Tennessee Vols morning report: Hooker, Mays earn weekly awards
Things are really picking up for the Tennessee Vols athletics program now. It’s the best time of the year, with football in the midst of the regular season and basketball now starting. With both programs generating excitement, it makes this time of year even more thrilling. Men’s basketball releasing a hype video Monday adds to the excitement.
Our morning update on Rocky Top leads with coverage of both football and men’s basketball, and there’s a lot of it too. We’re talking the preview of an upcoming game, three awards stories three press conferences and a game time update. This all comes as football linebacker Morven Joseph entered the transfer portal, which we wrote about here.
Simply put, the main drivers of the athletics program are generating a ton of news right now. However, an update on the soccer program in the postseason is also newsworthy, so we’ll touch on that as well. Let’s dive in, starting with this preview.
Men’s basketball opens season vs. UT Martin – Ethan Stone, UT Daily Beacon
Coming off an 18-9 season and first-round NCAA Tournament exit, the Tennessee Vols men’s basketball team opens up Rick Barnes’ seventh year at UT Tuesday night against the UT Martin Skyhawks. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. ET at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tenn., and the Vols come into the game ranked No. 18 in the AP Poll and No. 17 in the Coaches Poll.
"The Skyhawks are the only team in Division I not returning a single player out of 358 schools. Nine transfers and five true freshmen make up UT Martin’s 2021-22 roster."
Kennedy Chandler on Naismith Trophy Watch List – Naismithtrophy.com
A true freshman point guard for Tennessee basketball who was a five-star recruit, Kennedy Chandler made the Jersey Mike’s 2022 Naismith Trophy Preseason Watch List. Named for Dr. James Naismith, credited for creating the game of basketball, the award goes to the best men’s and women’s players each year.
"Each year the club’s board publishes the “Naismith Watch” list that is made up of the top 50 players to watch in men’s and women’s college basketball. The organization also releases a list of 30 mid-season Naismith candidates."
Josh Heupel recaps Kentucky, talks Georgia – Jack Foster, SI.com
On the heels of the Tennessee Vols football team’s huge 45-42 win over the Kentucky Wildcats, Josh Heupel spoke with the media Monday to look ahead to UT’s matchup with the Georgia Bulldogs this weekend. Here’s a bit of what he said about the upcoming game.
"“Great to be back home, been a long time since we’ve gotten a chance to play inside Neyland Stadium. Expect a great environment back home. Looking forward to the opportunity to play well and go compete together.”"
Players discuss Georgia week – Austin Price, VolQuest
As Tennessee football began Georgia week, three seniors spoke with the media to talk about the upcoming matchup: Defensive back Alontae Taylor, wide receiver JaVonta Payton and offensive lineman Jerome Carvin. Taylor recapped his pick-six and then talked about facing the No. 1 team the nation this Saturday. Here is how he described hosting UGA.
"“It is exciting man. It is another week though. It is still football at the end of the day. It does not matter what number is beside their name. At the end of the day, it is who is going to go out there and play 60 minutes the hardest and execute at the highest level.”"
Payton discussed the offense having so much success despite not having the ball that long. This is his explanation for it.
"“All week we are practicing and preaching consistency and making sure everyone is doing their job with the small details/big details. Just going in there and making sure everybody is locked in and ready to go.”"
Carvin talked about needing to control the line of scrimmage when Georgia visits. Here’s a bit of what he said.
"“This is a big game for the offensive line and being able to establish a run game and being able to avoid being one dimensional on the offense. We also need to be able to find a way to make the runs and create a clean pocket for our quarterback to make big plays.”"
Rodner Garner speaks at Knoxville QB Club – Ryan Callahan, GoVols247
Defensive line coach for the Tennessee Vols football team, Rodney Garner, spoke Monday night at the Knoxville Quarterback Club on the heels of the program’s win at Kentucky. Garner is in his second stint with UT, as he coached under Phillip Fulmer in the 1990s. Here’s a bit of what he said.
"“It’s been something that, like I told these young men that I coach, this place is a very special place. I was blessed to coach here in the late ’90s, when that Power ‘T’ meant something, when we could walk in any place and people saw that Power ‘T’ and would fear it.”"
Two Vols earn SEC awards – SECSports
Thanks to their play against Kentucky, two Tennessee football offensive players were recognized by the Southeastern Conference Monday. Quarterback Hendon Hooker was named SEC Offensive Player of the Week, and Cade Mays was named SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week.
"Hooker was spectacular in leading Tennessee to a 45-42 high-scoring win at No. 18 Kentucky as he accounted for four touchdowns and 357 yards of total offense.…The win over a ranked opponent on the road saw Mays play every offensive snap at right tackle as he did not allow a pressure, a sack, or a penalty."
Hooker named Manning Award Star of the Week – AllStateSugarBowl.org
In addition to being recognized by the SEC, Tennessee Vols football quarterback Hendon Hooker was also recognized by the Manning Award, as he was among eight quarterbacks to be named a Manning Award Star of the Week. Hooker completed 15 of 20 passes at Kentucky for 316 yards, averaging an insane 15.8 yards per attempt.
"Hooker, who also runs for 41 yards, records career-bests for passing yards and touchdowns as he leads the Volunteers to a 45-42 upset of No. 18 Kentucky in an SEC road game."
Kickoff time announced for South Alabama – Dan Harralson, VolsWire.com
Another night game is in the works for Tennessee football. This week, they’ll face Georgia at 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS, but on the next Saturday, Nov. 13, they’ll host the South Alabama Jaguars at night.
"The Southeastern Conference announced kickoff times for Nov. 20 games on Monday. The Vols and Jaguars will kick off at 7:30 p.m. EST and ESPNU will televise the nonconference matchup."
Soccer’s NCAA Tournament slate revealed – UTSports
The Tennessee Lady Vols soccer team earned a No. 3 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament. Play begins Friday. There are 64 teams in the event, with the first round taking place this weekend, the second and third rounds taking place next weekend, the Quarterfinals taking place the following weekend and the four-team Women’s College Cup set for the first weekend of December.
"No. 10 Tennessee will open the tournament at home against Lipscomb on Friday at 5 p.m., as revealed by the NCAA Selection Show Monday afternoon.UT enters NCAA Tournament fresh off an SEC Tournament Championship and with an 18-2-0 record overall, having already tied the program record for single-season wins."