Tennessee

After finally gaining momentum, USI men’s basketball deflates at home vs. Tennessee Tech

Published

2 years ago

January 7, 2024

After finally gaining momentum, USI men’s basketball deflates at home vs. Tennessee Tech

EVANSVILLE — The University of Southern Indiana men’s basketball team, as it has in spurts throughout the season, showed what it could be for a brief moment. The Screaming Eagles were moving in transition, hitting timely shots and playing the defense they’ve been capable of throughout.

USI looked like a team that had momentum and was in the midst of a winning streak. Tennessee Tech had few answers. In a tight game in which neither team led by more than eight points at that stage, a 9-2 run gave the 2,460 in attendance life. Something to cheer for.

But alas, it wasn’t to be, as it hasn’t been most of the season. TTU’s Diante Wood, who was a shoe size away from putting the Golden Eagles in last season’s NCAA Tournament, hit a tough layup with the foul going into the under-8 media timeout. “That was a backbreaker,” coach Stan Gouard said. The energy departed. The inevitable set in.

USI, in the 73-59 loss, was outscored 24-10 from that point on. Only one team was winning, and it wasn’t the host.

“Total let down throughout this game on both sides of the basketball,” Gouard said. “We allowed these guys to dictate the flow of the basketball game.”

The same issues plagued USI (5-11, 2-2 Ohio Valley Conference): Unbalanced scoring, sloppy turnovers, not getting to the free-throw line. Coach Stan Gouard wasn’t happy with the energy on the bench — “That’s gonna change. It’s unacceptable in my eyes that we’re in a game and guys are not uplifting each other,” he said.

Jeremiah Hernandez, who scored 18 points with four assists and three rebounds, was the Screaming Eagles’ only player in double figures until Jack Campion joined him at the 1:22 mark. Masses began heading for the door 22 game seconds later.

The need for another scorer, particularly when one of Hernandez or AJ Smith has an off night, has been evident since the Nov. 6 opener at Saint Louis.

That’s still a question 61 days later.

Last game: USI men’s basketball creates tangible momentum with home win over Tennessee State

“We need someone to step up. Right now, nobody is,” Gouard said. “We gotta have more poise about ourselves, especially when it’s a one- or two-possession game.”

The loss is deflating. A tight win against Tennessee State felt like a cornerstone moment, like something to build on. The atmosphere was exuberant, players enthralled. USI, after beating Lindenwood in the previous game after a tight overtime loss to Southeast Missouri State, had a winning streak. Tangible momentum.

Then Tennessee Tech (5-11, 1-3), coming off four consecutive losses and without an OVC win, came into Screaming Eagles Arena and pulled away.

“We just came out a little flat today,” Hernandez said. “We were smelling ourselves a little bit off those two wins, and it’s just dealing with a team like this, we gotta figure out how it is to win and carry it along.

“We did a good job with the two game win streak, but it’s all about just being consistent.”

One OVC loss doesn’t derail a season. It doesn’t diminish the progress shown in the first three league showings. But the performance, outside the second-half 9-2 run, left plenty to be desired.

“It’s a good league,” Campion said. “We can’t take the backseat. We’ve got to come out and stay hungry.”

Let level heads prevail. The season isn’t over. There’s still plenty to play for. But the same issues, murked by a brief spell of excellence and excitement, cannot continue if USI is going to meet its goals.

Saturday was a frustrating reminder of the non-conference slate. Changes need to come.

“The energy level, our mental approach, our ability to get stops on the defensive end, playing through fatigue, taking care of the basketball, get great shots: All of that stuff,” Gouard said. “I know where we went wrong at, but I’m gonna go back and look at it just to make sure we’re clear on where we struggled at and we’ll have them ready to go next week.”

USI women remain perfect in OVC play

Ali Saunders stepped back in with the USI women’s basketball team needing a basket to make it a two-possession game. There was still some time on the shot clock, so the shot came with calculated risk. The sophomore Valparaiso transfer, who started for the first time this season in place of injured Tori Handley, sank the shot to the roar of Screaming Eagles Arena, hitting the pivotal shot to secure the win over Tennessee Tech.

“I just saw they had a miscommunication,” Saunders said. “Every team makes us pay for miscommunication, so it’s about time we made them pay for one, as well. (I) saw a little bit of daylight and let it fly.”

The Eagles, against the defending OVC Tournament champion and team tabbed as the preseason league favorite, stayed perfect in conference play with a 69-66 victory.

“Most of the games in this league look like that,” coach Rick Stein said. “Those are games we didn’t win last year, so that feels good, but we can’t rest on that.”

USI (9-5, 4-0) showcased its depth in the win. Saunders was an example of that in Handley’s place. Vanessa Shafford and Madi Webb both fouled out in the fourth quarter and Triniti Ralston and Chloe Gannon seamlessly stepped into those roles. You don’t win in league play, or beat Tennessee Tech (6-9, 1-3) without that.

“We have complete confidence in all 14 of our players,” Stein said. “I think our depth has been in every win — in every game — this year. … We go to the bench and we’re not losing strength.”

Saunders, aside from the crucial shot, had arguably her best performance since joining USI. Her 12 points, seven assists and five rebounds almost always came at crucial moments. Vanessa Shafford scored a team-high 16 points with a career-high 15 rebounds, while Madi Webb and Meredith Raley scored 12 points each.

Balance, depth, scoring, defense. That’s the recipe to winning in the OVC. USI has done that to this point and has looked every bit like a team that can compete for a title. The Eagles are alone in first place as the final undefeated team in conference play.

“You just keep building every single day in practice,” Webb said. “Doing what we’re supposed to do, not letting our work ethic waver at all and come in and do what we need to do.”

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Tennessee

Former Tennessee Football Legend Accepts SEC Coaching Gig

Published

11 hours ago

January 8, 2026

Press Room

Former Tennessee Football Legend Accepts SEC Coaching Gig

The Tennessee Volunteers have been one of the main teams when it comes to producing talent and sending talent to the NFL, which is something that has often been discovered as a standard for the football program. This is something that has been going on for quite some time and isn’t anything new to the news cycle, as the Vols have been able to produce plenty of talented prospects.

Tennessee is the home of many stars, including some of the best defensive players in SEC history. Guys like Eric Berry have found their way through the Tennessee program and onto the NFL, where they would have legendary careers. However, the defensive side of the football is the only side that has produced plenty of talent, as Tennessee has produced a lot of offensive talent as well. With the likes of Peyton Manning and company, the Vols have shown a great track record in getting talent drafted.

The Vols have produced someone who could be considered as one of the best players to play the Tide end position, as the Knoxville, Tennessee program is the home to Dallas Cowboys legend, Jason Witten. Witten is someone who made the most of his career and has been viewed as a top player at the Tide in position, and someone who is often referred to as a legend for the Cowboys, along with being a legend in the game of football as a whole.

Jason Witten Accepts TE Coach Position For Oklahoma

Oct 10, 2010; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten (82) on the phone in the bench area in the fourth quarter against the Tennessee Titans at Cowboys Stadium. The Titans beat the Cowboys 34-27. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-Imagn Images | Matthew Emmons-Imagn Images

Witten is now taking a new gig, which has him in a huge role inside the Southeastern Conference. The Vols legend is now the tight end coach for the Oklahoma Sooners. The Sooners have had some success out of their tight ends in the past, but the sky is the limit with a guy like Witten coaching up the players. Witten has the opportunity to do really well, as coaching tight ends won’t be an issue, and you have to imagine that he will be able to recruit very well, considering he has a huge name around him, as this is something that we have seen from positional coaches as well as head coaches who have done great work in the league. You have to imagine that the Vols will now have stiff competition for his son, Cooper, who is a five-star recruit for the upcoming 2027 class at the linebacker position.

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Tennessee Football DB Transfer Boo Carter Visits the Vols Rival

Published

23 hours ago

January 8, 2026

Press Room

Tennessee Football DB Transfer Boo Carter Visits the Vols Rival

The Tennessee Volunteers are looking to land many of the nation’s best players in the transfer portal to replace the players who have already announced they are transferring away from Tennessee. One of the players they lost very early on to the portal, and his plans of entering the portal is Boo Carter.

Carter is someone who has quickly made a name for himself, as he played for the Vols as a freshman. He also played for the Tennessee Vols this past season before suffering an injury that sidelined him for the rest of the season. Carter entered the portal and left an announcement on his X page for those interested. Here is what was said.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank The University of Tennessee Coaches, administrators and fans for a wonderful 2 years. Unfortunately my season has been cut short due to injury. I have decided to enter the transfer portal and I am excited about the opportunities going forward!-Boo Carter”

Boo Carter Visits Vanderbilt

Tennessee defensive back Boo Carter (23) pulls on his jersey during Tennessee football preseason practice, in Knoxville, Tennessee, Aug. 6, 2025. | Angelina Alcantar/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Now that the portal is here, he has started to hear from many teams, including a team many anticipated to be in the picture. The Vols DB heard from the Vanderbilt staff and is now reportedly visiting them. This is a school where many of his friends go currently, and a school that has been doing well, but it is no secret that this is one of the Vols’ biggest rivalries.

He is undecided on a possible commitment somewhere, but the reports have started to indicate that the Commodores are a team to watch moving forward. This will be one to watch for the Vols, as there is a good chance they may see Carter next season.

“Dynamic athlete who quickly made an impact on defense and special teams as a true freshman … Earned the starting STAR position and shined while becoming a dangerous weapon as a punt returner as a true freshman in 2024 … Saw action as a slot receiver as well during 2025 spring practices … Early enrollee in January 2024 who participated in Citrus Bowl practices and spring practice before his true freshman season … Has compiled 63 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, three forced fumbles, three pass breakups and one interception on defense in his career … Dynamic punt returner who averages 16.0 yards per return in his career … Played in 21 career games and made five starts,” the Tennessee Vols athletics website stated.

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Tennessee Football Misses on Major Transfer Portal Target

Published

1 day ago

January 7, 2026

Press Room

Tennessee Football Misses on Major Transfer Portal Target

The Tennessee Volunteers have been looking to land the best of the best when it comes to the transfer portal, and they have been targeting the best, but as of recently, all it has been is a bunch of swings and misses.

The Vols have missed yet again, as they have failed to land one of their top targets on their board when it comes to the college football transfer portal at a position that they currently need more than any. That position is the cornerback position, which is one that they need very badly.

The player that they failed to land in this go-around is Troy cornerback Jaquez White. White is one of the better players that the portal has seen at the position, as he was easily named as a top portal target for many. He was seriously looking at Tennessee, and the Vols were ready to bring him in, but instead, he has opted to commit to the Virginia Tech Hokies. The Hokies have done a decent job in the portal thus far, but their portal class has definitely improved following the addition of White.

Whether this is a money thing or the Vols just couldn’t do enough convincing, the point is that they have missed on guys left and right recently. The vision isn’t clear, but fans are hopeful that it will be soon.

Here is what White did in his 2025 season according to the Troy website.

Jaquez White’s 2025 Season

Troy Trojans cornerback Jaquez White (8) tackles Clemson Tigers running back Adam Randall (8) Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025 during the NCAA football game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina. | Alex Martin/Greenville News / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

“Earned All-Sun Belt Second Team honors … Ranked third in the league (seventh nationally) with 14 total passes defended and fourth (15th nationally) with 11 pass break ups … Started 12 games and played in all 14 contests … Returned an interception 30 yards for a touchdown in Troy’s victory over Louisiana; added interceptions against Nicholls and in Sun Belt Championship Game at James Madison … Finished season with 67 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and a sack … Sack came in Troy’s win over South Alabama; added five tackles, a quarterback hurry and a pass break up in the game … Season-best seven tackles against Memphis … Broke up four passes in win at ULM and had a pair at Southern Miss … Troy’s top-rated defender per PFF with an 87.6 rating … Played 879 defensive snaps, second most on the team … Third-rated cornerback in the country (min. 700 snaps) per PFF and fourth-rated cover corner … Held opponents to a 54.5 reception percentage (36-of-66).”