The Tennessee Vols football Coaches Clinic and basketball midseason awards watch lists lead our Volunteers news for Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019.
Happy Valentine’s Day! At some point in the future, the Tennessee Vols will certainly romanticize this men’s basketball season. And it may look even better in the future. But in the middle of it right now, all we can do is cover what’s going on.
Men’s basketball stories are part of our morning update on Rocky Top, including a recap of their most recent game and awards news. Awards for both men’s and women’s basketball are big stories this morning.
However, we have football coaching news to bring you too and a preview of a women’s basketball event. So all three major sports are covered today. Let’s get started with the football news and the awards news.
Football Coaches Clinic dates set – WVLT
The Tennessee Vols football Coaches Clinic is schedule for March 7 through March 9. The event invites numerous coaches at different levels to come to Knoxville, and UT has a list of stars coming this year.
"The Tennessee athletic department announced the lineup for this year’s clinic earlier this week, and it includes former UT graduate assistant and current Oakland Raiders head coach Jon Gruden, Cleveland Browns head coach Freddie Kitchens and Indianapolis Colts coach Frank Reich.Jeremy Pruitt and his staff will also be available for Q&A sessions throughout the weekend. The clinic is open to high school coaches from around the area."
Schofield, Williams on Naismith midseason team – NaismithTrophy.com
Tennessee Vols basketball forwards Admiral Schofield and Grant Williams were named to the Men’s Citizen Naismith Trophy Midseason Team Wednesday. The senior and junior respectively were among 30 players from 23 colleges still in contention for the award recognizing the men’s player of the year.
"On March 4, 2019, the list will narrow even further to 10 national semifinalists. The four finalists will be announced on March 19, 2019, and fans will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite player leading up to the final announcement. The 2019 Citizen Naismith Trophy will be awarded at the Naismith Awards Brunch presented by Mortenson on April 7, 2019, during the Final Four in Minneapolis. Only players on the midseason team are eligible to advance to the next round."
Rennia Davis makes cut for Cheryl Miller Award – HoopHall.com
The Cheryl Miller Award for best player in women’s college basketball trimmed its list to 10 finalists Wednesday. Tennessee Lady Vols small forward Rennia Davis made it onto that list.
"The winner of the 2019 Cheryl Miller Small Forward Award will be revealed in partnership with the WBCA during the 2019 Women’s Final Four in Tampa, Florida. Additional awards being presented and recognized at the WBCA Convention include the Nancy Lieberman Point Guard Award, the Ann Meyers Drysdale Shooting Guard Award, the Katrina McClain Power Forward Award, and the Lisa Leslie Center Award."
Rick Barnes speaks after Vols beat South Carolina – Grant Ramey, GoVols247
Tennessee basketball won its 19th straight game and its third straight by 12 points Wednesday, beating the South Carolina Gamecocks 85-73. With the win, the Vols moved to 22-1 overall and 11-0 in the SEC, while S.C. fell to 12-12 and 7-4 in the SEC. Up next for the No. 1 ranked team on Rocky Top is a trip to the No. 5 ranked Kentucky Wildcats Saturday, who are 20-4 and 9-2 in the conference but just lost by two at home to the LSU Tigers. Here’s a bit of what Rick Barnes said after Wednesday’s game.
"“This time of year, there is still a lot of basketball to play. I know we have Kentucky next, but we have to start out next with what we did not do well tonight.”"
Lady Vols to host Auburn – UTSports
Desperately trying to make the NCAA Tournament, the Tennessee Lady Vols return home Thursday night to take on the Auburn Tigers after a 91-63 blowout at the hands of the Mississippi State Bulldogs Sunday. At 15-8 and 4-6 in the SEC, this is an opportunity for the Lady Vols to get another decent win, and they did beat the Tigers, who are 18-6 and 6-5 in the SEC, to open conference play this year before going on their six-game losing streak.
"Tip-off is slated for 7:02 p.m. ET on Valentine’s Day in a contest that will be streamed by SECN+.Tennessee is 12-2 all-time in games played on Valentine’s Day, including 8-1 at home, 3-1 away and 1-0 at neutral sites. UT is 2-0 vs. AU on this date."