Jeremy Pruitt’s previewing the Tennessee Vols at the Crimson Tide and basketball SEC Media Days lead our Volunteers news for Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019.
We’re past the halfway point of October, basketball season is drawing closer, and the Tennessee Vols football program is preparing for the Third Saturday in October after providing fans with a bit of hope last week. Fall has indeed hit its stride.
Our morning update on Rocky Top leads with Tennessee football’s upcoming matchup with the Alabama Crimson Tide on the road. We’ll be recapping what Jeremy Pruitt said about the game on Wednesday afternoon.
SEC Media Days for men’s and women’s basketball is underway as well, and we’ll break down both of them. We also have recap in volleyball and a preview in tennis to bring you. But let’s begin with what Pruitt himself had to say.
Jeremy Pruitt updates Vols ahead of Alabama – Ryan Callahan, GoVols247
Ahead of the Tennessee Vols’ matchup with the Alabama Crimson Tide, head coach Jeremy Pruitt spoke with the media Wednesday about the state of the program. One notable point he made was that quarterback Brian Maurer would be a game-time decision. Here’s a bit of what else he said.
"“It’s that time of year. You get to spend extra time with them. The practices, we take a period out of practice and spend a little bit of extra time with some of these young guys to work on player development, and it’s good to see that.”"
Rick Barnes speaks at SEC Media Day – WNML
On Wednesday, Tennessee Vols men’s basketball head coach Rick Barnes previewed his team at SEC Media Days tipoff. Here’s a bit of what he said.
"“I don’t think there’s any question last year, when we needed a basket, where the ball was going to go. There’s no doubt about that. We had a guy that, two-time player of the year, that knew what to do with it when he got it. I do think right now when you look at our team, the difference will be, at this point in time, we’ll be playing through our guards to our post guys.”"
Women’s SEC Media Day to begin – SECSports
One day after the men’s basketball SEC Media Day took place, women’s basketball SEC Media Day is set to begin. First-year head coach Kellie Harper will take the stage Thursday.
"University of Georgia coaching legend Andy Landers and Florida Gator great Steffi Sorensen will provide analysis and season outlook for the SEC’s women’s teams as they link up with Lang and reporter Andraya Carter for Thursday’s live coverage from Birmingham. Viewers can stream Wednesday and Thursday’s SEC Basketball Media Days coverage, as well as all SEC Network programming, live on the ESPN App. Fans can join the conversation using #SECTipoff20 on all social media platforms."
Volleyball falls to Kentucky – Keith Farmer, Lex18.com
Coming off a Sunday win over the Mississippi State Bulldogs, the Tennessee Lady Vols volleyball team fell to the No. 16 ranked Kentucky Wildcats in three sets Wednesday. With the loss, they fell to 9-8 and 3-4 in the SEC on the year.
"The Wildcats were led by Alli Stumler’s 19 kills while Leah Edmond added 14. Madison Lilley led the way in assists with 42. UK ran away with the match 25-23, 25-17, 30-28."
Women’s tennis to begin ITA Ohio Valley Regionals – UTSports
Thursday marks the beginning of the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Ohio Valley Regional for the Tennessee Lady Vols tennis program. Head coach Alison Ojeda, who is entering her fourth fall leading the program, said that there is no doubt this is the most prepared her team has been heading into an ITA regional event.
"Making the trip to Murfreesboro, Tenn. will be Julie Ball, Callie Creath, Kylie Duckworth, Tenika McGiffin, Rebeka Mertena, Ariadna Riley, and Kaitlin Staines. Duckworth will be the lone Lady Vol competing on Thursday at 2:30 p.m."