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Tennessee Vols morning report: Basketball assistant leaving

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 09: Tennessee Volunteers fans cheer during the first half of the game against the Indiana State Sycamores at Neyland Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 09: Tennessee Volunteers fans cheer during the first half of the game against the Indiana State Sycamores at Neyland Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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March Madness is set to begin with the first round of play-in games today. The Tennessee Vols don’t play until Thursday, but their preparations for the event are obviously going to generate coverage when it comes to UT.

Although our morning update on Rocky Top leads with coverage of men’s basketball preparations for the NCAA Tournament, we’ve also got news surrounding the staff. An assistant coach is reportedly leaving to take a head coaching job elsewhere.

Beyond basketball, though, we’ve got a baseball recognition and interview to cover, and we’ve got a softball preview, so there is plenty of news on the diamond as well. Let’s start, though, with the men’s basketball news.

Rick Barnes, John Fulkerson talk NCAA Tournament – Brent Hubbs, VolQuest

As a No. 3 seed and ahead of their matchup with the Longwood Lancers Thursday, Tennessee Vols men’s basketball coach Rick Barnes and senior forward John Fulkerson met with the media Monday. Barnes talked about what the SEC Tournament Championship means about how UT is playing right now. Here’s a bit of what he said.

"“Yeah, I do think we did some good things. Each game had its own challenges, but we did a lot of good things.”"

Fulkerson talked about how the team has been able to improve all season. This is his explanation for why that happened.

"“I would say we’re definitely playing some of our best basketball right now and we’re really meshing and playing well together. As far as us getting better, I would say first of all, credit to our coaches for pushing us.”"

Michael Schwartz leaving for head coaching job – Stephen Igoe, 247Sports

Longtime Tennessee Vols men’s basketball assistant coach Mike Schwartz has been hired as the head coach for the East Carolina Pirates. Rick Barnes has had Schwartz on his staff in different capacities for a total of 10 years at different times dating back to 1999.

"Schwartz has served as Rick Barnes’ top assistant at Tennessee since being elevated to associate head coach prior to the 2019 season. Schwartz, 45, has been with the Volunteers since 2016."

SEC recognizes Jared Dickey – SECSports

Thanks to his efforts in helping the Tennessee Vols baseball team sweep the Rhode Island Rams over the weekend, outfielder/catcher Jared Dickey was named SEC Freshman of the Week Monday. It’s the second time he won the award.

"Tennessee’s Jared Dickey led the SEC last week in hits (11), runs scored (11) and total bases (25) while also tying for the SEC lead with one triple. Dickey had four multi-hit games and recorded at least one base hit in all five of the Vols’ games last week, helping lead them to a perfect 5-0 record."

Baseball set for Eastern Kentucky – Dan Harralson, VolsWire

Ahead of SEC play this weekend, Tennessee baseball, now 15-1, and has a midweek matchup at home Tuesday with the 11-6 Eastern Kentucky Colonels. The first pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. ET.

"The game will be streamed on WatchESPN.com and the ESPN app. Andy Brock will provide play-by-play commentary."

Softball set for Memphis – UTSports

Coming off a huge doubleheader sweep at the Missouri Tigers Sunday to open SEC play, the Tennessee Lady Vols softball team will face the Memphis Tigers in Columbia, Tenn., just outside of Nashville, for a midweek matchup Tuesday known as the Midstate Classic. UT enters the event at 18-6 and on a nine-game winning streak. The first pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. ET.

"Memphis enters the in-state bout with a 9-15 record on the season under 11th year head coach Natalie Poole. The Tigers most recently hosted the UofM Softball Tournament, going 1-3 this past weekend with a 2-1 win over South Dakota to round out the event on Sunday."

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