Tennessee Vols basketball coach Rick Barnes speaking ahead of Mizzou and recognition for Jordan Bone lead our Volunteers news for Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2019.
The Super Bowl is over, and National Signing Day is a day away. But amidst all of that, we have no football news to bring you today surrounding the Tennessee Vols. The first Tuesday in February is basketball-centric.
Our morning update on Rocky Top includes a preview of the next Tennessee men’s basketball game and what Rick Barnes said about it. We also have multiple stories about recognition for one player to talk about.
Meanwhile, there is women’s basketball news as well with the Hall of Fame finalist class announced Monday, and in a bit of recap news, we’ll close out with a golf story. But let’s start with all the men’s basketball news.
Rick Barnes speaks ahead of Missouri – Grant Ramey, GoVols247
Tennessee Vols men’s basketball head coach Rick Barnes spoke to the media Monday ahead of his team’s schedule Tuesday showdown with the Missouri Tigers. The game is a return to Knoxville for former UT head coach Cuonzo Martin, and tipoff is set for 9 p.m. with the game set to be televised on ESPN2. At 20-1 and 8-0 in the SEC, the No. 1 ranked Vols will look to continue their 16-game winning streak. Mizzou comes in at 11-9 and 2-6 in the SEC. Here is a bit of what Barnes said about the game, specifically Martin.
"“Cuonzo is one of the finest people I’ve been around. The first-year I bumped into him in Augusta, Ga., when we were checking into the hotel at the same time, and he said to me ‘You’re going to love Tennessee. The people are great and you’re going to love it.’ I have a lot of respect for him. I’m not sure if I should say if he was treated here as well as he should have been treated, because I can tell you that there isn’t a finer man. I know one thing, if my son ever wanted to play for him, I’d want him to play for him because he’s that kind of person that you’d want your son to be around every day.”"
Jordan Bone named SEC Player of the Week – SECSports
Tennessee Vols men’s basketball point guard Jordan Bone was named the SEC men’s basketball Player of the Week Monday for his efforts in leading UT to dominating road victories over the South Carolina Gamecocks and Texas A&M Aggies last week. Bone was co-player of the week with Kentucky Wildcats forward PJ Washington.
"Bone averaged 18.5 points, nine assists and five rebounds in wins at South Carolina and Texas A&M. Bone shot 70 percent 14-of-20) from the floor and 77.8 percent (7-of-9) from behind the arc on the week."
Jordan Bone a Cousy Award finalist – HoopHall Awards
As if being SEC Player of the Week wasn’t enough, Jordan Bone is getting national recognition as well now. He is now one of 10 finalists for the Bob Cousy Award.
"Named after Class of 1971 Hall of Famer and former Boston Celtic and Holy Cross guard Bob Cousy, the annual honor now in its sixteenth year recognizes the top point guards in Division I men’s college basketball. A national committee comprising top college basketball personnel determined the watch list of 20 candidates in October, which has now been narrowed to just 10."
Joan Cronan a women’s basketball HoF finalist – WBHOF.com
UT Athletics Director Emeritus Joan Cronan was named a finalist for the 2019 Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame class. Cronan is up based on her accomplishments through three decades as Tennessee Lady Vols A.D.
"The 2019 Induction will mark the 21st Class of Inductees to be honored by the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, which held its grand opening and inaugural induction in 1999. The Class of 2019 will be inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, receiving their coveted Eastman Trophy and Baron Championship Induction Ring, on June 8, 2019, in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tickets for the ceremony are on sale now."
Men’s golfer finishes third at tournament in Georgia – UTSports
Tennessee golfer Nolan Ray finished third at the Georgia Southern Individual Collegiate with a score of 211 (-5). Ray was joined by Spencer Cross and Sean Wilcox as the three Vols to compete in the 75-player tournament.
"All three Vols placed inside of the top 15 with Ray as the highest finisher, tying for third in the competition. This is the highest finish for the redshirt junior in his collegiate career and marks his first time placing inside of the top five since the 2016-17 season when he ws fourth at the Kingsmill Intercollegiate."