Today On Rocky Top: Criticism Brought Vols Together

Mar 1, 2014; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Cuonzo Martin during the first half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Thompson-Boling Arena. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

From the Times Free Press

"The public criticism of Tennessee basketball coach Cuonzo Martin for the Volunteers’ inconsistency and disappointments this season surfaced as a topic of conversations during a couple of player interviews following Saturday’s 72-45 rout of Missouri.And the Vols had some strong thoughts on the subject.Though a couple of players said a couple of weeks ago, after Tennessee lost to Texas A&M for the second time this season, that they paid no attention the external chatter and negativity swirling around Martin and the program, but in this day and age, it’s impossible for them to ignore it completely."

From ABC News (AP)

"Tennessee’s late-season surge has produced another Southeastern Conference tournament championship and perhaps a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament.Meighan Simmons scored 17 points, including two go-ahead free throws with 1:45 remaining, and No. 6 Tennessee edged 12th-ranked Kentucky 71-70 on Sunday to win its 17th SEC tournament title.The Lady Vols (27-5) have won seven straight, including a win over No. 5 South Carolina to close the regular season.“I think we’ve come on strong at the end of the year,” said second-year coach Holly Warlick after her first SEC tournament title.Asked if she thought her team deserved consideration as a No. 1 NCAA seed, Warlick said “I would think so.”Tennessee came back from double-digit deficits in each of its three SEC tournament wins. Kentucky led by 10 points in the first half and kept small leads most of the second half."

From Bleacher Report

"Butch Jones kicks off his second year on Rocky Top as the head coach of Tennessee on Friday, as the Vols open spring camp.What’s at the top of Jones’ to-do list? Quarterback, of course.Senior Justin Worley, sophomore Joshua Dobbs, sophomore Nathan Peterman and freshman Riley Ferguson all enter spring camp with a shot to impress the coaching staff and take the lead heading into fall camp.“Every rep is a valuable rep,” Jones told reporters on Thursday. “You don’t know how many reps you are going to get so you better make sure you make the most of every single rep. Every rep is for a championship. Each rep is for the becoming the starting quarterback.”"