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As new college sports landscape takes shape, here’s why commitment flips are more common
Tennessee
Tony Vitello explains why Blake Burke was ejected from Tennessee baseball’s game vs Illinois
Blake Burke was ejected following a fifth-inning home run in Tennessee baseball’s 8-3 win against Illinois at Lindsey Nelson Stadium on Sunday.
It is unclear what Burke did to warrant an ejection following his home run, which pulled the Vols within 3-2 against Illinois.
Tennessee coach Tony Vitello told reporters after the game both teams were warned after “both catchers were talking to each other during (Illinois’ Camden) Janik’s at-bat.”
“Blake hit the home run, and as he crossed home plate, I don’t know what he said, but he was clearly talking to the catcher about the home run or telling him about it,” added Vitello. “Which he’s a smart enough guy. He can see where the ball landed. There’s no need to do that.”
The first baseman will miss UT’s home game Tuesday against Eastern Kentucky.
The No. 8 Vols (16-1) swept Illinois (5-9) for the third straight weekend series sweep and 14th straight win.
“We’ll come out of today being the bad guys, and maybe something gets posted or you hear ‘Blake Burke got thrown out. He’s a bad guy.’ But I used to coach pitchers. I don’t remember back then anybody throwing a baseball, 90 mile-an-hour objects at guys when they’re not looking at it. But it started about six years ago. Our guys are guilty of doing it. I’m not calling our their guy. He’s doing what he’s got to do,” said Vitello.
BIG NIGHT FOR FRESHMAN: Dean Curley becomes first Tennessee baseball freshman to have three-homer game
Dalton Bargo replaced Burke at first base following the ejection, which was UT’s first for a player since Christian Moore was ejected against Vanderbilt on April 22 at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
Burke’s homer was his sixth of the season as he has been on a tear of late. The junior was hitting .367 entering Sunday.
Gentry Estes of The Tennessean contributed to this story.
The Dallas-area’s most up-and-down recruiting saga from the Class of 2026 has its latest twist.
North Forney four-star athlete Legend Bey has requested his letter of release from Tennessee, according to reporting from Rivals’ Sam Spiegelman.
“They are waiting for Tennessee to confirm this,” Spiegelman said of the request Sunday on The Inside Scoop podcast. “This could come as early as today, tomorrow. This is in the works.”
Bey signed with Tennessee on early national signing day, flipping from his November 10 commitment to Ohio State on early national signing day. He had originally committed to the Volunteers in June. However, reports emerged soon after his signing that Bey wanted to sign with the Buckeyes but landed at Tennessee because of pressure from his family.
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The possibility that Bey might seek a release was first reported Dec. 4, with reports suggesting that Tennessee would grant the request given the tumultuous recruiting process.
If the release is granted, Bey may have to wait to turn 18 years old before he can sign for Ohio State without parental approval.
Find more high school sports coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.
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LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Louisville (9-1, 0-0 ACC) is set to face Tennessee (7-3, 0-0 SEC) on Tuesday, Dec. 16 at 7:00 p.m. EST at Thompson-Boling Arena. Here’s how the Cardinals stack up against the Volunteers:
*Mobile users can scroll left and right on the tables below*
Rankings
|
Tennessee |
Louisville |
|
|---|---|---|
|
AP/USAT |
20th/20th |
11th/11th |
|
SOS |
38th |
89th |
|
SOR |
47th |
13th |
|
NET |
36th |
11th |
|
RPI |
50th |
41st |
|
BPI |
18th |
6th |
|
KenPom |
18th |
10th |
|
Torvik |
18th |
10th |
|
EvanMiya |
20th |
12th |
Team Leaders
|
Tennessee |
Louisville |
|
|---|---|---|
|
Points |
Ja’Kobi Gillespie (17.3) |
Ryan Conwell (19.4) |
|
Rebounds |
Nate Ament (7.1) |
Sananda Fru (6.2) |
|
Assists |
Ja’Kobi Gillespie (5.4) |
Mikel Brown Jr. (5.1) |
|
Steals |
Bishop Boswell (1.9) |
Kobe Rodgers (1.3) |
|
Blocks |
Felix Okpara (1.7) |
Sananda Fru (1.2) |
Scoring
|
Tennessee |
Louisville |
|
|---|---|---|
|
Points Per Game |
80.9 |
94.3 |
|
Field Goal % |
46.8 |
47.9 |
|
FGM/FGA Per Game |
28.9/61.7 |
30.4/63.5 |
|
Three Point % |
34.6 |
37.5 |
|
3PTM/3PTA |
7.4/21.4 |
13.2/35.2 |
|
Free Throw % |
72.7 |
77.8 |
|
FTM/FTA Per Game |
15.7/21.6 |
20.3/26.1 |
Rebounding
|
Tennessee |
Louisville |
|
|---|---|---|
|
Rebounds Per Game |
43.3 |
42.6 |
|
Off. Reb. Per Game |
15.6 |
12.7 |
|
Def. Reb. Per Game |
27.7 |
29.9 |
|
Rebound Margin |
12.9 |
8.0 |
Defense
|
Tennessee |
Louisville |
|
|---|---|---|
|
Opp. Points Per Game |
66.0 |
68.1 |
|
Opp. FG% |
38.5 |
37.8 |
|
Opp. 3PT% |
29.7 |
29.6 |
|
Steals Per Game |
7.5 |
8.1 |
|
Blocks Per Game |
3.7 |
3.8 |
|
Turnovers Forced Per Game |
12.4 |
13.9 |
Ball Handling
|
Tennessee |
Louisville |
|
|---|---|---|
|
Assists Per Game |
18.8 |
19.7 |
|
Turnovers Per Game |
13.2 |
10.9 |
|
Turnover Margin |
0.8 |
3.0 |
|
Assist/Turnover Ratio |
1.42 |
1.81 |
Predictions
– ESPN Prediction: Per ESPN’s Basketball Power Index, the Cardinals have a 57.8 percent chance to win against the Volunteers. Louisville has a BPI rating of 22.0 (6th overall), whereas Tennessee has a BPI rating of 16.9 (18th overall).
– KenPom Prediction: Per KenPom.com, the Cardinals have a 49 percent chance to take down the Volunteers, with a projected final score of 80-79 in favor of UT. Louisville has an adjusted efficiency margin of +27.72 (10th overall), whereas Tennessee has an adjusted efficiency margin of +23.10 (18th overall).
– Torvik Prediction: Per BartTorvik.com, the Cards have a 43 percent chance to take down the Vols, with a projected final score of 80-78 in favor of UT. Louisville has a “Barthag” of .9451 (10th overall), whereas Tennessee has a “Barthag” of .9253 (18th overall).
– Personal Prediction: Louisville 83, Tennessee 82.
More Cardinals Stories
(Photo of Kasean Pryor: Jamie Rhodes – Imagn Images)
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Tennessee
Vols Make Splash Hire With Jim Knowles | VFL Kevin Burnett Talks Tennessee Football | The RTI Low Down | Rocky Top Insider
On this week’s episode of The RTI Low Down, Bob Baskerville and Chris Low are diving into a huge week for the Tennessee Football program.
The guys start the show by discussing the Vols’ big move to fire Tim Banks and the splash hire in acquiring defensive coordinator Jim Knowles.
Bob and Chris are then joined by VFL and SEC Legend Kevin Burnett to talk about his time on Rocky Top, his thoughts on playing under defensive coordinators, Josh Heupel’s current team, and more.
The guys close down the show by breaking down Tennessee’s 2026 schedule, Vol Hoops’ tough test on the hardwood this week, and much more. Download and subscribe TODAY!
– – –
The RTI Low-Down is brought to you by the Tate Insurance Group. Find out more information at www.tateinsurancegroup.com
– – –
More from RTI: Tennessee Football 2025 Transfer Tracker – Who has Announced They’re Entering the Portal So Far
– – –
YouTube –
0:00 Intro
8:30 Tennessee Fires Tim Banks, Hires Jim Knowles
21:25 VFL Kevin Burnett Talks Vol Football!
43:20 UT 2026 Schedule
50:17 Tennessee Basketball Faces Huge Test on Tuesday
1:01:06 Close
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