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Tennessee Vols morning report: Postgames for basketball openers

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 09: Tennessee Volunteers fans cheer during the first half of the game against the Indiana State Sycamores at Neyland Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 09: Tennessee Volunteers fans cheer during the first half of the game against the Indiana State Sycamores at Neyland Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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Postgame comments after Tennessee Vols men’s and women’s basketball season-opening wins lead our Volunteers news for Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2019.

And just like that, the Tennessee Vols have reached the peak point of the year, with basketball season underway and the heart of football season here. Postseason events for other fall sports are taking shape, and all of these things are making news for today.

Our morning update on Rocky Top leads with postgame comments on the men’s and women’s basketball season-openers from Tuesday night. UT won both games, but they weren’t always pretty. In fact, they were at times downright ugly.

Nonetheless, they were wins. And there is other good news, including national recognition for a Lady Vol and further national recognition for a football player. We also have postseason play in one sport to cover and a preview of another spring sport. But let’s start with the basketball news.

Rick Barnes recaps season-opening win vs. UNC Asheville – Grant Ramey, GoVols247

After a 78-63 win over the UNC Asheville Bulldogs in Thompson-Boling Arena, Tennessee Vols men’s basketball head coach Rick Barnes met with the media to discuss the game. Here’s a bit of what he said.

"“We’re counting on Lamonte Turner and Jordan Bowden to do a lot for us, and they’re turning the ball over way too much and the shot selection is not what we want it to be. If you look at our post guy’s numbers, it’s obvious that they need to touch the ball more. I think it’s up to Jordan and Lamonte to realize that we have new pieces we have to put together and fit into what we’re doing, and it’s up to them to do that. Josiah is not going to get settled in until he understands our offense and what we’re trying to do. We had too many guys early trying to make home-run, high-risk plays. There were some good things. Defensively, we were where we wanted to be."

Kellie Harper, players recap season-opening win vs. ETSU – UTSports

In her debut as head coach of the Tennessee Lady Vols, Kellie Harper had to hold on for a 72-68 win over the East Tennessee State University Buccaneers. Here is a bit of what she said about her team’s road win over the Bucs in Johnson City, Tenn.

"“You never take a win for granted, and we’re excited to be going home with a win. Obviously, that was a good basketball team. They are tough and scrappy. I’m proud of our players for finding a way to hang onto that one. It’ll be a great opportunity for us to learn without having to take a loss.”"

Bryce Thompson earns Bednarik Player of the Week – MaxwellFootballClub.org

Coming off a three-interception game in the first half against the UAB Blazers, Bryce Thompson was named the Bednarik Award Player of the Week by the Maxwell Football Club. He’s the first Tennessee Vols football player to have three interceptions in a game since Deon Grant did it in 1999 against the Auburn Tigers.

"Thompson started the game with an interception of UAB quarterback Tyler Johnston on the first snap of the game, leading to a 36-yard field goal from Brent Cimaglia for an early 3-0 lead. He picked off Johnston again on UAB’s first snap of the second quarter, again giving the Vols a short field at the UAB 31-yard line. Thompson’s third interception came on a pass that was tipped at the line of scrimmage."

Rennia Davis on Wooden Preseason Watch List – WoodenAward.com

Ahead of the Tennessee Lady Vols’ opener against the ETSU Bucs, Rennia Davis received some national recognition. The junior forward who was the team’s co-leader in scoring last year was among 30 players named to the John R. Wooden Award, presented by Wendy’s, Women’s Basketball Preseason Top 30.

"The players on the list are considered strong candidates for the 2020 John R. Wooden Award Women’s Player of the Year presented by Wendy’s. Players not chosen to the preseason list are still eligible for the Wooden Award™ midseason list, late season list, and the National Ballot."

Three Lady Vols to compete in ITA Fall National Championships – ITATennis.com

Wednesday marks the start of the Oracle ITA Fall National Championships for men’s and women’s tennis, set to last through Sunday, Nov. 10. Tennessee Lady Vols juniors Tenika Mcgiffin and Kaitlin Staines along with sophomore Rebeka Mertena will compete on the women’s side at the Newport Beach Tennis Club in Newport Beach, Calif.

"The Oracle ITA National Fall Championships features 128 of the nation’s top collegiate singles players (64 men and 64 women) and 64 doubles teams (32 men’s team and 32 women’s teams). In its third year, having replaced the ITA National Indoor Intercollegiate Championships, it is the lone event on the collegiate tennis calendar to feature competitors from all five divisions playing in the same tournament."

Baseball Vols 2020 schedule released – collegebaseballinsider.com

Coming off their first NCAA Tournament appearance in 14 years, the Tennessee Vols baseball program’s 2020 slate has been released for head coach Tony Vitello’s third year. They open things up on Valentine’s Day with a three-game home series against Western Illinois. Overall, they will play 56 games, including 37 at home and four at neutral sites.

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