Tennessee
Tennessee basketball vs Auburn: Scouting report, score prediction as Vols play 3 straight vs SEC’s top teams
Tennessee basketball hosts Auburn to kick off the final two weeks of the regular season.
“This time of year, if you’re not excited, something’s wrong,” Vols coach Rick Barnes said.
The No. 4 Vols (21-6, 11-3 SEC) host No. 11 Auburn (21-6, 10-4) on Wednesday (7 p.m. ET, ESPN2) at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center.
Here is what to know about the matchup:
Zakai Zeigler’s game vs Texas A&M was even more impressive on film
Zakai Zeigler flirted with the second triple-double in Tennessee history on Saturday against Texas A&M. Barnes felt the film of Zeigler’s 14-assist, nine-rebound, nine-point game was even more impressive.
“You get to see the subtle things that he was doing with his eyes, looking off and seeing things,” Barnes said. “You can see he is starting to see a lot of things out there and his poise with the ball, waiting for guys to get where they should have been, was really impressive. He continues to understand more and more what his looks are.”
The 5-foot-9 guard is averaging 13.4 points and 6.9 rebounds per game in SEC play.
Where Tennessee basketball is in SEC title race
Tennessee is tied for first in the SEC with Alabama with four games to play. The Vols and Crimson Tide are a game ahead of Auburn and South Carolina.
UT plays all three in its next three games. It plays at Alabama on Saturday and at South Carolina on March 6.
“This is what we have and you’ve got to be ready knowing that everybody we play is just as good as we are or could be better if we are not ready to play,” Barnes said.
The Vols won a share of the SEC regular-season title in the 2017-18 season in coach Rick Barnes’ third season.
Johni Broome is the SEC’s top big man
Auburn forward Johni Broome is terrorizing opponents once again. He is averaging 16.1 points and 8.6 rebounds, while shooting 55.1% from the field.
Barnes said the 6-foot-10 forward is “truly one of the top post players in the country.”
“I don’t know if he is getting the recognition he deserves,” Barnes said. “A guy that can go inside-outside and does a lot of different things for them. Last year, I thought he was a handful for us and we expect that now.”
Will Jaylin Williams play for Auburn at Tennessee basketball?
Auburn forward Jaylin Williams, Broome’s partner in the post, is a game-time decision due to injury, Tigers coach Bruce Pearl said Tuesday. Williams suffered a right knee injury in Auburn’s 70-59 loss to Kentucky on Feb. 17.
BRACKET: Where Tennessee basketball stands in updated March Madness bracket predictions
Pearl, who coached at UT from 2005-11, said Williams will travel with the Tigers and it is “possible that he could play.”
Williams is averaging 13 points and 4.7 rebounds. He shoots 41.4% on 3-pointers.
Tennessee basketball score prediction vs Auburn
Tennessee 73, Auburn 72: Broome is a problem but the Vols start the gauntlet to close the regular season with a tight win.
Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at michael.wilson@knoxnews.com and follow him on Twitter @ByMikeWilson. If you enjoy Mike’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it.
Tennessee
TN Lottery Mega Millions, Cash4Life winning numbers for Dec. 26, 2025
The Tennessee Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 26, 2025, results for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from Dec. 26 drawing
09-19-31-63-64, Mega Ball: 07
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash4Life numbers from Dec. 26 drawing
02-04-10-13-28, Cash Ball: 03
Check Cash4Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 3 numbers from Dec. 26 drawing
Morning: 6-6-5, Wild: 8
Midday: 3-7-0, Wild: 9
Evening: 2-1-8, Wild: 3
Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 4 numbers from Dec. 26 drawing
Morning: 0-7-2-0, Wild: 5
Midday: 8-8-6-9, Wild: 7
Evening: 7-1-6-2, Wild: 8
Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Daily Tennessee Jackpot numbers from Dec. 26 drawing
04-07-08-11-34
Check Daily Tennessee Jackpot payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Tennessee Cash numbers from Dec. 26 drawing
04-05-15-30-32, Bonus: 05
Check Tennessee Cash payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
All Tennessee Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $599.
For prizes over $599, winners can submit winning tickets through the mail or in person at Tennessee Lottery offices. By mail, send a winner claim form, winning lottery ticket, a copy of a government-issued ID and proof of social security number to P.O. Box 290636, Nashville, TN 37229. Prize claims less than $600 do not require a claim form. Please include contact information on prizes claimed by mail in the event we need to contact you.
To submit in person, sign the back of your ticket, fill out a winner claim form and deliver the form, along with the ticket and government-issued ID and proof of social security number to any of these locations:
Nashville Headquarters & Claim Center: 26 Century Blvd., Nashville, TN 37214, 615-254-4946 in the (615) and (629) area, 901-466-4946 in the (901) area, 865-512-4946 in the (865) area, 423-939-7529 in the (423) area or 1-877-786-7529 (all other areas in Tennessee). Outside Tennessee, dial 615-254-4946. Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes of any amount.
Knoxville District Office: Cedar Springs Shopping Center, 9298 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37922, (865) 251-1900. Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $199,999.
Chattanooga District Office: 2020 Gunbarrel Rd., Suite 106, Chattanooga, TN 37421, (423) 308-3610. Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $199,999.
Memphis District Office: Chiles Plaza, 7424 U.S. Highway 64, Suite 104, Memphis, TN 38133, (901) 322-8520. Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $199,999.
Check previous winning numbers and payouts at https://tnlottery.com/.
When are the Tennessee Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10:00 p.m. CT Tuesday and Friday.
- Cash4Life: 9:15 p.m. CT daily.
- Cash 3, 4: Daily at 9:28 a.m. (Morning) and 12:28 p.m. CT (Midday), except for Sunday. Evening game daily, seven days a week, at 6:28 p.m. CT.
- Daily Tennessee Jackpot: 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
- Tennessee Cash: 10:34 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
- Powerball Double Play: 10:30 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Tennessean editor. You can send feedback using this form.
Tennessee
Tennessee wildlife agency concludes extensive investigation on illegal poaching activity
WILSON, RUTHERFORD COS. — The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) said on Tuesday that it concluded an extensive investigation on illegal poaching activity.
The agency said the investigation started in 2024 following a citizen tip that ultimately led to the discovery of violations throughout Wilson and Rutherford counties.
Officials said they discovered “multiple violations involving the illegal take of white-tailed deer and the unlawful sale and bartering of deer meat.”
TWRA said they seized 50 deer heads and 50 deer heads and antlers, a wild turkey head, an illegally possessed fox squirrel, and several weapons used in the poaching violations.
Officials said two people pleaded guilty to offenses related to the illegal activity.
One person, in addition to the guilty plea of multiple offenses, was also banned for life from hunting, fishing, trapping and entering TWRA-managed lands, and received a $15,000 fine with 60 days behind bars.
The other person received a ‘three-year privilege revocation,’ according to officials.
Tenn. AG sues towing company for ‘deceptive and unfair business practices’
Recently while home sick, I got to watch the news just like you — a viewer! And I have to brag on my co-workers. Not only are they great people and journalists, but they are also tremendous advocates. Look no further than the recent reporting by Amanda Roberts and Jennifer Kraus. This kind of reporting takes dogged commitment. To us, it’s always more than a story; this is our home too.
– Carrie Sharp
Tennessee
Tennessee to launch first-in-the-nation domestic violence offender registry Jan. 1
Tennessee will become the first state in the nation to launch a public domestic violence offender registry, a new tool supporters say could help prevent future violence by making repeat abusers easier to identify.
The registry, created under Savanna’s Law, takes effect Jan. 1 and applies to people convicted of domestic violence offenses at least twice. It is named after Savanna Puckett, a Robertson County sheriff’s deputy who was found shot to death inside her burning home in 2022.
Puckett, 22, died at the hands of her ex-boyfriend James Jackson Conn, who pleaded guilty to first-degree premeditated murder, among other charges, and is serving a life sentence.
It wasn’t until after the tragedy that investigators discovered Conn had a history of domestic violence and stalking.
“Tennessee is number four in states where men kill women,” said Verna Wyatt with Tennessee Voices for Victims. “So, we have a domestic violence epidemic.”
A procession is held following a celebration of life for fallen Deputy Savanna Puckett. (WZTV)
What the registry includes
Under the new law, the registry will be managed by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and will include:
- The offender’s name
- Photograph
- Date of birth
- Date and county of conviction
It will not include home addresses, Social Security numbers, or driver’s license information.
Offenders could remain on the registry anywhere from two to 20 years, depending on the number of qualifying convictions.
A law shaped by tragedy
The legislation was sponsored in the House by Sabi Kumar of Springfield and passed with overwhelming bipartisan support in both chambers back in April.
During debate, Kumar told lawmakers the registry could have changed the outcome for Puckett, who worked in law enforcement but was unable to easily find domestic violence-related charges connected to her partner before her death.
“If there was a registry for such violent offenders, Savannah being involved with law enforcement would have checked it, and a tragedy could have been avoided,” Kumar said on the House floor.
Senate sponsor Becky Massey echoed that concern, noting that despite Puckett’s position as a deputy sheriff, critical information about her partner’s past was not readily accessible.
Support from victim advocates
Advocates for survivors say the registry offers an additional layer of protection, not just for victims, but for the public at large.
“Victims always have a fear about their offender going back out and doing the same thing to someone else,” Wyatt said. “It gives you a heads up. Domestic violence doesn’t make sense, but the patterns do.”
Wyatt said the registry could help people make informed decisions when dating, hiring, or trying to protect loved ones, similar to how sex offender registries are already used.
Governor Bill Lee signs “Savanna’s Law”{ }
First of its kind
Tennessee is the first state to establish a registry specifically for repeat domestic violence offenders. While a few states maintain broader violent offender registries, none are tailored solely to domestic violence. Past efforts in states like Texas and New York failed to gain traction.
Lawmakers behind Savanna’s Law say the goal is prevention, not punishment, and giving people access to information that previously required digging through court records across multiple jurisdictions.
The registry officially goes live Jan. 1, 2025.
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