By: Dallas Bowlin Senior Staff Writer/Editor/Host The All Vol Call In Show Tennessee has relieved Head Coach Kellie Harper of her duties following a Sweet Sixteen loss to the NC State Wolfpack. Harper amassed an overall record of 108-52 in five seasons as the head coach of the Lady Volunteers. While her overall record may appear successful, Harper's lack of tournament success likely contributed to her downfall, notably her failure to achieve an Elite Eight appearance. While consecutive Sweet Sixteen appearances might be considered a success at most schools, it falls short of expectations at Tennessee—a program boasting eight National Championships and 18 Final Four appearances. Now, the administration focuses on finding the next coach best suited to lead Tennessee back to the promised land of women’s college basketball. To reach the heights it once experienced, the athletic department would be well advised to step out of the large shadow of Tennessee legend Pat Summitt, and into a new era of coaching excellence. The next coach hired should bring to Tennessee a modern approach to coaching strategies, recruiting, and energizing a sleeping giant of a fan base and brand. While bringing a modern approach is crucial, it is also crucial that the hire is a qualified candidate with proven success at the highest of levels in all previously mentioned areas. While Summitt’s legacy will always loom large over the program, introducing a fresh perspective from someone unburdened by the pressure of emulating their former mentor's achievements is the crucial first step towards revitalizing Tennessee as a national powerhouse in women’s hoops. Photo Above | Tennessee Athletics

By: Dallas Bowlin Senior Staff Writer/Editor/Host The All Vol Call In Show As the NCAA Tournament progresses to its final stages, the Tennessee Volunteers emerge as one of the remaining eight teams. The last time the vibrant Pantone PMS 151 graced the Elite Eight stage was on March 28th, 2010, when the Volunteers fell short of reaching the program's first Final Four, facing the Michigan State Spartans. This Easter Sunday presents an opportunity for the Vols to rectify past disappointments against a familiar opponent, the Purdue Boilermakers. Typically, these "scouting reports" don't hone in on one singular player, but rather on the opponent as a whole. However, it would be remiss of me not to take a moment to discuss how Tennessee can both defend and attack Zach Edey, Purdue's seven-foot-four anchor on both ends of the court. In the initial matchup between these two squads, Purdue clinched a 71-67 victory. Zach Edey showcased his prowess, tallying 23 points on seven of ten shooting from the field and an impressive nine of 17 from the free-throw line. The Volunteers, though, managed to limit Edey to 10 rebounds, a feat worthy of recognition considering Edey's dominance on the boards. Tennessee's optimal defensive strategy against Edey is relatively straightforward: maintain a defensive presence between him and the rim. By restricting his clean looks at the basket and employing guards to “dig down” and interrupt his ball handling, Tennessee can potentially limit Edey's impact. However, caution must be exercised as leaving Purdue's guards unattended poses its risks, given their three-point proficiency this season. Offensively, the Vols must attempt to draw Edey out of the paint. This means playing around the free-throw line/ free-throw line extended, with players like Aidoo and Awaka, with Aidoo potentially even attempting shots from beyond the arc. Creating space in the paint opens up driving opportunities for players like Knecht and Zeigler. Turning to the broader team dynamics, in their previous encounter, the Boilermakers attempted a staggering 48 free throws. To advance, Tennessee must find a way to defend without fouling. According to EvanMiya's Key Metrics Report, Purdue's success correlates significantly with their ability to minimize fouls. When Purdue commits fewer than 16 fouls and their opponent fouls 19 times or more, they boast an impressive record of 16-1 for the season. Moreover, Purdue's proficiency from beyond the arc warrants attention. When at least 35.4% of their shots come from three-point range, the Boilermakers boast a formidable record of 17-1. Limiting their three-point attempts could prove advantageous for Tennessee. Additionally, controlling the pace of the game is crucial when facing Purdue. While they typically favor a slower tempo, Purdue has demonstrated better performance in games with a faster pace. Their record stands at 17-2 when there are at least 69 possessions, compared to 15-2 when possessions are fewer. Strategically, forcing Purdue into mid-range shots could disrupt their offensive flow. They shoot 37.6% from mid-range, just one percent above the Division I average. Despite the predictions of EvanMiya's Matchup Predictor, which has Tennessee falling short in a 75-71 outcome, it's worth considering Tobe Awaka's  "starving dogs fight better” Quote.  With determination and execution, the Volunteers are more than capable of upsetting the odds. Photo | Tennessee Athletics Graphic | Dallas Bowlin Stats | CBBAnayltics, EvanMiya, and ESPN.

By: Dallas Bowlin Senior Staff Writer/Editor/Host The All Vol Call In Show History feels within reach as Tennessee eyes its first-ever Final Four berth, just two wins away. But before that dream can be realized, the Volunteers must advance to the Elite Eight—a stage they've reached only once before in 2010. To progress, they'll need to topple the Creighton BlueJays from the Big East conference. Creighton is led by head coach Greg McDermott, now in his 14th season at the helm of the BlueJays. With a regular season record of 23-8, including an impressive 85-66 victory over the NCAA Tournament's number-one overall seed, UConn. Roster-wise, the BlueJays are anchored by senior guard Baylor Scheierman, junior guard Trey Alexander, and senior center Ryan Kalkbrenner. However, Creighton's depth beyond these three key players is limited. In their recent 86-73 double-overtime victory over Oregon in the Tournament, Scheierman played 50 minutes, Alexander 50 minutes, and Kalkbrenner 49 minutes. Should Tennessee manage to put the BlueJays in foul trouble, Creighton could find themselves in a precarious position. Offensively, Creighton boasts the 11th-best adjusted offensive efficiency in the country. Yet, their toughest defensive challenge came against number-eight UConn, resulting in a 62-48 defeat, where they shot  34% from the field and 23% from beyond the arc. While they fared better in their second meeting with the Huskies, it's worth noting that the game was played on Creighton's home court. A significant strength of the BlueJays lies in their ability to finish at the rim, boasting a 72.4% conversion rate within four feet—an impressive 10.5% above the Division I average. Additionally, they convert 48.6% of their attempts from the mid-range,  12% higher than the Division I average. However, their reliance on three-point shooting leaves them vulnerable; a struggle from long range could hinder their offense significantly. While UConn's defense poses a formidable challenge, the BlueJays have yet to face a defense as elite as Tennessee's. Tennessee's defensive trio of Santiago Vescovi, Jahmai Mashack, and Zakai Zeigler,  as well as Jordan Gainey who is an underrated defender in his own right, have the potential to wear down Creighton's key players if they're forced to log extended minutes. Defensively, Creighton adopts a strategy of forcing opponents into mid-range attempts, which can be effective but risky. Players like Dalton Knecht have demonstrated the ability to capitalize on such opportunities, making it imperative for Creighton to remain vigilant. As the game approaches, attention also turns to Tennessee's frontcourt players. Their performance in pick-and-roll situations could be pivotal, provided the ball handler makes the correct decisions and the big men finish effectively. I for one do not share the same concerns as others when it comes to Tobe Awaka. I feel this is the perfect matchup for him, and I hope to be proven right. Ultimately, the outcome remains uncertain, as March Madness is known for its unpredictability. According to EvanMiya's matchup predictor, Tennessee is favored to win a closely contested game, with a projected score of 72-70 and a 58.2% chance of victory. Both teams are well aware of the stakes, so be buckled up for a close, nerve-wrenching game, no matter which team you cheer for. Stats | EvanMiya, CBBAnalytics, and ESPN. Photo | Tennessee Athletics Graphic | Dallas Bowlin

By: Dallas Bowlin Senior Staff Writer/Editor/Host The All Vol Call In Show Fate, or perhaps the selection committee's hand, often aligns teams with a shared history in the NCAA Tournament. In our recent matchup against Saint Peter’s, Zakai Zeigler found himself facing off against his brother, Armoni. Now, Head Coach Rick Barnes faces a unique twist of fate as he leads his team against the Texas Longhorns, a school where he spent 17 years of his coaching career. The Longhorns are coming off a less-than-stellar offensive showing against the Colorado State Rams in their first-round matchup of the tournament. Texas shot 22-of-55 (40.0%) from the field and a miserable 1-of-14 (7.1%) from behind the arc, a steep drop from their season percentages of 53.3% from two and 35.6% from three. While Colorado State boasts the 27th-best-adjusted defense in the country, Tennessee has the third-best-adjusted defense. If Texas struggled on the perimeter against the Rams' guards, they would be in metaphorical hell against Zakai Zeigler, Santiago Vescovi, and Jahmai Mashack. Texas scored 30 of its 56 total points against Colorado State in the paint. While that may be easy to do against a team that rarely puts anyone taller than six-foot-eight on the court, it may not be as simple against the near seven-footer Jonas Aidoo or the physical attributes of Tobe Awaka. The Longhorns are shooting 68.1% at the rim, which is 6.2% above the Division I average for the season. In the “paint area,” Texas shoots 43.5%, slightly two percent above average. Teams are scoring 35.9 points per game from the two-point range, which ranks 150th in the country. With Tennessee boasting a two-point percentage of 51.7% and being above average in all three levels of two-point scoring, this could spell trouble for the Longhorns. Texas is slightly better on their three-point defense, allowing teams to score 19.2 points per game from behind the arc, ranking 60th in the country. It is worth noting, however, that in their last three games, teams scored 21 points from three. With that being said, this matchup will be no cakewalk for Tennessee. I’m sure they are well aware of that. There were numerous things I saw against Saint Peter’s that give me confidence the Vols can walk away victorious and advance to their second consecutive Sweet Sixteen, with Dalton Knecht finding his consistent stroke, and Santiago Vescovi drilling a few threes to hopefully raise his confidence level. EvanMiya’s matchup preview/predictor seems to echo that sentiment, predicting Tennessee will defeat Texas, 75-69. Stats | EvanMiya, CBBAnalytics, TeamRankings, and Kenpom. Photo | Tennessee Athletics Graphic | Dallas Bowlin

By: Dallas Bowlin Senior Staff Writer/Editor/Host The All Vol Call In Show It’s March, and Saint Peter’s is squaring off against an SEC school in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Sound familiar? Luckily for Tennessee, the eye test and analytics suggest that the outcome may not be so "Cinderella" for the Peacocks this time. Beginning with the most commonly known theme surrounding this matchup: Armoni Zeigler is the younger brother of Tennessee point guard Zakai Zeigler. As a freshman, Armoni Zeigler averages six points per game, shooting 39.1% from the field and 35.4% from behind the arc. While Armoni is Zakai's younger brother, his six-foot-four-inch stature means Zakai will likely not be guarding him. Those duties will probably be reserved for Santiago Vescovi, among others. While the coaching staff and roster are notably different, four players from the Peacocks' run two seasons ago are still on the team, including this season’s MAAC Defensive Player of The Year, guard Latrell Reid. In an 89-57 win over Manhattan, Reid dished out a career-high 17 assists to go along with 15 points. Defensively, Saint Peter’s held its opponents to 63.4 points per game, the 12th-lowest in the country. However, the Peacocks boast the 242nd-ranked strength of schedule, not necessarily facing a murderer's row of opponents. According to Evanmiya, the toughest game Saint Peter’s faced was against Seton Hall, resulting in a 70-59 loss. They shot 42% from the field and 33% from three while allowing the Pirates to shoot 50% from the field and 42% from three. Offensively, things start to slant in favor of Tennessee. Saint Peter’s is shooting 33.9% from three for the season, slightly below the NCAA average. Interestingly, per EvanMiya, the Volunteers perform at their best when teams shoot 31% or worse from three-point land. The good news for Tennessee is that teams are shooting 31.4% against them. In the paint, the Peacocks will simply be overmatched. They are shooting 11.9% below the NCAA average at the rim and 4.9% lower than average in the paint area. Coupled with the tallest player they play being six-foot-nine, this game could be a throwback grind-out-in-the-paint game for Tennessee. EvanMiya’s Matchup Preview suggests that Tennessee is expected to win 75-52, but as with every game in March, victory isn’t assured until the final buzzer sounds. Stats and Analytics | EvanMiya and CBB Analytics. Photo | Tennessee Athletics Graphic | Dallas Bowlin

By: Dallas Bowlin Senior Staff Writer/Editor/Host The All Vol Call in Show 20240318 March Madness has descended upon us again and Tennessee finds itself on the brink of making program history; a chance to secure a spot in the coveted Final Four and vie for a National Championship. However, despite recent challenges, there's a sense of optimism surrounding this year's team. Despite setbacks, the Volunteers boast the hallmarks of a championship-caliber squad, with seasoned veterans, formidable guard play, and the electrifying presence of a potential college basketball legend. With all of that praise out of the way, let’s get to the negative. A recent and troubling trend is the drop in defensive efficiency. During its recent two-game skid against Kentucky and Mississippi State, Tennessee posted a defensive efficiency of 110.5 and 114.8 which is its second and third-worst performance in the last 13 match ups. Against the Bulldogs in the SEC Tournament, Tennessee got handled in the paint. At the rim, Mississippi State made 13 of its 18 attempts (72.2%), and in the paint, eight out of 12 for 66.7% which is above average compared to the division one average. Against the Wildcats, its interior defense wasn’t horrible, but the perimeter defense left a lot to be desired. Guards Santiago Vescovi and Zakai Zeigler consistently found themselves out of position or slow on rotations. From the top of the key and wings, Kentucky made 15 of its 26 attempts, good for 57.7% which is well above the division one average. While the trend is unsettling, I would have faith in the coaching staff to fix those defensive issues by the big dance. On offense, some issues are fixable, but there are some that you can’t necessarily fix with coaching. Tennessee will have to capitalize on open three-point looks. For the season, Tennessee is shooting 35.2% on open three-point attempts (119/219) recently, the number is most likely much lower. In its half court offense, the Volunteers need to play West and East less and play North to South more. What I mean by that, is the constant dribble hand-offs toward the sidelines that don’t put any pressure on the defense. I would like to see Tennessee utilize “zoom action” much more frequently. “Zoom” is when a player receives a hand-off on the perimeter and goes straight downhill toward the rim. Using Zakai Zeigler, Dalton Knecht, and Santiago Vescovi to get downhill off the hand-off would help create more open looks. According to EvanMiya, Tennessee’s best five-man lineup is Zeigler, Gainey, Knecht, James, and Aidoo. If Tennessee wants to get out of its current offensive “funk” putting these five on the court together would be its best hope possible. Finally, the Volunteers will need more from their veterans. In their last five games, the super senior duo of Josiah-Jordan James and Santiago Vescovi are averaging a combined 8 points on 41% from the field and 24% from behind the arc. That just won’t get it done. Tennessee’s NCAA Tournament success will rely on its ability to defend and hit open shots. It has shown the ability to do both at an elite level. Can they find that again? That will decide the fate of the Vols. Stats and analytics | EvanMiya, CBB Analytics, and Synergy.

By: John Dunn Founder, Managing Director, Editor, Host The All Vol Call in Show 20240306 Typically when you think of Tennessee v. Alabama, the first thought to come to mind is the Third Saturday in October rivalry in football. However, due to the recent success of both the Alabama and Tennessee men's basketball programs, there has been even more hostility and tension added to the already storied rivalry. This past weekend, Tennessee traveled to Tuscaloosa looking to take down Alabama for the second time this season, inching closer to an SEC regular season title. With both teams ranked, and a lot on the line, College Gameday made the trip to Tuscaloosa to showcase the two talented teams battling it out for the second time of the season. Enter: Andrew Sanders. Sanders is a 2020 graduate of Maryville High School in Maryville, TN. He grew up loving Tennessee athletics and bleeding orange. However, the University of Alabama offered the best scholarship for Sanders after graduating high school, prompting for a move to "T-Town." Although his location changed, his heart remained the same; Sanders is a die hard Tennessee fan, which he regularly makes known amongst his peers behind enemy lines. On Saturday, Sanders attempted to work his way into the crowd, wearing his Tennessee orange. He was stopped by security and kicked out of line, "we're not allowing that color in here right now," said the security guard. Sanders is no stranger to sticking out like a sore thumb. Ever seen the photos and memes of the lone Tennessee fan wearing orange in the sea of crimson? (look up in the article) Yeah, that'd be our guy Andrew. He doesn't shy away from taking any opportunity to showcase his fandom. Sanders spoke on the occurrence at Coleman Arena on Saturday. Highlighting the efforts of "Crimson Chaos" members to help him out. "I had been looking forward to the Tennessee - Alabama basketball game all year," said Sanders. "I love Tennessee in every sport, but basketball is definitely my favorite and the one I follow most closely. It was only the second time Tennessee had come to Coleman in my four years at Bama. I had planned to get to Coleman at noon and hang out until the gates opened, since that’s how student entry to Alabama basketball games normally works. You get in one of two lines, Crimson Chaos or standard (Crimson Chaos is Alabama’s official student section, which is open to every student who pays the $15 annual dues. It allows early access to basketball games which in turn allows a higher likelihood of being early enough for many giveaways and promotions)." "But since College Gameday was coming to town, everything operated differently. Gameday was at 11, and the first 2000 people in got wristbands to get early access to the game. I wanted to ensure I got a wristband, so I headed to Coleman at 6 am, decked out in my orange and my Alabama Basketball hard hat with the script A crossed out and "Go Vols" written in dry erase marker. I got some strange looks and saw a couple people take pictures of me, and a few people asked me questions about why I was wearing “that gaudy orange,” but I was generally not poorly received. I sat in the Crimson Chaos line until around 8:45 when they announced that they would be coming around with wristbands in a few minutes so to have our UA Event Pass (a QR specific to each Alabama student) ready to scan." "When they came out to start scanning, one of the members of the Crimson Chaos executive board yelled out that I was in the wrong line, which I thought was a joke, then the university employee charged with organizing the wristbands told me that he wasn’t kidding and I needed to come over there. I told him the Chaos guy that I actually was a Crimson Chaos member, and he was surprised but told me that the Crimson Chaos president wanted me out but he’d check since I was a member. The staff guy then interrupted him and said that he wasn’t giving a priority wristband to someone in the wrong colors. A few of the other Chaos executive board members spoke up and said that it wasn’t right and that I should get a wristband since I’m a Chaos member, a student, and I was there as early as I was. I met all the criteria and hence should get a wristband." "The guy said “well he’s certainly not getting a 1st group wristband” and walked away. That was when I learned that there were different priority wristbands among the 2000 that would be allowed into the game in different groups, sort of like boarding a plane. By my place in line I would’ve been in group one, maybe two. So I was standing next to the line as they began handing out wristbands when the three Crimson Chaos executive board members standing nearby told me to get back in line and “don’t let anyone push you around.” So I did, but when the board member scanning QR codes got to me she told me I wasn’t supposed to be there." "I motioned to the guys who told me to go in and they told her to scan me, but she said she wouldn’t unless the president of Crimson Chaos directly told her to. Another Alabama staffer who was handing out bands saw all of this and apologized to me, but told me he couldn’t give me a band unless I was scanned. So I got back out of line, increasingly frustrated. The guys over there told me there was nothing they could do but they’d talk to the president, who agreed that if I covered up for Gameday I could have a wristband. I agreed, with the stipulation that I was wearing orange to the game. The guy I made that deal with left, and another guy walked up and apologized to me and gave me a wristband. He said “this was the best I could do.” I didn’t know what he meant by that but I gladly took the wristband." "They brought me one of the shirts they were giving out that night and I changed into it. I stood in the same spot in line I had been in and a few people around me gave me a hard time, but in good spirits. It was about a 50-50 split on people who told me they hated Tennessee but still thought it was messed up that they weren’t gonna let me in and people who told me they were glad they weren’t gonna let me in wearing orange, but were also glad I got the opportunity to change and still got a wristband." "I hung out up there a bit longer (oddly enough long enough to end up front and center in some pictures with the team when they brought out donuts) until I realized that my wristband was different than those around me. I assumed that maybe they had gotten down to group three before they got me one or something, so I decided to walk back in the line and find out how far back my group was. I caught all the way up with the people handing out wristbands without seeing one that matched mine. I asked the guy who had apologized to me earlier which group I was in, and he told me it was the last group (group 6), which they hadn’t even gotten far enough back to start handing out yet." "He apologized and said if it was up to him I would’ve gotten the band like normal, but he couldn’t do anything. I told him I understood and then just found some friends in line and stood with them since it was unlikely I was getting in at the front anyway. When I was standing with them, one of the Chaos execs came to me and told me told me to keep what was about to happen quiet. He slipped me a group 5 band and let me know that it wasn’t much, but at least put me in the range of person 400-600 to enter the game instead of 600-2000. He got the band by saying there was a scanning error for someone in line but that he had gotten it sorted and needed a band to give him, and so that was the band he got since they were up to group 5 at that point." "He told me that it irked him to no end that I wore Tennessee gear, but in his opinion it is not their job or right to decide which due-paying students get student tickets and don’t and that what had happened was wrong. I told him I appreciated him going out of his way and putting himself at risk to help me, and he told me that he felt sitting back and letting me mistreated when he could help would not have been a Christlike thing to do." "Eventually, I went in to Gameday, and because people didn’t listen to them telling us to fill sections P, Q, and R and only filled in Q and R, I ended up on the third row of P. I was pretty front and center for the action and managed to hold up my Tennessee hoodie (that I wasn’t allowed to wear but still had) on camera quite a few times. An hour before the show started, Christine Williamson and Seth Greenberg came and stood in our row to film a short promo, and I held up the hoodie to show Greenberg mid interview. He paused and said there was a traitor among us, which got the whole crowd to boo me. I don’t know if that ever aired (it certainly wasn’t during the show) but it was still a lot of fun. I came back to the game and was scared because of the morning’s events that I might get turned away in orange, so I wore a white Alabama hoodie with a Tennessee shirt underneath and took off the hoodie about 30 minutes before tip." "I ended up pretty far back, but I’m glad I still got to enjoy a Tennessee victory. Also of note is that one of the executive board members reached out to me after the fact to personally apologize for how things went down. He did this on his own and not on Crimson Chaos’s behalf, but it was a very respectable gesture on his part. I know that guy to be a strong Christian and it was cool to see the love of Christ come from him in this way. “While I do think that I was treated unfairly, it was very cool to see people who hated the team I was supporting and the clothes I was wearing go out of their way to try and help make things right for me. It really goes well with the reasoning behind my still loudly being a Tennessee fan at the University of Alabama: it’s fun. The rivalry, the trash talk, the competition, they all have the potential to get out of hand, but at the end of the day we support our teams and wear our colors because it’s fun. The people who helped me out clearly understood that there’s no point in sports or fan bases if we take it so seriously that we lose the fun that they are meant to bring. Go Vols!” Its safe to say that Sanders is one of the most die hard Tennessee fans around, and he is also a wonderful example of character. Kudos to those in Crimson that attempted to help him out as well.

By: Elijah Hixson Junior Staff Writer The All Vol Call in Show 20240111 Fans across the country have been buzzing after Tennessee True Freshman Quarterback Nico Iamaleava shined in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl. After an eight-win regular season behind Senior QB Joe Milton, Tennessee’s attention turned to the future when Milton announced a few days before the Citrus Bowl that he would be turning his focus to the 2024 NFL draft process and would not play in the game. This meant Coach Josh Heupel would turn the keys of the offense over to the Freshman. The 6’6, 195 lb. kid from Long Beach, Cal, was a top three-rated recruit across multiple recruiting websites in the 2023 cycle. Iamaleava was making headlines before he even enrolled at the University. It was reported that when he committed in March of 2022, he had signed a deal with Sprye Sports Group to earn 8 million dollars in Name Image and Likeness (NIL) sponsors over three years. This type of Deal was the first of its kind. Naturally, this put Iamaleava and Tennessee in the spotlight, with many asking the big question. Is he worth it? The Hawkeyes seemed to be a formidable opponent for the youngster in his first start, as they ranked in at number five for total defense going into the game. The Hawkeyes allowed the ninth fewest air yards in the country this season, and aside from First-team All-American Cornerback Cooper Dejean opting out, the Hawkeyes had an almost fully intact defense come Monday. The astounding defense of the Hawkeyes is what helped them in reaching a Big Ten Championship game this season. Iowa only gave up more than twenty points in games twice this season. Both ended in losses against the tenth-ranked Penn State Nittany Lions and the Number-one-ranked Michigan Wolverines in the Conference Championship—a feat that led them to a 10-win season. Tennessee and The Freshman went on to clobber the 17th-ranked Hawkeyes 36-0. Iamaleava ended the game with four total touchdowns. Three of which came off some awe-inspiring runs. The three rushing touchdowns by Iamaleava tied the record for most rushing touchdowns in a bowl game in school history with Joshua Dobbs and James Stewart. In the passing game, Iamaleava threw for 151 yards and a Touchdown. With its Defense pitching a shutout, Iamaleava and Tennessee didn’t have to do much through the air. The Volunteers scored the most points this season against the top 5 defense, being the first team to drop thirty-plus on the Hawkeyes. Even though he only threw 19 passes, the youngster showed flashes of being a fantastic passer. His ball had elite zip, making 15-yard passes look effortless. The kid also showed a natural instinct in the pocket, knowing when to take a sack, throw it away, or tuck it and run. He kept his eyes upfield out of the pocket, hitting on a few passes while on the run. These abilities show glimpses of what fans hope to be an illustrious career. According to many of his current and former coaches, he has an excellent work ethic, meaning these flashes can blossom into something extraordinary. Fans are in good spirits as Tennessee is returning most of the offensive line while also searching to add some outstanding talent to the portal in that area. The Volunteers also look to have an elite Wide Receiver room to compliment the kid as they added the coveted 6’5, 195 lb. Transfer Chris Brazzell from Tulane to a room that returns almost every starter, including fan favorite Bru McCoy, who has decided to stay one more season after a gruesome injury against South Carolina earlier this season. The backfield also looks dangerous as Junior Dylan Sampson rushed for 133 yards in the bowl game against Iowa, the most against that defense this season, which ranked 15th against the run. Sampson gives the Volunteer offense a nice balance, as fans believe the 2024 Tennessee offense can be something great. Even after what a lot consider to be a disappointing season, Nico Iamaleava gives fans a glimmer of hope for the future. Can the kid from Long Beach, California, bring a National Championship to Rocky Top for the first time in 25 years? Buckle up, Vol Nation. The answer to that question will be answered very soon.

By: John Dunn Founder, Managing Editor, Producer, Host The All Vol Call in Show 20240111 The news of Nick Saban's retirement came late Wednesday night. Citing age and health concerns, Nick Saban's illustrious career comes to an end with seven national championships, 11 conference titles, an overall record of 292-71-1, and a bevy of awards and other accolades. He will undoubtedly go down as the greatest college football coach of all time. Now that Saban has decided to hang 'em up, what does this mean for college football? It means that the Tide is changing; pun completely intended. College football is going to look vastly different next season; to the effect of when coach "K" retired from Duke. There are just certain coaches that are synonymous to the sport itself, and Saban is synonymous with both college football. The most notable differences will be seen within the SEC. For Tennessee, the move couldn't have come at a better time. "But, why," you ask? There are multiple factors that could end up benefiting Tennessee in the long term, and could happen very soon. THE PORTAL: It's no secret that the "hot button" issue in today's college football climate is the transfer portal. With a legendary coach passing the torch, there is a lot of uncertainty around the Alabama football team. I don't think anyone envies the person who follows in Saban's footsteps. Those are going to be big shoes to fill. That being said, you have to imagine that a lot of these players know that any school in the country would be clamoring for them to join the roster. They've had the best coaching, already experienced success, and will be able to bring some of their wisdom and experience in to bolster any roster. "Good players want to play with good players." We hear it all the time. It just so happens that Tennessee has an extremely high-profile quarterback at the moment that players across the country are eager to get the chance to play with. Now having seen Nico Iamaleava in a full game, knowing he will have weapons surrounding him on the offense next season, this could be an incentive for some departing Alabama players that may want to jump aboard a fast-rising rocket. A lot of college athletes dream of playing in massive stadiums with huge crowds, that's why may of them come to the SEC anyway; because "it just means more." At Alabama, players are blessed with some of the best facilities in the nation. It hasn't been long ago that the Tide fell to Tennessee in Knoxville. The atmosphere at that game was electric, and many players on the Alabama roster were there for that game. One has to believe that the scene of 100,000 fans rushing a cigar smoke-lit field while orange fireworks erupted in the background has to replay in their minds. For some, it may be a deterrent to ever even consider Tennessee, but for others, it may be an incentive to want to play in that type of high caliber atmosphere. Not to mention, Tennessee has some of the best facilities in the country, and they're about to get even nicer. A NEW REGIME: Although Saban was the one to announce his retirement, there will be a trickle-down effect. Whoever Alabama decides to go with as the next head coach will undoubtedly bring in his own coaching staff, leaving many Crimson Tide staffers needing jobs. Remaining in-conference may be important to some of the departing coaches who may be looking for landing spots. While the larger jobs are likely out of the question due to lack of current need, there could still be some quality control, player personnel assistants, or other athletic assistant that could help the Vols chalk up some wins this season from the sidelines. "THEY" WILL LIKELY RETURN: This is probably my least favorite "benefit" of Saban's retirement. In 1998 you couldn't have found an Alabama fan in the state of Tennessee; you could barely find them in Alabama. However, around 2008 or 2009, there was a dramatic spike in Alabama fandom. Simultaneously, there was a huge falling off of Tennessee fans. Coincidence? No, it isn't. A lot of current Alabama "fans" were Tennessee "fans" just years prior, and will likely make a return to the orange side. As it currently appears, Tennessee is on the rise. Now that Saban has announced his retirement, no one knows how Alabama will look and things are extremely uncertain. While I'm not a huge fan of the bandwagon turning around, it does mean two things: 1.) money. At least they'll be spending the money on Tennessee. which will help the program. 2.) Having to hear "Roll Tide" a lot less. These are just a few of the reasons that Tennessee could immediately benefit from Saban's retirment. Of course, there is also the added benefit of not having to coach against a coach that is widely considered to be the greatest of all time. Whether you loved or hated Saban, there is one thing that is undeniable: you'll never forget him.

By: Aaron Gibson Junior Staff Writer The All Vol Call in Show 20240110 According to ESPN data, the Vols currently possess the fourth-best percentage (following Houston, Purdue, and Arizona) to win the NCAA Championship at 4.3%. It's no secret that the Vols boast an exceptionally deep roster this year, from top to bottom. With the perfect blend of seasoned veterans, potent transfers, and high-potential freshmen, this team has the chance to be the best Tennessee basketball team of Barnes' tenure and possibly the greatest in the program's history. Although conference play has just begun, and the Vols face some challenging road environments, it will be interesting to see if they can live up to the hype. While assists, scoring, and high-flying dunks are thrilling aspects of the game, one of the most overlooked components of a successful team is culture. Every successful team features individuals who may not lead in points, assists, or appear on ESPN's top 10 plays every night, but they are the consummate professionals who keep the team united. The glue that holds this current team together is Josiah-Jordan James. On the court, James is akin to a Swiss Army knife. He can defend, shoot, pass, and leads the team in rebounds per game with an average of 7.1. When other players struggle with their shooting, James can step up to lead in scoring, as he did with 23 points against NC State. He can also contribute an extremely efficient 8 points, as he did last Saturday, while also distributing 4 assists and collecting 4 rebounds. One of the most overlooked aspects of his game is his understanding of the offense's flow. James is extremely effective from mid-range, shooting an impressive 48%. However, even when his shot isn't falling, he still contributes by defending, creating good shooting opportunities for his teammates, and grabbing rebounds. Beyond his play on the court, his leadership skills may be his most significant asset. Despite being a five-star prospect and averaging double digits last season, James chose to return to the Vols as a walk-on (UT had already allocated their 13 scholarships initially before Chris Ledlum transferred to St. John's) instead of exploring other options in the transfer portal. James's unselfishness on and off the court is paramount to UT's sustained success and could contribute to a deep tournament run. In an era dominated by the transfer portal and name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals, witnessing James's selflessness is exceptionally refreshing. James is the real MVP.

By: Josh Jessee Junior Staff Writer The All Vol Call in Show 20240110 Baseball season is quickly approaching and Tennessee fans have a lot to be excited about heading into the 2024 season. Head Coach Tony Vitello will be entering his seventh season at the helm of the baseball program, with what is arguably one of his most talented teams to date. After last year's roller coaster of a season that ultimately ended in an Omaha heartbreak, Tennessee looks to write a much different story this year. Vitello will use the results of last season to serve as fuel for the fire, propelling the team into the upcoming season with a renewed determination to secure their place among the nation's elite. The dreams of championships began in Knoxville when the Volunteers retained a core group of star players from the previous season. Christian Moore, Drew Beam, Zane Denton, and Blake Burke, proven leaders and standout performers, return to the diamond in 2024 with a wealth of experience and a shared mission to lead their team to glory. Burke's raw strength and power with a bat in his hand makes him one of the most exciting first basemen in all of college baseball hitting 16 home runs last season. Pair that with the play making abilities of both Moore and Denton on the defensive side of the ball, as well as their ability to make clutch plays with a bat in their hands. Those traits make a solid foundation for the upcoming season. Fans can also look for Beam to transition in as the Vols new Ace on the pitching mound. Last season Beam held a 9-4 record and 3.63 ERA. Beam has plenty of arm talent and has continued to improve each season since arriving on Rocky Top. The transfer portal was very kind to Tennessee this past off season as well. In addition to the veteran talent that is returning, The Vols also have star studded talent by way of the transfer portal. Three names Tennessee fans should learn before the season gets underway are Cannon Peebles, Billy Amick, and Nate Sneed. Peebles joins the Vols by way of N.C. Sate, where as a Freshman All-American he posted a .352 batting average, 12 home runs, and 50 RBI’s. Catcher was an area of need for the volunteers entering 2024 and Peebles is definitely the type of player The Vols needed. Losing Chase Burns to the transfer portal appeared to be a major blow to Tennessee’s pitching rotation, but the addition of Snead quickly lightened the blow. The Wichita State transfer is a high-90s fastball thrower with a 3.16 ERA. Finally what is arguably the biggest portal grab in baseball was when the Vols were able to secure Amick from Clemson. As a sophomore last season Amick posted a .413 batting average, totaling 13 home runs and 63 RBIs. Vitello beat out a ton of competition to be able to land the All-ACC infielder. While the return of seasoned veterans and huge transfer portal targets are crucial for success, the Vols are committed to cultivating the skills of emerging players. Vitello makes this evident in making recruiting a top priority of his program. Tennessee will see a large presence of highly touted sophomores take the field this season. Including Dylan Dreiling who looks to secure the starting left field position after an impressive Freshman season. Right Handed Pitcher AJ Russell, who was very impressive for the Vols out of the bullpen, will make a case to crack the starting rotation in 2024. Redshirt Sophomore Kavares Tears will bring his big bat to the plate for Tennessee this season as well. Tears will have an opportunity to take the right field spot, but could also end up as the Vols designated hitter. Vitello will also bring in freshmen from one of the nations top recruiting classes. A class that is full of talent that will look to push for playing time while developing under this coaching staff. Under the leadership of Vitello the Vols have become a formidable force in college baseball. Vitello's ability to inspire and strategize, coupled with his keen eye for talent, has elevated Tennessee's program. As the team embarks on the 2024 season, the potential for success under Vitello's guidance is palpable. The combination of experienced stars along with new acquisitions will allow the Vols to maximize their offensive production. Pitching Coach Frank Anderson has a reloaded stable of arm talent, which has a nice mix of talent levels that should be ready to go come February. As the season inches closer it is safe to say that Vol fans, players, and coaches all have their eyes set on a trip to Omaha. Vitello and staff have had a tremendous off season, piecing together a team that should punch Tennessee’s Ticket to the College World Series and bring tons of excitement to Knoxville this season.

By: Aaron Gibson Junior Staff Writer The All Vol Call in Show It is officially basketball time in Tennessee. Thus far in this short season, Tennessee's two best players have been Dalton Knecht and Jordan Gainey, both of whom are transfers. The transfer portal can elevate a program to new heights, much like Hooker did for Tennessee football, but in other cases, it can do little or nothing for your program. Getting players from the transfer portal is much like recruiting. Sometimes you swing and get a hit, and other times you miss. The transfer portal during Rick Barnes's tenure at Tennessee has been full of many misses, but it appears now that Tennessee has hit the ball over the fence. Starting in 2015-16, Barnes snatched Kevin Punter from the transfer portal. Punter began his career playing two years at State Fair Community College. During Punter's senior year, Barnes communicated to him that he should alter his unorthodox mechanics of his shot. This was the first time someone had mentioned changing his unorthodox delivery. The next season, in 2016-17, Punter averaged 22.2 points per game, leading the SEC in scoring and becoming the 10th highest scorer in the nation. Another notable transfer came in 2017 with James Daniels III, who transferred from Howard. Although statistically he regressed, Daniels became an essential ball handler and leader on a rejuvenated Tennessee team that won 26 games (10 more than the previous season), shared the regular season SEC championship, finished 13th in the AP poll, and became Barnes's first team at Tennessee to make the tournament. Victor Bailey Jr transferred to Tennessee in 2019 from Oregon, but due to NCAA rules at the time, he had to sit out for that season. In the 2020-21 season, Bailey became the third leading scorer on the team, averaging 11 points per game. However, in the next season, Tennessee welcomed Kennedy Chandler, Santiago Vescovi, and Zakai Zeigler, causing Bailey's role on the team to diminish. Bailey ended up transferring to George Mason and averaged 11.8 points per game during his two years at the school. Other notable transfers, EJ Anosike (brother of Lady Vol legend Nikki Anosike) and Devonte Gaines, both transferred to smaller schools and ended up having respectable careers. Anosike transferred to Cal State Fullerton and averaged nearly a double-double. Gaines averaged 8.9 in two years at George Mason. One of the most notable transfers of the Barnes era, however, is one that ended up becoming all-conference after he transferred. Drew Pember, the local product from Bearden High School, barely saw the floor while he was at Tennessee. At UNC Asheville, however, Pember averaged 18.6 points per game for his career and made the all-conference team multiple times. Tennessee's two current transfers, Knecht and Gainey, both averaged double digits at their previous schools (Northern Colorado and USC Upstate) and look so far to be the most efficient scorers on the team in this early season. Initially, Barnes brought Gainey to the program as a possible role player, but Gainey has been able to create his own shot, shoot the three-ball from deep, and handle the ball in the open court. So far, Knecht looks like the most talented player Barnes has had at Tennessee. Last week, Knecht was named SEC Player scoring 24 points against Wisconsin in a big road win. Gainey added 10 points of his own in only 21 minutes of play.