Vol Basketball Fever

It‘s Practice Time in Tennessee!

Both the Vols and Lady Vols have started practicing now, so the preseason is officially underway in Knoxville. Co-hosts Nathanael Rutherford and Gene Henley discuss some of the early notes from practice for both teams, as well as detailing some intriguing recruiting updates for both squads. Also, we mourn the loss of former Vol basketball player Major Wingate. The former Vol hoops captain passed away on Saturday at the age of 37.

Lady Vols Roster Review: Breaking Down the Lady Vols‘ 2021-21 Roster

The Lady Vols didn't have as hectic of an offseason as the men's basketball team, but they had some notable departures and some significant additions still. Co-hosts Nathanael Rutherford and Gene Henley do a roster review for the Lady Vols' 2021-22 team, looking at all the departures, new additions, and position battles for this year's team as Kellie Harper heads into a pivotal 3rd year as head coach.

Roster Review: Breaking Down the Vols‘ 2021-22 Roster

Tennessee's men's basketball team had a VERY busy offseason, and the Vols' roster and even their coaching staff look significantly different from last season. Co-hosts Nathanael Rutherford and Gene Henley do a roster review for the Vols' 2021-22 team, looking at all the departures, new additions, and position battles for this year's team.

The Vols are a Top 10 Team (According to One Site)

The Vols are a preseason top 10 team...at least according to one publication. Co-hosts Nathanael Rutherford and Gene Henley discuss whether or not Tennessee is being slightly overrated in the Blue Ribbon College Basketball Preseason Top 25 Poll, where UT is ranked No. 10 and second in the SEC. But before that, the guys talk about Cason Wallace's official visit to Knoxville this weekend and Kentucky, Tennessee's main competition for the 5-star, landing another 5-star commit.
Link to the Blue Ribbon Preseason Poll: https://blueribbon.substack.com/p/blue-ribbon-college-basketball-yearbooks
(2:09) - The Vols are hosting 5-star Cason Wallace on an official visit(22:42) - Is UT deserving of a preseason top 10 ranking?(40:56) - Gene needs to rant about Texas being overrated in preseason rankings

Don‘t Panic About the Vols‘ Recruiting ”Misses”

It's not time to hit the big red PANIC button just yet, Vol fans. At least, not according to co-hosts Nathanael Rutherford and Gene Henley. They discuss why the Vols missing out on 5-star Brandon Miller and possibly missing on 5-star Cason Wallace aren't reasons to freak out about UT's 2022 recruiting class just yet. Plus, both the Vols and Lady Vols have released their 2021-22 schedules, and they look VERY tough.
 
(2:05) - Brandon Miller eliminates the Vols from contention(7:49) - UT sends entire coaching staff to see Cason Wallace(10:50) - Why Vol fans may not want to get their hopes up about Cason Wallace(30:43) - Is Rick Barnes an "old school" coach?(36:40) - Both the Vols and Lady Vols have difficult schedules this season

Did the Vols Get a Steal with Zakai Zeigler?

On Friday afternoon, the Vols landed New York point guard Zakai Zeigler in the 2021 class, adding him immediately to their roster. Nathanael Rutherford sat down with coaches Peter Wehye and Malcolm Pope of Our Saviour Lutheran School, where Zeigler played, to talk about Tennessee's newest addition. What kind of offensive player is Zeigler? Is he an elite defender? Will his size hold him back?

Are the Vols About to Add Another Player?

It looks like Tennessee is on the cusp of adding yet another player to their roster for this upcoming season. Co-hosts Nathanael Rutherford and Gene Henley break down the impending decision of a talented point guard out of the Bronx who just finished visiting the Vols. Also, Emoni Bates just committed to Memphis, giving the Tigers another very talented player. Now both Memphis and the Vols have two of the top recruiting classes in the 2021 cycle, which makes this season's match-up in Nashville even more of a "must watch" game.

Recruiting and the NBA Summer League

It's the dog days of the offseason, but we found some things to talk about! Co-hosts Nathanael Rutherford and Gene Henley discuss a five-star including the Vols in his top 3 and his upcoming official visit to UT, players who came to UT with high expectations but never reached them, Kyle Alexander showing out in the NBA Summer League, and more!

Can the Vols Hold Off Kentucky for a 5-Star?

The Vols are in a heated battle with their top rival, the Kentucky Wildcats, for a 5-star recruit. Can UT hold them off? Co-hosts Nathanael Rutherford and Gene Henley discuss that and a bevy of topics in this week's episode. Yves Pons officially signs with the Memphis Grizzlies, Grant Williams gets a big honor, who takes the last shot in a close game for the Vols and Lady Vols, and more!
(1:36) - Yves Pons signs with the Grizz(8:23) - Grant Williams is a Vice President(19:22) - An Olympic Basketball tangent(31:53) - Gene threatens our listeners (34:19) - Where do the Vols stand with a couple 5-stars?(1:04:56) - Who takes the game-winning shot for UT and the Lady Vols?

A Historic Draft Night for the Vols

For only the second time in program history, Tennessee had a pair of teammates taken in the 1st round of the NBA Draft. Co-hosts Nathanael Rutherford and Gene Henley discussed both Keon Johnson and Jaden Springer being selected in the 1st round of the 2021 NBA Draft and what it means for both players and UT. The two also discuss if either player actually would've helped their draft stock if they had returned to UT for another season.
Plus, the Vols landed 7-footer Handje Tamba last week. Is he the type of foundational piece Tennessee needs to ensure a strong future in men's hoops?