Morale hasn’t been this high in a while for the Tennessee Vols as we begin the final month of 2021. Football has a bright future, men’s basketball is coming off a win and women’s basketball remains undefeated on the year.
Our morning update on Rocky Top involves interviews with the coaches of all three programs in different capacities. One is to recap a win, and another is to preview an upcoming game. However, we’ve also got an overarching interview about the season in one of the sports.
Beyond interviews with coaches, that one to recap a win also involves interviews with players. We also have an award to cover in men’s and women’s basketball and an update on a future event for both programs, so there’s plenty to talk about today. Let’s start with the interviews.
Josh Heupel talks 2021 season – The Erik Ainge Show, WNML-FM
After beating the Vanderbilt Commodores 45-21 to finish 7-5 over the weekend for the regular season, Tennessee Vols football head coach Josh Heupel discussed the state of the program Tuesday. He specifically talked about the coaching rumors linking him to the Oklahoma Sooners opening. Here’s a bit of what he said on that front.
"“Yeah, you know, as you build a successful program with your staff and players, certainly, your name has an opportunity to come up for different openings. For myself and my family, we absolutely love Knoxville. And we came to Tennessee because of the power of the T. Believed in the power of the fanbase. And the opportunity to build something extremely special. It’s a program that is top ten in the history of college football in wins, first-round draft picks. And has been through some uncertainty in recent times. But we love being in Knoxville.”"
Rick Barnes, players talk Presbyterian win – UTSports
Ranked No. 13 in the AP Poll and No. 15 in the Coaches Poll, the Tennessee Vols men’s basketball team improved to 5-1 with a win over the Presbyterian Blue Hose, who fell to 5-3, at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tenn. Tuesday night. Kennedy Chandler tied a school record with seven steals. Justin Powell went 5-of-5 from three. Both spoke after the game along with Rick Barnes.
"Victor Bailey Jr. also scored in double figures Tuesday with 14 points. He shot strictly threes and hit 4-of-8 from deep, while also knocking down a pair of free throws. Santiago Vescovi finished with 11 points and four assists."
Kellie Harper talks Tennessee Tech – Maria M. Cornelius, GoVols247
On the heels of two more Power Five wins in Las Vegas this past weekend, the Tennessee Lady Vols moved up to No. 11 in the AP Poll and No. 10 in the Coaches Poll. They will host the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tenn. at 6:30 p.m. ET Wednesday night. Kellie Harper previewed the game Tuesday. Here’s a bit of what she said.
"“The chemistry on the team feels really good. They do genuinely support one another. They’re all in it for the right reason. They want the team to succeed. You just don’t have a lot of selfish folks right now. And that’s fun to coach, it’s easy to coach.”"
Jordan Horston named SEC Player of the Week – SECSports
Thanks to her efforts in leading the Tennessee Lady Vols to wins over the Kansas Jayhawks and Oklahoma State Cowgirls at the South Point Thanksgiving Shootout last weekend, Jordan Horston was recognized by the Southeastern Conference. She was named SEC Player of the Week after being named that event’s Most Outstanding Player.
"The 6-foot-2 junior averaged 15.5 points, 10.0 rebounds and 5.5 assists per contest, as No. 11/10 Tennessee collected wins over Kansas and Oklahoma State at the event and improved to 6-0 on the season. The Lady Vols also won their third straight game over a Big 12 opponent after beginning the spree with a 74-70 overtime win over No. 12/21 Texas a week earlier. Horston has now led UT in scoring in all five of her games played this season, assuming a leadership role after starters Rae Burrell and Marta Suárez were sidelined by injuries."
Both basketball programs to play in 2022 Battle 4 Atlantis – AtlantisBahamas.com
In 2022, The Tennessee Vols and Lady Vols men’s and women’s basketball teams will be taking part in the Battle 4 Atlantis Tournament at Paradise Island in The Bahamas next year. Both tournaments will have eight teams and 12 games. Play for the women will last Nov. 19-21, and play for the men will last No. 23-25.
"Celebrating its 11th year of elite collegiate tournament play, the 2022 Bad Boy Mowers Battle 4 Atlantis (men’s tournament) will include Butler, BYU, Dayton, Kansas, NC State, USC, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.…Atlantis is happy to announce the teams participating in the 2022 Battle 4 Atlantis Women’s Tournament. The field will include Louisville, Tennessee, South Dakota State, Rutgers, UCLA, Marquette, Texas, and Gonzaga."