Tennessee Vols Morning Report: Barnett & Kamara in First Round of Mock Draft, Gullickson Exclusive

Sep 5, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers fans flies the United States flag and the Volunteer flag prior to the game against the Bowling Green Falcons at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 5, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers fans flies the United States flag and the Volunteer flag prior to the game against the Bowling Green Falcons at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports /
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Two Tennessee Vols in a mock draft, a feature on UT’s strength coach, and a basketball win lead the Volunteers news for Thursday, Feb. 9, 2017.

Rocky Top is back in a good mood on Thursday morning as fans were able to wake up after the Tennessee Vols’ basketball team got a huge home win Thursday night.

But that’s just part of a day that is loaded with news in Vol Nation.

As we get set to bring you the Tennessee Vols morning report, the basketball win gets recognition. So does the preview for the women’s game tonight.

There is also some football news related to the NFL Draft and comments from the school’s new strength coach. And we have some soccer and academic news to bring you.

But let’s start with the football news.

Barnett, Kamara in first round of Todd McShay’s new Mock NFL DraftTodd McShay, ESPN 

It was an ESPN Insider report, but Todd McShay gave some respect to Alvin Kamara in his new mock NFL Draft. And he gave some disrespect to Derek Barnett. McShay has Kamara going in the first round to the Green Bay Packers as the 29th pick. He dropped Barnett down to the Detroit Lions at No. 21.

"With NFL evaluators digging more into college tape — and several players having breakout performances at the Senior Bowl a few weeks ago — our Mock Draft 2.0 looks a little different from version 1.0."

Rock Gullickson ready to lead Vols strength and conditioning program – GoVols247

An exclusive feature on Tennessee football’s new strength coach, Rock Gullickson, reveals just how focused and ready to go he is to get the players back in shape…and avoid another injury-rattled season like what they had last year.

"The NFL season hadn’t quite concluded, and Rock Gullickson hadn’t yet officially traded in the Hollywood Hills for Rocky Top.Yet Tennessee’s new director of strength and conditioning — the ageless one who’s already prompting tales of lore for his ability to deadlift 500 pounds — doesn’t arrive here in Knoxville after 17 years with three NFL franchises by a complacent approach."

Tennessee basketball beats Ole Miss 75-66 – Steve Megargee, AP via Knoxville News Sentinel

Rick Barnes’s Vols got back on track with a win over the Ole Miss Rebels at home Wednesday night in a game that had massive NCAA Tournament implications. With the win, the Vols moved to 14-10 overall and likely will significantly improve their RPI standing.

"Three weeks after Tennessee blew a second-half lead at Mississippi, the two teams reversed roles in the rematch.Grant Williams and Robert Hubbs III each scored 18 points on Wednesday as the Volunteers came from behind in the closing minutes to defeat Mississippi 75-66."

Lady Vols get set to host Missouri Tigers – UTSports

Coming off of a heartbreaking double-overtime loss to the Georgia Bulldogs on the road this past Sunday, the Tennessee Lady Vols are back and home and looking to right the ship against a very dangerous Missouri Tigers team. The team addressed the media about the game.

"The #24/25 Lady Vols (15-8, 6-4 SEC) are back home after playing three out of their last four games on the road. #RV/NR Missouri (16-8, 6-4 SEC) is tied with UT at fourth in the SEC standings. Both teams are coming off streak-ending losses and will look to regain some momentum down the final stretch of the regular season."

Vols have 57 athletes on 2016 Fall SEC Academic Honor Roll – SECSports

The SEC released its academic honor roll list on Wednesday, and 57 Tennessee Vols made the cut, including numerous football players. The full list can be seen by clicking on the link above.

"A total of 1,029 student-athletes were named to the 2016 Fall SEC Academic Honor Roll, Wednesday by SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey.The 2016 Fall SEC Academic Honor Roll includes the sports of cross country, football, soccer and volleyball. It is based on grades from the 2016 Spring, Summer and Fall terms."

Tennessee soccer releases spring schedule – UTSports

"Tennessee soccer will play seven spring matches in 2017, three of which will be against teams that finished ranked in the top 12 in the nation last season.Four of the seven games will be held at Regal Soccer Stadium in Knoxville. Those games will be free and open to the public."