Tennessee Vols morning report: Spring practice begins, Brandon Davis update
The first spring practice for the Tennessee Vols football program and updates on Brandon Davis lead our Volunteers news for Tuesday, March 10, 2020.
Daylight saving time returned over the weekend, the first day of spring is 10 days away, and basketball is in full postseason mode. Amidst all of that, though, spring news surrounding Tennessee Vols football is the big story of the day.
Our morning update on Rocky Top leads with the UT football program beginning spring practice today. That’s not the only football story either, as we have more updates to bring you on a wild incident involving a specific player. The other major news is the men’s basketball program getting ready for postseason play.
Beyond that, baseball and softball both have major games for us to cover, swimming and diving had a big postseason event Monday, and we’re in the middle of covering another men’s golf story. But let’s start with the football news.
Spring practice set to begin for Tennessee football – Cory Sanning, SI.com
Despite lots of returning talent, the Tennessee Vols football program begins Jeremy Pruitt’s third spring practice Tuesday with some key guys gone. There will be 15 practices overall, including the Orange and White game, which is set for Saturday, April 18 at 4 p.m. ET.
"Gone are the sure hands of Jauan Jennings and Marquez Callaway. Gone is the stout linebacker play and defensive leadership of Daniel Bituli, and Tennessee no longer has Nigel Warrior anchoring its secondary. In step the young guns – some of which are transitioning to veteran status. Guys like Henry To’o To’o, Bryce Thompson, Josh Palmer and Trey Smith, to name a few."
Brandon Davis, UT release statements on shooting – Brad Crawford, GoVols247
After news broke that he was shot in the leg over the weekend, Tennessee football sophomore defensive back Brandon Davis and the university both spoke out Tuesday. Davis took to Twitter to publicly deny reports that he may have accidentally shot himself, and the university also released a statement, noting that Davis is expected to make a full recovery.
"The responding officer wrote in an incident report obtained by Knoxville News that Davis “appeared to have a small-caliber gunshot wound in his upper left leg and was being assisted by several individuals.” Davis reportedly had “no idea who shot him or why.”"
Rick Barnes previews SEC Tournament – WATE.com
After a tough loss to the Auburn Tigers to close out the regular season, the Tennessee Vols men’s basketball program is a No. 8 seed in the SEC Tournament and open things up against the No. 9 seed Alabama Crimson Tide in Nashville Thursday afternoon. Rick Barnes previewed the tournament for his team, which is 17-14 and 9-9 in the SEC. Here’s a bit of what he said.
"“Where we are right now, it’s hard for me to say we’ve improved. Before Saturday’s game I felt we had improved a lot. I know we have, but it’s just so baffling to know that we can revert back to the mentality we had. We still have a lot to play for and for us not to respond better mentally is so frustrating and disappointing.”"
Baseball to host ETSU – Ken Lay, VolsWire.com
After losing their first series of the year, dropping two of three to the Wright State Raiders at home, the 14-2 Tennessee Vols baseball team now has a midweek home matchup with the 12-2 East Tennessee State Buccaneers. The first pitch Tuesday night is set for 6 p.m. ET.
"Knoxville has a rich high school baseball tradition and many of those players head north to Johnson City to play for the Bucs upon finishing their respective prep careers in the Knoxville Interscholastic League and in surrounding counties. ETSU has nine players with Knoxville Area ties on its 2020 roster."
Softball Vols to host North Carolina – UTSports
Coming off three straight wins to close out the Tennessee Invitational, where they took four of five, the 14-8 Tennessee Lady Vols softball team will stay at home with a midweek matchup against the 9-13 North Carolina Tar Heels. The first pitch is set for 8 p.m. ET.
"The game will be broadcast on ESPNU with Eric Frede (PxP) and Madison Shipman (analyst) on the call. Fans can also listen to the game on UTSports.com and the UT Gameday app with Brian Rice providing coverage."
Three divers qualify for national championships – Jared Anderson, SwimSwam.com
On the first day of the NCAA Zone B Diving Championships at Georgia’s Gabrielsen Natatorium, the Tennessee Vols had two men, Matthew Wade and William Hallam, and one woman, Grace Cable, qualify for NCAA Championships. They continue the event Tuesday with the 1-meter springboard for men and the 3-meter board for women.
"Tennessee sophomore Grace Cable qualified with a 4th-place finish today. Points from Cable would be a big boost to the Volunteer women, who are in the hunt for a top-five finish at NCAAs as a team.…Tennessee’s Matthew Wade was an A finalist in this event at NCAAs last year, and the sophomore booked a return trip, though he was just 7th overall with the top 8 making the cut."
Men’s golf continues Lamkin Grips San Diego Classic – GolfStat.com
As they get set to enter the final round of the Lamkin Grips San Diego Classic at the San Diego Country Club in San Diego, Calif., the Tennessee men’s golf team is tied for second with the Arizona State Sun Devils. They shot even on the first day and were one stroke behind the lead.