Tennessee Vols morning report: Trey Smith, Lady Vols schedule
Outside analysis of the Tennessee Vols football team, Rick Barnes and the Lady Vols schedule lead the Volunteers updates for Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2017.
Analysts covering the Tennessee Vols have no idea what to expect from the football team. That is what leads our updates for today.
As we get set to bring you the news on Rocky Top, expectations for the football team and one individual seem to dramatically contradict each other. But there’s news beyond football to bring you as well.
We’ve got updates on the men’s and women’s Tennessee basketball teams. Let’s start, however, with the football news.
Trey Smith listed as SEC’s top breakout freshman – Barton Simmons, CBS Sports
Trey Smith may play at the deepest position on the offensive line for the Tennessee Vols, guard. But that doesn’t stop the expectations for him to continue to come pouring in. He is now considered by Barton Simmons to be the top breakout freshman in the SEC, simply adding to the offseason hype that has surrounded him.
"An early enrollee, Smith has been a standout on the Tennessee offensive line since the day he stepped on campus. While the Volunteers have found some stability and experience on the offensive front, Smith has done enough not just to unseat an experienced starter but to make that offensive line better in his first year."
Tennessee Vols football team listed as overrated and underrated – CBS Sports staff
Fully proving that nobody has any idea of what to expect from Tennessee football this year, the staff at CBS Sports listed their most overrated and underrated SEC teams. And somehow, the Vols made it on both lists.
"Throw in a schedule that has Alabama and LSU as cross-division games, and the thought of finishing in the top 25 seems pretty optimistic. — Jerry Palm…The Vols have just as good a shot at winning the East as everyone else, and they have a better shot than South Carolina. — Tom Fornelli"
Tennessee Lady Vols schedule is released – UTSports
The Tennessee Vols women’s basketball program released its schedule on Tuesday after the SEC announced its conference schedule. With the non-conference slate set, Holly Warlick’s team is set for its road back to the postseason. Once again, this team has a brutal non-conference schedule, and the SEC schedule won’t make things any easier.
"League play will begin on Sunday, Dec. 31, and run through Sunday, Feb. 25, marking UT’s earliest SEC opener since Dec. 17, 1998, when the (then) No. 2 Lady Vols won at Arkansas, 82-62. The schedule consists of a single round robin (10 games) and home and away with one permanent opponent (2 games) and two rotating opponents (4 games)."
Rick Barnes speaks after Vols’ return from Europe – Al Lesar, Knoxville News Sentinel
The Tennessee Vols basketball team went 3-0 on a trip to Europe this summer. Now, back in the United States, Rick Barnes spoke to the media about how they came together and the outlook of the season.
"Chemistry can come from the strangest of places.Rick Barnes is hoping the Tennessee men’s basketball team might have discovered it on the back roads of Paris this summer.That’s what makes European tours so special."
Christian Coleman speaks to media – UTSports
"Former Tennessee Vols Christian Coleman and Justin Gatlin made headlines this summer by topping Usain Bolt at the World Championships in London. While Gatlin is the veteran, Coleman is the one with the bright future, having just turned pro. He finished second to Gatlin. Now back home, Coleman spoke to the media and clearly is not forgetting his Tennessee roots."
Tennessee track legend and Team USA star Christian Coleman spoke to reporters about his experience at the London 2017 IAAF World Championships at Tuesday’s press conference in the Ray and Lucy Hand Digital Studio.
Tennessee Director of Track and Field/Cross Country Beth Alford-Sullivan and assistant coach and sprints coach Tim Hall also spoke to the media about Coleman’s outstanding stretch of success during the 2017 indoor and outdoor track seasons.