Connect with us

Tennessee

How Tennessee basketball turned Florida’s ‘disrespect’ into blowout win

Published

on

How Tennessee basketball turned Florida’s ‘disrespect’ into blowout win


Florida coach Todd Golden turned to the crowd, waved his arms and did the Gator Chomp.

The clock showed 45 seconds to play with Florida leading Tennessee basketball 69-41 in Gainesville, Florida. That was on Jan. 7 and the Vols didn’t forget it on Saturday.

“We had to take it personal,” Vols guard Jordan Gainey said. “We didn’t like what we saw. At that point, it just became personal with us.”

Advertisement

The Vols were shown clips of how the Gators celebrated late in their 73-43 win in Gainesville, which only served to rile up No. 8 Tennessee (18-4, 5-4 SEC) and provide an extra boost for its shorthanded 64-44 beatdown of the No. 6 Gators (18-3, 5-3) at Food City Center.

Tennessee felt ‘disrespect’ from Florida

Vols guard Jahmai Mashack shared that the Tennessee coaches pointed to what they perceived as “disrespect” from Florida in the first meeting this season. They compiled videos to emphasize the point.

“We don’t take well to that,” Mashack said. “We’re a tough team. A team that plays hard every single game. … Knowing that, we all had a chip on our shoulders.”

The Vols responded with their best win of the season. They shut down Florida’s highly regarded offense, holding the Gators to 44 points. Florida’s previous low this season was 70 and it had only been held to less than 80 points four times in their first 20 games.

Advertisement

UT limited Florida to 24.5% shooting and 14.8% 3-point shooting.

The Vols also performed at an elite level on the interior, outrebounding and outscoring Florida in the paint. UT had a 34-14 scoring edge in the paint after it was outdone by a 40-14 margin in Gainesville. UT lost the rebounding battle 55-38 in the loss, then won it 40-37 on Saturday.

The Vols were ‘fired up’ for Florida rematch

Chaz Lanier, who had a game-high 19 points, didn’t mind speaking for his teammates about the videos they saw.

Advertisement

“Everybody was just fired up and ready to go for the game,” Lanier said. “Everybody was excited for this one.”

Tennessee’s defense was at its best again against a top offense like it was in a 53-51 loss at Auburn. It played a hard-fought first half before rolling the Gators in the second half despite being without guard Zakai Zeigler (right knee) and forward Igor Milicic Jr. (illness).

It got a helping hand from Florida in the process.

“Going through that experience, it helped us in the long run,” Mashack said.

Advertisement

Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at michael.wilson@knoxnews.com and follow him on X @ByMikeWilson or Bluesky @bymikewilson.bsky.social. If you enjoy Mike’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it.





Source link

Tennessee

Tennessee Football Misses on Major Transfer Portal Target

Published

on

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.

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement

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

Jaquez White’s 2025 Season

Advertisement

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).”

Advertisement

More Vols News



Source link

Continue Reading

Tennessee

Tennessee football DL Josh Schell enters transfer portal

Published

on

Tennessee football DL Josh Schell enters transfer portal


Tennessee defensive lineman Josh Schell has entered the transfer portal, he announced on social media on Jan. 6.

Schell had a short stint at Tennessee after transferring from Grand Valley State in April. He played all 13 games and made one tackle in the 2025 season.

Schell played more than 100 snaps, mostly on special teams. He never cracked the rotation on the defensive line.

Advertisement

Schell spent three seasons at Grand Valley State, including a redshirt year, and one season at Tennessee. He has one season of eligibility remaining.

The 6-foot-4, 265-pounder is from Camden, New Jersey. His best college season was 2024 at Grand Valley State, when he played 13 games and recorded 35 tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks, six pass breakups, three quarterback hurries, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

He was also a pitcher on the Grand Valley State baseball game in the 2023 season.

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

Advertisement

Get the latest news and insight on SEC football by subscribing to the SEC Unfiltered newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox.





Source link

Continue Reading

Tennessee

Tennessee Titans head coach interview schedule takes shape

Published

on

Tennessee Titans head coach interview schedule takes shape


The Tennessee Titans’ search for their next head coach is coming into focus, and the initial interview phase is in full swing.

Following the news that Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy would be having a first virtual interview on Thursday, the dates and times for some interviews for other candidates have come out.

Multiple reports on social media indicate that Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo will meet with Mike Borgonzi on Wednesday, followed by Nagy on Thursday. The team will then follow that up by meeting with former Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski on Saturday and former Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris on Monday.

Tennessee will also meet with interim head coach Mike McCoy, and is rumored to have interest in former Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury.

Advertisement

It’s an ever-changing process in Nashville. Stay up to date with all the coaching search news with us here at Titans Wire, and please sound off with your thoughts.



Source link

Continue Reading

Trending