Today On Rocky Top: 2014 Class Reminds Fans Of Glory Days

Oct 5, 2013; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers mascot Smokey X during the second half against the Georgia Bulldogs at Neyland Stadium. Georgia won in overtime 34 to 31. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

From Bleacher Report

"The six “legacy” commitments in Tennessee’s 2014 recruiting class are going to be instrumental in helping the Volunteers try to move on from this ugly half-decade and restore the program to prominence.For Dillon Bates, Todd Kelly Jr., Evan and Elliott Berry, Vic Wharton and Neiko Creamer, that task carries an extra weight that can only benefit the Vols moving forward.While Kelly’s and Creamer’s fathers roamed the field during Johnny Majors’ heyday of the 1980s and early ’90s, Bates’ and the Berrys’ dads helped shepherd UT through the rocky Bill Battles-to-Majors transition."

From The Leaf Chronicle

"Tennessee opens Southeastern Conference play today by honoring one of the greatest players in the league’s history.Candace Parker, who led Tennessee to consecutive national titles in 2007 and 2008, will have her No. 3 jersey retired in a ceremony before the fifth-ranked Lady Vols (11-1) host No. 16 LSU (10-2). Parker, the reigning WNBA most valuable player and a two-time Olympic gold medalist, averaged 19.4 points and 8.8 rebounds per game during her college career."

From NBC Sports

"WHAT DOES TENNESSEE PROMISE TO DO MORE OF?: Get more scoring production from their backcourt.Why it will happen: Jordan McRae is off to a fine start for Tennessee, but the Volunteers have to get more scoring punch from the rest of their backcourt. Josh Richardson is hovering around his offensive averages from last season — so not much additional production can be expected from him — but Tennessee can count on some improvement from prized in-state freshman guard Robert Hubbs III and his fellow freshman Darius Thompson. Hubbs (31 percent) and Thompson (37 percent) are both shooting the ball poorly to start the season but their learning curve has gone up and Tennessee has to hope that they’ll only improve shooting the ball from here. Memphis transfer Antonio Barton is shooting some solid percentages and there should also be an increased comfort level with him in the lineup as well as the season progresses."