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Tennessee Vols morning report: Early signing period, basketball coverage

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 09: Tennessee Volunteers fans cheer during the first half of the game against the Indiana State Sycamores at Neyland Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 09: Tennessee Volunteers fans cheer during the first half of the game against the Indiana State Sycamores at Neyland Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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The Tennessee Vols’ early signing period and coverage of men’s and women’s basketball lead our Volunteers news for Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2018.

It’s the middle of the week in late December, and with the Winter Solstice two days away, the Tennessee Vols have a ton of big news surrounding the program. And this time, it centers around the three main sports.

Our update on Rocky Top leads with football recruiting news that’s going to grip the program for the next three days. It started today, and it’s going to lead all of our coverage as well, including this morning report. But there’s also a medical retirement of a player and some serious basketball drama between coaches to bring you.

We then have a women’s basketball game to recap and a men’s basketball game to preview. All of that is at play. So let’s get to covering it, starting with the major football news that’s leading the way in a December with no bowl game.

Early signing period begins – Jesse Simonton, Volquest.com

The Tennessee Vols football team began their early signing period on Wednesday. Numerous players, including most Vols’ verbal commitments for the 2019 class, are scheduled to sign over the next three days, and they are targeting quite a few more guys who are set to commit to a school and sign this week.

"Right now, 16 of the Vols’ 20 verbal pledges are set to sign Wednesday. They’re also hoping to get some good news from a pair of JUCO targets in Mississippi State wideout commit JaVonta Payton and defensive lineman Nick Figureroa.On Thursday, top tailback target Eric Gray — a 4-star from Lausanne School in Memphis — will make his college choice known.Heading into the Early Signing Period, Tennessee’s class ranks 14th nationally, per Rivals."

Penny Hardaway goes after Rick Barnes – Jonah Jordan, The Daily Memphian

Memphis Tigers basketball coach Penny Hardaway continued to go after Rick Barnes Tuesday. Hardaway called jokes Barnes made at Memphis’s expense “low-class” and took offense at the notion that his team flopped.

"“I don’t know who Rick Barnes thinks I am, but I’m not a dude who just likes to mess around about anything,” Hardaway said in a Tuesday press conference. “I call it how I see it. About how he’s trying to make things seem.”"

OL announces medical retirement – Blake Toppmeyer, Knoxville News Sentinel

Tennessee Vols offensive lineman Tanner Antonutti has been forced into retirement after a recurring herniated disc. He’ll remain a student on a medical exemption scholarship.

"With Antonutti dropping off the playing roster, he will not count against the 85-scholarship limit.He’s the third roster departure of the offseason, joining transfer quarterback Will McBride and cornerback Marquill Osborne."

Tennessee Lady Vols fall to Stanford – Maria M. Cornelius, GoVols247

The No. 9 ranked Tennessee women’s basketball team suffered its first loss of the year Tuesday night at home to the No. 8 ranked Stanford Cardinal. With the loss, both teams’ records are now at 8-1. This was Stanford’s second straight Top 10 win, following a Saturday victory over the No. 3 Baylor Bears. Tennessee meanwhile, suffered the loss after an eight-day layoff following a road win over the Texas Longhorns.

"Stanford shot 55 percent (33-60) overall, 58.3 percent (14-24) from the arc and 71.4 percent (15-21) from the line. The Cardinal had 19 assists, 20 turnovers, three blocks and three steals and dominated the glass, 45-31."

Tennessee basketball to host Samford – UTSports

Following their win over the Memphis Tigers this past Saturday, the No. 3 ranked Tennessee Vols men’s basketball team returns home Wednesday night to host the Samford Bulldogs. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. E.T.

"Samford boasts a 10-2 record on the season, with its lone losses coming against Ohio State on the road and Belmont in overtime. The Bulldogs defeated Houston Baptist Monday, 85-61, to cap its best start after 12 games since the 1960-61 season. The offense has scored at least 75 points in seven games, including three performances with more than 90."

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