University of Tennessee Athletics

UT Hoops Teams Set For Rocky Top Tip-Off
September 28, 2017 | Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball
Vols, Lady Vols Welcome Big Orange Fans To Oct. 13 Event
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee men's and women's basketball teams are excited to announce that they will be playing host to Rocky Top Tip-Off on Friday, Oct. 13, at Thompson-Boling Arena.
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Doors open at 6 p.m. ET, and the event is slated to run until 8. There is no charge for admission, and parking will be available for free, with fans encouraged to park in the G-10 garage on the east end of the arena. The G5/S30 lots located north of Phillip Fulmer Way, will not be available.
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The event, which offers Big Orange hoops fans a fun, first-hand look at the 2017-18 squads, will feature an autograph session, team introductions, a three-point shooting competition and a dunk contest. Additionally, there will be appearances by head coaches Rick Barnes and Holly Warlick, Smokey and both the UT cheerleaders and dance team.
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Activities for the entire family include a photo booth, face painting, inflatables, a prize wheel and other contests. There will be a DJ providing music, and concessions will be available.
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Excitement for Tennessee basketball is especially high this season. Barnes, now in his third season in Knoxville, has the tallest and most experienced roster of his Tennessee tenure, led by the physical frontcourt tandem of junior Admiral Schofield and sophomore Grant Williams. They are among four returning starters—and seven additional returning players—who welcome five talented newcomers to Rocky Top.  Â
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Warlick, meanwhile, returns 2017 All-SEC Second Team selections 6-foot-6 Mercedes Russell and 6-2 Jaime Nared for her sixth season as head coach. The Lady Vols also welcome the nation's No. 1 recruiting class, including the No. 2 (6-0 guard Evina Westbrook), No. 7 (5-7 guard Anastasia Hayes), No. 12 (6-2 wing Rennia Davis) and No. 57 (6-4 center Kasiyahna Kushkituah) players in the nation, as ranked in the HoopGurlz espnW 100.
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ROCKY TOP TIP-OFF SCHEDULE
6:00 p.m. – Doors open
6:30-7:15 p.m. – Autographs
7:15-8:00 p.m. – On-court actionÂ
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Doors open at 6 p.m. ET, and the event is slated to run until 8. There is no charge for admission, and parking will be available for free, with fans encouraged to park in the G-10 garage on the east end of the arena. The G5/S30 lots located north of Phillip Fulmer Way, will not be available.
Â
The event, which offers Big Orange hoops fans a fun, first-hand look at the 2017-18 squads, will feature an autograph session, team introductions, a three-point shooting competition and a dunk contest. Additionally, there will be appearances by head coaches Rick Barnes and Holly Warlick, Smokey and both the UT cheerleaders and dance team.
Â
Activities for the entire family include a photo booth, face painting, inflatables, a prize wheel and other contests. There will be a DJ providing music, and concessions will be available.
Â
Excitement for Tennessee basketball is especially high this season. Barnes, now in his third season in Knoxville, has the tallest and most experienced roster of his Tennessee tenure, led by the physical frontcourt tandem of junior Admiral Schofield and sophomore Grant Williams. They are among four returning starters—and seven additional returning players—who welcome five talented newcomers to Rocky Top.  Â
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Warlick, meanwhile, returns 2017 All-SEC Second Team selections 6-foot-6 Mercedes Russell and 6-2 Jaime Nared for her sixth season as head coach. The Lady Vols also welcome the nation's No. 1 recruiting class, including the No. 2 (6-0 guard Evina Westbrook), No. 7 (5-7 guard Anastasia Hayes), No. 12 (6-2 wing Rennia Davis) and No. 57 (6-4 center Kasiyahna Kushkituah) players in the nation, as ranked in the HoopGurlz espnW 100.
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ROCKY TOP TIP-OFF SCHEDULE
6:00 p.m. – Doors open
6:30-7:15 p.m. – Autographs
7:15-8:00 p.m. – On-court actionÂ
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Players Mentioned
MBB | Nate Ament Media Availability (8.20.25)
Wednesday, August 20
MBB | Clarence Massamba Media Availability (8.20.25)
Wednesday, August 20
MBB | Justin Gainey Media Availability (8.20.25)
Wednesday, August 20
MBB | DeWayne Brown II Media Availability (7.31.25)
Thursday, July 31