Tennessee Vols morning report: Rick Barnes disputes story on UCLA search
Tennessee Vols basketball head coach Rick Barnes disputing a story about the UCLA Bruins search leads our Volunteers news for Wednesday, April 24, 2019.
We’re one day out from the NFL Draft, and although it figures to be a light draft for the Tennessee Vols, that will still involve some coverage. However, it’s a different story when it comes to today’s news, which is light on content.
Our morning update on Rocky Top leads with a bit of Rick Barnes drama. He disputed a report that came out about the UCLA head coaching search, which will get to. It’s actually somewhat interesting news for offseason coverage.
Meanwhile, we have good news on the baseball front to bring you as well, and it involves another recap. Oh, we have previews in softball and golf to get to as well, the latter of which involves the start of postseason play. So let’s get started, opening up with the Barnes news.
Rick Barnes denies contacting UCLA first – Grant Ramey, GoVols247
Last week, Tennessee Vols men’s basketball head coach Rick Barnes admitting that the buyout holdup was why he didn’t leave to take the UCLA Bruins head coaching job. This week, a report by Seth Davis in The Athletic stated that he reached out to UCLA first about the job after their negotiations with TCU Horned Frogs head coach Jamie Dixon fell through. However, Jimmy Hyams of WNML tweeted out that Barnes called that an “absolute lie.”
"Barnes interviewed for the position while in Minneapolis during Final Four weekend, in town to receive the Naismith Coach of the Year award. He returned to Knoxville on April 6 and met with Tennessee athletic director Phillip Fulmer. His decision to stay in Knoxville came late on April 7, after a day spent mulling over his options."
Tennessee baseball shuts out Gardner-Webb – WVLT
The No. 18 ranked Tennessee Vols baseball team won its fifth straight game Tuesday with a 5-0 shutout over the Gardner-Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs. With the victory, they moved to 31-11 overall and will take their 9-9 SEC record to Fayetteville this weekend for a three-game series at the No. 6 ranked Arkansas Razorbacks.
"The shutout was the ninth of the season for UT, which is two more than any other team in the country this season. Freshman right hander Camden Sewell made his third start of the season and earned the win to improve to 4-0. The Cleveland, Tenn., native did not allow a run and gave up just three hits while striking out four batters on the night."
Lady Vols softball to host Tennessee State – UTSports
Tennessee softball is back for a midweek double-header on Wednesday. Their first game is at 4 p.m., and their next one is at 6:30 p.m.
"The No. 9 Lady Vols host Tennessee State on Wednesday, April 24, at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium in UT’s final midweek game of the regular season. Tennessee is coming off a 2-2 week, having won at ETSU last Tuesday before taking one game from the Georgia Bulldogs in Athens on Saturday."
Men’s golf to begin SEC Championships – SECSports
The Tennessee Vols men’s golf team begins play in the SEC Championships Wednesday. Tournament play will last through Sunday.
"This marks the 19th year for the Southeastern Conference Championship to be contested on the Sea Island Golf Club’s Seaside Course. The SEC has conducted its annual championship on St. Simons Island since 2001 (Seaside Course 2001-2007, 2010-2017; Frederica Golf Club 2008-2009)."