Tennessee
Where Tennessee Basketball Lands in the Latest Way-Too-Early Rankings | Rocky Top Insider
The rise of a familiar team from the SEC caused Tennessee to slightly fall back in ESPN’s way-too-early rankings this week.
Tennessee, previously at No. 18 in the rankings, was placed at No. 20 by ESPN’s Jeff Borzello. The Vols fell two spots between the way-too-early rankings.
UCLA and Arkansas are the main culprits for Tennessee’s fall as the Bruins rose from No. 19 to No. 17 while Arkansas leaped from No. 25 to No. 19, one spot above the Vols.
“Dalton Knecht is gone, and with him goes Rick Barnes’ best offense in several years,” Borzello wrote for ESPN. “But if the more up-tempo, 3-point-heavy offensive system remains in Knoxville, there should be plenty of optimism. Zakai Zeigler is one of the best point guards in the country, and Jordan Gainey, Jahmai Mashack and Hofstra transfer Darlinstone Dubar are plenty experienced on the perimeter. Barnes also addressed the frontcourt, adding Igor Milicic Jr. (Charlotte) and Felix Okpara (Ohio State).”
Tennessee finished as the No. 5 team in the nation after an Elite Eight loss to Purdue but immediately was left to deal with the departure of a likely Top 10 NBA Draft pick, two key fifth-year seniors, and two big men who entered the transfer portal. As Borzello mentions, though, Tennessee reloaded through the transfer portal in Barnes’ biggest transfer class that Rick Barnes has assembled in Knoxville.
The Vols prioritized size in the portal with the addition of 6-foot-4 guard Bishop Boswell from the recruiting cycle. Dubar is a versatile wing while Milicic is an impressive stretch four at 6-foot-9. Okpara, meanwhile, is a true center with size at 6-foot-11, 235 pounds.
More from RTI: What Rick Barnes Has Said About Tennessee Basketball’s Transfer Signings
Tennessee’s drop to the back half of the rankings makes sense. The Vols’ 2023 team was loaded with veterans, many of whom had been playing together and building to that final season for a few years. Add in pure shooters Dalton Knecht and Jordan Gainey from the portal and you had yourselves a legitimate second-weekend team. Tennessee did add talent but it’s unknown how everything will mesh together. So it’s fair to drop the Vols back a bit. It is only May, after all.
A day after Borzello released his way-too-early Top 25, the ESPN expert listed Tennessee as a four-seed in his early bracketology picks as the third-highest ranked team from the SEC behind three-seed Auburn and three-seed Alabama. That indicates that Borzello’s mindset might relay that Tennessee is a team that might not have all of their chemistry down early into the season but can come together under Barnes’ leadership by the end of the season.
Tennessee is the sixth team in the SEC behind No. 6 Alabama, No. 11 Texas A&M, No. 12 Auburn, No. 15 Florida, and No. 19 Arkansas but in front of No. 21 Texas.
As John Calipari’s debut roster has come together at Arkansas, the Razorbacks have now inched out early positioning over Tennessee. The Razorbacks are bringing in Tennessee’s Jonas Aidoo, Kentucky’s Adou Thiero, Florida Atlantic’s Johnell Davis, and two Top 26 recruits for their starting lineup.
To see Jeff Borzello’s way-too-early rankings, click here.
Tennessee
Three NFL Draft Fits for Tennessee Football Cornerback Jermod McCoy
Tennessee football star Jermod McCoy is the player who will likely hear his name called first from the Tennessee program in the upcoming NFL Draft. There are many teams he would fit well, but these three teams are the teams I believe he is the best fit with at this moment.
1. Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are in need of a cornerback in the draft class, and they are likely to spend one of their first two picks on one. They are selecting at No. 12 and No. 20 in the draft as of now, and McCoy could hear his name called. He would be joining a decent group of cornerbacks, but he would be an immediate starter, likely alongside a later selection that they make with a cornerback.
It would be shocking if the Cowboys pass on him if they select at 12 and he is still on the board. McCoy would be an immediate starter and would be someone who could shut down a whole side of the field for the Cowboys early in his career.
2. Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins is one of the better fits for Jermod McCoy, and it would make the most sense, as the Dolphins could use almost every position after a major haul of their players. They are in a major rebuilding phase and drafting at No. 11 leaves many to believe that McCoy could be in play.
McCoy would likely be their No. 1 cornerbakc the day he got to the franchise, and would have the chance to dominate the way he did in his one season on the field with the Vols. This selection would depend on who drops out of the first ten selections. If he is one of the better players remaining (highly likely) he very well could hear his name called at pick 11.
3. New York Jets
The New York Jets have the chance to be very good when it comes to the draft, as they are drafting at both No. 2 and No. 16. I believe they will be looking to get a cornerback with their No. 16 pick, which would make a lot of sense considering they had to get rid of Sauce Gardner.
McCoy would be the perfect replacement, as they could find themselves in one of the better situations on the defensive side of the football. He can shutdown a side of the field, and I would bet that he would be a great fit with the Jets because of that exactly.
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Tennessee
Nashville Sounds and Autism Tennessee partner to host inclusive Beyond the Label Day for local children
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — At a ballpark built for noise, there is space for something quieter.
During the Nashville Sounds’ “Beyond the Label Day,” kids are learning, playing and experiencing baseball in a way that works for them. Autism Tennessee volunteers stepped in to guide kids through sensory play designed to calm and focus.
From spinning toys to textured fidgets, these tools help turn overwhelming moments into manageable ones. Children engaged with the activities, pointing out shapes like a circle, noticing items like candies, and expressing how nice the experience was.
Adam English, general manager of the Nashville Sounds, said making space for everyone is the goal, even as the stadium announcer calls another Sounds strikeout.
“It’s important for us to raise awareness about autism, but also just make sure that First Horizon Park is an inclusive place for everybody” English said.
The Sounds stadium even has a sensory room for families at every game.
“There’s huge baseball fans that sometimes shy away because of loud crowds and we want to make sure every game out here available” English said.
For Autism Tennessee leaders like Jessica Moore, days like this are about more than awareness. They are about belonging.
“Typically events like this can be super overwhelming… so this is just a way for people to feel like they can come and still be successful” Moore said.
What are your thoughts on making sports venues more inclusive for all fans? Watch the video to see the sensory room in action, and share your experiences with me at kim.rafferty@NewsChannel5.com.
In this article, we used artificial intelligence to help us convert a video news report originally written by Kim Rafferty. When using this tool, both Kim Rafferty and the NewsChannel 5 editorial team verified all the facts in the article to make sure it is fair and accurate before we published it. We care about your trust in us and where you get your news, and using this tool allows us to convert our news coverage into different formats so we can quickly reach you where you like to consume information. It also lets our journalists spend more time looking into your story ideas, listening to you and digging into the stories that matter.
Checking in on Cole: Gallatin rallies around teen battling brain tumor with prayer vigil
Austin Pollack brings us an update on a remarkable young man facing great odds, and his family has one simple request: pray for Cole. I believe in the power of prayer and hope you’ll join me in lifting up Cole and his family.
– Carrie Sharp
Tennessee
Tennessee baseball vs Ole Miss score, live updates, start time, Game 3
Tennessee baseball will look to salvage the final game of the SEC series against Ole Miss.
The Vols (25-14, 7-10 SEC) play Game against the No. 23 Rebels (29-11, 10-7) on April 19 (1 p.m. ET, SEC Network+) at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
Ole Miss has been on a roll. The 8-1 win on April 18 against the Vols moved the Rebels to eight straight wins. It got an ace-level start from Cade Townsend and a grand slam from Tristan Bissetta to secure Game 2.
Taylor Rabe (3-1, 3.16 ERA) will start for the Rebels. Evan Blanco (3-2, 3.67 ERA) will be on the mound for Tennessee.
Tennessee baseball vs. Ole Miss live updates
What channel is Tennessee baseball vs. Ole Miss on today?
- TV channel: SEC Network+
- Live stream: ESPN app
Tennessee baseball vs. Ole Miss game times
- Game 3: April 19 (1 p.m. ET)
Tennessee baseball vs. Ole Miss probable pitchers
- Tennessee: LHP Evan Blanco (3-2, 3.67 ERA)
- Ole Miss: RHP Taylor Rabe (3-1, 3.16 ERA)
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