Tennessee Vols morning report: Rick Barnes quotes after South Carolina win
Tennessee Vols men’s basketball head coach Rick Barnes speaking after a win over South Carolina leads our Volunteers news for Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2019.
Men’s basketball success continues on Rocky Top. And naturally, that would be the top story for us when it comes to news surrounding the Tennessee Vols right now after another huge win for them Tuesday night.
Our morning update on Rocky Top includes a look back at that game. But don’t worry, football and women’s basketball both make news well with specific individuals, one a former Vol and one a freshman who achieved conference recognition.
Softball rankings and swimming and diving awards are also on our list of things to cover this morning, making for another busy news day on Rocky Top. Let’s get started, though, with the basketball stories.
Rick Barnes speaks after South Carolina – Grant Ramey, GoVols247
Tennessee Vols basketball head coach Rick Barnes spoke to the media after his team used a red-hot second half to beat the South Carolina Gamecocks 92-70. Jordan Bowden couldn’t play because he got dinged up in shoot-arounds, but the victory was still a dominant one. Here’s a bit of what Barnes said.
"“I think we got through the toughest part of being the No. 1-ranked team, I’m talking about the attention around it. We know our opponents are going to be tougher from every time we go out. But there’s no doubt it’s something they’ve never experienced.”"
Cordarrelle Patterson praises Rocky Top – Dan Harralson, VolsWire.com
New England Patriots wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson, who is focusing on the Super Bowl this week against the Los Angeles Rams, had high praise for the Tennessee Vols football program, where he spent one year back in 2012. Patterson hinted that he wished he’d stayed another year and praised the Jim Chaney hire. Here’s a snippet of his quotes.
"“Coach Chaney is one of the best offensive coaches that I’ve ever been around,” Patterson said. “I’m happy for him. I’m glad he’s back with the Vols.”"
Zaay Green named freshman of the week – SECSports
Tennessee Lady Vols freshman Zaay Green was named the SEC Freshman of the Week after helping the women’s basketball team end its losing streak Sunday with a win over the LSU Tigers. She also fought hard in their loss last Thursday to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. She scored double-figures in both games.
"Tennessee’s Zaay Green averaged 14.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists in two games last week. She shot 41.2 percent from the field with only one turnover."
Softball ranked No. 8 in preseason polls – UTSports
The Tennessee Lady Vols softball team is ranked No. 8 in the 2019 Preseason ESPN.com/USA Softball Top 25 and the Preseason USA TODAY/NFCA Preseason Coaches’ Poll. In both instances, they were third among SEC teams behind the Florida Gators and Georgia Bulldogs.
"Defending national champion Florida State begins the year as the No. 1 pick in the USA Today/NFCA Poll while UCLA begins 2019 as the No. 1 team in the preseason ESPN.com/USA Softball Collegiate Top 25 Poll.The SEC had the most teams represented in both polls once again as 11 schools were included in the NFCA Poll (eight in the top 15)."
Tennessee produces two swimmers of the week – SECSports.com
The Tennessee Vols Swimming and Diving program had the men’s and women’s SEC Swimmers of the Week after their sweep over the No. 12 ranked Georgia Bulldogs this past weekend. Senior Kyle DeCoursey and junior Erika Brown earned the awards.
"DeCoursey posted a B-cut time as he won the 50 free (19.91). He also touched the wall first in the 200 free (1:37.68) and was a part of the first-place 400 free relay (2:56.25/44.08).…Brown claimed the top spot in the 50 free (21.87), the 100 free (49.05) and the 100 fly (52.22). She was also a member of the first-place 400 free relay (3:18.31)."