Tennessee

Inside William Kyle’s game-winning free throw: ‘I knew he was gonna make that sucker’

Published

3 months ago

December 4, 2025

Inside William Kyle’s game-winning free throw: ‘I knew he was gonna make that sucker’

Syracuse, N.Y. – As he stepped to the free throw line, William Kyle III wasn’t nervous.

There were 13.8 seconds left in Tuesday night’s game between Syracuse and 13th-ranked Tennessee at the JMA Wireless Dome. The score was tied at 60.

Kyle, Syracuse’s senior center, had just missed the first of two foul shots. Free throws have been a problem for Kyle throughout his college career. He had a .568 percentage entering this season.

In his first seven games with the Orange, Kyle, whose shooting motion looks like he’s carrying the ball up a fire escape, had gone 11-for-26 (42.3%) at the line.

And there he was, at the line with 13.8 seconds on the clock, score tied, one more chance to put the Orange ahead.

“I wasn’t thinking,’’ Kyle would say later. “I wasn’t necessarily nervous going to the line.’’

William Kyle III might not have been nervous, but his father, William Kyle Jr., sure was.

Seated in the first row of the bleachers opposite the SU bench, Kyle’s father watched as his son stepped away from the line after missing the first shot.

Any parent who has watched their child swing a bat at a ball, throw a baton in the air or recite a line in a play can imagine the emotions William Kyle Jr. was experiencing at that moment as he wore a replica of his son’s No. 42 Syracuse jersey.

“Initially, it was nerve-wracking,’’ he said. “Just absolutely nerve-wracking.’’

Kyle’s father said free throws have always been a sore spot for his son.

William Kyle III is blessed with extraordinary athleticism. He has a 44-inch vertical jump. His sense of timing enables him to block the shots of players much taller than his listed 6-foot-9 height. He runs like a deer, which makes sense for someone who ran the 800 meters at a national level up until his freshman year of high school.

But the fine art of free throw shooting has been tough for him to master.

“It’s something that he’s always struggled with,’’ Kyle Jr. said. “He’s made investments. Lord knows, he’s put the practice in, but it’s all mental because if you look at him outside of a game environment, he strokes it.’’

Since arriving at Syracuse following his transfer from UCLA, Kyle III has worked with SU assistant coach Dan Engelstad, who tutors the Orange big men. Engelstad has tried to iron out Kyle’s multi-hitched shooting form.

Kyle thought of those practice sessions as he prepped for the crucial second free throw.

“We put a lot of work in every day,’’ Kyle said of himself and Engelstad. “I was just thinking about my routine. I was going up there, make or miss, and just living with it.’’

Kyle had put on a stellar performance up to that point in the game. He battled with Tennessee’s 6-foot-11 Felix Okpara and the 267-pound Jaylen Carey throughout the game.

Kyle finished with 10 points, seven rebounds and six huge blocked shots. His rejection of Okpara’s dunk attempt at the rim was the stuff of highlight reels.

His play drew the praise of Tennessee coach Rick Barnes.

“I like anybody who is quote-unquote an unsung hero guy,’’ Barnes, the NCAA’s active leader for career coaching victories, said. “He makes basketball plays. He knows who he is, and he plays to his strengths.

“Again, I wish I had some guys that understood that,’’ Barnes added. “He knows exactly what he’s supposed to do, and he does it in a very unselfish (way).’’

Kyle had drawn nine fouls on Tennessee’s players. Good news/bad news there. On the one hand, his non-stop activity helped to put SU in the bonus situation quickly. On the other, Kyle would end up at the line 10 times on Tuesday.

He made just three of his first nine free throw attempts.

Syracuse desperately needed a win over a quality opponent after going 0-3 against three top-25 teams last week at the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas.

Syracuse head coach Adrian Autry joked that when Kyle goes to the foul line, he doesn’t hold his breath; instead he paces.

“The one thing about Will Kyle, and I say this all the time, he’s so confident in his abilities,’’ Autry said.

In the stands opposite where Autry paced, William Kyle Jr.’s nerves washed away.

“I’m sitting up there, I’m a man of faith, so I said a prayer,’’ Kyle Jr. said. “He missed the first one, but I knew he was gonna make that sucker.’’

Kyle made the shot, putting Syracuse ahead 61-60.

The Orange still had to survive a Tennessee possession, which ended with Carey missing a short shot at the basket. Sadiq White added one more free throw, and Tennessee’s last-second shot went awry.

Syracuse got the big win it needed.

As the Syracuse students rushed the court, William Kyle III jumped up and down in the middle of the mosh pit.

A little over an hour later, the fans had emptied out of the JMA Dome.

William Kyle Jr. waited for his son outside the tunnel that leads to the team’s locker room. When William Kyle III emerged from the tunnel, his father wrapped him in a huge bear hug.

“I’m so proud of you,” he said.

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Tennessee

Volunteers needed for community-wide cleanup day with Hands On Nashville

Published

3 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Volunteers needed for community-wide cleanup day with Hands On Nashville

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — On Thursday, Hands On and NewsChannel 5 staff will come together for a community-wide cleanup day.

The event, sponsored by NewsChannel 5 will take place from 9:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. on Thursday, March 5 as we assist in winter storm cleanup.

If you’d like to help volunteer, you can sign up here.

Rhori, Carrie, Lelan and Brittany will all be helping assist residents removing and sorting debris.

Important details for those wishing to volunteer:

This may require lifting and carrying objects that weigh 20+ pounds.
Closed-toe shoes and long pants required. Heavy soles and steel toes preferred. Gloves and safety goggles will be provided, or you may bring your own.
Current tetanus vaccination recommended. Chainsaws, utility crews, and heavy equipment will be active in the area.
Volunteers under the age of 18 are prohibited from participating.
Eat before you arrive and bring a water bottle, if needed.

Nashville’s Jefferson Street Sound Museum named stop on U.S. Civil Rights Trail

The Jefferson Street Sound Museum is a great little gem in North Nashville. The founder and curator turned his home into a museum to keep the legacy of historic Jefferson street alive. Now, it’s been named a stop on the U.S. Civil Rights Trail. Aaron Cantrell takes us inside.

– Lelan Statom

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Tennessee

Vanderbilt women’s basketball beats Lady Vols for second-ever win in Knoxville

Published

15 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Vanderbilt women’s basketball beats Lady Vols for second-ever win in Knoxville

KNOXVILLE ― Vanderbilt women’s basketball won at Tennessee for only the second time in program history, beating the Lady Vols 87-77 at Food City Center on March 1.

The Commodores (27-3, 13-3) are the No. 2 seed in the SEC Tournament, which begins March 4 in Greenville, South Carolina.

The regular-season finale featured multiple runs by both teams. Tennessee went on an 8-0 run in the second quarter and took a six-point lead into halftime. Vanderbilt went on an 8-0 run to end the third quarter, then went a 10-0 run in the fourth to put the game away.

The Commodores, who shot 53% from the field, were led by Mikayla Blakes, who finished with 34 points. Aubrey Galvan had 24 points, four rebounds and five assists, and Sacha Washington had 16 points, eight rebounds and two assists.

“The season has been really special, to be able to end it here at Tennessee with a win and secure I think the No. 2 seed in the SEC tournament,” coach Shea Ralph said. “So the double bye, it feels really cool. I’m happy for the team, but we are literally just getting started.”

Tennessee (16-12, 8-8) outrebounded Vanderbilt 32-29. The Commodores shot 17-for-20 on layups and had 27 fast-break points. Tennessee was 10-for-24 on layups.

Vanderbilt’s SEC Tournament seed

The SEC Tournament will be held at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina. Vanderbilt will start play on March 6 and holds a bye into the quarterfinals, where it will play the No. 7 or No. 10 seed at approximately 5 p.m. CT.

Mikayla Blakes stats

Blakes put up another 30-point performance, her third straight and eighth in her past nine games. She added six rebounds and four assists, but also had six turnovers.

She made six 3-pointers, which ties her season high.

“She had 34 but her biggest buckets were when we had to happen,” Ralph said. “Her biggest moments in this game were when we had to happen. That kid shows up every time.”

Third straight rivalry win

Vanderbilt now has three straight wins over the Lady Vols, beating them last season in Nashville and once in the SEC Tournament.

“I think Tennessee is a great team,” Ralph said. “They will be for as long as women’s basketball exists. Playing here in front of this crowd is tough. It’s tough. So I was really proud of our team for being able to figure it out the second half and win, especially here at Tennessee.”

The Commodores have their most SEC wins in program history.

Aria Gerson covers Vanderbilt athletics for The Tennessean. Contact her at agerson@gannett.com or on X @aria_gerson.

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Tennessee

Tennessee baseball vs Virginia Tech live updates: Highlights, TV channel

Published

1 day ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Tennessee baseball vs Virginia Tech live updates: Highlights, TV channel

ARLINGTON, TX — Tennessee baseball is trying to wrap up the Amegy Bank College Baseball Series on a good note against Virginia Tech today.

The 19th-ranked Vols (7-3) lost to UCLA and beat Arizona State for a split at Globe Life Field, the home of the Texas Rangers. They’re finishing this trip against Virginia Tech (7-3), a game that began at 11:30 a.m. ET (FloCollege streaming).

Virginia Tech lost 10-0 by run rule to Texas A&M in Game 1 and lost 15-8 to Mississippi State in Game 2.

Lefthander Evan Blanco (1-1, 2.00 ERA) got the start for the Vols. Right-hander Ethan Grim (0-0, 3.75 ERA) started for Virginia Tech.

Follow live updates here from Arlington.

Tennessee baseball vs Virginia Tech live updates

Sam Grube struck out. Nick Lucorto singled to CF. Ethan Ball was hit by pitch to put runners on first and second. That ended UT starter Evan Blanco’s outing. Blanco allowed one run on two hits over 5 1/3 innings. He struck out six, walked one and hit three batters, tossing 91 pitches.

Left-hander Mark Hindy replaced Blanco. Hindy struck out Treyson Hughes. Hudson Lutterman fouled out to end the threat. 0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors, 2 LOB

Chris Newstrom grounded out. Manny Marin flied out to CF. Ariel Antigua popped out. 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors, 0 LOB.

Top 5th inning: Tennessee 1, Virginia Tech 1

UT starter Evan Blanco made quick work of the Hokies, getting a strikeout, groundout and flyout. 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors, 0 LOB

Bottom 4th inning: Tennessee 1, Virginia Tech 1

Levi Clark grounded out. Reese Chapman flied out to RCF. Tyler Myatt flied out to CF. 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors, 0 LOB.

Nick Lucorto hit a solo home run, driving a 1-2 pitch over the LF wall to tie the game 1-1. Ethan Ball was hit by pitch. Treyson Hughes fouled out. Hudson Letterman reached on fielder’s choice, but UT couldn’t turn the double play. Owen Petrich flied out to RF. 1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors, 1 LOB.

Chris Newstrom flied out. Manny Marin popped out. Ariel Antigua reached on an infield single when he hit a grounder to the first baseman and beat the pitcher to the bag. Jay Abernathy walked to put two runners on base with two outs. Henry Ford singled through the middle to score Antigua from second and move Abernathy to third. Vols lead 1-0. Blaine Brown struck out to end the inning. 1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors, 2 LOB.

Anderson French struck out. Pete Daniel walked and advanced to 2B on a balk. Sam Gates lined out. Sam Grube grounded out, stranding a runner on 2B. 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors, 1 LOB.

Levi Clark smashed a long flyout to the CF warning track, traveling more than 400 feet. Reese Chapman struck out. Tyler Myatt struck out. 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors, 0 LOB.

UT starter Evan Blanco only needed 12 pitches to get through a 1-2-3 inning, including two strikeouts. Treyson Hughes struck out. Hudson Lutterman flied out. Owen Pettrich struck out. 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors, 0 LOB.

Bottom 1st inning: Tennessee 0, Virginia Tech

Jay Abernathy struck out. Henry Ford flied out. Blaine Brown struck out. 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors, 0 LOB.

Top 1st inning: Virginia Tech 0, Tennessee 0

UT starter Evan Blanco hit leadoff hitter Sam Grube with a pitch. Nic Locurto flied out to RF. Grube was thrown by stealing by catcher Levi Clark. Ethan Ball struck out. 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors, 0 LOB.

What channel is Tennessee baseball vs Virginia Tech on today?

TV channel: FloSports app on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, etc.
Live stream: FloCollege streaming (for subscribers)

Tennessee baseball vs Virginia Tech time today

11:30 a.m. ET at Globe Life Field (Arlington, Texas)

Tennessee baseball vs Virginia Tech probable pitchers

Tennessee: LHP Evan Blanco (1-1, 2.00 ERA)
Virginia Tech: TBD

Tennessee in Amegy Bank College Baseball Series schedule

Adam Sparks is the Tennessee beat reporter. Email adam.sparks@knoxnews.com. X, formerly known as Twitter@AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.

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