The University of Tennessee men's basketball team has ascended to the No. 1 spot in both the Associated Press Top 25 Poll and the USA TODAY Coaches Poll, marking the earliest in a season the Volunteers have achieved this ranking. Under head coach Rick Barnes, Tennessee has consistently been a top contender, maintaining a presence in the AP Poll for 65 consecutive weeks. The team remains undefeated this season, showcasing dominant performances, including a recent victory over Syracuse. Tennessee is set to play Miami in the upcoming Jimmy V Classic.
Baylor head coach Scott Drew praised Tennessee and its coach Rick Barnes after the Vols defeated Baylor 77-62 at the Baha Mar Championship. Drew acknowledged Tennessee's ability to expose weaknesses and highlighted his team's improved performance in the second half. He emphasized the importance of playing tough games early in the season to build team cohesion and confidence, especially with many new players and rotations to figure out.
The University of Louisville men's basketball team is set to face No. 12 Tennessee in a high-profile early-season matchup, aiming to generate local excitement and test their new roster under first-year coach Pat Kelsey. The game, scheduled for noon at the KFC Yum! Center, will be broadcast on the ACC Network. Louisville, coming off a dominant win over Morehead State, will face a significant challenge against Tennessee's strong defense and standout point guard Zakai Ziegler. The matchup serves as a crucial preparation for Louisville's upcoming Battle4Atlantis Tournament in the Bahamas.
Chaz Lanier, a standout senior guard from North Florida, has committed to transfer to Tennessee basketball over Kentucky and BYU after a breakout season where he averaged 19.7 points and shot 44.4% on 3-pointers. Lanier, a Nashville native, was highly sought after in the transfer portal and also participated in the NBA G League Elite Camp. He joins three other transfers as Tennessee looks to fill its remaining scholarships.
Former North Florida guard Chaz Lanier, a top player in the transfer portal, has committed to Tennessee, citing a desire to return to his home state and play under coach Rick Barnes. Lanier, who averaged 19.7 points per game last season, chose Tennessee over Kentucky and BYU. He will withdraw from the NBA draft to join a Tennessee team that recently won the SEC regular-season championship and reached the Elite Eight.
North Florida star guard Chaz Lanier has committed to Tennessee over BYU and Kentucky, filling a key roster spot for the Vols. Lanier, a highly efficient scorer, averaged 19.7 points per game last season and is expected to withdraw from the NBA Draft to use his final year of college eligibility at Tennessee.
Purdue's Zach Edey, who scored 40 points in the Elite Eight win against Tennessee, took a swipe at those who overlooked him, including Tennessee coach Rick Barnes. Edey, a 7-foot-4 center, expressed satisfaction at proving doubters wrong and is now a frontrunner for the Naismith Award. Purdue coach Matt Painter reflected on the team's turnaround from last year's loss, and the team is set to face No. 11 N.C. State in the next round of the NCAA Tournament.
Purdue star Zach Edey, who scored 40 points and grabbed 16 rebounds in a game against Tennessee, expressed feeling overlooked by coaches, specifically mentioning Rick Barnes of Tennessee, despite being a three-star recruit. Edey, now a 7-foot-4 center, has led Purdue to the Final Four and is a strong contender for National Player of the Year, averaging 25 points and 12.2 rebounds per game this season.
Purdue's Zach Edey, a once-overlooked three-star recruit, has emerged as a standout player, leading his team to the Final Four and calling out Tennessee's Rick Barnes for doubting him. Despite his unconventional path to basketball and questions about his game translating to the pros, Edey's dominant performance in the NCAA tournament has silenced his doubters and propelled Purdue's redemption journey.
Tennessee coach Rick Barnes provided an optimistic update on wing Santiago Vescovi's health, indicating that Vescovi is expected to play in the Elite Eight clash against Purdue after missing the Sweet 16 game due to illness. Vescovi's defensive contributions are crucial for Tennessee, and his potential return would be significant for the team's matchup against Purdue's strong perimeter shooters.
Tennessee basketball's Dalton Knecht's clutch free throws, inspired by a lesson from coach Rick Barnes, helped the team secure a 62-58 win against Texas and advance to the Sweet 16 in the 2024 NCAA Tournament. Barnes' wisdom on the size of a basketball hoop and guidance on free-throw technique proved crucial as Knecht, who had been struggling with free throws, confidently sank four crucial shots in the final 10 seconds. Knecht's performance showcased his resilience and the impact of Barnes' coaching, propelling Tennessee to the next round of March Madness.
No. 2 Tennessee narrowly defeats No. 7 Texas 62-58 in the NCAA tournament, advancing to the Sweet 16. Despite poor shooting, Tennessee managed to hold off Texas' late surge, with Dalton Knecht's free throws securing the win. Coach Rick Barnes secures a second consecutive Sweet 16 appearance, but Tennessee aims to break its Elite Eight drought, having not advanced past the Sweet 16 since 2008.
Tennessee basketball is set to face Texas in the Round of 32 of the NCAA Tournament, with both teams aiming to return to the Sweet 16. Analysts predict a close game, with Tennessee favored to win due to their strong defense and balanced offensive performance in the previous game. The familiarity between the two teams and the connections between the coaches add an intriguing storyline to the matchup.
No. 2 Tennessee will face off against No. 15 Saint Peter’s in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, with the game set for 9:20 p.m. Eastern Time and televised by TNT. This marks Tennessee's fourth time as a No. 2 seed in program history and the second time under coach Rick Barnes. Saint Peter’s, known for their Cinderella run in 2022, will look to cause another upset.
Tennessee basketball, led by coach Rick Barnes, has earned a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament and will face St. Peter's in the opening game. This marks the fifth top-four seed in five NCAA Tournament appearances under Barnes. The team's strong performance in the regular season, including standout road wins and home victories, contributed to their high seeding. Tennessee has a history of reaching the Sweet 16 but has yet to make it to a Final Four in its 26 NCAA Tournament appearances.
