Tennessee Vols morning report: Kellie Harper talks Auburn, injuries

As the Tennessee Vols men’s basketball team gets set to take the court again Wednesday with a matchup against the Florida Gators, the women’s basketball team made all the news Tuesday. Much of it wasn’t good, but there’s no way to avoid covering it.

Our morning update on Rocky Top leads with the coverage surrounding the Lady Vols. We have a standard weekly press conference to cover that comes with a devastating injury. However, on player being on an awards watch list and a signee earning a big honor also made news.

Beyond women’s basketball, men’s tennis may have had the best news of the day, which we’ll cover in our recap portion of today’s updates. Swimming and diving also had multiple people recognized, so we’ll touch on that too. Let’s dive in with the Lady Vols first.

Kellie Harper looks ahead to Auburn, talks injuries – Jack Foster, SI.com

Coming off their huge win over the Georgia Bulldogs Sunday, the Tennessee Lady Vols are now 18-1 and ranked No. 4 in the AP Poll and No. 5 in the Coaches Poll. With a trip to the Auburn Tigers set for Thursday, Kellie Harper spoke with the media Tuesday and confirmed devastating news: Keyen Green is out for the year with a torn ACL. Here’s a bit of what else she said.

"Well, we just watched film from Georgia, and you’re not going to say so because you guys pick up the stat sheet, but I think we can do a better job rebounding. I know, I know, I know right? I think we can be a little bit better offensively with our efficiency, and maybe a little more consistent there. I think defensively we can do a better job avoiding screens"

Tamari Key on Defensive Player of the Year watch list – NaismithTrophy.com

As the nation’s leader in blocks per game with 3.84, Lady Vols junior center Tamari Key has been named to the Naismith Women’s Defensive Player of the Year Watch List. One of 15 players on the list, Key is also averaging 10.1 points and 8.4 rebounds on the year.

"Named in honor of Dr. James Naismith, the creator of the game of basketball, the first Naismith trophy was awarded in 1969 to UCLA’s Lew Alcindor, later known as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The trophy was sculpted by Marty C. Dawe of Atlanta and has become among the most prestigious national honors awarded each year to top basketball players in the nation. The Naismith Women’s Player of the Year Award was first given to Anne Donovan of Old Dominion University in 1983.…In 2018, the Men’s and Women’s College Defensive Player of the Year was added to the Naismith family, with Jevon Carter and Teaira McCowan taking home the inaugural awards."

Lady Vol signee named McDonald’s All-American – McDonaldsAllAmerican.com

The only signee in the Tennessee Lady Vols’ 2022 recruiting class, wing Justine Pissott, has been named a 2022 McDonald’s All-American. At 6’4″, she is a five-star, ranked a top 15 prospect and ranked a top two wing across all recruiting services.

"For 45 years, the Games continue to be the premiere showcase for the nation’s best high school hoopers, where they can show off their skills on the national stage. And in 2022, this class is set to make their mark on one of basketball’s oldest and most historic events as they hit the hardwood in Chicago."

Men’s tennis defeats Wake Forest – UTSports

Ranked No. 1, the Tennessee Vols men’s tennis program scored a huge 4-3 win over the No. 10 ranked Wake Forest Demon Deacons Monday. Both teams entered the match undefeated.

"The win over the Demon Deacons (7-1) marks Tennessee’s (4-0) second top-10 victory of the young season.Match point came down to court four, where senior Emile Hudd won a third-set tiebreak to spark pandemonium inside the Goodfriend Tennis Center and give UT its fourth win of the year."

Two swimming and diving freshmen earn SEC honors – SECSports

Following the Tennessee Vols swimming and diving program’s split with the Georgia Bulldogs, UT ended up with the men’s and women’s SEC Freshmen of the Week. Jordan Crooks earned it for the men after winning two individual events in their loss. Ellen Walshe earned it for the women after winning two individual events and being part of a relay win in the Lady Vols’ victory.

"Crooks touched the wall first in the 50 free (20.02) and the 100 free (43.84).…Walshe led a Tennessee sweep of the 100 butterfly, recording a top time of 52.91. She followed that win a win in the 200 IM with a time of 1:57.47. Walshe ended the day by helping UT’s 400 free relay secure the top time (3:20.01/50.99) and clinch the victory."