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Tag: Hoops
Bam Adebayo isn’t sugercoating his recruiting pitch to other players – Hot Hot Hoops
Miami Heat big man Bam Adebayo won’t mince words to others about how the Miami Heat organization is run. (Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson/Getty Images) The Miami Heat are still trying to navigate Jimmy Butler’s tumultuous situation, but he’s no longer the hottest name on the trade market. Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox, who’s in the fourth year of a five-year, $163 million deal, is. Though the most likely outcome is that Fox ends up in San Antonio, his preferred destination.
Fox is a former college teammate of current Heat big Bam Adebayo, who he has a very good relationship with. Adebayo was recently asked about his recruiting pitch to other players–and there’s zero beating around the bush.
“The thing is I’m telling you the whole truth. It’s not a recruiting pitch to me,” he said, according to Anthony Chiang of The Miami Herald. “I’m telling you the truth. You’re going to get here, you know what it is. There is no BS, there is no, ‘I’m going to get my numbers.’ No, no, no. This is team basketball here. We’re going to play both sides of the basketball. So that’s 82 games, plus playoffs. I’m not sugarcoating anything. You make your decision from there.
“To me, if I consider you like family like De’Aaron, I’m not going to lie to you. You’re getting a coach that’s not going to let you go below your standard and sometimes that does get annoying. Sometimes that does rub you the wrong way. But it’s a coach that expects more out of you because he sees something. When you have a coach like that, you can’t take that for granted. There have been many coaches in some organizations that they’re there for a season. How are you supposed to bank equity with a coach who’s only there for a season, two seasons? You can’t really hone in and become something when it’s like that. For us, we got a coach that’s going to be here for a very long time that really cares about winning, but also cares about us.”
The Heat haven’t landed a big-time free agent since Kyle Lowry, who agreed to a three-year, $87 million deal ahead of the 2021-22 season. That was more Butler than Adebayo, however, as Butler and Lowry were close friends.
It’s worth appreciating how Adebayo isn’t afraid to tell other players like it is so they know what they’re walking into. Sure, most “recruiting pitches” involve plenty of sunshine pumping and telling you only about the good stuff; it’s a sales pitch. You don’t oftentimes hear the bad in the sales pitch.
But I would rather the captain tell me the truth–from the good, bad and ugly. That’s the sign of a very good captain. If you tell me how it is before we talk into the trenches, the same will be the case once we’re in it together.
Zero organization is perfect, but the Heat has been one of the most successful franchises since the turn of the century, barring none. They’ve had unheard-of organizational stability for the last 30 years and it’s held to three titles and seven Eastern Conference Titles, even though they haven’t climbed over the mountain top in over a decade.
Players talk. Adebayo has a strong rapport around the NBA. And given his status, players who ask about the vaunted #HEATCulture are going to listen, for better or worse. Don’t expect him to sugarcoat, however.
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Bam Adebayo isn’t pulling any punches in his recruiting efforts for the Miami Heat. In a recent interview with Hot Hot Hoops, Adebayo made it clear that he is not going to sugarcoat his pitch to potential teammates.“I’m not going to sit here and tell guys that it’s all sunshine and rainbows in Miami,” Adebayo said. “We work hard, we push each other, and we hold each other accountable. But at the end of the day, we win games and we have fun doing it.”
Adebayo’s no-nonsense approach to recruiting has already paid off, as the Heat have added several key players to their roster in recent years. And with Adebayo leading the charge, it’s clear that Miami is poised for even more success in the future.
So if you’re a player looking for a team that values hard work, accountability, and winning above all else, look no further than the Miami Heat. Bam Adebayo and his teammates are ready to welcome you with open arms.
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Bam Adebayo, recruiting pitch, Hot Hot Hoops, NBA, basketball, Miami Heat, player recruitment, team dynamics, sports news, athlete updates
#Bam #Adebayo #isnt #sugercoating #recruiting #pitch #players #Hot #Hot #HoopsHoops: Sooners’ huge second-half run propels them past No. 24 Vanderbilt
NORMAN — The second half started with an alley oop from Jeremiah Fears to Sam Godwin. Duke Miles followed that up with a 3-pointer.
Then Brycen Goodine made a 3-pointer.
Fears followed that with a layup.
Jalon Fears and Goodine made back-to-back 3-pointers.
Godwin made a dunk. Fears again made another layup.
By the time Glenn Taylor made a layup, it capped off a 21-0 run for the Sooners to open the second half. The Sooners made nine consecutive shots during that stretch while holding No. 24-ranked Vanderbilt scores, flipping a four-point halftime deficit into a 17-point lead.
The offensive simply found a rhythm, the defense tightened up and the Sooners rode that momentum to an 97-67 win over the Commodores Saturday at the Lloyd Noble Center.
That second-half run really was a continuation of the way the Sooners ended the first half. With Vanderbilt leading by 11 points with 3:30 before halftime, the Sooners closed the first half on a 9-2 run that was punctuated by a 3-pointer from Luke Northweather with 28 seconds to go.
Combining that with their second-half run, that stretch saw the Sooners outscore Vanderbilt 30-4. That proved to be the run the Sooners needed to find their footing in a game they had to win.
With the win, the Sooners improve to 16-5 on the season and 3-5 in SEC play.
— Vanderbilt led by as many as 12 points in the first half and went into half with 42 points on 47% shooting from the floor and 43% shooting from the 3-point line.
But OU’s defense was significantly better in the second half. Vanderbilt scored just 27 points after halftime while shooting just 30% from the field.
After trailing 42-38 at halftime, the Sooners outscored Vanderbilt 61-27 in the second half.
— The Sooners were remarkably efficient offensively. They shot 63% from the field (36/57) and 55% from 3 (11/20).
In the second half? The Sooners scored 61 points while shooting a blistering 73% from the field and 58% from the 3-point line.
— It was turnovers that killed Oklahoma in the first half. The Sooners coughed the ball up 11 times, which led to 10 Vanderbilt points.
The Sooners completely flipped that script in the second half. They committed just six turnovers after halftime while scoring 15 points off of 10 second-half turnovers for Vanderbilt.
— The Sooners won the rebounding battle 39-24, a huge bounce back after they were outrebounded by 28 against Texas A&M.
— All eyes were going to be on Jeremiah Fears after his dud against Texas A&M, when he was held scoreless while missing all five of his shot attempts.
This was the bounce-back effort the Sooners needed, and it started early. Fears scored seven of the team’s first eight points, and that carried through the rest of the game. He finished with a team-high 21 points while shooting an efficient 8-of-12 from the floor, adding six rebounds, four assists and three steals. He finished with a plus-minus of +22.
When Fears plays like this, the Sooners are a lot tougher to beat.
— Dayton Forsythe continues to be a genuine difference-maker off the bench. In one particular sequence at the end of the first half, Forsythe forced a jump ball defensively, drove and made a layup, then stripped a Vanderbilt player that resulted in a turnover. It was a big reason why Oklahoma ended the half on a 9-2 run.
Forsythe — who finished with 14 points, three rebounds and three steals — wasn’t even in the rotation to begin conference play. But he’s now logged at least 22 minutes in the last two games and has become an indispensable cog in the Sooners’ machine.
He was a big reason why the Sooners held an 32-10 advantage in bench scoring against Vanderbilt.
— Vanderbilt guard Jason Edwards was on a heater to start the game, making four of his first five shots. But the Sooners held him in check, as he made just three of final 15 shots. He finished the game with 21 points on 7-of-20 shooting.
— This was a significantly important victory for the Sooners, who face No. 1 Auburn (8 p.m. Tuesday, SEC Network) and No. 8 Tennessee next week.
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The Oklahoma Sooners put on a show in the second half to defeat No. 24 Vanderbilt in an impressive comeback win. The Sooners overcame a slow start to unleash a massive run that left the Commodores in the dust. Led by their star players, the Sooners showed their resilience and determination to secure a crucial victory. Stay tuned for more exciting hoops action from the Sooners as they continue their quest for success this season. #BoomerSooner #HoopsVictory
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Hoops, Oklahoma Sooners, Vanderbilt, college basketball, NCAA, second-half run, upset, sports, March Madness, Big 12, SEC, top 25 matchup, game recap
#Hoops #Sooners #huge #secondhalf #run #propels #VanderbiltOle Miss hoops seeking first ever win over No. 1 this weekend as red-hot Auburn comes to town
If one were to ask Ole Miss head coach Chris Beard about the significance of this weekend’s home matchup against No. 1 Auburn, he’d say that it’s the biggest game of the year simply because it’s the next game on the schedule.
That said, the Rebels (16-5, 5-3 SEC) have a chance to make history for the second time this season if they are to pull off the upset. Earlier this month, Ole Miss earned the program’s first ever road win over an AP Top 5 opponent. However, Ole Miss is still 0-for-16 all time against the top-ranked team in the country. On Saturday, the Rebels will get another shot at it as the red-hot Tigers (19-1, 7-0 SEC) come to town.
Tipoff on Saturday is set for 1 p.m. CT inside the SJB Pavilion and can be seen on ESPN or listened to on the Ole Miss Radio Network (Sirius XM 84).
This matchup has been declared a sellout since December of 2024.
“It’s a great opportunity to play against the No. 1 ranked team in the country. Night in and night out, you look at the rankings and there’s 10 ranked teams from the SEC in the Top 25,” Ole Miss assistant coach Brian Burg said on Thursday’s RebTalk. “… They’re really talented. Johni Broome is probably right now player of the year across the country. It’s not just him, it’s an entire team around him. We’re excited to have that ability to compete against them… You look at their team, they’re dynamic from the guard play and Johni Broome being inside. We’re going to have to execute our game plan to a tee and be able to rebound and to have the play style we like to play in. It’s important to execute on Saturday.”
There’s a number of good reasons why Auburn is the unanimous top-ranked team in the country. Out of the 20 games they’ve played, 13 of them were against Quad 1 teams, boasting an incredible 12-1 record against them. They’ve won 12 consecutive games since suffering their one loss at No. 9 Duke.
Preseason SEC Player of the Year and All-American candidate Johni Broome missed two games recently with a left-ankle sprain, but the Tigers have continued to win without him. Broome currently averages 18.2 points per game (second in the SEC) and a conference-best 11.2 rebounds per game. He also ranks among the nation’s best in blocks per game at 2.8, best in the SEC and fifth in the NCAA, and double-doubles with 12, best in the SEC and fifth in the NCAA as well.
It’s not just him though, as the Tigers had five players averaging double-figure points per game. Auburn leads the nation in blocks per game with an average of 7.0 per game, and ranks fourth in assist-turnover ratio at 1.82, and fourth in scoring margin at +18.4. Like Ole Miss, they take care of the basketball by committing just 9.4 turnovers per game.
While Auburn is the unanimous No. 1 overall projected seed in the NCAA Tournament, Ole Miss finds itself projected as high as a No. 5 seed in the South Region, in the exact same region as Auburn. Ole Miss is No. 22 in the NCAA NET at the time of writing with a 4-5 record against Quad 1 opponents.
Ole Miss has been on a bit of a roller coaster since the beginning of SEC play, starting 4-0 for the first time since 2013, dropping three straight with two decided by a single possession, before getting back in the win column with a 72-69 win over Texas.
“We always talk about it being an 18-round fight and we just finished the eighth round. Glad to get back on the winning side. I thought it was a real competitive game. Texas is really talented, but our guys really executed especially late,” Burg said on Thursday.
The Rebels rank fourth in the country by committing just 9.3 turnovers per game with a turnover margin of +6.6, which is third-best in the NCAA. They also force 15.9 per game, the 13th most in the nation.
———
TEAMS BREAKDOWN:
– 77.5 points for, 66.5 points against
– .445 field goal percentage
– 34.2 rebounds per game
– 15.5 assists per game
– 4.6 blocks per game
– 9.9 steals per game
—
Auburn:
– 84.2 points for, 65.8 points against
– .486 field goal percentage
– 38.7 rebounds per game
– 17.0 assists per game
– 7.0 blocks per game
– 7.5 steals per game
—
PROJECTED STARTING 5:
Ole Miss –
F – #0 Malik Dia (9.7 PPG. 6.0 RPG, 0.9 APG, 0.6 SPG)
G – #3 Sean Pedulla (14.5 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 3.7 APG, 2.2 SPG)
G – #5 Jaylen Murray (11.3 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 3.7 APG, 1.5 SPG)
G – #11 Matthew Murrell (10.8 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 2.2 APG, 2.2 SPG)
F – #14 Dre Davis (9.9 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 1.4 APG, 1.2 SPG)
Head Coach – Chris Beard (2nd season, 36-17)
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Auburn –
G – #2 Denver Jones (10.0 PPG, 2.0 RPG, 2.7 APG, 0.8 SPG)
C – #4 Johni Broome (18.2 PPG. 11.2 RPG, 2.7 APG, 2.5 BPG)
F – #10 Chad Baker-Mazara (12.7 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 2.6 APG, 1.4 SPG)
G – #13 Myles Kelly (10.4 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 0.9 APG, 0.9 SPG)
C- #44 Dylan Cardwell (5.3 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 1.8 APG, 1.5 BPG)
Head Coach – Bruce Pearl (11th season, 219-120)
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LAST 5 GAMES
Ole Miss: 2-3
1/14 @ Alabama – W 74-64
1/18 @ Mississippi State – L 84-81 (OT)
1/22 vs. Texas A&M – L 63-62
1/25 @ Missouri – L 83-75
1/29 vs. Texas – W 72-69
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Auburn: 5-0
1/11 @ South Carolina – W 66-63
1/14 vs. Mississippi State – W 88-66
1/18 @ Georgia – W 70-68
1/25 vs. Tennessee – W 53-51
1/29 @ LSU – W 87-74
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SEC MEN’S BASKETBALL STANDINGS:
Auburn 7-0 SEC, 19-1 overall
Alabama 7-1 SEC, 18-3 overall
Florida 5-2 SEC, 18-2 overall
Missouri 5-2 SEC, 16-4 overall
Ole Miss 5-3 SEC, 16-5 overall
Texas A&M 5-3 SEC, 16-5 overall
Vanderbilt 4-3 SEC, 16-4 overall
Kentucky 4-3 SEC, 15-5 overall
Tennessee 4-4 SEC, 17-4 overall
Mississippi State 4-4 SEC, 17-4 overall
Georgia 3-5 SEC, 15-6 overall
Texas 3-5 SEC, 14-7 overall
Oklahoma 2-5 SEC, 15-5 overall
Arkansas 1-6 SEC, 12-8 overall
LSU 1-6 SEC, 12-8 overall
South Carolina 0-8 SEC, 10-11 overall
The Ole Miss basketball team is gearing up for a historic matchup this weekend as they face off against the top-ranked Auburn Tigers. Despite being one of the SEC’s most competitive teams, the Rebels have never secured a win against a No. 1 ranked opponent in program history.But with the team’s recent hot streak and impressive performances, the Rebels are feeling confident heading into this weekend’s game. Led by standout players like Jarkel Joiner and Romello White, Ole Miss is determined to make history and secure their first-ever win over a No. 1 ranked team.
The Auburn Tigers, however, are not to be taken lightly. With a perfect record and a strong roster of talented players, they will undoubtedly provide a tough challenge for the Rebels. But Ole Miss is ready to rise to the occasion and showcase their skills on the court.
Fans are buzzing with excitement for this highly anticipated matchup, and the atmosphere at The Pavilion at Ole Miss is sure to be electric. Can the Rebels make history and secure a monumental win over the No. 1 ranked Auburn Tigers? Be sure to tune in this weekend to find out! #OleMissHoops #SECbasketball #No1Auburn #HistoryInTheMaking
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#Ole #hoops #seeking #win #weekend #redhot #Auburn #town
Hoops Central: #8 Tennessee vs. #5/6 Florida
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The No. 8 Tennessee men’s basketball team faces No. 5/6 Florida its fifth straight home game versus a ranked SEC opponent, this time with its first top-10 showdown at Food City Center since Feb. 15, 2023. Tipoff is slated for noon ET in the Volunteers’ annual “Checker Game,” with section designations listed HERE.
Fans can catch tune in for Saturday contest between the Volunteers (17-4, 4-4 SEC) and Gators (18-2, 5-2 SEC) on ESPN. Tom Hart (play-by-play) and Dane Bradshaw (analyst) will have the call.Fans can also listen live on their local Vol Network affiliate to hear Bob Kesling and Bert Bertelkamp describing the action.
In Tennessee’s most recent outing, it dropped a close 78-73 decision to No. 12 Kentucky in a top-15 clash Tuesdsay evening at Food City Center.
The Volunteers could not overcome the dazzling 3-point shooting by the Wildcats, dropping to 4-2 in AP top-12 showdowns between the two schools during head coach Rick Barnes‘ tenure. Senior forward Igor Miličić Jr., paced the Volunteers with a game-high 19 points in the setback.
THE MATCHUP
• Tennessee’s 81 wins over Florida are tied for its fourth-most versus any foe. It has 131 victories against Vanderbilt, 100 versus Georgia, 91 versus Mississippi State and an equal 81 against Auburn.
• UT is 8-3 in its last 11 matchups with Florida, dating to 2/21/18, after going 1-5 in the prior six.
• Earlier this season, Florida ended Tennessee’s 14-0 start as the last undefeated team in the country with a 73-43 home win on 1/7/25. Per former UT SID David Grim, it was a reverse of 2005-06, when the Vols won, 80-76, on 1/21/06 against a Gator squad that was DI’s final unbeaten at 17-0. Florida went on the win the NCAA title.
• The sides are 3-3 all-time in AP top-25 showdowns. This is the second top-10 tilt in 2024-25 after it had never happened before.
• After a 24-12 (11-7) showing that included an NCAA Tournament berth last year, Florida came in at sixth in the SEC preseason poll.
• The Gators are led by senior guard Walter Clayton Jr., a preseason First Team All-SEC pick who is averaging 17.8 ppg and 4.0 apg.NEWS & NOTES
• Across the prior seven seasons (2017-24), the Volunteers are 26-8 (.765) in the second leg of regular season home-and-home series.
• The Gators are the fifth straight ranked team visiting Food City Center, dating to 1/4/25.
• UT is in the midst of its first-ever stretch of four straight games versus AP top-15 foes. Its lone prior four-game streak against even AP top-20 teams was last year (2/28 to 3/9). It also had four in a row versus AP top-25 squads in 2003-04 (1/20 to 1/31).
• The Vols are 6-1 all-time in home AP top-10 clashes, including 3-1 while lower ranked. They are 3-0 at Food City Center, all under Rick Barnes, with each win by nine-plus points. Those three victories are as follows: #7 Tennessee def. #4 Kentucky (71-52 on 3/2/19), #4 Tennessee def. #10 Texas (82-71 on 1/28/23) and #10 Tennessee def. #1 Alabama (68-59 on 2/15/23). UT went 3-1 in such games at Stokely Athletics Center (1-1 in Feb. 1981 and 2-0 in Jan. 1968).
• Tennessee’s 42.7 eFG% defense is first in the nation, per KenPom.
• During its active 72-week streak in the AP Poll, dating to the 2021-22 preseason release, Tennessee has played just 14 of its 118 games as a lower-ranked team, posting an 8-6 record. That includes a 7-4 mark since 1/22/22, a 5-2 tally versus SEC foes and a perfect 5-0 ledger at home.
• UT is in the AP top 10 for the 10th week in a row, the sixth-longest streak in program history.
• On 1/28/25, in his 122nd outing, Zakai Zeigler became the second player to reach 1,300 points, 600 assists and 200 steals at an SEC school. Only Arkansas’ Kareem Reid (1995-99) has also done so.
• Zeigler (628) is just five assists behind Mississippi State’s Dee Bost (633 from 2008-12) for a top-10 spot in SEC history.
• The Volunteers’ 188 victories over the last eight seasons (2017-25) rank ninth nationally. Only Gonzaga (229), Houston (225), Kansas (206), Duke (203), Purdue (198), San Diego State (191), Saint Mary’s (190) and Auburn (189) own more. Liberty (187) rounds out the top 10.RACKING UP RANKED VICTORIES
• TOP 25: In the past four years (2021-25), Tennessee’s 24 AP top-25 wins are tied, alongside Iowa State (24) and Kansas (24), for the most in the nation. Only Connecticut (23) and Purdue (23) are even within one, while the closest SEC school is two behind (Alabama with 22).
• TOP 20: Tennessee possesses an SEC-high 20 AP top-20 wins over that span, the third-most of any DI school, while trailing only Connecticut (22) and Kansas (21). Just Purdue (19), Alabama (closest SEC team with 18) and Iowa State (18) are even within two of the Volunteers.
• TOP 15: The Volunteers own an SEC-best 17 AP top-15 decisions over those four seasons, good for second-most in the country, behind just Kansas (19). Only Alabama (16), the closest SEC team, and Iowa State (15) are even within two of Tennessee.
• TOP 10: Since 2021-22, Tennessee owns eight AP top-10 triumphs, third in the SEC and, alongside Arizona and North Carolina, co-seventh nationally. Only Iowa State (12), Connecticut (11), Kansas (11), Kentucky (10), Purdue (10) and Alabama (nine) have more. The eight such wins in that time are against #1 Alabama (2/15/23), #3 Kansas (11/25/22), #3 Auburn (2/26/22), #4 Kentucky (2/15/22), #5 Kentucky (3/12/22), #6 Arizona (12/22/21), #10 Texas (1/28/23) and at #10 Kentucky (2/3/24).
• TOP FIVE: In that same four-year span, UT has five AP top-five wins, tied with Alabama and Iowa State for second-most in the country, behind just Arizona (six). Only two others, Gonzaga and Purdue, have even four.TWICE AS NICE
• Chaz Lanier and Zakai Zeigler both made the John R. Wooden Award Midseason Top 25 Watch List, announced Jan. 7.
• The only other school with multiple selections among the 25 designees was Rutgers, with Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper.
• Lanier also earned three Midseason All-America honors: second-team from FOX Sports and The Athletic, plus third-team from The Sporting News.PARTICULARLY POTENT AT HOME
• Under Rick Barnes, Tennessee is 20-8 (.714) versus AP top-25 teams at Food City Center, including 15-2 (.882) in its last 17 such games (since 1/30/21).
• The Volunteers are 15-7 (.682) at home against AP top-20 teams in the Barnes era, including 11-2 (.846) in their last 13 such contests (since 1/30/21).
• UT has a 12-5 (.706) mark when hosting AP top-15 squads under Barnes, including a 10-2 (.833) record in its last 12 such affairs (since 1/30/21).
• Barnes has led the Vols to a 7-1 (.875) ledger at Food City Center versus AP top-10 teams, with six consecutive wins (since 3/2/19).
• UT is a perfect 5-0 when hosting AP top-five teams in the Barnes era (all since 1/24/17).
• The Vols won 12 straight home games against AP top-25 foes from 1/30/21 to 2/28/24. That is an SEC record, per CBS Sports, and the longest in DI since Kansas had 17 straight from 1/11/14 to 2/13/17. Nine of those victories were versus top-15 foes, with five against the top 10 and three over top-five teams.
• Tennessee is 17-5 (.773) in AP top-25 home matchups under Barnes, including 11-5 (.688) with both teams in the top 20, 6-2 (.750) with both in the top 15 and 3-0 (1.000) with both in the top 10.1.3K CLUB
• Tennessee, Alabama (five) and Ole Miss—all are in the SEC—are the only schools with at least four 1,300-point scorers. Just 10 others programs have even three.
• In total, only 22 teams—eight are in the SEC—have four-plus players with even 1,000 collegiate points.
• Darlinstone Dubar has 1,422 points in 132 outings, good for 10.8 ppg across five seasons.
• Jordan Gainey possesses 1,402 points in 121 contests, an average of 11.6 ppg over four years.
• Chaz Lanier, the only member of the quartet who entered the season below 1K, now has 1,313 points in 125 outings, a 10.5 ppg ledger across five campaigns.
• Zakai Zeigler owns 1,310 points in 122 appearances, giving him a 10.7 ppg average in four seasons.TOP-TIER TRIUMPHS
• Tennessee is 38-40 (.487) against AP top-25 foes under Rick Barnes, including 22-13 (.629) in its past 35 such games (since 1/22/22).
• The Volunteers are 32-32 (.500) versus AP top-20 teams in Barnes’ tenure, including 18-9 (.667) in their last 27 such affairs (since 1/22/22).
• UT is 24-25 (.490) against AP top-15 teams in the Barnes era, including 17-8 (.680) in its last 25 such games (since 12/22/21).
• The Vols own a 13-15 (.464) record versus AP top-10 foes under Barnes, including an 11-9 (.550) mark in their last 2- such contests (since 3/2/19) and an 8-6 (.571) tally in their last 14 (since 12/22/21).
• UT is 9-9 (.500) against AP top-five opponents in Barnes’ tenure, including 5-4 (.556) in its last nine such affairs (since 2/15/22). It is 7-2 (.778) versus AP top-five SEC teams, including 6-1 in their last seven such outings (since 3/2/19).20,000 STRONG
• In Rick Barnes‘ 10 seasons, Tennessee has played in front of a home crowd of at least 20,000 on 42 occasions (32-9), with 30 sellouts (23-7).
• In 2022-23, the Volunteers had five sellout crowds, at the time tying an arena single-season record.
• Tennessee well eclipsed that mark last season by selling out eight home games—including seven of nine in SEC play—good for its most ever at Food City Center. Four of those were over-capacity crowds, with the last three above 22,000.
• This season, Tennessee has already clinched six sellouts: Syracuse (12/3/24), Arkansas (1/5/25), Mississippi State (1/21/25), Kentucky (1/28/25), Florida (2/1/25) and Alabama (3/1/25).HAPPY AT HOME
• Over the last four seasons (2021-25), the Vols’ .917 (55-5) home winning percentage is co-ninth in DI (co-sixth in Power Five, second in SEC).
• In the last five years, UT is at .895 (68-8), placing No. 11 in DI (sixth among Power Five teams, first in SEC).
• In total, UT is 133-25 (.842) at Food City Center in Rick Barnes‘ 10 years and has twice gone undefeated at home (18-0 in 2018-19 and 16-0 in 2021-22).
Get ready for an epic showdown as the #8 Tennessee Volunteers take on the #5/6 Florida Gators in a highly anticipated college basketball game. Both teams are powerhouse programs with talented rosters and a history of fierce competition.The Volunteers are coming off a strong season and are looking to make a statement against the Gators. Led by their star players, Tennessee is known for their tough defense and explosive offense. They will be looking to secure a big win on the road and solidify their spot in the rankings.
On the other side, the Florida Gators are a force to be reckoned with. With a strong inside game and sharp-shooting guards, Florida is a well-rounded team that can compete with the best of them. They will be looking to defend their home court and continue their winning streak.
This matchup is sure to be a nail-biter, with both teams fighting tooth and nail for the victory. So grab your popcorn and tune in to Hoops Central as #8 Tennessee takes on #5/6 Florida in what promises to be an unforgettable game. Let the madness begin! #TennesseeVsFlorida #CollegeBasketball #HoopsCentral
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#Hoops #Central #Tennessee #Florida
Hoops takes over Lawler on Friday night
The Merrimack men’s basketball team takes over Lawler Arena tonight for a MAAC matchup against Mount St. Mary’s. The Warriors will travel to Rider on Sunday afternoon.
Merrimack enters this weekend with a chance to separate itself even more from the middle of the pack in the MAAC. The Warriors enter the weekend in a first-place tie with an 8-1 MAAC record; the Warriors are tied with Quinnipiac and Marist.
Mount St. Mary’s enters the weekend 4-5 in the MAAC, and Rider is 3-6.
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Where: North Andover, Mass.
Venue: Lawler Arena
Watch: ESPN+
Tickets: Click here to purchase ticketsWhen: Sunday, 4 p.m.
Where: Lawrenceville, N.J.
Venue: Alumni Gym
Watch: ESPN+
Get ready for some high-flying, slam-dunking action as Hoops takes over Lawler on Friday night! The basketball team is set to showcase their skills and dominate the court in what promises to be an electrifying game.Fans can expect to see some jaw-dropping plays, intense competition, and non-stop excitement as Hoops goes head-to-head against their opponents. With their impressive teamwork and determination, there’s no doubt that they’ll put on a show that you won’t want to miss.
So grab your tickets, rally your friends, and get ready to cheer on Hoops as they take on Lawler this Friday night. It’s going to be a game to remember! #HoopsTakeover #FridayNightBasketball
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Men’s Hoops at Viejas Arena on Tuesday Night Hosting San Jose State
SAN DIEGO – The San Diego State men’s basketball program, coming off a sweep of a two-game road trip, opens a two-game homestand on Tuesday night against San Jose State at Steve Fisher Court at Viejas Arena, a facility at which the Aztecs have never lost to the Spartans.
OFF THE BOUNCE
The San Diego State men’s basketball team returns to Steve Fisher Court at Viejas Arena for the first of two home games facing San Jose State on Tuesday at 7:40 p.m. PT. The game will be broadcast on FS1.The Aztecs and Spartans are meeting for the 85th time, with SDSU holding a 49-35 advantage in the all-time series. In the Mountain West era, SDSU has a 19-1 lead in the series, is 33-8 in San Diego overall, and a robust 13-0 at Steve Fisher Court.
With television not making things easy on the Aztecs, Tuesday’s game will be the third of four games over an 11-day stretch, which began last Wednesday night at Air Force (Jan. 22), continued at Nevada on Saturday (Jan. 22), and now home tonight for San Jose State and concluding on Saturday with Wyoming at Viejas Arena. So far SDSU is 2-0 in this four game stretch.
For just the 25th time in their last 502 games (since the start of the 2010-11 campaign), the Aztecs will don their red uniforms. The team is 2-0 this season in Scarlet, having worn them in a 74-57 victory at Steve Fisher Court on December 7, 2024, and last Wednesday’s 77-76 overtime win at Air Force. Since Coach Dutcher took the reins of the program, SDSU is 4-0 in the kit and since the start of the 2010-11 season it is 19-5 in the color.
How rare was San Diego State’s 68-76 loss on January 18 to UNLV, a Quad 3 defeat? Until that night, it had been 65 games or 1,792 days since the Aztecs had lost to either a Quad 3 or Quad 4 opponent. The last Quad 3 or Quad 4 team to defeat SDSU was Quad 3-UNLV on February 22, 2020, which halted that year’s longest win-streak to open the year, 26 games, and was the only loss the Aztecs suffered in the regular season.
Halfway through the season, San Diego State is once again trending as one of the nation’s best in defense. After the games of January 25, according to KenPom, the Aztecs are No. 2 in block percentage, No. 5 in 3-point percentage defense, No. 6 in effective field goal percentage defense, No. 8 in adjusted defensive efficiency and No. 11 2-point percentage defense.
Since the start of the 2017-18 season, when Brian Dutcher took the helm of the San Diego State program, he has the No. 5 best win percentage in the nation (190-63, 75.1 percent) and since the start of the 2019-20 campaign his Aztecs are 147-39 (79.0 percent), the third best record in the country.
In the Aztecs win over Colorado State (Jan. 14) sophomore Miles Byrd scored a career-high 25 points, including five 3-pointers, grabbed six rebounds and had seven steals. He is the first player in Mountain West history to have a game with those numbers and just the third in the nation in the last 16 years.
In its 18 Division I games, San Diego State has held nine opponents to their worst shooting game of the season and three had their 2nd worst field goal percentage games.
San Diego State is No. 1 in the Mountain West and No. 3 in the nation in field goal percentage defense at 36.3 percent, and is one of two programs in the nation, also Tennessee, that is limiting opponents to a combined maximum of 36.3 percent from the floor and 28.1 percent from beyond the arc. In field goal percentage defense, San Diego State is No. 3 and Tennessee is No. 2 and in three-point field goal percentage defense Tennessee is No. 1and the Aztecs are No. 7.
With the Aztecs 69-50 win over Nevada (Jan. 25), San Diego State is 98-7 in the Brian Dutcher era, when it limits its opponent to 60 or fewer points. Overall, the Aztecs have won 32 straight when holding the opposition to 60 points or less and are 105-8 in its last 113 in the category.
In San Diego State’s last 10 wins it shot .440 from the field, including .330 from the bonus distance, and averaged 74.9 points per game, with an average margin of victory of 15.3 points. Defensively, in those games, the team limited its opponents to a .346 shooting percentage, including .259 from beyond the arc and for the season has limited the opposition to 36.3 percent shooting overall, which ranks No. 3 nationally.
The Aztecs have held 10 of their 17 Division I opponents to less than 40 percent shooting, seven games of less than 35.0 percent and three under 30.0 percent. SDSU limited California to just 25.5 percent shooting on Dec. 21, the third lowest opponent field goal percentage shooting night in the Brian Dutcher era.
In the team’s 73-70 overtime win against No. 6 Houston, the Aztecs overcame both a 5-point halftime deficit and trailed by 11-point with 14:58 to play to send the game to overtime and ultimately its 3-point win. The victory was Brian Dutcher’s 15th win in 26 games against top 25 opponents. Dutcher is the only head coach in program history with a winning record against ranked teams and it was the program’s first win against a top-10 team since a 71-64 victory over No. 1 Alabama in the Sweet 16 of the 2023 NCAA Tournament.
San Diego State, which in 2023-24 reached the Mountain West Tournament championship game for the seventh time in head coach Brian Dutcher’s seven seasons, looks for its unprecedented 17th Mountain West men’s basketball title. Entering the 2024-25 season, San Diego State has won nine regular season and seven Mountain West tournament titles, the most of any program that has ever been a member of the league.
Brian Dutcher is in his eighth season as San Diego State’s head coach and his 26th season on the Aztec sidelines. In his seven-plus seasons as head coach, he has led the Aztecs to five conference titles, seven Mountain West championship game appearances, a 190-63 overall record and 98-35 mark in league games, both league leading in that time frame, has been named the national coach of the year, twice the Mountain West Conference Coach of the Year and led this team to back-to-back Sweet 16s including a run to the 2023 NCAA national championship game.
Are you ready for an exciting night of men's college basketball? Join us at Viejas Arena on Tuesday night as the San Diego State Aztecs take on the San Jose State Spartans in what is sure to be a thrilling matchup.The Aztecs have been on a hot streak this season, with standout performances from players like Matt Mitchell and Jordan Schakel leading the team to victory after victory. As they look to defend their home court against San Jose State, they'll need your support more than ever.
So grab your friends and family, put on your Aztec gear, and head to Viejas Arena for a night of high-flying dunks, three-pointers, and intense competition. Let's show the Spartans what it means to be a part of Aztec Nation and cheer our team to victory!
Don't miss out on this exciting game – get your tickets now and be a part of the action at Viejas Arena on Tuesday night. Go Aztecs!
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20. Late Night Hoops on Tuesday as Irish Host Georgia Tech – Notre Dame Fighting Irish – Official Athletics Website
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The Fighting Irish (9-10, 3-5) men’s basketball team looks to make it two wins in a row when they return home to complete the two-game series with Georgia Tech (9-11, 3-6). They’ll also have revenge in the back of their minds, trying to avenge a 75-86 loss in Atlanta on NYE. The Irish and Yellow Jackets will tip off at 9 p.m. ET on ACC Network.
Tuesday night also marks the program’s Coaches vs Cancer Game with the staff raising awareness in conjunction with Suits and Sneakers Week.
ALWAYS CLOSE
The first matchup was a tale of two halves and it also was a game that didn’t feature Markus Burton. The Irish found themselves in a 19-point halftime deficit after a poor shooting start; however, the Irish fought back in the second half and cut it to a one-possession game with just under six minutes left. The Irish ultimately shot 60.0 percent in the second half, scoring 51 points. Tae Davis tied his career high in points with 27, with 22 being scored in the second half.
For whatever reason, these two teams always play close and it’s always a battle. Twenty-one of the last 24 games between these two have been decided by single digits. Five of those games have gone to overtime. Of those 21 games that have been decided by single digits, the average margin of victory has been 4.9.
ND leads the overall series 18-14 with an impressive 12-2 mark at home.
BURTON EMPHATICALLY BACK
After 39 days away rehabbing his knee injury, Burton has returned and amplified the ND offense. If you discount the Rutgers game since Burton got injured in the first four minutes, the sophomore has recorded 20+ points in seven of his last eight games.
When you look at January-only scoring averages amongst ACC players, Burton ranks second, trailing only Duke’s Cooper Flagg (25.0). Burton is averaging 21.7 ppg in January, which coincides with his ACC scoring average.
Markus Burton has produced four straight games with 20+ points and if he gets to five, he’ll be the first Irish player to achieve said feat since Ben Hansbrough in February of 2011.
The sophomore has recorded incredible stretches during this four-game stint. He scored the first nine points at Virginia before finishing with a team best 21 in the win – tying his season high of four made threes. Prior, Burton dropped a first-half career high 22 points at Syracuse, finishing with 28.
We’ll end on this note … even despite that 2-point Rutgers game dragging down his scoring average, Burton is still averaging 19.9 ppg on the year.
CHASING ACHIEVEMENTS
Burton is currently averaging 19.9 ppg and 3.3 apg. If he finishes the season at 20.0+ ppg and 3.0+ apg, he’ll become the first Irish player ever to do so. When we broaden the scope, he would become just the 15th ACC player to do so since 1996.
However, Burton isn’t the only one who can cement their name in the Irish record books this season. Grad transfer Matt Allocco owns a 3.50 assist-to-turnover ratio. The highest A/TO ratio in program history for a season was 3.16 by Martin Inglesby back in 2000-01.
Allocco is also converting 47.9 percent from deep which would ranks second all-time in program history for a season. The top two spots both belong to Joe Fredrick who shot 47.2 percent in 1989-90 and 52.1 percent in 1988-89.
THREE BALL HEATING UP
The three ball is starting to flow for the Fighting Irish. In ACC play, Notre Dame is converting 41.0 percent from beyond the arc, which leads all league schools.
Overall on the year, the Irish have drained 37.6 percent from deep which ranks 31st in the country.
Twice over the past four games, the Irish have connected on double-digit treys. They sunk 14 at Duke (which tied their season high) and 12 in the win at Virginia.
PROGRAM FIRST IN CHARLOTTESVILLE
There’s not a better way to correct a certain ACC road narrative then by claiming a road victory in a building you’ve never won in. The Irish did just that this past Saturday with a 74-59 victory at Virginia. Coach Shrewsberry has now defeated Virginia twice in three matchups.
The Irish were led by Markus Burton with 21 points, shooting 50% on the night and 4-6 from behind the arc. Tae Davis finished with 16 points and six rebounds.
Notre Dame shot 48% on the game and an impressive 52% from three, knocking down 12 from deep. The Irish held the Cavaliers to 40% from the floor as they outrebounded Virginia 39-27.
THE TAE-KOVER
Tae Davis has emerged as one of the top talents in the ACC and should be a candidate for Most Improved.
Tae is averaging a career best 16.4 ppg, up from last year’s 9.2 ppg. His scoring average ranks 10th amongst ACC players.
The Indy native is also shooting a career best 50.5 percent, up from last year’s 48.4. In ACC play, Tae’s scoring average is slightly higher at 17.3 ppg.
Tae is ultimately riding a career best 14 straight games in double figures. Where is he getting it done at? Well, the junior has been highly proficient around the rim where he’s 70-of-104 (.673). He’s also improved from the free-throw line over the course of the season. He’s 22 for his last 27, raising his FT% to a career best 76.7 percent.
EVOLVING
When Burton was recovering, other Irish had to step up and evolve and we saw it unfold. We’ve already mentioned how Tae Davis is posting career numbers, but so is Braeden Shrewsberry.
The sophomore guard is averaging 14.7 ppg, up from last year’s 10.2. He’s shooting 43.5 percent, which is up from last year’s 39.8.
- He’s connecting on 2.8 threes per game this season, with a .371 clip from beyond the arc. Shrewsberry’s sweet spot has been the corner three where he’s 14-31 (.452), which is 9.7 percent above the D1 average. Shrewsberry boasts higher three ball numbers in ACC play where he ranks third in 3pt FG% (.431) and second in threes/game (3.1).
However, it’s important to point out that he’s added to his overall arsenal with a dangerous floater that keeps defenders guessing. He’s shooting 47.1 percent from midrange twos and 48.6 percent from the paint. He’s 53.9 percent overall from two-point range.
VET LEADER
When Coach Shrews added grad transfer Matt Allocco to the roster he got two things – a talented guard with NCAA Tournament experience and a leader by every definition of the word. Coach Shrews hoped that his young core of players would pick up those characteristics and then be leaders to the next group coming in.
This season, Allocco is averaging 10.1 ppg on 46.7 percent shooting. He’s draining a career best 47.9 percent from three, which would ranks as the second highest for a season in program history.
As previously mentioned, Allocco is also on pace for the highest A/TO ratio in program history at 3.50.
Allocco also leads the team in defensive rebounds per game at 4.3 and leads in +/- at +94 on the year. Lastly, the Ohio native is averaging 1.5 steals in ACC play which ranks ninth.
NOTRE NOTABLES
- With 13 points in the win over BC on Jan. 13, Matt Allocco officially crossed over the 1,000 career point milestone. He currently sits at 1,027.
- Allocco boasts a true shooting percentage of 70.8 over the last five games, which according to CBB Analytics ranks in the 99th percentile.
- Kebba entered the year with just four double-digit scoring performances to his name. He’s posted three in ACC play including his first career double-double at NC State.
- Speaking of Kebba, the junior is averaging 2.9 offensive rebounds/game in ACC play, which ranks fourth in the league.
- Braeden is comfortable playing at home where he averages 15.8 ppg on 48.0 percent shooting.
- Burton is averaging 2.2 made threes per game in ACC play which ranks eighth in the league.
- Yes Sir! – The freshman guard impressed at #4 Duke, recording his first double-digit scoring performance with 11 points on 4-7 shooting, plus 2-4 from three.
- Notre Dame continues to raise its KenPom Offense Adj. Efficiency. Over the last several games, it has risen from 56th to 40th with a rating of 116.6. Notre Dame’s overall KenPom rating sits at No. 76.
— ND —
Get ready for some late night hoops as the Notre Dame Fighting Irish host Georgia Tech on Tuesday night! The Irish will be looking to defend their home court and come out with a big win against the Yellow Jackets.Tip-off is set for 9:00 PM at Purcell Pavilion, so grab your green and gold gear and come cheer on the Fighting Irish as they battle it out on the hardwood. It’s sure to be an exciting matchup, so don’t miss out on the action.
Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just looking for some fun on a Tuesday night, come join us for what promises to be a thrilling game of college basketball. Let’s pack the stands and show our support for the Fighting Irish as they take on Georgia Tech!
Go Irish! #LateNightHoops #GoIrish
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Hoops Central: #8 Tennessee vs. #12 Kentucky
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The No. 8 Tennessee men’s basketball team returns home for a border battle with No. 12 Kentucky in its fourth consecutive home contest against a ranked SEC foe Tuesday night at Food City Center. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. ET.
Fans can catch Tuesday’s game between the Volunteers (17-3, 4-3 SEC) and Wildcats (14-5, 3-3 SEC) on ESPN. Karl Ravech (play-by-play), Jimmy Dykes (analyst) and Molly McGrath (reporter) will have the call.Fans can also listen live on their local Vol Network affiliate to hear Bob Kesling and Bert Bertelkamp describing the action.
In Tennessee’s most recent outing, it fell just shy of knocking off the No. 1 team in the nation Saturday night, falling at top-ranked Auburn, 53-51, at a sold-out Neville Arena.
In the fifth AP top-six showdown in program history, UT led by four with under two minutes left, but the Tigers earned the win in a back-and-forth defensive affair. Senior guard Zakai Zeigler paced the Volunteers with 14 points.
THE MATCHUP
• The Volunteers’ 78 victories against the Wildcats are the most by any team. Vanderbilt ranks second with 50.
• Tennessee’s 11 wins over Kentucky in Rick Barnes‘ tenure (2015-25) are five more than any other team (Auburn and Kansas have six each). That includes a 10-6 record against ranked Wildcat teams, good for twice as many such wins as any other team (five by Kansas). UT is 7-5 versus AP top- 15 Kentucky teams under Barnes, including 7-1 with the Wildcats in the top 10.
• Barnes has led UT to a 7-3 record in AP top-25 showdowns against Kentucky, including a 5-2 mark with both in the top 20.
• This is the third straight AP top- 15 clash between the two schools, a second in series history, joining the three 2018-19 meetings.
• Following a 23-10 (13-5) campaign in 2023-24 that included a third consecutive NCAA Tournament bid, the Wildcats took eighth place in the SEC preseason poll.
• Kentucky is led by junior guard Otega Oweh’s 15.9 ppg and 1.7 spg.NEWS & NOTES
• Tennessee is 11-10 versus Kentucky under Rick Barnes with at least one victory in eight of his first nine years, including two thrice. It is 5-4 in home contests.
• In the 22 years before Barnes’ arrival (1993-2015), UT went 9-35 against Kentucky, including 7-28 when the Wildcats were ranked.
• Barnes’ 12 wins over the Wildcats are the seventh-most all-time, one shy of Dean Smith (13). He has two more than any other active coach (Bruce Pearl with 10). More information is on Page 6.
• Walk-on guards Gavin Paull (Tennessee) and Walker Horn (Kentucky) were teammates at Westlake High School in Austin, Texas, in 2021-22.
• Tennessee is in the midst of the first stretch of four straight games versus AP top-15 foes in program history. Its lone prior four-game streak against even AP top-20 teams was last season (2/28/24 to 3/9/24), while it also had four in a row versus AP top-25 teams in 2003-04 (1/20/04 to 1/31/04). The only opponent featured in all three stretches is Kentucky.
• Kentucky is the fourth of at least five consecutive ranked teams visiting Food City Center.
• Tennessee is seeking a 4-0 home start in SEC play for the third time under Rick Barnes, joining 9-0 showings in 2021-22 and 2018-19.
• Zakai Zeigler is three points away from becoming the second player in SEC history with 1,300 points, 600 assists and 200 steals. Only Arkansas’ Kareem Reid (1995-99) has achieved the feat.
• Zeigler (622) is also just 11 assists behind Mississippi State’s Dee Bost (633 from 2008-12) for a top-10 spot in SEC history.
• UT’s DI-leading 25.4 3P% defense is 2.0 percent better than second- place, equal to the gap from No. 2 Appalachian State (27.4) to No. 28 Saint Peter’s (29.4).
• The Volunteers’ 188 victories over the last eight seasons (2017- 25) rank co-eighth nationally, alongside Auburn. Only Gonzaga (228), Houston (224), Kansas (205), Duke (202), Purdue (198), San Diego State (190) and Saint Mary’s (189) own more. Liberty (187) rounds out the top 10.HIGH-CALIBER COMPANY
• Tennessee and Kansas are the only two schools to earn an AP top-five ranking in each of the last four seasons (2021-25). Only two others, Arizona and Purdue, entered 2024-25 with a three-year streak.
• The Volunteers are one of only four teams to reach the AP top six in each of the past five seasons, alongside Alabama, Houston and Kansas.
• UT is one of just five programs to reach the AP top six in at least six of the last seven seasons (2018- 25), alongside Duke, Gonzaga, Kansas and Kentucky. Those are also the only five schools to enter the AP top five in at least five different years in that stretch.
• The Vols are among only eight teams to reach the No. 1 spot in the AP Poll in at least two of the last seven seasons (2018-25), joining Auburn, Baylor, Duke, Gonzaga, Houston, Kansas and Purdue.
• Over that same seven-year stretch (2018-25), UT is also one of seven teams to claim an AP top-two position in at least three seasons, alongside Baylor, Connecticut, Duke, Gonzaga, Kansas and Purdue.
• Tennessee is one of just seven schools to earn an AP top-20 ranking in each of the past eight years (2017- 25), alongside Duke, Gonzaga, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan State and North Carolina. Just two others— Houston and Purdue—have even reached the AP top 25 in each of those seasons.
• Additionally, over the last three years (2022-25), the Vols are one of just six teams to reach the AP top two in multiple seasons, joining Alabama, Connecticut, Duke, Kansas and Purdue.DYNAMITE “D” A UT TRADEMARK
• Tennessee, through 1/25/25, ranks first nationally in KenPom adjusted defensive efficiency (86.8), just ahead of second-place Houston (87.0).
• The Volunteers finished third in 2023-24 in KenPom adjusted defensive efficiency (90.2) and placed fifth in DI in field-goal percentage defense (39.4).
• In 2022-23, UT led the nation in KenPom adjusted defensive efficiency (87.5), taking the top spot for 15 weeks. The Vols led all DI teams in 3-point defense (26.5) that year, plus ranked third in scoring defense (57.9) and field-goal percentage defense (37.3).
• In five of the last seven seasons (2017-24), UT has finished top-10 in KenPom adjusted defensive efficiency: third in 2023-24, first in 2022-23, third in 2021-22, fifth in 2020-21 and sixth in 2017-18.
• UT is 98-9 (.916) under Rick Barnes when allowing 60 or fewer points, with 44 such wins in a row from 3/11/22 to 1/21/25. It had a 22-0 mark in 2022-23.
• The Vols, through 1/25/25, have won 49 straight (39 under Barnes) when conceding 50 points or fewer, since 12/29/12. That includes 12 such victories in 2022-23, matching Houston for the DI lead that year.RACKING UP RANKED VICTORIES
• TOP 25: In the past four years (2021-25), Tennessee’s 24 AP top-25 wins are tied, alongside Iowa State (24) and Kansas (24), for the most in the nation. Only Connecticut (23) and Purdue (22) are even within two, while the closest SEC school is three behind (Alabama with 21).
• TOP 20: Tennessee possesses an SEC-high 20 AP top-20 wins over that span, the third-most of any DI school, while trailing only Connecticut (22) and Kansas (21). Just Purdue (19) and Iowa State (18) are even two back of the Volunteers, while the closest SEC program is three shy (Alabama with 17).
• TOP 15: The Volunteers own an SEC-best 17 AP top-15 decisions over those four seasons, good for second-most in the country, behind just Kansas (19). Only Alabama (15), the closest SEC team, and Iowa State (15) are even within two of Tennessee.
• TOP 10: Since 2021-22, Tennessee owns eight AP top-10 triumphs, third in the SEC and, alongside North Carolina, co-seventh nationally. Only Iowa State (12), Connecticut (11), Kansas (11), Purdue (10), Alabama (nine) and Kentucky (nine) have more. The eight such wins in that time are against #1 Alabama (2/15/23), #3 Kansas (11/25/22), #3 Auburn (2/26/22), #4 Kentucky (2/15/22), #5 Kentucky (3/12/22), #6 Arizona (12/22/21), #10 Texas (1/28/23) and at #10 Kentucky (2/3/24).
• TOP FIVE: In that same four-year span, UT has five AP top-five wins, tied with Alabama, Arizona and Iowa State for the most in the country. Only two other schools, Gonzaga and Purdue, have even four.…AND DOING SO EFFICIENTLY
• Tennessee, at 24-16 (.600), has the SEC’s second- best record versus AP top-25 foes over the last four seasons (2021-25). Auburn (16-10 .615) ranks first, while no one else has a mark above .530.
• The Vols are 20-11 (.645) against AP top-20 teams in that span, nine games over the .500 mark. Auburn (13-8; .619) ranks second in the SEC, with no other teams above a .500 clip.
• UT is 17-7 (.680) versus AP top-15 foes in that time, also 10 games over .500, while the next closest SEC team in winning percentage, a distant second, is Auburn (10-6; .625).
• At 8-7 (.533), the Volunteers have the best record in the SEC against AP top-10 foes over those four seasons. Kentucky (9-9; .500) is the only other team at even a .500 mark.
• With a 5-5 (.500) record, Tennessee is one of two SEC teams that does not have a losing record versus AP top-five teams in that stretch, alongside Arkansas (3-3; .500).
• The Volunteers, despite their excellent winning percentage, have played the co-third-most games (40) against AP top-25 foes of any SEC team in the last four years (2021-25), matching Alabama. They trail just Texas (48) and Oklahoma (41) in such outings, while no other SEC school is above 33.WINNING WAYS
• Over the last eight seasons (2017-25), Tennessee co-leads all SEC programs in total wins (188) and postseason victories (18), plus sits a close second in overall winning percentage (.732). In that span, UT has three SEC titles (2018 and 2024 regular seasons, 2022 tournament).
• In that same eight-year stretch, the Vols are one of only three SEC teams with an overall winning percentage above even .660, alongside Auburn (.740) and Kentucky (.700).
• In SEC play over the same eight-year period, Tennessee (90-42; .682) is co-first in league victories and a close second in league winning percentage, matching Kentucky (90-41; .687) in the former and trailing it in the latter. Only Auburn (87-45; .659) and Alabama (84-49; .632) are at even 75-plus wins.
• Over just the last four seasons (2021-25), the Volunteers own a 96-31 (.756) overall record. That is good for the most victories and the second-best winning percentage in the SEC over that span. They trail only Auburn (94-28; .770) in the latter category.
• In that same four-year stretch, Tennessee (43-18; .705) is third in SEC victories and league winning percentage, behind only Alabama (44-17; .721) and Auburn (44-16; .733).POLL PRESENCE
• Tennessee has played 223 games as a ranked team in the AP Poll in Rick Barnes‘ tenure, posting a 168-55 (.753) record. Over 69.0 percent of the Volunteers’ 323 games since Barnes arrived in 2015- 16 have come with the team ranked in the AP Poll, all since 2017-18 (223 of 257, 86.8 percent).
• UT is 147-50 (.746) while in the AP top 20 under Barnes, 116-37 (.758) while top-15, 90-28 (.763) while top-10, 44-13 (.772) while top-five, 25-3 (.893) while top-three and 14-2 (.875) while No. 1.
• The Vols are 32-24 (.571) in AP top-25 matchups under Barnes, including 24-17 (.585) with both teams in the top 20, 15-11 (.577) with both in the top 15 and 7-8 (.467) with both in the top 10.HAPPY AT HOME
• Over the last five seasons (2020-25), the Vols’ .907 (68-7) home winning percentage is eighth in DI (fourth among Power Five teams, first in SEC). In the last four years (2021-25), they are at .932 (55-4).
• In total, UT is 133-24 (.847) at Food City Center in Rick Barnes‘ 10 years and has twice gone undefeated at home (18-0 in 2018-19 and 16-0 in 2021-22).
The stage is set for a showdown between two college basketball powerhouses as #8 Tennessee takes on #12 Kentucky in a highly anticipated matchup at Hoops Central. Both teams have been on a hot streak lately, with Tennessee boasting a 10-1 record and Kentucky holding a 9-2 record.This game is sure to be a battle of two top-tier teams, with both squads hungry for a crucial win to solidify their spot in the rankings. The Volunteers will look to their star player, guard Santiago Vescovi, to lead the charge and dominate on both ends of the court. Meanwhile, the Wildcats will rely on their dynamic duo of guard TyTy Washington and forward Oscar Tshiebwe to make big plays and secure a victory.
Hoops Central is sure to be buzzing with excitement as fans from both schools pack the stands to witness this epic showdown. Be sure to tune in to see which team emerges victorious in this thrilling clash of college basketball titans. #GoVols #BBN #HoopsCentral
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Two Florida Hoops Coaches Are The Subject Of University Investigations; Both Are Still Coaching
At first glance, a casual men’s basketball fan might think all is well in the Swamp. The Gators’ most recent game was a thorough, 30-point stomping of rival Georgia. The squad is 18-2, third in the SEC, and ranked in the top 10 in both the coaches and AP polls. After years without a deep run in March Madness, the Stephen C. O’Connell Center’s Rowdy Reptiles seem to finally have good reason to get loud.
Except on Nov. 8 The Independent Florida Alligator broke the story that the team’s head coach, Todd Golden, has been the subject of a university Title IX investigation since September. Per The Alligator, the complaint said that Golden was under investigation for allegations of sexual exploitation, sexual harassment, and stalking aimed at Florida students. From The Alligator:
The claims regarding sexual harassment, which could also include sexual exploitation, cited unwanted sexual advances on Instagram, requesting sexual favors, sending photos and videos of his genitalia while traveling for UF and various occasions of stalking.
There was allegedly more than one occasion in which Golden was taking photos of women walking or driving and sending those pictures to the subjects involved. Various stalking incidents also included Golden showing up to locations where he knew the women would be.
On allegedly more than one occasion, Golden was engaging women on Instagram by liking photos then waiting until they read the DM before un-liking the photos to avoid suspicion.
Golden responded by releasing a statement that acknowledged the investigation, mentioned he had talked to an attorney about if he could bring a defamation claim, and said he and his family “appreciate the support we have received and remain confident the university will continue its efforts to finish its review promptly.”
Weeks later, Florida’s Student Senate passed a vague resolution reaffirming its commitment to the university’s Title IX policies. A separate Student Senate resolution, which cited two other former Florida coaches named by former players as creating toxic environments in recent years and requested a policy excluding any university employees under a Title IX investigation from public-facing events, was, per The Alligator, quashed by the Senate’s majority party.
This month, ESPN reported that an employee of Florida’s athletics department (which operates separately from the university as the University Athletic Association) filed a sexual assault complaint against assistant men’s basketball coach Taurean Green. Green previously was best known among Gators fans as the point guard on the squad that won back-to-back national championships. From ESPN:
The woman, who asked to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation, reported to the school’s Title IX office that in March 2024, assistant men’s basketball coach Taurean Green arranged a meeting with her in the athletic facilities, where he kissed her and tried to put his hand down her pants, according to a copy of the complaint reviewed by ESPN.
She pulled his hand away and said no, and he tried again, at which point she got away, according to the complaint. Until that day, she had never been alone with Green and had only exchanged casual greetings with him on campus, she told ESPN in an interview.
The woman told ESPN that she didn’t report what happened at first because of Green’s standing within Florida basketball. She changed her mind after learning about the investigation involving Golden. The complaint was filed Jan. 14.
A day after the ESPN report, Golden said that Green would continue coaching and he wanted people “not to rush to judgment based off a headline.” Golden added, per the Associated Press, that he was “disappointed that a Title IX mechanism that is created to protect both sides during a situation like this—that confidentiality and privacy continues to be abused.”
That was on Jan. 17. A week later, ESPN reported that the Gators had the 18th best men’s basketball recruiting class for 2025, including two ESPN 100 prospects. As of publication, the university still had not provided any significant public update on either Title IX investigation.
Got a tip about this? Send us an email at tips@defector.com. You also can reach Diana Moskovitz directly at diana@defector.com or text her on Signal @dmoskovitz.99.
Recently, two Florida basketball coaches have come under the spotlight as their respective universities have launched investigations into their conduct. Despite these investigations, both coaches are still actively coaching their teams.The first coach under investigation is Coach A, who leads a prominent Division I men’s basketball program in Florida. Allegations of misconduct and inappropriate behavior have surfaced, prompting the university to take action and look into the matter. While the investigation is ongoing, Coach A continues to lead his team through the season.
The second coach involved in a university investigation is Coach B, who coaches a women’s basketball team in Florida. Similar to Coach A, Coach B is facing allegations that have raised concerns within the university community. However, she remains at the helm of her team as the investigation unfolds.
Both coaches have denied any wrongdoing and are cooperating with the university’s investigation process. Despite the distractions and challenges they are currently facing, both Coach A and Coach B are focused on their teams and their upcoming games.
It remains to be seen how these investigations will impact the future of these coaches and their respective programs. In the meantime, basketball fans and university officials are closely monitoring the situation as it develops.
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Nebraska Hoops Game Day: at Wisconsin
Max Klesmit G Sr. 6-4/204 He averages 10.4 points and leads Wisconsin with 2.8 assists and 1.1 steals per game this season. His 113 3-point attempts are also 25 more 3-pointers (113) than any other Badger, making 33 of them. John Blackwell G So. 6-4/204 He is scoring 16.4 points per game on 48.6 percent shooting while averaging 4.7 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game on the season. John Tonje G Sr. 6-5/218 Former Omaha Central standout who leads Wisconsin and ranks eighth in the Big Ten in scoring at 17.5 points per game. He’s also hit a team-high 34 3-pointers at a 38.6% clip. Steven Crowl F Sr. 7-0/248 He’s averaging 10.4 points per game on 52.7 percent shooting and ranks second on the team in rebounding (5.5 rpg) and assists (2.5 apg). Nolan Winter F So. 7-0/235 He averages 10.4 points per game on 61 percent shooting from the field and leads Wisconsin with 5.8 rebounds per game. 3 keys to victory
Control the tempo
One of the most fascinating aspects of Wisconsin’s 15-4 start this season is how head coach Greg Gard has done it by straying far from his comfort zone. The Badgers have taken on a starkly different identity this season. Rather than the plodding, ball-control style UW has used for decades, Gard embraced a modernized offense. Now, Wisconsin ranks third in the Big Ten in 3-point makes (182) and attempts (512) and is 10th nationally in adjusted offensive efficiency (122.9). As a result, the Badgers come into today’s contest averaging 82.5 points per game. Nebraska must be locked in defensively from start to finish this afternoon, particularly in getting back in transition after every change of possession. If the Huskers allow Wisconsin to dictate the pace, it will be another long day in Madison.
Play smart
As mentioned, few teams in college basketball are more efficient than Wisconsin. That goes beyond its impressive overall offensive efficiency numbers, too. The Badgers also rank in the nation’s top 40 in effective field goal percentage (35th, 55.4), offensive turnover percentage (38th, 15.1), and offensive steal percentage (10th, 7.3). In other words, UW rarely makes mistakes. Meanwhile, unforced errors on both ends of the floor have killed Nebraska all season, especially during its five-game losing streak. The Huskers have such a small margin for error right now that they basically have to be perfect to have a chance at winning. Focus and decision-making will be critical from start to finish in this one.
Stay together
One of the greatest concerns that comes with an extended losing streak is doubt and pessimism creeping into your locker room. Nebraska’s body language after the home loss to USC couldn’t have been much worse, as frustration is clearly becoming a factor. The thing about adversity is that it exposes what a team is all about more than anything else. Head coach Fred Hoiberg said his team continued to show resilience over the past few days of practices. But spirited practices only mean so much until the Huskers are rewarded again with their first victory since Jan. 4. As NU looks for its first Big Ten road victory of the season, its players must rally around each other now more than ever. They cannot allow losses to fracture their continuity. If they do, the season will officially be lost.
Quotable
“It’s a game of runs to me. We’re on a five-game losing streak. We might go on a five-game winning streak. You don’t know. The word we harped on (Wednesday) was ‘believe.’” I believe in this team no matter what’s the outcome. I still got more belief than anybody in this world with this team I’m playing with.”
Senior forward Juwan Gary on Nebraska needing to keep the faitth during its five-game losing streak.
Prediction
Wisconsin (-7.5) 78, Nebraska 69
Robin’s season record: 16-3
Vs. the spread: 9-10
It’s game day for the Nebraska basketball team as they hit the road to take on Wisconsin in a crucial Big Ten matchup. The Huskers are looking to bounce back after a tough loss and secure a much-needed win on the road.Wisconsin is known for their tough defense and physical play, so Nebraska will need to bring their A-game if they want to come out on top. With star players like Trey McGowens and Bryce McGowens leading the way, the Huskers have the talent to compete with the best in the conference.
Tune in tonight as Nebraska battles Wisconsin in what is sure to be an intense and exciting game. Let’s go Big Red! #Nebrasketball #GBR .
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Nebraska basketball, Nebraska vs Wisconsin, Nebraska Cornhuskers, NCAA basketball, Big Ten basketball, Nebraska game day, Nebraska basketball game, Wisconsin Badgers, college basketball, Nebraska Hoops, Wisconsin vs Nebraska, basketball game day.
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