Wednesday, November 9, 2022 - Basketball Preview

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Letter from Sports Editor: Must-see TV

ANDREW PETERS Sports Editor

You can smell it in the air of this unusually warm November week. College basketball is back and it’s a beautiful thing.

College football has been stressful, the NFL has been giving us some bad games and the NBA has been a hellscape off the court. College basketball feels like a breath of fresh air.

Personally, I will spend every free night for the next week watching mid-majors take on blue bloods and rooting for upsets.

I’m predicting a really fun season ahead. There are some great teams this season. Kentucky is looking to shake off a first-round exit last year as big man Oscar Tshiebwe returns with his eyes on a Player of the Year award. Speaking of veteran bigs skipping out on the draft to play another season, Drew Timme is going to light up the WCC in hopes of leading Gonzaga to a championship.

Duke will learn to navigate life post-Mike Krzyzewski as other blue bloods look to chase what Kansas got last year.

Tennessee should be at the top of every college basketball fan’s radar. Am I saying this because I am a Vols beat writer hoping for more reads? Maybe. But the Vols truly bring one of the most exciting teams in college basketball this season.

Josiah-Jordan James returns for his senior season after getting some feedback from NBA scouts and he is going to be great. Next to him is senior guard Santiago Vescovi, who brings back one of the best three-point strokes in the SEC.

That duo is going to be electric.

In the paint stands Uros Plasvic, a 7-foot-1 senior who is not afraid to talk trash, and Olivier Nkomhoua, who spent the offseason fine-tuning his offense while getting reps with the Finland National Team. International basketball is very different from basketball here in the states, and I think time will show that Nkomhoua is much better because of his international experience.

Tennessee also returns Zakai Zeigler, one of the most likeable players in the league who gives Tennessee the spark that any good team needs.

The Vols also have some talented freshmen, with Julian Phillips being the most exciting. Phillips can shoot, jump, defend and will likely go on to be a first rounder. I will not be surprised if Phillips winds up on Sportscenter a few times this season with some exciting dunks.

Given Tennessee’s remarkable roster, I think this is going to be one of the best teams in a while. The Vols have the veteran experience that the 2018-19 team had, the talent of last years’ squad and the grittiness of some of those Bruce

Roaring Crowds

ticket numbers rise as the reigning SEC title holders follow a 17- home game winning streak. Student tickets are in such high demand that Thompson- Boling Arena has additional student seating options.

Pearl teams from the late 2000s.

Tennessee has its competition for sure, but I think the Vols will finish the regular season at the top of the SEC and will make a deep tournament run.

On the other side of things, the Lady Vols have also put together one of their best teams in recent years.

Kellie Harper, who played under the GOAT Pat Summitt, brings a winning mentality to Tennessee. She reached the Sweet 16 in just her fourth season (third full season) as head coach and is determined to get Tennessee back to the pinnacle of college basketball.

She’ll do it with the help of players like Jordan Horston, Tamari Key and Jordan Walker, just to name a few. The list of preseason award watchlists that Tennessee’s roster has been on is never ending. This team is going to be very good.

All that to say, Tennessee basketball is mustsee TV this season. Football is king on campus –we know that – but do yourself a favor and watch some hoops in between Saturdays.

Jahmai Mashackdives dives for ball during the opening game against Tennessee Tech on Nov. 7, 2022. Alexandra Ashmore / The Daily Beacon

Letter from Assistant Sports Editor: Anything can happen

ERIC WOODS Assistant Sports Editor

of pent up emotions, and it reinforced a reality that I had known since I was a child: Sports are special.

Now, I have the opportunity to cover my first love: basketball.

While I love the NBA, college basketball is particularly exciting - from sitting under my covers past my bedtime and watching Villanova’s Kris Jenkins nail a three pointer to defeat North Carolina in the championship, to watching Butler’s Gordon Hayward nearly slaying the giant that was Duke with his halfcourt shot.

odds will win it all.

Last year, three out of the No. 1 seeds were out of the running by the Sweet 16. Granted, the other top seed, Kansas, won it all, but my point still stays valid.

No, my dreams of one day being in the Final Four have—surprisingly—not come to fruition, but college basketball teaches one important lesson: there is no limit to your greatness if you put in the work.

One year ago, I wrote my first story at the Beacon covering a cross country meet. I was just a sophomore journalism student trying to get his feet wet. I didn’t have a clue what I was doing.

Fast forward to the spring and I got put on the men’s tennis beat and truly found a love and passion for what I was doing.

I began covering women’s soccer this fall before getting thrown onto the football beat midseason.

My first game? Alabama.

I watched the field goal go through from the sideline, and I looked behind me to see thousands of fans racing to get on the field. With each passing fan, I saw the release of 16 years

I watched guys like Jimmer Fredette and Kemba Walker defy all odds and immortalize themselves in basketball history. I wasn’t old enough to remember Steph Curry’s run at Davidson, but I go back and watch clips, and it would always send me into a trance thinking “that could be me.”

You see, in college basketball, quite literally anything can happen. I’ve seen Cinderella runs such as UMBC, Oral Roberts and—close your eyes Vol fans—Loyola Chicago.

I know Knoxville is generally a college football city, but you just don’t see things like that in college football. In college football, usually the better team wins games, and you have a general idea of who will secure the national championship. But in college basketball, I’d be willing to bet that none of the top-5—or maybe top-10—teams with the highest preseason

I’m not going to get all motivational here, but seeing underdogs reach the top is a special story. Don’t get me wrong; the Zion Williamsons and the Anthony Davises of the world were special to watch in college. But they already are what they are: physical freaks who were bound to succeed.

Some of the underdogs like Steph, Kemba and Jimmer reach the NBA and do great things as far as basketball goes. Some don’t.

That doesn’t take away from the fact that those who “didn’t make it” etched their names in sports history forever. They have the memory of a time when they did something great. A memory that they can share with their kids. A memory they can use to fuel the rest of their life in whatever they do.

I can’t wait to have the chance to possibly watch these moments unfold this season, and I am beyond excited to cover Tennessee basketball this semester.

Tennessee’s Josiah-Jordan James dunks the ball during the Vols’ game against Vanderbilt in Thompson-Boling Arena on Feb. 12, 2022. File / The Daily Beacon

Champion Rewind

The men’s basketball team dominated last season, leading them to the SEC title. Here’s a look back at their monumental moments.

ANDREW PETERS Sports Editor

Villanova, L 53-71

Auburn, W 67-62

LSU, W 64-50

Tennessee dropped its first big test of the season, getting blown out by Villanova in the Hall of Fame Tip-Off Tournament. Santiago Vescovi’s 23 points wasn’t enough to get the Vols past the Wildcats.

Tennessee picked up a big win over No. 3 Auburn while closing out the season on a 9-1 run. The game helped give the Vols some momentum heading into an SEC Tournament field that boasted a lot of great teams.

North Carolina, W 89-72

things seemed like they were finally starting to click. Vescovi hit five threes

Texas A&M, W 65-50 North Carolina, W 89-72

Deemed the Zakai Zeigler breakout game, the Vols immediately shook off a loss in the first game of the Hall of Fame Tip-Off Tournament and defeated the Tar Heels. The game was the first time Zeigler played big minutes for Tennessee and he shined with 18 points and five assists.

After defeating Kentucky the day before, only Texas A&M stood in the way of an SEC Tournament Championship. The Wildcats were arguably the toughest competition of the tournament and the Vols breezed past the Aggies to secure their first SEC Tournament Championship since 1979.

Arizona’s Bennedict Mathurin put up 28 points, but it wasn’t enough as the Vols closed out the Wildcats late in the second half. Fulkerson had the best game of his senior season with 24 points and 10 rebounds. The Vols and Wildcats will meet again this season in Arizona.

Kentucky, W 76-63

After losing the first of two meetings, Tennessee dominated No. 4 Kentucky at home just over a month later. Tennessee made Player of the Year Oscar Tshiebwe a nonfactor and guard pair Chandler and Vescovi combined for 35 in the game.

(Alexandra Ashmore/ The Daily Beacon) - Nov. 20

(Adrien Terricabras/ The Daily Beacon) - Nov. 21

(Alexandra Ashmore/ The Daily Beacon) - Feb. 26

After a rough start to conference play, the Vols finally got a big SEC win against No. 13 LSU and

to guide the Vols past the Tigers at home.

(Kailee Harris/ The Daily Beacon) - Jan. 22

(Kailee Harris/ The Daily Beacon) - Mar. 13

(Alexandra Ashmore/ The Daily Beacon) - Nov. 20

File / The Daily Beacon) - Dec. 22

Best of Tennessee’s non-conference slate

ERIC WOODS Assistant Sports Editor

The preseason No. 11 Vols will open the 2022 regular season with a non-conference sched ule that is a touch lighter than that of last year. Here’s a look at three of Tennessee’s most important non-conference matchups this sea son.

Nov. 23 - Butler

The Vols will play an early season tourna ment in the Bahamas, where they are set to face Butler in the first round of the Battle 4 Atlantis.

The Bulldogs brought in a new head coach for this season in Thad Matta after a disap pointing 14-19 campaign last season. Matta has been away from the coaching ranks since 2017 after leaving Xavier.

He had a previous stint at Butler, but his most notable years were at Ohio State as the winningest coach in the program’s history. Matta is a more-than-proven head coach and will likely put the program back to its former glory, but he has a tough road ahead.

Matta’s group sees just one returning start er in junior guard Chuck Harris, who was also last year’s leading scorer—albeit a measly 11.4 points per game on just 37.8% shooting.

The Bulldogs also return sophomore guard Jayden Talyor, who averaged 8.2 points, but

like Harris, struggled with his efficiency. A po tential impactful newcomer is Purdue transfer guard Eric Hunter, who is a knockdown threepoint shooter (43.6%) and a recipient of AllBig Ten defensive honors last season.

The matchup itself is not the most glamor ous, but it means a lot moving forward in the tournament as Tennessee looks to establish it self as a contender early on. The teams featured in the tournament include reigning champion and preseason No. 5 Kansas, No. 24 BYU and USC.

Dec. 17 - Arizona

The Wildcats have long been a powerhouse in college basketball, but stumbled on rough

years leading to Sean Miller’s firing, during which time they failed to reach the NCAA Tour nament for three straight seasons.

That all changed last year when longtime Gonzaga assistant Tommy Lloyd took the reins and led Arizona to a 33-4 record, a Pac-12 title and a Sweet 16 berth. However, the Wildcats lost three key pieces in Benedict Mathurin, Dalen Terry and Christian Koloko.

While there is no reason to expect a steep drop off, it will be difficult to replace those pieces, especially Mathurin.

Arizona has been rated as the No. 17 team and still has talent across the board. Junior Guard Kerr Kriisa is likely the X-factor for this team. Last year’s Pac-12 Sixth Man of the Year,

junior guard Pelle Larsson returns to the team and will assume a starting role this year. Other important returning players include senior guard Courtney Ramey and junior big man Ou mar Ballo.

If the roster is able to make leaps in place of its departing stars, then this will be a tough matchup for Tennessee.

Jan. 28 - Texas

Dead in the middle of SEC play, the Long horns will travel to Thompson-Boling Arena in a Big 12/SEC challenge. Rick Barnes will coach against his former team with vengeance on his mind after last year’s 52-51 loss.

Texas is the Vols’ highest ranked non-con ference opponent at No. 12, and it will likely be a marquee matchup between two very good teams.

The Longhorns are led by head coach Chris Beard, who is in his second season at the helm. Beard has already accomplished more than any Texas head coach since Barnes by winning an NCAA Tournament game and has tons of re turning talent with a loaded recruiting class.

Among the returning starters are fifthyears Marcus Carr, Timmy Allen and Christian Bishop. As for newcomers, five-stars Dillon Mitchell and Arterio Morris enter the program.

The Longhorns also bring in Iowa State trans fer Tyrese Hunter, who is the reigning Big 12 Freshman of the Year. Expect this matchup to be a highly competitive one.

How 2 preseason games got UT in midseason shape by October

ANDREW PETERS Sports Editor

month of basketball.

This isn’t for no reason. Barnes’s team was knocked out of the tournament prematurely in March after folding to No. 11 seed Michigan in the second round.

The Vols were caught off guard by almost everything Michigan did. For that reason, Barnes organized a private scrimmage with Michigan State and an exhibition with Gonzaga less than a week later to start the season.

The results of the Michigan State game are unknown, but the Vols beat Gonzaga 99-80 in Frisco, Texas, in a game that had all of the makings of a game played in March.

The games gave Tennessee two early chal lenges to go along with an already tough non conference schedule.

“Game experience is the best experience,” Vols’ big Olivier Nkamhoua said. “You can practice as much as you want, but nothing can replicate a basketball game.”

These games are important come March. They throw unexpected things at the Vols and have them prepared to see anyone.

men. Tennessee’s freshmen have played in some big games throughout high school, but there is nothing that compares to a college bas ketball season.

Julian Phillips, one of the Vols’ freshmen, was thrown into the fire against Gonzaga. He got the start with Josiah-Jordan James still benched and immediately had to take on one of the best basketball teams in the country.

He was undeniably nervous. He missed a shot and picked up two frustration fouls in the first half. The second half was a different story. He had 12 points after hitting three threes and a

turnaround jumper out of the half.

“His first two outings in college basketball have been against Michigan State and Gon zaga,” Barnes said of Phillips. “Which is not an easy thing. There’s no way to wade into that, and he was thrown right into it.”

The two games made Phillips and the Vols’ other freshmen grow up quick, and now they have valuable experience that most players don’t get until the middle of the season.

Tennessee doesn’t begin nonconference play until December, but it already has some high-level basketball under its wing.

It’s not even mid-November and Tennessee has already seen as much high-level competi tion as most teams will see through their first

“In 40 minutes when you’re dealing with young people, believe me anything can hap pen,” Barnes said at SEC Media Days. “We’ve seen teams catch lightning in a bottle.”

Along with preparation for the entire team, the games were also vital for the Vols’ fresh

Tennessee forward no. 33 Uros Plasvic at the basketball game vs. Arizona on Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2021. File / The Daily Beacon

Head coach Rick Barnes speaks to media at practices for the 2022-2023 season.

Edward Cruz / The Daily Beacon

New leaders emerge in wake of Fulkerson’s departure

ERIC WOODS Assistant Sports Editor

Tennessee boasts a loaded roster heading into the 2022 campaign with returning guys like Josiah-Jordan James, Santiago Vescovi and Zakai Zeigler paired with a stout group of newcomers such as Julian Phillips and Tyreke Key. However, the departure of fan-favorite John Fulkerson has left a sizable hole in the program.

That hole was going to be bigger when James announced that he was headed to the 2022 NBA Draft. Luckily, he later announced that he was returning to the program.

Now, the trio of James, Vescovi and Zeigler looks to make out one of the strongest leader ship groups the reigning SEC champs have had under head coach Rick Barnes.

While Zeigler is just a sophomore, his pres ence has provided invaluable energy.

“What Zekai brought to us made a major impact on on our entire program, and every guy here,” Barnes said. “He was one of those guys that wasn’t going to come in and try to overstep his boundaries ... he’s an extremely confident player.”

Last year, Zeigler quickly found his place in the team’s rotation, and his presence on the court can inject life into the team on both sides of the ball. If Zeigler’s youth hampers his au thority at times, then James and Vescovi will be right there with him as well-seasoned vets.

“They both really have a terrific basketball IQ when it comes to understanding what we’re trying to do as a team,” Barnes said. “They not only know what they’re supposed to be doing, but they really have a pretty good feel for all the other positions. The more you can get guys to

understand that is when you can start mix ing and matching and doing a lot of fun things from a coach’s standpoint.”

James brings perhaps the biggest veteran presence to the table as a former five-star re cruit. Most players of his caliber expect to be in the NBA after year one, but he will be able to draw from his experiences with players like Phillips, B.J. Edwards and D.J. Jefferson, who are in similar positions as he was as a fresh man.

Vescovi, on the other hand, comes from a very different background, but his role as one of the driving forces of Barnes’ offense is in dispensable to those trying to adjust to the program.

“When they’re playing in practice or in the game, they impact the game when they’re not because they’re able to coach,” Barnes said.

“They’re able to help guys coming out of time outs or just on the side during practice.”

The Vols are looking to improve on the heights they reached last year, and that all starts on the backbone of a strong leadership presence on the court and in the locker room.

“You got a team that’s got great leadership, and it’s hard to come by,” Barnes said. “It re ally is, but I do think the best teams have it. And I think oftentimes it comes from different players in different ways.”

Vols’ offense focusing on speed after NCAA loss

ANDREW PETERS Sports Editor

Coming off a season where his team fell short to an arguably worse team in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes knew something had to change.

The Vols’ defense was solid last season. If Barnes is coaching a team, the defense likely isn’t a problem.

“Defense is always going to be coach Barnes’ identity,” senior forward Josiah-Jordan James said.

Offensive production was there for the most part, but there was something missing. That something was speed.

Barnes has made a point to speed up the of fense this season. This looks like making quick passes in transition, lots of running without the ball and getting off quick shots.

The fast offense has already led to confi dence and aggressiveness for the Vols.

“I think it’s more free-flowing and it’s helping us just attack people and it’s helping our scoring,” forward Olivier Nkamhoua said. “We’ve struggled scoring in the past and we’ve gotten better every year.”

It isn’t a complete schematic change, how ever. The Vols are sticking to their old ways,

just picking up the pace.

“Our offense is still very similar, but just implementing that speed,” Nkamhoua said. “I think one thing it’s really given us is confi dence.”

The decision to implement a faster offense has come as the roster started to fit a certain image. Barnes has had talented teams for the last several years, but now has one that fits the mold to run a fast offense.

“Just the skill level, the speed that we have,” Barnes said. “I think we can get down the floor,

spread the floor. We’ve shot the ball well.”

Ball movement is an integral part of the fast offense. The Vols moved the ball well in a pre season exhibition against Gonzaga with 28 as sists that led to a high-scoring performance.

Tennessee also had 21 assists in its season opener against Tennessee Tech – a number that will probably be higher once the team shakes out the early season jitters.

“It’s moving the ball,” Barnes said. “It’s learning how to pass the ball the way it needs to be passed and putting it where it needs to go so

a guy doesn’t have to look back and slow down and let the defense catch up.”

Ball movement and a fast pace leads to something vital in today’s game – three point ers. Tennessee shot 44 threes in its season opener and plans on making that a big part of the team’s identity this season.

“We have the talent to do it,” James said. “1-5 we have people on the court who are able, who practice those shots, who have the green light to shoot those shots. I think it’s going to be our M.O. for sure.”

To do this, the Vols spend a lot more time on threes than in years past, making sure to keep track of every three that gets taken in practice. Barnes even said that at one point during the offseason, guard Zakai Zeigler hit 49 straight threes.

The Vols are also focusing on expanding their range, putting tape several feet behind the line to encourage shooting deep threes. The change already led to a lot more open looks in the first game of the season.

“We’ve put an emphasis on shooting past the NBA line,” James said.

There are going to be some nights where the threes don’t fall, but when they do, the Vols will have an enjoyable night.

“Everybody can shoot it and I think that’s why we’re such an explosive offense,” transfer guard Tyreke Key said. “The nights they’re go ing to fall are going to be good nights.”

Josiah-Jordan James, 30, hugging Zakai Zeigler, 5, during the Tennessee vs Arkansas game on March 5, 2022 at Thompson-Boling Arena. Kailee Harris / The Daily Beacon

Olivier Nkamhoua, 13, looks to pass the ball during the Tennessee vs Texas A&M game on Feb. 1, 2022 at Thompson-Boling Arena. Kailee Harris / The Daily Beacon

BASKETBALL PREVIEW

Lady Vols’ veteran lineup bring experience to season’s challenges

CALEB JARREAU Staff Writer

The Lady Vols returned six players from last season – a season Tennessee began 18-5 but finished 5-6.

Of the six returners, the Lady Vols bring back four starters, including seniors Jordan Horston and Tamari Key.

Experience is crucial in the SEC. Tennessee also picked up senior guard Rickea Jackson in the transfer portal. Jackson was a starter at Mississippi State, leading the SEC in scoring before entering the portal in January.

“We’re stacked this year. I’m excited,” Key said. “Just having players who have been there before and they know what it looks like to play the hard teams and finish out the tough games.”

Key, a 6-foot-6 post, has taken a leadership role this season. The three-year starter has been an anchor for Tennessee in the paint.

“Just being more vocal,” Key said on how she’s grown into a leadership role. “The post group this year has been a lot of fun. We love being around each other, we make each other better. In practice, we go at each other for the betterment of each other.”

With a group of veterans like Tennessee has, it may be hard for some to follow instead of lead. Head coach Kellie Harper has made sure this wouldn’t be an issue.

Harper has made off-court leadership a pri ority this season. Along with her staff, Harper has been teaching the team to not only lead but to follow as well.

“There’s a 360 aspect to that leadership point,” redshirt sophomore Marta Suárez said. “We have some players that on the court are

super important and leading on the court with the stats part…Then we have other people who have stepped up in leading off the court, in leading on how we behave, in leading on keep ing other people accountable, or even leading in the following aspect – like assuming their roles.”

The Lady Vols have adopted a leadershipby-committee structure – not relying on one or two athletes to be the sole voice of the team.

Tennessee’s returners don’t just have expe rience in SEC basketball, but in overcoming ad versity as well. Last season saw unprecedented challenges for the Lady Vols.

Both Suarez and Horston – two of Tennes see’s top scorers – went down with seasonending injuries last season. Despite their inju ries, Tennessee managed to claw themselves to a Sweet 16 appearance.

“Just having that knowledge, going through those trials, and just figuring things out in this college atmosphere is needed for great teams,” Horston said. “Last year, we experienced a lot, we grew a lot. I feel like it’s pushing us in the right direction for what we want to achieve.”

Horston was the Lady Vols’ leading scorer a season ago, averaging 16.2 points per game. With Horston’s expected role on offense, she’s grown into a leadership role for Tennessee.

Partially thanks to her being sidelined late last season, Horston has found her voice. The guard was very vocal from tip-off to the final buzzer in Tennessee’s exhibition match with Carson Newman.

“Being away from the game has taught me to be more of a vocal leader as well because I still had a voice whether I was playing or not,” Horston said. “I was still talking to my team mates, saying what I saw on the court.”

With four years under their belt, Horston and the rest of the Lady Vols veteran group are prepared no matter what comes their way in the 2022-23 campaign.

“It’s adversity, you never know what’s go

ing to be thrown at you,” Horston said. “Like even in a game, you never know what’s going to happen, but you can only control what you can control. That’s what we really have to focus on.”

Tennessee’s No.20 Tamari Key attempts a shot in the Lady Vols’ game against Arkansas in Thompson-Boling Arena on Jan. 31, 2022. File / The Daily Beacon

Jordan Horston, No.25, dribbles the ball, talking to her teammates in Thompson-Boling Arena on Feb. 13, 2022. File / The Daily Beacon

A rundown of Lady Vols’ biggest tests this season

CALEB JARREAU Staff Writer

Tennessee has no lack of out-of-conference tests before heading into SEC play.

The Lady Vols come into this season ranked No. 5 in the preseason AP poll – fresh off a Sweet 16 appearance in Kellie Harper’s third season at the helm.

“We’re going to be challenged so many times even before we get to SEC play,” Harper said. “I think that’s what this team needs, for us to be our best, we’ve got to fight through ad versity. We’ve got to battle ups and downs. We need to be tested.”

Here’s a look at some of the biggest tests for the Lady Vols.

Nov. 8 - Ohio State

Tennessee travels to Columbus to face off against Ohio State. The Buckeyes are ranked No. 14 in the preseason poll.

Ohio State is coming off a dominant season where the Buckeyes won a share of the Big Ten title. Ohio State also made it to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2017 last season.

The Buckeyes will prove to be a tough test for Tennessee on the road right out of the gate.

Nov. 14 - Indiana

Not even a week after facing off against the ranked Buckeyes, Tennessee welcomes pre

season No. 11 to Thompson-Boling Arena.

The Hoosiers are expected to finish in the top of the Big Ten, and are coming off a Sweet 16 appearance a season ago where they fin ished 24-9.

Indiana has been ranked in the top-25 coaches’ poll for 42 consecutive weeks.

Nov. 19-21 - Bad Boy Mowers Women’s Battle 4 Atlantis

Tennessee is officially scheduled to open this tournament against Rutgers.

The Lady Vols tried to work out a meet ing with Texas, but they could not finalize the travel arrangements. The two “UT’s” may meet in the Battle 4 Atlantis. Texas is ranked preseason as the No. 3 team.

Other preseason ranked teams in the tour nament include No. 7 Louisville and No. 23 South Dakota State.

Gonzaga, Rutgers and UCLA round out the rest of the tournament.

Dec. 4 - Virginia Tech

December gets no easier for the Lady Vols as they open the month welcoming Virginia Tech to Thompson-Boling Arena as part of the Jimmy V Women’s classic.

The Hokies are coming off back-to-back NCAA tournament appearances. Virginia Tech sits at No.13 in the preason AP poll.

The Hokies’ Elizabeth Kitley was dubbed as the ACC player of the year. On top of Kitley,

Virginia Tech returns most of their production from the past couple of seasons.

Dec. 18 - Stanford

The Lady Vols make the trip out west to face off with the preseason No. 2 Stanford Cardinal.

Stanford brings a deep lineup into this sea son, with 15 players scoring over 13 points in their preseason scrimmage. The Cardinal re turns 10 players from their team last season –which won the PAC-12 and made it to the Final Four.

The game will be televised exclusively on ABC, only the second regular season women’s basketball game to do so.

Jan. 26 - Connecticut

This matchup – scheduled to be broadcast on ESPN – contains two of the most presti gious women’s basketball programs.

Connecticut is ranked No. 6 in the preseason AP poll and is expected to win the Big East. The Huskies won both the tournament and regular season titles a season ago.

Connecticut lost in the National Champion ship game last season.

SEC Schedule highlights: LSU and South Carolina

The SEC is tough, and the Lady Vols are set to take on two preseason ranked teams.

The Lady Vols travel to Baton Rouge on Jan. 30. LSU is ranked No. 16 preseason and comes into this season with a lot of momentum be

hind head coach Kim Mulkey. The Tigers made it to the Sweet 16 a year ago.

The Lady Vols host No.1 South Carolina on Feb 23. The defending National Champs and head coach Dawn Staley are expected to have another dominant season.

No. 25 Jordan Horston attempts a lay-up during the exhibition game against Car son Newman in Thompson-Boling Arena on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022.

Jackson McCarter / Contributor

Harper: Historically deep 2022-23 roster brings ‘versatility’

CALEB JARREAU Staff Writer

Tennessee brings in its biggest lineup in the modern-day history of Lady Vol basketball for the 2022-23 season, boasting 16 athletes.

In Tennessee’s preseason exhibition against Carson Newman, head coach Kellie Harper played all 15 available players – only Jessie Rennie was sidelined for the Lady Vols. The depth in Tennessee’s roster this year will allow Harper to have a lot of flexibility with how she uses her players.

“Right now, the strength of our team is our depth,” Harper said. “I think if you ask any of our players, they will tell you it’s our depth… For that to pay off, we have to play a certain way. Our pace has to be up a little bit more. We have to be very physical to be able to take ad vantage of that late in games.”

Going into the exhibition game against Car son Newman, minutes were scripted. Moving into the regular season, managing minutes for Tennessee’s massive roster will prove tedious for Harper.

On top of in-game minutes, practices have looked a lot different for the Lady Vols this sea son. Running a practice with 15 active players is no easy feat.

“We might have two teams and our practice guys,” Harper said. “We might have one team going against our practice guys…We are play ing a lot of people different positions, so I have to be very creative on assigning positions to our players because they can play different posi tions within a group of five. It’s been fun trying to figure out what works best, and every day looks a little different for this group.”

“Versatility” was a word Harper used sev eral times throughout preseason media avail ability. With a large roster, she is able to move

players around to different positions all over the court.

By having the ability to move players around on the court, Harper can also ensure the Lady Vols always have fresh legs on the floor.

“A player like Jillian Hollingshead, for ex ample, she can play a center, she can post up, she can take a center out on the perimeter and put the ball on the floor,” Harper said. “We could play her at the wing. We’ve played her at a three. What that does, if she needs to be on the court, I can have a lot of different combina

tions to make that work. The more versatile we are, the more options I have in getting the right players on the court at the right time.”

Harper and her staff have also prioritized team chemistry this season. With six new play ers entering the program, it makes sense that chemistry would worry Harper.

Having four experienced transfers coming in helped facilitate the gelling of the team as the veterans have experience getting to know a new team. As for Harper, she intentionally partners certain players together, or does cer tain drills to grow chemistry.

“I feel like it’s pretty amazing how fast we gelled honestly,” sophomore guard Sara Puck ett said. “Since the very beginning of the sum mer, everybody got along so easily off the court – which translated on the court, which just made it easy to play with each other. Nobody is selfish, nobody is playing for themselves, we’re just playing for each other.”

Despite some of the headaches that come with managing a larger roster, Harper enjoys the attitude this team brings.

“They are all driven,” Harper said. “They all want the same thing. They are so much fun to coach, they really are. You go out and you ask them to do something, and they are going to give it to you. They are fun. We have a lot of personality on the team.”

Tennessee Head Coach Kellie Harper sits on the bench during the Lady Vols’ game against Arkansas in Thompson-Boling Arena on Jan. 31, 2022. File / The Daily Beacon

Marta Suárez returns to Lady Vols’ roster ready to make impact

KATLYNN GILL Contributor

Marta Suárez has returned to the Lady Vol unteers active roster after suffering a seasonending foot injury at the beginning of last sea son.

The 6-foot-3 wing made the SEC All-Fresh man team two seasons ago, despite dealing with another season-long injury. Now that Suárez has full health and mobility, she can be a key factor in the Lady Vols’ success this season in their journey to their first national championship title since 2008.

Suárez is excited to finally be back on the court playing the sport she loves with the teammates she admires.

“I’m excited. I’ve been out for a long time. I play basketball cause I love basketball so I’m very excited,” Marta Suárez said. “We have a great team this year. Expectations are high, the team we have is really good. It’s a little bit in

timidating. How am I gonna do? I’ve been out for a while and the SEC is hard.”

The Lady Vols kicked off their 2022-2023 season with an exhibition matchup with Car son-Newman at Thompson-Boling Arena, and Suárez did not skip a beat in her 14 minutes on the floor. Suárez was a dominant force on Tennessee’s offense, leading as a vocal force on the court, integrating the lower classmen and transfers into the Lady Vols’ fast paced of fense.

“[Suárez] has had a really good voice for the team,” head coach Kellie Harper said at Ten nessee’s media day. “That’s been a really good thing for her teammates to be able to hear from her and have that constant voice.”

The redshirt sophomore was not just a vocal leader on the court, but also an effective leader on the scoreboard. Suárez had 14 total points,

one assist and three rebounds in Tennessee’s exhibition game. Suárez shot 3-3 on the free throw line, proving her sharp shooting to be a key aspect in this season’s success. Suárez’s on-court success is no surprise to her team mates and coaches, however.

“Marta is shooting the ball really well in practice,” Harper said. “She is shooting the ball over 50% from the field. It’s pretty impressive. She gets in the gym a lot, she understands the game. She knows our offense inside and out and she’s very competitive, very driven, and that shows when she’s on the court.”

Despite pressures coming off of a seasonending injury and championship-promise, Suárez looks already in midseason form and is confident in her role on Tennessee’s roster as a leader both on and off the court.

Horston, Jackson form dynamic duo on and off the court

CALEB JARREAU Staff Writer

This time last year, Rickea Jackson was preparing for her junior season with Missis sippi State. By January, Jackson had entered her name into the transfer portal.

Jordan Horston’s junior season didn’t last much longer than Jackson’s, as the point guard’s year came to a close early due to injury.

Neither Horston nor Jackson knew at that time their paths would cross a year later – and not for the first time.

Horston and Jackson faced off against one another in high school, forming a competitive relationship. Coming out of high school, the duo even planned on attending Tennessee to gether.

“Rickea’s my friend,” Horston said. “Grow ing up, we were planning on going to school together from the beginning. It was supposed to be me…and Rickea, we were all going to go to school together. We all took a visit to Ten nessee, together. It’s so crazy how everything played out.”

Ultimately, Horston’s original plan would come to fruition – four years later. Jackson de cided to transfer from Mississippi State to Ten nessee for her senior season.

Horston considers herself to be the best re cruiter on the team, a talent that she used to try and get Jackson to Knoxville.

“I was in her ear like ‘come on, come on, come over,’” Horston said. “But it was her deci sion at the end of the day. She made it because of the atmosphere and the legacy, and she wanted to win National Championships – that’s what Tennessee does.”

When Jackson declared for the transfer por tal, the forward was leading the SEC in scoring,

averaging 20.3 points per game.

While Jackson led the SEC in scoring last sea son, Horston led the Lady Vols in scoring with 16.2 points per game.

Having two elite scorers playing side-byside creates a matchup nightmare for oppos ing teams. Horston and Jackson combined for the first 12 points in the Lady Vols’ exhibition against Carson Newman.

“Me and Jordy, you know, that’s something that we try to do in practice because we know we do and will play together a lot,” Jackson said following the exhibition game. “I feel like we have so many great players on this team, they can’t just stop one of us. If they tried to stop one, who are you going to go to next? You can’t stop them as well.”

Not long after Jackson arrived in Knoxville, her dynamic relationship with Horston became evident. The duo picked right up from their high school days, competing with one another day in

and day out on the practice floor.

“When Rickea Jackson and Jordan Horston get on the floor against each other, and they are guarding each other, it’s pretty impressive,” head coach Kellie Harper said. “They will go at each other, and then give each other a high five. It’s been a lot of fun to watch.”

Aside from being elite scorers, both Jackson and Horston are lockdown defenders. As iron sharpens iron, two of the top players in wom en’s basketball put on a show in practice.

No matter how hard the duo goes in practice, they’re still close friends at the end of the day.

“It’s really fun – two competitive people going at it,” Jackson said. “It’s just really cool, after the court we’re the best of buds, just laughing and playing all day… We’re going at it to make each other better so when we do step out on the floor it’s nothing we haven’t worked on.”

“Growing up, we were planning on going to school togther from the beginning. It’s so crazy how everything played out.”

Jordan Horston No. 25, Guard

Rae Burrell, No. 2, chases after Lady Vol Rick ea Jackson, then No.5 for Mississippi State, after she stole the ball during the game on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020 at Thompson-Boling Arena. File / The Daily Beacon

Tennessee’s Jordan Horston looks for a play during the Lady Vols’ game against Arkansas in Thompson-Boling Arena on Jan. 31, 2022. File / The Daily Beacon

UT forward Marta Suárez during media day on Oct. 28, 2021 at Pratt Pavilion, Knox ville, TN. File / The Daily Beacon

Lady Vols’ star players

KATLYNN GILL Contributor

With 16 scholarship players, the Lady Vols boast their deepest roster on Rocky Top yet since the Pat Summitt era with the addition of four transfers and a five-star recruit. With high expectations surrounding the team and promising early season success, Kellie Harper, USA Today’s Preseason SEC Coach of the Year, the Lady Vols are destined for a great 2022-2023 season.

Starting point guard Jordan Walker has the most experience with this Tennessee offense as she took advantage of COVID-19 and will return for her second senior season. The 5-foot-8 guard led the Lady Vols in assists last year (115) as did she in steals (38). Walker showed her versatility in Tennessee’s exhibition match against CarsonNewman in Thompson-Boling Arena, with three assists one steal, and seven rebounds.

Jasmine Powell, Tennessee’s transfer from the University of Minnesota, stands at 5-foot-6 and averaged just over 12 points and 5.5 assists last year along with nearly a steal and four and a half rebounds. Powell played for 15 minutes in the Lady Vols exhibition game and went 3-5 in the field and 2-3 at the 3-point in addition to three assists, one rebound, and one block.

Selected to the Coaches’ Preseason All-SEC First Team, shooting guard Jordan Horston is arguably the strongest player on the Lady Vols’ roster . Before suffering a season-ending injury last year, the 6-foot-2 guard led UT in points, rebounds, assists and steals per game. In the 2021-22 season, Horston averaged over 16 points, 9.5 rebounds and just under 1.5 assists per game. Horston led UT in scoring in their exhibition game with an impressive 8-13 performance from the field, totaling 17 points paired with four rebounds, three assists and two steals. Heading into her senior season, Horston looks to be Tennessee’s lead ball handler and scorer once again.

Sophomore gaurd, Sara Puckett, 6-foot-2 is one of the Lady Vols strongest 3-point shooting specialists. Emerging late in her freshman year

in the absence of Horston, Puckett averaged just under 6.5 points per game. Puckett showed her explosive sharp shooting in Tennessee’s exhibition game, shooting 3-5 from the 3-point and 6-9 from the field for a total of 15 points.

The 2022 Lady Vols’ five-star recruit Justine Pissott has all eyes on her in preseason. Standing at 6-foot-2, Pissott looks to be a key factor for this Tennessee offense early on. The freshman had an impactful performance in Tennessee’s exhibition game, shooting 3-6 from the field as well as 3-6 from the 3-point, racking up a total nine points for UT.

Named to the 2022 Preseason All-SEC Second Team, Mississippi State transfer Rickea Jackson was a big upgrade for Tennessee’s offense. Jackson had an incredible season last year, averaging over 20 points a game along with just under seven rebounds and 1.5 blocks a game as well. The 6-foot-2 power forward posted 14 points, three assists and two steals in the Lady Vols exhibition. Jackson will become an immediate star on this Tennessee offense.

Jasmine Franklin is another new face to the Lady Vols roster this year, transferring from Missouri State off a lost season last year due to a torn ACL. Franklin was an extremely decorated post in the first two years of her career, with selections to All-Missouri Valley Conference in 2020 and 2021 and MVC Player of the Year in 2021. Having averaged 14.9 points and 12.1 rebounds prior to her injury, Franklin will be a dominant force for UT in the paint. Franklin stunned Thompson-Boling in the Lady Vols exhibition game, posting 10 total rebounds in her 15 minutes of play.

Named to the 2022 Preseason All-SEC First Team, 6-foot-6 center Tamari Key has been a major factor in the Lady Vols’ success in the last three years of her Tennessee career. The star center had a breakout year in 2021-22, averaging 10.5 points and just over eight rebounds per game. Key was pivotal for Tennessee on defense, breaking Candace Parker’s school record for career blocks with a whole year left to play. Key was a force to be reckoned with in the Lady Vols exhibition game, posting eight points in addition to three rebounds, one steal and two blocks.

This Lady Vols roster is Championship caliber.

2022 PICK ‘EM Football

Tennessee 52 vs. Missouri 10

Alabama vs. Ole Miss UCF vs. Tulane

Georgia vs. Mississippi State UNC vs. Wake Forest TCU vs. Texas Louisville vs. Clemson

Tennessee 45 vs. Missouri 13

Alabama vs. Ole Miss UCF vs. Tulane

Georgia vs. Mississippi State UNC vs. Wake Forest TCU vs. Texas Louisville vs. Clemson

Tennessee 58 vs. Missouri 27

Alabama vs. Ole Miss UCF vs. Tulane

Georgia vs. Mississippi State UNC vs. Wake Forest TCU vs. Texas Louisville vs. Clemson

Tennessee 48 vs. Missouri 16

Alabama vs. Ole Miss UCF vs. Tulane

Georgia vs. Mississippi State UNC vs. Wake Forest TCU vs. Texas Louisville vs. Clemson

Tennessee 63 vs. Missouri 24

Alabama vs. Ole Miss UCF vs. Tulane

Georgia vs. Mississippi State UNC vs. Wake Forest TCU vs. Texas Louisville vs. Clemson

Tennessee 54 vs. Missouri 26

Alabama vs. Ole Miss UCF vs. Tulane

Georgia vs. Mississippi State UNC vs. Wake Forest TCU vs. Texas Louisville vs. Clemson

Jordan Horston, No. 25 and Tamari Key, No. 20, go after the ball after it was knocked away from Stanford’s Lexie Hull, No. 12. At Thompson Boling Arena on Dec. 18, 2021. Ericksen Gomez-Villeda / The Daily Beacon

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