VFLs Primed for NBA Playoffs in the Bubble

VFLs Primed for NBA Playoffs in the Bubble

Posted on August 17, 2020
Credit: UT Athletics

ORLANDO, Fla. – With the 2020 NBA Playoffs set to begin Monday, five VFLs concluded their regular-season action in the NBA’s return to play, with four former Vols earning the opportunity to compete for an NBA Championship.

Tobias Harris | Philadelphia 76ers
Final Regular-Season Stats: 72 GP, 72 GS, 19.6 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 3.2 APG, .471 FG%, .367 3FG%, 0.7 SPG, 0.6 BPG
Bubble Stats: 7 GP, 7 GS, 21.6 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 3.1 APG, .465 FG%, .412 3FG%, 0.7 BPG, 0.6 SPG, +4, 32.4 MPG

In Philadelphia’s final two regular-season games, Tobias Harris logged limited minutes, as the 76ers had already clinched the Eastern Conference’s No. 6 playoff seed.

In those two games, against the Raptors and the Rockets, Harris averaged just under one point-per-minute played, averaging 20.0 points in 24.5 minutes per contest.

Harris was a stat-sheet stuffer for the 76ers to conclude the regular season and will be looked upon to be a primary scorer for Philly in its first-round series against the Boston Celtics, which starts Monday night.

Josh Richardson | Philadelphia 76ers
Final Regular-Season Stats: 55 GP, 53 GS, 13.7 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 2.9 APG, .430 FG%, .341 3FG%, 0.9 SPG, 0.7 BPG
Bubble Stats: 7 GP, 7 GS, 13.1 PPG, 1.7 RPG, 2.0 APG, .444 FG%, .429 3FG%, 0.3 BPG, 1.0 SPG, -9, 31.1 MPG

Like Harris, Josh Richardson also played limited minutes in Philadelphia’s final two regular-season contests.

He notched one of his most productive seasons in the NBA this year and appears primed to be one of the 76ers’ primary options on offense as the 2020 playoffs tip off Monday.

Admiral Schofield | Washington Wizards
Final Regular-Season Stats: 33 GP, 2 GS, 3.0 PPG, 1.4 RPG, 0.5 APG, .380 FG%, .311 3FG%, 0.2 SPG, 0.1 BPG
Final Bubble Stats: 6 GP, 2.7 PPG, 2.2 RPG, 0.2 APG, .385 FG%, .333 3FG%, 0.2 BPG, 0.0 SPG, -26, 12.7 MPG

Admiral Schofield concluded his rookie season with the Washington Wizards, showing multiple bright spots while earning more consistent playing time as the season wore on.

The Wizards finished their time in the bubble with a 1-7 record.

Grant Williams | Boston Celtics
Final Regular-Season Stats: 68 GP, 5 GS, 3.4 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 1.0 APG, .417 FG%, .253 3FG%, 0.4 SPG, 0.5 BPG
Bubble Stats: 7 GP, 2.7 PPG, 1.4 RPG, 0.7 APG, .368 FG%, .273 3FG%, 0.3 BPG, 0.3 SPG, -22, 10.6 MPG

Grant Williams appeared in seven of the Celtics’ eight seeding-game matchups in the bubble. In their final two contests, Williams averaged 22.5 minutes, 5.0 points and 4.0 rebounds, while pulling in a season-high eight boards in Boston’s regular-season finale against Washington on Thursday.

The Celtics now face Philadelphia in a first-round series, with game one tipping off Monday at 6:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Kyle Alexander | Miami Heat
Kyle Alexander earned his first substantial minutes in the Heat’s regular-season finale against the Indiana Pacers Friday.

In that contest, Alexander scored his first career NBA points and reeled in two rebounds for his first career multi-rebound outing.

Alexander’s Heat earned the Eastern Conference’s No. 5 seed and will take on the Indiana Pacers in the first round. That series set to begin Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET on TNT.

The NBA has narrowed its field down to 16 teams with two Eastern Conference first-round matchups featuring four Tennessee basketball standouts.

#3 Boston Celtics (Williams) vs. #6 Philadelphia 76ers (Harris, Richardson)
#4 Indiana Pacers vs. #5 Miami Heat (Alexander)

VFL Team Schedules & Results

Boston Celtics
7/31 vs. Milwaukee Bucks, 119-112 Loss
8/2 vs. Portland Trail Blazers, 128-124 Win
8/4 vs. Miami Heat, 112-106 Loss
8/5 vs. Brooklyn Nets, 149-115 Win
8/7 vs. Toronto Raptors, 122-100 Win
8/9 vs. Orlando Magic, 122-119 Win
8/11 vs. Memphis Grizzlies, 122-107 Win
8/13 vs. Washington Wizards, 96-90 Loss
8/17 vs. Philadelphia 76ers, Gm. 1 6:30 p.m. ET ESPN
8/19 vs. Philadelphia 76ers, Gm. 2 6:30 p.m. ET TNT
8/21 vs. Philadelphia 76ers, Gm. 3 6:30 p.m. ET TNT
8/23 vs. Philadelphia 76ers, Gm. 4 1 p.m. ET ABC
8/25 vs. Philadelphia 76ers, if necessary Gm. 5 TBD
8/27 vs. Philadelphia 76ers, if necessary Gm. 6 TBD ESPN
8/29 vs. Philadelphia 76ers, if necessary Gm. 7 TBD TNT

Philadelphia 76ers
8/1 vs. Indiana Pacers, 127-121 Loss
8/3 vs. San Antonio Spurs, 132-130 Win
8/5 vs. Washington Wizards, 107-98 Win
8/7 vs. Orlando Magic, 108-101 Win
8/9 vs. Portland Trailblazers, 124-121 Loss
8/11 vs. Phoenix Suns, 130-117 Loss
8/12 vs. Toronto Raptors, 125-121 Loss
8/14 vs. Houston Rockets, 134-96 Win
8/17 vs. Boston Celtics, Gm. 1 6:30 p.m. ET ESPN
8/19 vs. Boston Celtics, Gm. 2 6:30 p.m. ET TNT
8/21 vs. Boston Celtics, Gm. 3 6:30 p.m. ET TNT
8/23 vs. Boston Celtics, Gm. 4 1 p.m. ET ABC
8/25 vs. Boston Celtics, if necessary Gm. 5 TBD
8/27 vs. Boston Celtics, if necessary Gm. 6 TBD ESPN
8/29 vs. Boston Celtics, if necessary Gm. 7 TBD TNT

Washington Wizards
7/31 vs. Phoenix Suns, 125-112 Loss
8/2 vs. Brooklyn Nets, 118-110 Loss
8/3 vs. Indiana Pacers, 111-100 Loss
8/5 vs. Philadelphia 76ers, 107-98 Loss
8/7 vs. New Orleans Pelicans, 118-107 Loss
8/9 vs. Oklahoma City Thunder, 121-103 Loss
8/11 vs. Milwaukee Bucks, 126-113 Loss
8/13 vs. Boston Celtics, 96-90 Win

Miami Heat
8/1 vs. Denver Nuggets, 125-105 Win
8/3 vs. Toronto Raptors, 107-103 Loss
8/4 vs. Boston Celtics, 112-106 Win
8/6 vs. Milwaukee Bucks, 130-116 Loss
8/8 vs. Phoenix Suns, 119-112 Loss
8/10 vs. Indiana Pacers, 114-92 Win
8/12 vs. Oklahoma City Thunder, 116-115 Loss
8/14 vs. Indiana Pacers, 109-92 Loss
8/18 vs. Indiana Pacers, Gm. 1 4 p.m. ET TNT
8/20 vs. Indiana Pacers, Gm. 2 1 p.m. ET ESPN
8/22 vs. Indiana Pacers, Gm. 3 3:30 p.m. ET TNT
8/24 vs. Indiana Pacers, Gm. 4 6:30 p.m. ET TNT
8/26 vs. Indiana Pacers, if necessary Gm. 5 TBD
8/28 vs. Indiana Pacers, if necessary Gm. 6 TBD
8/30 vs. Indiana Pacers, if necessary Gm. 7 TBD

UT Athletics
Keith Urban Reveals Mystery Collaborators on Upcoming Album

Keith Urban Reveals Mystery Collaborators on Upcoming Album

Posted on August 17, 2020

On Aug, 5, Keith Urban shared a photo via social media of the track list for his upcoming 11th studio album, The Speed of Now: Part I, which drops on Sept. 18.

The photo depicted the titles of the album’s 16 tracks, but redacted the names of the two artists featured on Track 1, “Out of the Cage,” as well the artist collaborating on Track 2, “One Too Many,” which was billed as a duet.

On Aug. 17, Keith revealed the names of his mystery collaborators.

“Out of the Cage” features Breland and guitarist Nile Rodgers, while “One Too Many” is a duet with pop star Pink.

“When I collaborate, I’m always looking for that ‘third thing,’” says Keith. “There’s what I do, there’s what my collaborator does, and then there’s this ‘third thing’ that I’m most curious about. That’s what interests me the most—when the sum of the parts becomes even more than what I envisioned. That’s what I love so much about it—finding common ground, shaping it and bringing it together.”

Keith’s upcoming album also includes his 2019 single, “We Were,” which features vocals from one of the tune’s songwriters, Eric Church.

The Speed of Now: Part I will follow Keith’s 2018 album, Graffiti U, which debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart.

The Speed of Now: Part I Track List
  1. “Out of the Cage” feat. Breland and Nile Rodgers
  2. “One Two Many” duet with Pink
  3. “Live With”
  4. “Superman”
  5. “Change Your Mind”
  6. “Forever”
  7. “Say Something”
  8. “Soul Food”
  9. “Ain’t It Like a Woman”
  10. “With You”
  11. “Tumbleweed”
  12. “God Whispered Your Name”
  13. “Polaroid”
  14. “Better Than I Am”
  15. “We Were”
  16. “We Were” feat. Eric Church

photo by TCD

$5,000 Reward Offered in Death of Knoxville Woman

$5,000 Reward Offered in Death of Knoxville Woman

Posted on August 17, 2020

The family is offering a $5,000 reward after the death of a Knoxville woman earlier this year.

24-year-old Aseal Iysheh was shot to death June 11th outside the BJ’s Food Mart on Magnolia. She was found in the parking lot shot multiple times.

So far no arrests have been made, but investigators believe there were several witnesses who haven’t come forward.

The reward is for information that leads to the identity, arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for Aseal’s murder.

If you have information relevant to the investigation you’re urged to call Investigator Jason Booker at 865-215-7320 or the KPD Crime and Drug Hotline at 865-215-7212. You can email tips to [email protected].

TBI Investigating Officer Involved Shooting in Oak Ridge

TBI Investigating Officer Involved Shooting in Oak Ridge

Posted on August 17, 2020

The TBI is investigating after a man was shot and killed by police Saturday night.

Oak Ridge Police got a call of a man in need of assistance around 9:30 p.m. at a home on the 100 block of Briar Road. Officers say they found 41-year-old Fred John Henry Arcera armed with two knifes.

Officials say he came at officers who shot him. Arcera was pronounced dead on the scene. No officers were injured. The TBI is handling the investigation.

Watch Eric Church Lay the Hammer Down in New Studio Performance Video for “Bad Mother Trucker”

Watch Eric Church Lay the Hammer Down in New Studio Performance Video for “Bad Mother Trucker”

Posted on August 17, 2020

Eric Church dropped a new studio performance video for his recently released song, “Bad Mother Trucker.”

The new clip features Eric and his crew, including longtime backup singer Joanna Cotten, getting after it in the studio.

Penned by Eric, Casey Beathard, Luke Dick and Jeremy Spillman and produced by Jay Joyce, “Bad Mother Trucker” follows the recent release of Eric’s new single, “Stick That in Your Country Song.”

“Bad Mother Trucker” finds Eric crooning about a female truck driver who “was hell on wheels.” The new music follows Eric’s most recent project, 2018’s Desperate Man, his sixth studio album.

Watch Eric’s new video below.

photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium Profiled on “CBS Sunday Morning” [Watch]

Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium Profiled on “CBS Sunday Morning” [Watch]

Posted on August 17, 2020

Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium was profiled on CBS Sunday Morning on Aug. 16.

CBS News correspondent Mark Strassmann spoke with Sheryl Crow, Old Crow Medicine Show’s Ketch Secor and Marty Stuart about the 128-year-old institution.

“[The Ryman] is my most treasured locale to make music,” says Ketch. “It’s a resonant chamber. It’s like your inside of a violin here at the Ryman Auditorium.”

“[Fans] sit and they listen, they stand and they stomp their feet, and they feel the physical part of music in this room—the part of music that changes the molecules,” says Sheryl.

Watch the CBS Sunday Morning segment below.

photo by AFF-USA.com

Watch Shania Twain Perform “That Don’t Impress Me Much” on “Good Morning America”

Watch Shania Twain Perform “That Don’t Impress Me Much” on “Good Morning America”

Posted on August 17, 2020

Shania Twain headlined Good Morning America’s Summer Concert Series on Aug. 14.

Country music’s best-selling female artist of all time performed a number of songs from her past catalog, including “Any Man of Mine,” “Life’s About to Get Good” and “That Don’t Impress Me Much,” which you can watch below.

Penned by Shania and Mutt Lange, “That Don’t Impress Me Much” is featured on Shania’s 1997 album, Come On Over.

photo by JPA, AFF-USA.com

Vols Set To Open Practice Monday, 2020 Schedule To Be Unveiled

Vols Set To Open Practice Monday, 2020 Schedule To Be Unveiled

Posted on August 16, 2020
Neyland Stadium in Knoxville / Credit: UT Athletics

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – For the first time since early March, Tennessee football will hold an official practice as the Volunteers open preseason workouts on Monday afternoon in preparation for the 2020 season.

In addition, dates for the 2020 schedule, which begins Sept. 26, will be unveiled on SEC Network at 7 p.m. ET Monday. The Week 1 schedule of games will be announced at 3 p.m. ET on The Paul Finebaum Show. Tennessee’s 10-game conference-only slate includes home games against Alabama, Florida, Kentucky, Missouri and Texas A&M and road tilts against Arkansas, Auburn, Georgia, South Carolina and Vanderbilt.

Earlier this month, the SEC announced a Sept. 26 start date as the league and its 14 members continue to monitor developments related to COVID-19.

Third-year head coach Jeremy Pruitt‘s Vols return 16 starters and 51 letterwinners from a team that carries a six-game winning streak into the fall. Monday will serve as Tennessee’s first practice since March 12. The Vols got two practices in during the spring prior to the COVID-19 shutdown.

Tennessee has spent much of the month conducting walkthroughs, meetings and strength and conditioning activities. Monday marks the first day for SEC schools to conduct their first allowable practice.

Pruitt will address members of the media via Zoom following practice and the archived video and quotes will be available on utsports.com.

-UT Athletics

SEC to announce 2020 Football schedule Monday

SEC to announce 2020 Football schedule Monday

Posted on August 16, 2020
SEC logo / SEC Sports website

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama (August 16, 2020) – The Southeastern Conference will announce its 2020 football schedule on Monday at 7 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. CT on a special show on the SEC Network.

 

SEC Now: Football Schedule Release Show Presented by Regions will air live on SEC Network at 7 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. CT on Monday. Hosted by Dari Nowkhah with analysis by Greg McElroy, Roman Harper, Laura Rutledge, Kirk Herbstreit, Rece Davis and more, the show will break down the 2020 SEC football schedule in its entirety. Week 1 of the 2020 SEC football schedule will be revealed at 3 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. CT on The Paul Finebaum Show.

Last month, the SEC established September 26 as the new kickoff for its 2020 football season to allow its universities to focus on the healthy return of their campus communities and the gradual re-introduction of athletics, as the 14 members of the SEC continue to monitor developments related to COVID-19.

The 2020 SEC football season will be comprised of a 10-game Conference-only schedule and the SEC Football Championship Game is scheduled to be played December 19 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, rescheduled from the original date of December 5. The schedule will include one mid-season open date for each school and an open date on December 12 for all schools.

The decision to limit competition to Conference-only opponents and rescheduling the SEC Championship Game is based on the need for maximum flexibility in making any necessary scheduling adjustments while reacting to developments around the pandemic and continued advice from medical professionals.

–sec–

Tennessee legend Pat Summitt among USA Today’s Top 100 Women of the Century

Tennessee legend Pat Summitt among USA Today’s Top 100 Women of the Century

Posted on August 14, 2020
Pat Summitt / Credit: UT Athletics

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The late Pat Summitt, legendary for her coaching and leadership of University of Tennessee women’s basketball for 38 seasons and serving as a trailblazing role model for women all over the world, has been named to USA TODAY’s “100 Women of the Century.”

The news organization selected 100 influential women who’ve significantly impacted our country for a list to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment. The establishment of that amendment gave female citizens the right to vote in the United States in 1920.

From the world of sports, Summitt is in the company of Billie Jean King, Althea Gibson, Wilma Rudolph, Florence Griffith Joyner, Serena Williams and Venus Williams among others. The compilation is a who’s who of women who’ve shattered barriers, provided examples and created opportunities for those who followed.

Summitt accumulated a 1,098-208 (.840) record at UT from 1974-2012, winning eight NCAA national championships, directing her teams to 18 NCAA Final Fours and winning a combined 32 (16 regular season/16 postseason) Southeastern Conference Championships. Every player who completed her basketball eligibility at Tennessee under Summitt’s tenure earned a college degree.

While representing her country, Summitt earned a silver medal as a co-captain/player (1976) and later led her U.S. team to gold as a head coach (1984) at the Olympic Games.

Named the Naismith Coach of the Century in April 2000, Summitt was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass., on Oct. 13, 2000, the first time she was eligible for the Hall’s ballot. A little more than a year earlier, Summitt was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in the 1999 inaugural class.

Affirmation that Summitt’s impact extended far beyond the hardwood came on May 29, 2012, when she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama during a ceremony at the White House. That honor is bestowed by the President of the United States to individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the security or national interests of America, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.

-UT Athletics

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