Fours and won eight of them (1987, 1989, 1991, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2007, 2008), ranking second to UConn.
Tennessee has finished second in the nation five times and third on five more occasions.
In drawing Buffalo, UT will be playing its 89th different opponent during all rounds of the NCAA Tournament.
UT IN FIRST & SECOND ROUNDS
Tennessee is making its 40th appearance in the NCAA First/Second Rounds, and it owns a 59-5 record during games played in those rounds.
The Lady Vols are 31-2 all-time in the NCAA First Round and 28-3 in the NCAA Second Round.
The only blemishes are a first-round loss to Ball State, 71-55, in Bowling Green, Ky., on March 22, 2009, a second-round setback to Louisville, 75-64, in Louisville, Ky. on March 20, 2017, a second-round loss to Oregon State, 66-59, in Knoxville, on March 18, 2018, a first-round ouster by UCLA, 89-77, on March 23, 2019, in College Park, Md., and a second-round loss to Michigan, 70-55, in San Antonio, Texas, on March 23, 2021.
In NCAA First/Second Round play, Tennessee is 45-1 at home, 4-2 away and 10-2 at neutral sites.
The breakdown for that is 23-0 home/0-1 away/8-1 neutral for the first round and 22-1 home/4-1 away/2-1 neutral for the second round.
UT VS. THE NCAA FIELD
Tennessee has played 16 games vs. 14 different teams in the 2022 NCAA Tournament field.
The Lady Vols are 10-6 vs. those opponents.
Tennessee was 5-2 vs. non-conference NCAA Tournament-qualifying foes this season, defeating Kansas, South Florida, Texas, UCF and Virginia Tech and falling to Stanford and UConn.
The Big Orange had a 5-4 record vs. SEC teams that made the NCAA Tournament, defeating Arkansas (twice), Georgia, Kentucky and Ole Miss, while falling to Florida, Kentucky, LSU and South Carolina.
The SEC placed eight teams in the tournament, which tied for the most of any league (with the ACC).
The SEC’s teams going dancing in 2022 include Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, LSU, Ole Miss South Carolina and Tennessee.
LADY VOL NCAA EXPERIENCE
As opposed to last season, when only three Tennessee players possessed NCAA Tournament experience entering the Big Dance, nine members of this year’s roster have played in NCAA contests.
Burrell averaged 16.5 ppg. and 6.0 rpg. in 2021 and has put up 11.0 ppg. and 4.0 rpg. for her career.
Walker averaged 10.5 rpg. last season after pulling down 14 caroms vs. Middle Tennessee.
Jordan Horston, who has been out due to injury, possesses two as well, while Keyen Green (out for the season) played in one while at Liberty.
Alexus Dye, who tallied 26 points and 11 rebounds for Troy last year vs. Texas A&M, has one tourney game to her credit. So do Jessie Rennie and Emily Saunders.
RECAPPING THE LAST GAME
Graduate Alexus Dye put up a game-high 26 points, but it wasn’t enough to overcome a Kentucky team that hit six first-quarter treys as No. 18/15 Tennessee fell on March 5 in the semifinals of the SEC Women’s Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, 83-74.
Dye managed her second straight double-double with a season-high 26 points and 10 rebounds. Senior Rae Burrell also was in double figures for third-seeded Tennessee (23-8) with 16 points on the day.
Rhyne Howard led seventh-seeded Kentucky (18-11) in scoring with 24 points, while Robyn Benton and Jada Walker each turned in 16.
NOTABLES FROM OUR LAST CONTEST
KEY IS QUEEN: Tamari Key took sole possession of Tennessee’s single-season blocks record, swatting two shots against Kentucky to move her season total to 115. She trails Candace Parker (275), UT’s leader in career blocks, by only two.
HAVE A DAY, DYE: Graduate Alexus Dye put up a season-high 26 points against UK while grabbing 10 boards to turn in her second straight double-double.
WALKER DISHING: Graduate Jordan Walker doled out a career-high 10 assists against the Wildcats. Her previous high of nine came at Western Michiganagainst Akron on Jan. 25, 2020. Prior to tonight, her high against an SEC opponent was seven, set against MSU on Feb. 24.
DYE PICKING UP THE SLACK: In the five contests since Tennessee lost Jordan Horston, its leading rebounder, Dye has picked up her activity on the boards, averaging 10.0 rpg. over that stretch.
UT-BUFFALO SERIES NOTES
While Buffalo and Tennessee have never met in women’s hoops, the Lady Vols are 8-1 vs. schools in the Mid-American Conference.
UT is 0-1 vs. MAC schools in the NCAA Tournament, with the only loss ever to that league occurring on March 22, 2009, when Ball State toppled the Lady Vols, 71-55, in Bowling Green, Ky., in the NCAA First Round.
That was UT’s first-ever loss in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament.
UB’s Dominique Camp and Tennessee’s Alexus Dye were teammates last season at Troy and helped the Trojans to the NCAA Tournament.
Bulls freshman forward Laney Bone is from Chattanooga and attended Silverdale Baptist Academy.
Buffalo senior guard Jazmine Young is a transfer from Tennessee State.
Young started and played 19 minutes for TSU against the Lady Vols on The Summitt on Nov. 14, 2019, tallying three rebounds, two assists and a steal with no points.
A LOOK AT THE BULLS
The University at Buffalo is led by dynamic 5-foot-5 junior guard Dyaisha Fair, who averages 23.4 ppg., 4.8 rpg., 4.3 apg. and 2.1 spg. while hitting 88 three-pointers on the season.
She is joined by fellow standouts in 6-0 freshman guard Georgia Woolley (14.6 ppg., 48 3FGs) and 6-1 graduate forward Summer Hemphill (13.1 ppg., 10.4 rpg.).
The Bulls have won their last nine contests and 14 of their past 15 since a three-game skid from Jan. 22-26.
UB played South Carolina, Oklahoma and Syracuse back-to-back-back at the Battle 4 Atlantis, falling 88-60 and 93-72, respectively, to the first two foes before taking down the Orange, 88-79.
Syracuse happens to be the alma mater of Buffalo head coach Felisha Legette-Jack.
ABOUT THE HEAD COACH
Felisha Legette-Jack is in her 10th season as the head coach at Buffalo.
Legette-Jack is 202-115 during her tenure with the Bulls and is 343-278 overall in 19 years as a head coach.
She also directed programs at Hofstra (2002-06) and Indiana (2006-12).
Legette-Jack was hired in 2012 by her (then) athletics director at UB, Danny White. On Saturday, she’ll be facing White’s current employer, which happens to be the University of Tennessee.
UB’S LAST GAME
The University at Buffalo women’s basketball team held off Ball State, 79-75, to claim the 2022 Mid-American Conference Championship at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland on March 12.
Dyaisha Fair (30) and Georgia Woolley (29) combined to score 59 of the team’s 79 points to help the Bulls win their third MAC title in six years.
Buffalo held a 53-50 lead entering the fourth quarter, and that’s when Fair and Woolley took over. The pair combined to score all 26 fourth-quarter points for the Bulls. With the game tied, 53-53, Woolley drained a three from the top of the key to put UB ahead for good.
Fair was named the MAC Tournament MVP and became UB’s all-time leading scorer as well as the first player in program history to surpass 2,000 career points.
Vols’ HC Rick Barnes, G Santiago Vescovi, G Josiah-Jordan James, F John Fulkerson, & G Kennedy Chandler spoke with media following the 88-56 win over Longwood in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Tennessee guards Santiago Vescovi and Kennedy Chandler have been selected to the USBWA All-District IV team, the organization announced.
District IV includes schools in the states of Tennessee, Kentucky, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and Florida. The USBWA has selected All-District teams since the 1956-57 season, its founding year.
Vols guards Santiago Vescovi & Kennedy Chandler / Credit: UT Athletics
A first-team All-SEC and SEC All-Tournament Team selection, Vescovi has compiled his best season as a Volunteer. Entering the NCAA Tournament, Vescovi boasts career-best averages in scoring (13.4 ppg), rebounding (4.5 rpg), steals (1.7 spg) and 3-point percentage (.396).
Entering the NCAA Tournament, Vescovi has 95 made 3-pointers this season, which currently stands as the fifth-most made threes by a Vol in a single season.
Vescovi was also named NABC second-team All-District 20 on Tuesday. NABC All-District honors are voted on by NABC-member coaches across NCAA Division I.
Chandler burst onto the scene during his freshman season on Rocky Top, earning second-team All-SEC honors and being named SEC Tournament MVP. Entering the NCAA Tournament, Chandler is averaging 13.8 points, 4.6 assists and 2.1 steals per game while shooting 37.2 percent from 3-point range.
The Memphis native has also recorded 68 steals, which ranks third on Tennessee’s all-time single-season steals list and is the most in program history by a freshman.
Vescovi, Chandler and the No. 3 seed Vols begin NCAA Tournament action Thursday in Indianapolis, taking on No. 14 seed Longwood at 2:45 p.m. ET on CBS.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Athletics’ popular “Big Orange Caravan” presented by RJV Equipment makes its triumphant return in April and May and will be headlined by Vice Chancellor/Director of Athletics Danny White, head football coach Josh Heupel, men’s basketball coach Rick Barnes and women’s basketball coach Kellie Harper.
A collaborative fan appreciation tour hosted by Tennessee Athletics and the UT Knoxville Office of Alumni Affairs, “Big Orange Caravan” will make stops in Chattanooga (April 19), Atlanta (April 20), the Tri-Cities (April 21), Nashville (April 28) and Memphis (May 3). Details on each venue will be announced soon.
Big Orange Caravan / Credit: UT Athletics
Tickets for each tour stop cost $20 and include light food options. A total of $5 of every ticket sold will benefit the local UT Alumni chapter. Tickets are available now at AllVols.com.
Doors to each event open at 5 p.m. local time followed by a meet and greet with the headliners from 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. A cash bar, as well as light food and appetizers, will be available. Each program begins at 6:30 p.m.
Hosted by “The Voice of the Vols” Bob Kesling, the program will feature fun stories, insight and a Q & A with White and the coaches. The UT Spirit Squads and Smokey will also be in attendance.
In addition, season tickets for the 2022 football season are on sale now at AllVols.com or by contacting the UT Athletic Ticket Office at (865) 946-7000. Existing season ticket holders have until May 1 to renew their tickets.
