Tennessee Vols morning report: Football pauses activities, time set for spring game
Happy NCAA Tournament day! The first teams take the court in Indianapolis, Ind. Thursday for the play-in games on the men’s basketball side, and it all comes one day before the Tennessee Vols are set to take the court.
Our morning update on Rocky Top includes a couple of media sessions related to the Big Dance. However, we actually lead the day with some football news. A COVID-related story and a scheduling update related to the spring both require coverage.
Beyond football and men’s basketball, there are individual recognitions we have to cover in women’s basketball and men’s tennis. Then we have a recap of a golf event, continuing coverage of a swimming and diving event, another scheduling update, this time in women’s soccer, and finally, a rankings update in rowing. Let’s start with the football stories, though.
Football pauses activities due to COVID – Dan Harralson, VolsWire.com
Less than a week before the start of spring practice, the Tennessee Vols football team has paused team activities. The move is reportedly a cautionary one.
"Action comes after positive COVID-19 tests throughout the program. The Vols announced earlier this month that spring football practices would begin March 23."
Time set for spring game – Patrick Brown, GoVols247
Although the start of Tennessee football’s first spring practice now may be in doubt due to a COVID-related pause, the Orange and White Game is still set for Saturday, April 24. The time for that game is now set as well.
"ESPN and the SEC Network on Wednesday morning announced the programming schedule for its spring football content, including four Pro Days around the league and 12 spring football games for the teams that are playing them. The Orange & White Game for the Vols is slated for a 4 p.m. start and will be watchable via live stream on SEC Network+."
Rick Barnes, Josiah-Jordan James preview tournament – Rob Lewis, VolQuest
With the Tennessee Vols men’s basketball team preparing for its Friday NCAA Tournament opener against the Oregon State Beavers, Rick Barnes and Josiah-Jordan James met with the media Wednesday. Barnes said John Fulkerson is still day to day. Here’s a bit of what he said about UT’s upcoming opponent.
"“They have a balanced and strong inside game, they have good size and active post players. For their guards, the rim is big to them right now. They shot it well, they played well, they played hard and it looked to me like they really extended their defense to get more aggressive that way.”"
Rennia Davis All-American Honorable Mention – Doug Feinberg, APNews.com
On Wednesday, all thee AP All-American women’s basketball teams were announced. Tennessee Lady Vols senior Rennia Davis earned honorable mention honors.
"(UConn Freshman Paige) Bueckers received 28 first place votes from the national panel of 30 media members that vote each week in the AP Top 25 poll. She was joined by Dana Evans of Louisville, Aliyah Boston of South Carolina, Rhyne Howard of Kentucky and NaLyssa Smith of Baylor."
Monday again named SEC Freshman of the Week – SECSports
After missing out on it last week, Tennessee Vols men’s tennis freshman Johannus Monday reclaimed his title as SEC Freshman of the Week, winning it again Wednesday for the seventh time in eight weeks. Monday helped the No. 5 ranked program top the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Auburn Tigers over the weekend.
"In singles play, Monday dropped just six games across four played sets, downing Auburn’s Tim Dollman, 6-0, 6-2 and Alabama’s No. 89 Edson Ortiz, 6-2, 6-2. His win over Ortiz was his 10th victory over a ranked opponent this season."
Men’s golf wraps up Tiger Invitational – UTSports
The Tennessee Vols men’s golf team returned to the Grand National Golf Course in Opelika, Ala. Wednesday to wrap up the Tiger Invitational, hosted by the Auburn Tigers. They finished in ninth place, shooting one-under par.
"Spencer Cross and Hunter Wolcott both finished in the top 20 for the Vols, who shot 1-under 863 for the weekend as a team.The tournament was heavily affected by weather conditions, as play was suspended or delayed several times throughout the week. After completing the majority of the third round on Tuesday, teams wrapped up play on Wednesday afternoon. Each member of Tennessee’s lineup had just three or four holes left to complete entering Wednesday."
Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships ends first day – NCAA.com
In just one contested event Wednesday, the Tennessee Lady Vols swimming and diving program came in at No. 10 in the 800 freestyle relay. The Virginia Cavaliers ended the day in the lead.
"UVA completed the race in 6:52:56, more than four and a half seconds ahead of second-place Kentucky. Full results are available here."
Soccer sets new date with UNC – UT Daily Beacon
Last weekend, the Tennessee Lady Vols’ soccer matchup with the No. 2 ranked North Carolina Tar Heels was postponed. The two teams have now set a make-up date.
"The two sides were originally scheduled to meet Saturday, March 13 but the match was postponed following a positive COVID-19 test among Tennessee’s tier one personnel.The match is now scheduled for Saturday, March 27 at Regal Soccer Stadium in Knoxville with kickoff set for 6:30 p.m., and the match will be televised on SEC Network+."
Rowing comes in at No. 8 – CRCA
Week One of the Collegiate Rowing Coaches’ Association top 20 rankings features the Tennessee Lady Vols rowing program in the top 10. They came in at No. 8 with 287 votes, the highest of any team that was previously unranked.