Happy Championship Celebration Friday! 
Listener Watch Party Tomorrow At Original Corner 16: We'll be live watching the action at Corner 16 on Middlebrook Pike. It's going to be an amazing day to be alive and well watching our Vols hopefully take a step toward locking down a #1 seed.
The Final Four Is In Phoenix! Do you believe in 1998 destiny? Imagine the synergy. Tennessee fans could be returning to the scene of the crime ... Could you imagine?
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Our UT Insider Orange Throat Sets The Agenda For The Weekend: Orange Throat
'T Club Team:
Random musings as we celebrate the 12th SEC championship in Tennessee basketball history:
GETTING A GOOD ROAD WHISTLE ... Is the ultimate show of respect and the Barnes Ballers got it Wednesday night at South Carolina. Tennessee attempted 12 more free throws than the Gamecocks and made 9 more. The Vols shot 86% from the charity line, 13 points better than their 73% league average. The performance at the free point line enabled UT to survive a 35% shooting night from the field, 11 points below its league average.
RICKY FROM HICKRY IS FEELING IT ... And so is Vol Nation. His postgame comment about playing for the NCAA championship on April 8 is telling. My interpretation is he wants his team to lean into it and isn't worried about overheating a fan base that is already running red hot. Evidence of the fan base's temp was on full display on the Garza OT Wednesday night and will be on full view at the Food Thom tomorrow and at the Corner 16 watch party with The Dean.
GOING TO BE AN EMOTIONAL DAY ... Tomorrow as the dangerous Kentucky Wildcats come to town for Senior Day. A win would probably be the final step in Tennessee locking down a #1 seed in the West Region. Take care of business in Charlotte and Vol Nation will then have to make the long trip to L.A. to play in the regional at the Crypto.Com Arena, formerly the Staples Center and the home of the Lakers.
SINCE BARNES IS GOING THERE ... I will too. Those fans with the time and money could stay out west and mosey over to Phoenix and hang out in the sun until the Saturday Final Four. Of course, there's a LOT of basketball to be played before that scenario can be played out. If Tennessee makes it to Los Angeles, it might well have to go through San Diego State and Arizona to get to game five of the tourney run.
MEANWHILE, THE FIGHTING VOLTELLOS ... Have the final weekend tuneup with the Illinois Fighting Illini before it gets real at Alabama next weekend. The Vols bombed Kansas State Tuesday and escaped Southern Indiana the next day as Zander Sechrist and Vollie Fingers combined to hold the Eagles to one run. Not sure where A.J. Russell stands going into the weekend and who starts on Sunday.
#9 SOFTBALLERS GET A NICE WIN ... On the road at #11 Clemson Tuesday. Karlyn Pickens came on for Payton Gottshall and pitched six scoreless innings in a 2-1 win. Sophia Nugent doubled in the eventual winning run in the 9th. The Lady Vols host the Tennessee Classic this weekend before league play starts next weekend with #12 Missouri at The Sherri.
Orange Throat'
Matt Dixon called the officiating 'prison yard rules' the other night and who could argue? Anytime officials let these teams play they're going to benefit. Give me the crew from Wednesday over Pat Adams any day and twice on a Sunday.
RICKY FROM HICKRY IS FEELING IT ... Rick Barnes has really fooled me this year. He's not gone there like that on the record with any of his very good teams here. I wonder what that's all about? Could it be that he just believes this much in the Vols? And Rick Barnes called an amazing timeout the other night to stop a run. He never does this. Barnes has also allowed the seniors to have ownership over this team. He should be feeling it ... He's my SEC Coach Of The Year ...
GOING TO BE AN EMOTIONAL DAY ... Matt Dixon had a wonderful point about the career arc of Vesco but the same could be said about Triple J. Both guys had careers that looked so promising and both guys played winning basketball while ceding personal gain to make it better for their teammates. One guy came here as a five star and one as a highly decorated pro level player from overseas. Neither guy realized it fully here though Vesco got closer in that regard. Both guys are massive winners that deserve just as loud of an ovation as DK. I hope the fans in attendance let Vesco and Triple J hear it.
SINCE BARNES IS GOING THERE ... If Tennessee goes into the tournament as a #1 seed they'd almost have to end up in LA in the Elite 8, right? Could you imagine that? As you say Throatie the Vols versus the best in the west for the right to get to Phoenix where that Wichita Lineman is still on the line.
If The Chalk Holds This Weekend Tennessee will have a hurdle in the SEC Tournament in the form of a game that would be potentially detrimental to the cause of getting a #1 seed.
If favored teams win this weekend, the Vols will play LSU/Ole Miss winner. This would be a game that you absolutely can't lose. That's the danger of getting a top seed in the SEC Tournament. Then again if the Vols finish with a win over Kentucky tomorrow and 4 consecutive high level quad one wins to finish the season shouldn't this be enough? Obviously it should be but we'll see.
Do You Think Vesco & Triple J Deserve A Huge Applause Tomorrow? 1st time in program history UT men's hoops records 3 straight 24+ win seasons.
Scoping Kentucky: Larry Vaught Of VaughtsViews.com Stopped By Thursday
Tennessee Is A Game Of Opportunity For Cats: This would be Kentucky's best win and they've won at Auburn and versus North Carolina on a neutral floor.
Calipari Has Grown With This Team This Season: 'John has more of a feel of what he wants to do with the bigs. So he's rotating to the hot guy. Cal has accepted that the Cats are built on offense so the best scoring line ups are staying on the floor longer.'
How Will The Cats Play Knecht? 'I think they'll double Dalton again because they have nobody to match up with him. If they single guard him he'll get 35.'
Cats Are Much Closer To Full Strength This Time Around: 'It should help having Wagner back. He's been really hitting the 3 ball. Dillingham has become a spurt scorer. Sheppard can score obviously. Reeves is a nice player. The four combined for 21 assists versus Vanderbilt. Remarkable stuff from them.'
Vaught's Prediction: 'It will be a better game. I would bet on Tennessee in a really interesting and high scoring game. It wouldn't shock me if Kentucky won and they're playing better than the last time these two teams met but they'd have to really defend at a high level to win in Knoxville. I'll take Tennessee is a five point game that's probably played in the 80's.'
Kentucky Is Better On Defense But They Still Stink On That End: Kentucky is 93rd in defense since the day after the last Tennessee game. And they've improved!
Food For Thought For Those Wanting To Buy Kentucky In March: Our silent partner Y shot me this during the game yesterday. Hey Tony I get that you think Kentucky would be a fun team to bet on in March because they are loaded with talent but buyer beware. No team with a profile like UK has made it past the sweet 16 in the modern era. They are supposedly "improved" defensively and gave up 90+ to Mississippi State in regulation last week. Now you're correct that if Kentucky decides to defend they could turn it up but I look at them as a flawed defensive defensive team. Offense is nice but you have to play on both ends to get through that tournament. Therefore I'm not buying Kentucky ...
Drilling Down Further On The Cats: Mark Griffin Returns With His Patented Griffin's Three Pointers ...
Griffin's 3 Pointers
'Griffin’s 3 Pointers- Kentucky
- HEAD COACH: John Calipari
| 1988-96 | UMASS | 189-70 | .730* | *1996 NCAA & Final 4 standing vacated
2 NIT & 5 NCAA Appearances |
| 2000-09 | Memphis | 214-68 | .759** | **2008 Runner-Up 38 wins vacated
4 NCAA Appearances |
| 2009- Present | Kentucky | 409-121 | .772 | 11 NCAA Appearances
2012 National Championship
Last Final Four 2015 |
| Overall | 812-259 | .758 |
- TEAM: Overall 22-8 Conference 12-5 (Home 14-4 Away 6-3 Neutral 2-1)
Net Ranking- 20 Quadrant 1-win opportunity for UT: {Q1 Home 1-30}
Wins over New Mexico State 86-46, Texas A&M-Commerce 81-61, Stonehill 101-67, St Joseph’s 96-88, Marshall 118-82, Miami 95-73, Penn 81-66, UNC 87-83, Louisville 95-76, Illinois State 96-70, Florida 87-85, Missouri 90-77, Mississippi State 90-77, Georgia 105-96, Arkansas 63-57, Vanderbilt 109-77, Ole Miss 75-63, Auburn 70-59, Alabama 117-95, Mississippi State 91-89, Arkansas 111-102, and Vanderbilt 93-77.
Losses to Kansas 84-89, UNC-Wilmington 73-80, Texas A&M 92-97, South Carolina 62-79, Florida 91-94 OT, Tennessee 92-103,
Gonzaga 85-89, and LSU 74-75.
Stats updated morning of 3/7/24 | NCAA | Kentucky | | UT | |
| Points Per Game | 89.7 | 3 | 80.2 | 43 |
| Opponents Points Per Game | 79.1 | 340 | 67.1 | 55 |
| Points Differential | +10.5 | 29 | +13.0 | 12 |
| Field Goal % | 49.8 | 5 | 45.2 | 148 |
| Opponents Field Goal % | 43.0 | 143 | 38.3 | 2 |
| 3-Point Field Goal % | 40.8 | 2 | 34.7 | 144 |
| Free Throw % | 77.1 | 23 | 75.0 | 62 |
| Rebounds Per Game | 37.6 | 75 | 39.1 | 36 |
| Rebounds Differential | +0.8 | 175 | +3.9 | 68 |
2022-23: Overall 22-12 Conference 12-6 (Home 14-4 Away 6-4 Neutral 2-4) 2022-23: Versus UT: Won in Knoxville 63-56, Won in Lexington 66-54 2022-23: SEC Tournament: Lost to Kentucky 73-80 2022-23: NCAA Tournament: Win over Providence 61-53 and Lost to Kansas State 69-75 SEC Preseason: Ranked 4th out of 14 teams
- WHO TO LOOK OUT FOR: Antonio Reeves— 6’3” 195 5th year
| Field Goals | 212 | Field Goals Attempted | 418 | Field Goal % | 50.7
(6th SEC)
|
| 3-Point Field Goals | 74 | 3-Point Field Goals Attempted | 170 | 3-Point Field Goal % | 43.5
(1st SEC) |
| Free Throws | 102 | Free Throws Attempted | 116 | Free Throw % | 87.79
(3rd SEC) |
| Assists Per Game | 1.7 | Points Per Game | 20.0
(3rd SEC) | Average Minutes | 31.6 |
2023-24: Preseason All-SEC 2nd Team 2022-23: SEC 6th Man of The Year 2022-23: 2nd on team in scoring- 14.4 points per game 2021-22: (Illinois State) Averaged 20.1 points per game (19th NCAA) 2021-22: (Illinois State) Missouri Valley Conference 2nd Team 2021-22: (Illinois State) All-District 16 Team- NABC 2020-21: (Illinois State) 2nd on team in scoring- 12.4 points per game 2019-20: (Illinois State) Missouri Valley Conference All-Bench Team High School: 3 Star Prospect | SEC | UT | | Kentucky | |
| Points Per Game | 80.2 | 5th | 89.7 | 2nd |
| Assists Per Game | 16.9 | 3rd | 17.6 | 2nd |
| Field Goal % | 45.2 | 7th | 49.8 | 1st |
| Free Throw % | 75.0 | 5th | 77.1 | 3rd |
| 3-Point Field Goal % | 34.7 | 6th | 40.8 | 1st |
| Rebounds | 39.1 | 4th | 37.6 | 7th |
| Blocks | 4.8 | 7th | 6.1 | 1st |
| Steals | 7.9 | T 4th | 7.9 | T 4th |
Go Vols
Mark Griffin' 'X' Says
'DEFENSE You've stuck around for part II ... Let's dive in ... Tennessee loses key Tyler Baron, and Kurott Garland from the defensive line. Both were contributor’s last season; a reliable pass rusher in Roman Harrison; a dependable high-volume linebacker in Aaron Beasley who always seemed to be in the right spot; and 10, (yes 10) defensive backs who exited through the portal or graduation.
DEFENSIVE LINE This group from top to bottom may be one of the best in the SEC. Coach Garner plays a bunch of kids and they each have a role. Returners Omari Thomas, Bryson Eason, Tyre West, and Omar Norman-Lott are solid upper-level SEC linemen and lead the group of returners. None are elite but all are rugged and dependable. Two younger players Sophomore Daevin Hobbs, who played a good bit last season when healthy, and freshman Tyree Weathersby, who injured his hip in fall practice and was held out, are going to challenge the returners for more playing time. Tennessee added an experienced transfer in Jaxson Moi from Stanford who was brought in to play a lot. The defensive line will be fascinating to watch this spring. The competition to get into the rotation or stay in the rotation will be fierce.
PASS RUSH SPECIALIST (LEO) You know what you have in James Pearce. Pearce was one of the best in the country last season totaling 8.5 sacks and 13.0 tackles for loss. As good as his last year was, there are parts of his game he can improve and that will be a big part of his spring. Tennessee needs for returners Joshua Josephs and Caleb Herring to take their play to another level much like Pearce did from 2022 to 2023. It’s a big spring for redshirt freshman Chandavian Bradley. He was a highly sought after pass rush specialist in high school who has spent the last year trying to add weight and strength. He needs to make a good showing this spring because 5- star pass rush specialist Jordan Ross arrives on campus in June.
LINEBACKER This position group is the most concerning on the defensive side of the ball. A new coach inherits a group with lots of question marks. Keenan Pili returns to lead the group. Pili has played a lot of football. He is an excellent player when healthy. He played part of one game last season. Elijah Herring replaced Pili and he played a lot of football last season. Herring was regularly schemed up by defensive coordinators to put him in positions that challenged him athletically. Arion Carter is the most talented linebacker, but he lacks experience. He was injured last season and is still recovering from surgery and will miss spring practice. That is a tough blow for this group.
Sophomores Jeremiah Telander and Kalib Perry return. Both are athletic and capable. I’m most interested to see sophomore Demarcus Smith who played special teams at Tennessee last season. Smith was a high-volume tackler in high school and certainly looks like an SEC linebacker. He is going to get a lot of work this spring and will have an opportunity to carve out a role for himself. At this time, true freshman Edwin Spillman intends to participate in spring practice. Physically, Spillman looks the part and is going to compete for playing time at linebacker or as a LEO. Spillman is talented and will be tough to keep off the field.
SECONDARY For most college football programs, it's catastrophic when you lose 10 players for a position group including 5 starters, in an offseason. Except at Tennessee when it’s a prayer answered for most VOL fans. In 2024, all five positions in the secondary as well as the key backup spots will be filled by new players and I’m here for it. Sophomore Rickey Gibson and transfer Jermod McCoy a transfer from Oregon State will start the spring as the first team cornerbacks.Neither is guaranteed to stay there. Both will be pushed by young and athletic players. At safety, a couple of returning players Andre Turrentine, and Jourdan Thomas will start the spring as safeties. Both played pretty well last season when given a chance. More times than not both were buried on the depth chart.
Don’t be surprised if transfer Jakobe Thomas passes Turrentine or Thomas. John Slaughter has a chance to be very good. He lacks experience.
The star position is completely up in the air. Any of the aforementioned players could wind up at star I suppose. I would put my money on true freshman Boo Carter being the starter, but Tennessee’s defensive coordinator simply doesn’t play true freshman. Unless a mass influx of defensive backs is added in the portal after spring practice (which I doubt) Tennessee is going young in the secondary.
The expectation for the defense in the spring is to further develop what should be one of the best defensive line and edge rushing groups in the country; find a starter to line up alongside Pili at linebacker and develop depth there in case of injuries; and find your best five defensive backs in a group of talented but otherwise inexperienced players.
Thanks for reading
'X'
Tony
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