Tennessee Vols morning report: Trey Smith on Cade Mays situation
Multiple interviews with Tennessee Vols football players lead our Sept. 16 morning report.
Well this is a newsworthy morning in the world of college sports. The Big Ten appears prepared to play football after all, and the NCAA is going to release a set of crucial rulings on college basketball later in the day. Meanwhile, the Tennessee Vols continued to generated headlines in numerous ways on Tuesday.
Our morning update on Rocky Top leads with a couple of stories related to the program beginning its next week of preseason practice. We’ll talk about the details of the practices while also discussing a couple of players being interviewed, one of whom stood out.
Beyond that, there is some news surrounding the men’s Tennessee basketball team that came out yesterday and where they will play certain games. We’ll close with another addition to the list of accomplishments for one Lady Vols legend. Let’s start, though, with the football stories.
UT football begins fifth week of practice – Ryan Callahan, GoVols247
Following a Saturday scrimmage, the Tennessee Vols football team began its fifth week of practice Tuesday. This is the program’s final week of fall camp, as preparations for the opener against South Carolina Gamecocks will begin next week.
"Some of Tennessee’s recently sidelined players have started to return from COVID-19 quarantines over the past several days, although coach Jeremy Pruitt said Monday that the Vols still were missing 34 players during Saturday’s scrimmage. But they appeared to be a little bit closer to full strength during Tuesday’s practice."
Trey Smith, Quavaris Crouch speak with media – Ben McKee, Rocky Top Insider
As Rocky Top resumed practices on Tuesday, senior lineman Trey Smith and sophomore linebacker Quavaris Crouch spoke with the media. Smith made the headlines, though, as he slammed the NCAA ruling on Cade Mays, calling it “asinine” that the people making the decisions just sit in rooms, drink coffee and look at papers while they work so hard on the practice field.
"Smith also talked about what he’s looking to improve on most, why he decided to play this season and the impressions of the Vols’ freshman offensive lineman.…Crouch discussed his relationship with fellow sophomore inside backer Henry To’o To’o, as well as his move to his new position."
Two basketball events move to Florida – Jon Rothstein, College Hoops Today
Seven college basketball events moving to Orlando, Fla. to join the Orlando Invitational includes two Tennessee Vols men’s basketball events this fall. They are the Charleston Classic, an eight-team tournament in November that includes UT, and the Jimmy V Classic, which features the Vols against the Gonzaga Bulldogs in December.
"In addition to the Champions Classic, the Jimmy V Classic, Preseason NIT, Orlando Invitational, Myrtle Beach Invitational, Charleston Classic, Wooden Legacy, and Diamond Head Classic will all be played in Orlando.No fans are currently expected to be in attendance for any of the events, according to a source."
Candace Parker earns WNBA DPOY – UTSports
Adding to her list of legendary accomplishments, Tennessee Lady Vols legend and Los Angeles Sparks forward Candace Parker was named AP WNBA Defensive Player of the Year Tuesday. Behind her, LA got the No. 3 seed in the WNBA Playoffs.
"Playing her 13th WNBA season with Los Angeles, Parker averaged 14.7 points, 9.7 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.2 blocks in 22 games to earn her first WNBA Defensive Player of the Year award. She also won her third rebounding title and first since back-to-back Peak Performer Awards for boards in 2008 and 2009."