Mississippi
Mississippi State Exposes Tennessee's Deficiencies In SEC Tournament Loss | Rocky Top Insider
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Rick Barnes’ face dropped into his hands as Dashawn Davis intercepted a lazy Dalton Knecht pass. Davis missed the transition layup but Shawn Jones was there for the put back dunk as the first half expired.
The disastrous sequence gave Mississippi State a 38-19 halftime lead on its way to a 73-56 victory as Tennessee basketball fell flat on its face in its final NCAA Tournament tune up. The final 10 seconds of the first half exemplified multiple of Tennessee’s biggest deficiencies on an afternoon that Mississippi State exposed every concern about the Vols entering the NCAA Tournament.
“Mississippi State exposed us in a lot of ways,” senior Josiah-Jordan James said postgame. “We weren’t ourselves today.”
Tennessee was its worst self on Friday, but Mississippi State didn’t expose any weakness we haven’t yet seen this season.
Begin with another slow start. Tennessee struggled in the game’s opening minutes again. The Vols have now started slow in six of their eight losses this season as well as a number of wins. If it’s not a trend it’s at least a commonality in games Tennessee struggles.
“We just didn’t have the energy or the mindset we needed to,” James said. “It showed out there in the first 20 minutes and that team that was out there for the first 20 minutes wasn’t us. … I can’t put my finger on it. It was just a lack of energy throughout and we can’t win games like that.”
Not every poor first half has been the same but Tennessee losing its poise and abandoning its defensive game plan and principles has showed up multiple times. That’s worrisome for a Tennessee team that plays almost exclusively veterans.
“We got away from really our defense being in gaps, trying to shrink the court,” Tennessee coach Rick Barnes said. “That’s how we play. But we got away from that.”
Having talented post scorers has been the best way to crack the code against Tennessee’s stout defense all year and Mississippi State exposed it for the second time this season. Star center Tolu Smith did most the damage in the first meeting but he wasn’t alone on Friday.
The Bulldogs combined to shoot 19-of-25 on layups with Smith, Cameron Matthews and D.J. Jeffries combining for 34 points on 12-of-15 shooting from the field. Tennessee’s Jonas Aidoo is elite at defending the rim against driving guards but his slender frame makes him susceptible to stronger post players getting to their spots effectively.
More From RTI: Everything Rick Barnes Said Following Tennessee’s Loss Against Mississippi State
And Tobe Awaka, the lone underclassmen consistently in the rotation, is Aidoo’s only true backup and has been inconsistent throughout the season.
“The one thing that they did (the same in the two games), the physicality inside,” Barnes said.
Knecht’s late first half turnover was his worst play in his worst game in over two months. The SEC Player of the Year scored just 14 points on four-of-17 shooting from the field and turned the ball over three times.
It’s a fine line between getting one of the nation’s best players an abundance of shots and not being overly dependent on him. But Tennessee’s offense is at its best when everyone is involved with a Knecht takeover serving as the safety blanket when others are struggling.
As of late, Tennessee’s become more-and-more dependent on Knecht. With the Vols shooting eight-of-33 (24%) from three-point range, the Vols didn’t play well around their superstar and the bottom fell out for the offense when he struggled.
Which leads into the looming big question around Tennessee basketball, Rick Barnes and March. Bad shooting performances in big games has been a common season ender. Awaka saying that Tennessee was “over anxious” just contributes to that concern.
Deviating from its defensive game plan and missing their first six perimeter shots made Tennessee look like a team that was over anxious. That’s perhaps the worst thing Tennessee could be next week when the NCAA Tournament begins.
But the positive on a doom-and-gloom afternoon is that Tennessee has won a lot of games and been really good with those same deficiencies all season. And the Vols’ disappointing loss will be forgotten with a deep run in the NCAA Tournament the same way a SEC Tournament Title would be forgotten with a quick NCAA Tournament exit.
“I’ve had teams many years that I’ve been blessed to do this, playing well at the end of the year, didn’t do well in the NCAA tournament,” Barnes said. “I’ve had a couple teams that were limping a little bit, ended up having great runs.”
Look no further than the last two years when Tennessee won the SEC Tournament only to lose in the Round of 32 before limping into the NCAA Tournament and making a run to the Sweet 16. These Vols hope that trend continues this season.
Mississippi
Political speeches happening at Neshoba County Fair. Here’s the schedule – SuperTalk Mississippi
Mississippi’s most prominent political stage will once again be filled with elected officials and candidates looking to make their case to voters during the 137th annual Neshoba County Fair.
The podium, situated beneath a wooden pavilion in Founder’s Square, gained national attention when Ronald Reagan delivered a speech there during the 1980 presidential campaign. In the decades since, the venue has become a proving ground for candidates seeking office at every level of government, often serving as a launching pad – or stumbling block – for political ambitions.
With the 2026 election cycle featuring congressional midterms, this year’s fair offers challengers a chance to connect with voters while incumbents remain in Washington as Congress conducts business. The event also provides an early look into the 2027 statewide election cycle, giving fairgoers an opportunity to hear from current officeholders who may be considering bids for higher office.
Political speaking is scheduled for the mornings of Wednesday, June 24, and Thursday, June 25. Invitations are extended to Mississippi’s statewide elected officials, candidates seeking statewide office, and elected officials and candidates who districts include Neshoba County.
Wednesday, June 24
- 9:30 a.m. — Lane Taylor (R), state senator, District 18
- 9:40 a.m. — Michael Chiaradino (D), candidate for U.S. House, Mississippi’s 3rd Congressional District
- 9:50 a.m. — Ty Pinkins (Ind.), candidate for U.S. Senate
- 10 a.m. — Scott Colom (D), candidate for U.S. Senate
- 10:10 a.m. — Break
- 10:20 a.m. — David McRae (R), state treasurer
- 10:30 a.m. — Lynn Fitch (R), attorney general
- 10:40 a.m. — Delbert Hosemann (R), lieutenant governor
Thursday, June 25
- 9 a.m. — Scott Bounds (R), state representative, District 44
- 9:10 a.m. — DeKeither Stamps (D), public service commissioner, Central District
- 9:20 a.m. — Willie Simmons (D), transportation commissioner, Central District
- 9:30 a.m. — Jenifer Branning, Mississippi Supreme Court justice, District 1, Place 3
- 9:40 a.m. — Kenny Griffis, Mississippi Supreme Court justice, District 1, Place 1
- 9:50 a.m. — Break
- 10 a.m. — Andy Gipson (R), commissioner of agriculture and commerce
- 10:10 a.m. — Michael Watson (R), secretary of state
- 10:20 a.m. — Jason White (R), speaker of the Mississippi House
- 10:30 a.m. — Tate Reeves (R), governor
Republican State Auditor Shad White will not attend the fair due to military obligations. White serves as an officer in the Mississippi National Guard.
Meanwhile, U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith and U.S. Rep. Michael Guest, both Republicans seeking reelection in 2026, will remain in Washington and not participate in political speaking at the Neshoba County Fair.
JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – Gov. Tate Reeves said Mississippi’s total nonfarm employment reached a new all-time high in May, topping 1.19 million jobs.
The state said the number shows its economic development strategy is working. Workforce leaders said the job market includes opportunities for people who are unemployed or looking for better-paying work.
Workforce leaders point to training options
Blaise King, director of strategy and alignment for Accelerate Mississippi, said job seekers should not let timelines or a lack of skills keep them from pursuing work.
“Not everything has to be a degree. It can be short-term training that can get you into work quickly and making good money,” King said.
King said Mississippi is seeing strong demand for construction jobs, driven in part by new data centers coming to the state. He said those jobs can lead to long-term careers.
“Someone could very easily have a career in the construction trades and move up beyond manual labor to the project manager and things like that to really have a high quality of life for them, for their family, and contribute back to society,” King said.
Advanced manufacturing is also a high-priority occupational sector.
Employers looking for skills and commitment
John McKay, president and CEO of the Mississippi Business Alliance, said opportunities exist across job sectors.
“There’s really no sector where there’s no opportunity,” McKay said.
McKay said companies are willing to invest in workers who show commitment.
“They’re willing to put that money on the line because they are really there. There’s a deep need for skilled people who can come in and kind of be ready on day one, and they’re willing to invest that capital in that,” McKay said.
McKay said soft skills can help job seekers get started.
“I will say that employers are most excited about an individual that has the drive and determination to show up to work every day and put in the effort. And so if your problem is you think you have a lack of skill or education, do not let that be a barrier,” McKay said.
While opportunities exist statewide, unemployment rates show an uneven distribution of economic success. The rates range from a low of 2.5% in Rankin County to a high of 8.8% in Issaquena County.
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JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – Eleven people have been indicted in connection with an alleged Medicaid fraud scheme involving more than $12.3 million.
This according to Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch, who said the indictments involve allegations of fraudulent billing, wire fraud, and/or false documentation seeking to defraud the government.
All 11 charged include:
- Isluv Robertson, 36, of Jackson
- Shawncee Vassar-Cunningham, 51, of Olive Branch
- Katricia Smith, 47, of Olive Branch
- Sheila Boney Collins, 53, of Hollandale
- Ahyana Nicole Crosby, 34, of Laurel
- Angela Nannette Crosby, 51, of Laurel
- Yolanda Evette Blackman, 54, of Hattiesburg
- Linda Jenkins, 46, of Hermanville
- Deja Almore, 30, of Yazoo City
- Curtis Moore, 51, of Gulfport
- Taylor Christian Rushing, 34, of Gautier
Officials said the defendants are accused of participating in health care fraud schemes involving more than $6.5 billion in intended loss.
“These indictments are just the latest efforts we are taking to fight waste, fraud, and corruption,” said Attorney General Lynn Fitch. “I am proud to partner with President Trump to protect taxpayer dollars and ensure that money meant to help those in need is not stolen from safety net programs. I will remain laser-focused on rooting out fraud, recovering money wrongfully stolen from hard-working taxpayers, and holding fraudsters accountable.”
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Copyright 2026 WLBT. All rights reserved.
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