Tennessee Vols morning report: COVID-19 again alters NCAA calendar
The effect on the Tennessee Vols of the NCAA changing some dates due to coronavirus leads our Volunteers news for Thursday, May 14, 2020.
While some states reopen, there is more COVID-19 news related to the NCAA that further puts into question what will happen the next academic year. It could also relate to the Tennessee Vols in a few ways.
Our morning update on Rocky Top leads with NCAA news that was released Wednesday and how it could relate to UT. However, amidst the uncertainty, there are also some exciting things related to the program, particularly in men’s basketball, which we’ll also touch on.
SEC honors in men’s golf along with a couple of nominees for a specific award also are part of our coverage. So there is plenty of news to get to this Thursday. Let’s start things off, though, with what has everybody interested.
NCAA extends recruiting dead period – Kyle Boone, CBSSports.com
As the coronavirus outbreak continues to affect NCAA dates, the organization extended the recruiting dead period through June 30. Such a decision definitely puts college sports for 2020-2021 in limbo, as preparations for the next year usually begin immediately in July.
"College football and college basketball are still months away from taking place, but the extended dead period — which means no face-to-face contact with recruits and no in-person scouting — is another obstacle coaches and prospects must overcome in the wake of the ongoing pandemic. Typically, this is precious time on the calendar for college football and basketball coaches to take advantage of the evaluation period. Coaches are still able to contact recruits through text messages, phone calls and written correspondence."
Tennessee basketball assistant makes ’40 under 40′ list – ESPN.com
After finishing his first year as an assistant coach for Rick Barnes in the Tennessee Vols men’s basketball program, Kim English has been recognized by ESPN. He was placed on their top 40 coaches under the age of 40 list. The 31-year-old came in at No. 26. ESPN college basketball analyst John Gasaway provided the reasoning for English making the list.
"Already in five seasons as an assistant, English has made stops at Tulsa, Colorado and, now, Tennessee. As a player, he scored 20 points to lead Missouri past Clemson in the 2010 round of 64, the last NCAA tournament win recorded by Mizzou."
Two men’s golfers make All-SEC – SECSports.com
Junior Spencer Cross and senior Rhys Nevin represented the Tennessee Vols men’s golf program as All-SEC golfers for 2020. Both players made second-team.
"The Southeastern Conference on Wednesday announced its annual Men’s Golf Awards, which were voted on by the league’s 14 head coaches."
Former Vols up for McWhorter Award – UTSports.com
Aubrey Leach and Nico Mascia have both been nominated for the 2020 H. Boyd McWhorter Scholar-Athlete Post-Graduate Scholarship. Leach last played for the Tennessee Lady Vols softball program in 2019 as a senior infielder, and Mascia last played for the Tennessee Vols baseball program in 2019 as a redshirt junior infielder and catcher.
"The H. Boyd McWhorter Scholar-Athlete Post-Graduate Scholarship has been presented by the Southeastern Conference since 1986 to the league’s top male and female scholar-athletes. The SEC will name the 2020 recipients of the H. Boyd McWhorter Scholar-Athlete Post-Graduate Scholarship on May 26."