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Shooting lulls and Zakai Zeigler: Unpacking Tennessee basketball’s Maui Invitational play

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Shooting lulls and Zakai Zeigler: Unpacking Tennessee basketball’s Maui Invitational play


Rick Barnes walked on the University of Hawaii campus and was taken back to 1986.

The Tennessee basketball coach remembered the loaded field at that year’s Rainbow Classic, widely discussed when he was an Ohio State assistant. He had flashbacks as he pondered the high-profile field at this year’s Maui Invitational featuring five of the top 10 teams in the nation.

In the days following that walk, Tennessee faced the top two teams on its way to a fourth-place finish, and Barnes left thinking his team can be great, but isn’t there yet.

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“I think we’ve got a chance to be as good as anybody in the country, but we’re going to have to get better,” he said.

No. 8 Tennessee (4-2) finished fourth, losing to No. 2 Purdue and No. 1 Kansas after beating Syracuse in its opener. The tournament result matched UT’s best in its four Maui Invitational appearances.

Here is what we learned in UT’s three-game tournament:

Zakai Zeigler needs time to get back to form

Zakai Zeigler, who had ACL surgery in March, wasn’t cleared for Tennessee until late October. He didn’t play until Nov. 6 against Tennessee Tech. He hasn’t looked comfortable yet.

The junior point guard had a brutal trip in Maui. He was 1-for-12 on 3-pointers and 4-for-22 shooting. He had 14 points and 11 turnovers.

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The preseason All-SEC pick isn’t himself yet, which is understandable. But Tennessee won’t get close to its ceiling without Zeigler, who is an elite defender, capable shooter and a high-level playmaker. It’s clear he wasn’t ready for the level of play in Maui. He will have ample time through the remainder of the nonconference schedule to dial it up.

The Vols need him to get there.

Tennessee had shooting woes and offensive lulls

There were long offensive gaps in the two games the Vols lost. They had two field goals in an almost 18-minute span against Purdue, and a 3-for-19 shooting stretch against Kansas.

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They were 22-for-71 shooting against Kansas after going 19-for-57 against Purdue, and a combined 17-for-63 on 3-pointers in those games.

“We didn’t have a great tournament here where I thought we shot the ball the way we’re capable of,” Barnes said.

UT’s lulls were costly in both games and left Barnes saying the Vols are inconsistent. He is still wanting to learn what Tennessee is going to get from players on a night-to-night stretch.

Santiago Vescovi is ever reliable

Santiago Vescovi settled in against Syracuse, dominating the zone defense in the final 10 minutes. He was even better in the first half against Kansas. The fifth-year senior found his 3-point shot against the Jayhawks, which was a welcome sight.

Vescovi is the player Barnes likely knows the most about what he will get in each game, and he was reminded of that in Maui.

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“Really and truly we tell him we need him to shoot the ball a bit more,” Barnes said. “But he knows when he’s got it, when he doesn’t. And if he doesn’t have it, he’s gonna find a way to impact the against some other way.”

Does Tennessee have enough in the post?

It might be unfair to judge Tennessee’s post players after games against probably the two most dominant players in college basketball in Purdue’s Zach Edey and Kansas’ Hunter Dickinson. But the lack of experience and depth in the post was a concern entering the season and remains one after six games.

“We still need a presence with our post guys,” Barnes said. “We need those guys that understand we need them.”

Jonas Aidoo has been a pleasant surprise. He has had good games, including a 14-point, 11-rebound day against Syracuse on Monday. Tobe Awaka battled through an ankle injury in the final two games, but has not shown he can stay on the court or provide steady offense. He has not played more than 14 minutes in a game.

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J.P. Estrella provided good minutes against Syracuse, but isn’t ready for a game-by-game role. Cade Phillips barely played after being the third forward through the first three games.

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





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Will Calvin Ridley play vs Colts? Indianapolis Colts vs Tennessee Titans injury report Week 8

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Will Calvin Ridley play vs Colts? Indianapolis Colts vs Tennessee Titans injury report Week 8


The Indianapolis Colts (6-1) host the Tennessee Titans (1-6) in NFL Week 8 action on Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025. 

The Colts hope receivers Josh Downs (concussion) and Ashton Dulin (chest) — who is also a special teams ace — can return, as well as pass rusher Tyquan Lewis (groin), who exited Week 7 action mid-game.

Tennessee interim coach Mike McCoy says key defensive players Jeffery Simmons (hamstring) and L’Jarius Sneed (quadriceps) will likely miss some time. Receiver Calvin Ridley (hamstring), who didn’t play last weekend, was one of eight Titans who did not practice because of injury on Wednesday.

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Indianapolis Colts injury report vs. Tennessee Titans for NFL Week 8, Oct. 26

Colts who did not practice on Wednesday, Oct. 22: DE Samson Ebukam (knee), T Braden Smith (rest), DE Tyquan Lewis (groin), CB Kenny Moore II (Achilles); limited participation: CB Jaylon Jones (hamstring), WR Josh Downs (concussion); full participation WR Ashton Dulin (chest), RB Tyler Goodson (groin).

Tennessee Titans injury report vs. Indianapolis Colts for NFL Week 8, Oct. 26

Titans who did not practice on Wednesday, Oct. 22: DL Jeffery Simmons (hamstring), CB L’Jarius Sneed (quadriceps), WR Calvin Ridley (hamstring), RB Tony Pollard (rest), OL Kevin Zeitler (rest), P Johnny Hekker (illness), LB Arden Key (quadricep), DE James Lynch (shoulder), LB Jihad Ward (rest), OL Blake Hance (shoulder/back), WR Bryce Oliver (knee); limited participation: DE Sebastian Joseph-Day (calf), S Xavier Woods (ankle).

Colts 2025 regular season schedule

  • Week 1: Indianapolis Colts 33, Miami Dolphins 8, box score, stats
  • Week 2: Colts 29, Denver Broncos 28, box score, stats
  • Week 3: Colts 41, Tennessee Titans 20, box score, stats
  • Week 4: Los Angeles Rams 27, Colts 20, box score, stats
  • Week 5: Colts 40, Las Vegas Raiders 6, box score, stats
  • Week 6: Colts 31, Arizona Cardinals 27, box score, stats
  • Week 7: Colts 38, Los Angeles Chargers 24, box score, stats
  • Week 8: Sunday, Oct. 26, vs. Tennessee Titans, 4:25 p.m., CBS
  • Week 9: Sunday, Nov. 2, at Pittsburgh Steelers, 1 p.m., CBS
  • Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 9, vs. Atlanta Falcons in Berlin, Germany, 9:30 a.m., NFL Network
  • Week 11: Bye
  • Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 23, at Kansas City Chiefs, 1 p.m., CBS
  • Week 13: Sunday, Nov. 30, vs. Houston Texans, 1 p.m., CBS
  • Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 7, at Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m., CBS
  • Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 14, at Seattle Seahawks, 4:25 p.m., CBS
  • Week 16: Monday, Dec. 22, vs. San Francisco 49ers, 8:15 p.m., ESPN’s “Monday Night Football”
  • Week 17: Sunday, Dec. 28, vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m., Fox
  • Week 18: Date TBD, at Houston Texans, time TBD, TBD

Joel A. Erickson and Nathan Brown cover the Colts all season. Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Colts Insider newsletter.



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Everything Tennessee Football OLB Coach Levorn ‘Chop’ Harbin Said Ahead of Kentucky

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Everything Tennessee Football OLB Coach Levorn ‘Chop’ Harbin Said Ahead of Kentucky


Levorn Harbin addressed the media today ahead of Kentucky.

Well-known as Coach Chop, Harbin is the outside linebackers coach for Tennessee, and an instrumental presence in the recruiting scene. Harbin reflected back at the Alabama game, while moving forward.

Lack of Success Against Alabama

defense

Oct 18, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson (15) is forced out of bounds by Tennessee Volunteers linebacker Arion Carter (7) in he fourth quarter at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Leong-Imagn Images / David Leong-Imagn Images

“Um, number one, I mean, Alabama got a great offensive line. (They) had a couple of guys that probably going to be first-round draft picks, but there’s some things that I can do better to help the guys out that I’m having to coach up this week and um the guys were in position a couple of times but didn’t finish like we would like to. We’ll clean that up this week and we’ll move on to being better than what we were last week.”

How Does Alabama Outcome Impact This Week’s Approach?

“I’m the same every week, but also, you got to go back and evaluate what you’re doing and maybe be a little bit more tedious about certain things. That’s what I have had to do this week. That’s what I and the guys also got to work on, the little things. I have to keep coaching it and for those guys, the biggest thing is just finishing. Finishing rushes and I got to coach that part up and teach them how to finish too. So, that’s on me. That’s not on them. That’s my job, and no, I don’t change from week to week. Wins or losses, I treat the same to be honest with you.”

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Does Success Feed on Itself

“Every snap the guys go out there and think they are gonna win. That’s what you got to first put in their mind that they can’t win every rep. Last week, they were a little disappointed with the outcome of the production, but they also went back and watched the film, they saw where they could have been successful and they weren’t. So, it wasn’t like they were just so much better than us. Now, they did have some good plays, doing a great job with their sets and with their hands and we could have been a little bit moreviolent. They saw where they could have done a better job and been more productive. So, I mean, we’re not worried at all about moving forward.”

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Tennessee stylists become lifelines in fight against domestic violence

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Tennessee stylists become lifelines in fight against domestic violence


NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — A trip to the salon isn’t just about a new look — sometimes, it’s about washing away the weight of the day.

“It’s nice to see you,” clients often hear, but for many beauty professionals, their role extends far beyond styling hair or applying makeup.

“I’ve seen and heard everything behind the chair,” said Susanne Shepherd Post, co-founder of Shear Haven. For 30 years, she’s been a trusted listener in her salon chair.

“I’ve had clients open up to me about their own abusive relationships,” Shepherd Post said.

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That’s why, in 2021, she championed a Tennessee law requiring all beauty professionals to learn how to recognize the signs of abuse — and how to respond. More than 71,000 professionals have now taken the free, 20-minute training. The clock, though, is ticking — complete it by December 31 or lose your license.

“Knowing that at least one in four women and one in seven men will experience abuse means that every day a stylist behind the chair might see many people, several people that might be the ones to meet that resource,” Shepherd Post said.

Licensees had four years between 2022 and 2025 to complete the approved training. If a licensee does not complete the training, their license will be invalid.

“I know that it’s saving lives,” Shepherd Post said.

She has lived this reality herself, having survived an abusive marriage.

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“I know how important that person in my life was, who knew what I was going through wasn’t just a bad relationship, but rather an abusive one,” Shepherd Post said.

She stresses that warning signs aren’t always visible.

“Non physical signs that we’re in a unique position to see. There might be signs of isolation, maybe pulling away from some of their closest family or friends, they might seem a little withdrawn, or have more cancelations,” Shepherd Post said.

That’s why she partnered with the YWCA to create Shear Haven and teach beauty pros how to handle difficult conversations — and connect clients to safety. Together with the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance and the state Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners, they want to remind all licensed beauty professionals to complete their training.

“They’re on the front lines. They see and hear things that most folks do not,” YWCA Vice President of strategic communications & advocacy Michelle Mowery Johnson.

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She’s hoping to create awareness that reaches far beyond the chair.

“Being able to reach my kids generation with awareness would be so impactful. To be able to curb the numbers. See a real shift in Tennessee,” Shepherd Post said.

Nearly 2,000 Tennessee beauty professionals are running out of time to complete mandatory domestic violence training.

“As beauty professionals know, most domestic violence victims will not report abuse to law enforcement, but they will tell someone with whom they have a long-standing relationship, such as a cosmetologist or a barber,” said Board Executive Director Roxana Gumucio.

If you or someone you know has questions about domestic violence or needs shelter, please call YWCA’s 24-Hour Crisis & Support Helpline at 800-334-4628 or TEXT 615-983-5170.

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Click here, for the training.

Do you have more information about this story? You can email me at Patsy.Montesinos@Newschannel5.com

Hunters and fishers: Funding shortfall may cut wildlife and outdoor services

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One of the best things about Tennessee is its beauty. Reporter, Chris Davis, certainly makes the most of it as an avid hunter and fisherman. When he turned the spotlight on the potential funding shortfall the TWRA is facing – it hit a nerve with many of our viewers. To find out more, make sure to watch this story.

– Carrie Sharp





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