University of Tennessee Athletics
The @Vol_Hoops Report: Oct. 5
October 05, 2014 | Men's Basketball
First-year Tennessee basketball coach Donnie Tyndall conducted the first official preseason practice of the 2014-15 campaign Sunday, putting the Volunteers through a lengthy, high-energy workout at Pratt Pavilion.
"I thought guys gave good effort today--the energy level was good as practice wore on," Tyndall said. "I thought fatigue hit our team a little bit. But for the most part, we tried to fight through it. Our attention to detail certainly needs to improve, but I was happy with our first day in regard to their energy and effort."
With 104 games and 78 starts under his belt as a Vol, senior guard Josh Richardson is easily the most experienced player on this year's revamped Tennessee roster. The Edmond, Okla., native's fourth and final season on Rocky Top is now underway, though it feels like the previous three years have gone by in a flash.
"It's hard to believe, but it's reality," Richardson said. "We have to get it in gear now and make a lot of progress these next few weeks."
The Vols make their exhibition debut Nov. 3 when they host NAIA University of Pikeville at Thompson-Boling Arena (7 p.m. ET, SEC Network+). The regular season tips off with a neutral-site clash vs. VCU at The Veterans Classic at the U.S. Naval Academy Nov. 14.
NEW NAMES, FACES
Donnie Tyndall's first season on Rocky Top signals the addition of nine total newcomers, which marks the most in program history. No previous UT squad has featured more than seven.The new faces include two Division I transfers (Ian Chiles and Dominic Woodson), two junior college transfers (Devon Baulkman and Kevin Punter) and five true freshmen (Braxton Bonds, Willie Carmichael III, Jabari McGhee, Detrick Mostella and Tariq Owens).
Assistant coach Al Pinkins was quick to respond when asked how those newcomers' dealt with their first practice as Vols Sunday.
"The biggest thing about those guys is they all competed," Pinkins said. "I think they were in tune to what coach Tyndall and the rest of the staff were trying to teach."
When asked how his body felt after practice, McGhee responded simply, "My feet hurt. But I'll be all right."
McGhee also shared his opinion on the biggest difference between a prep and Division I practice.
"To me, the biggest difference is being able to keep up your intensity level for the whole practice. You can't let your intensity or effort drop off for even one possession."
The Vols return only four scholarship players: senior guard Josh Richardson, junior forward Armani Moore, junior forward Derek Reese and sophomore guard Robert Hubbs III. Hubbs appeared in just 12 games last season, as his debut campaign was cut short by a shoulder injury that required surgery.
"I feel like all the new guys made a lot of progress this summer," Richardson said. "But this first day shows we have a long way to go before we're game-ready. If we just keep working every day like we did today, we should be fine."
Among SEC teams, Tennessee's nine newcomers (includes one walk-on) ties Missouri for the most in the league. And UT's four returning lettermen tie Missouri and Texas A&M for fewest among SEC teams.
Richardson is the only returner who started any games last season (36), while Moore started 16 games as a freshman in 2012-13.
NEWMAN BEGINS 20TH SEASON WITH VOLS
Sunday's practice officially ushered in Chad Newman's 19th year working directly with Tennessee men's basketball program and milestone 20th season overall on the UT sports medicine staff."Chad is just incredibly dedicated; he's always available for us," senior guard Brandon Lopez said. "He loves his job, he loves Tennessee, and he treats us like he does his own family."
Newman, an associate director of sports medicine at UT, has been a contributing part of the Vols program during some strong seasons on the hardwood. Leading into this season, the Vols have advanced to postseason play 15 times -- including 11 NCAA tournaments and four NIT appearances. The Vols have won a pair of SEC championships and reached the NCAA Sweet Sixteen five times.
Former Vols have not forgotten Newman's assistance during their careers on Rocky Top.
"I was so lucky to have Chad as my trainer at UT," former Vols guard Cameron Tatum (2007-12) said. "Twenty years is a big milestone. He's the best in the business."
A member of Tennessee's elite 1,000-Point Club, Tatum was a member of Tennessee's 2010 Elite Eight Team and also is a UT graduate.
Newman was named the 2010 Collegiate Athletic Trainer of the Year by the Tennessee Athletic Trainer's Society after he was instrumental in reviving Emmanuel Negedu, who had collapsed after a sudden cardiac arrest. He administered the use of an AED and performed CPR until emergency medical services personnel arrived on site.
Newman was also on hand during All-American guard Chris Lofton's successful battle with testicular cancer following Lofton's junior season.
While in college, Newman joined the UT training staff first as a student volunteer and later as a graduate assistant before being hired full time in 1997.
"I feel very fortunate to have worked alongside Chad," former Tennessee head coach Buzz Peterson (2001-05) said. "He was--and remains--a tremendous asset to the program. Everyone on our staff always got along with him really well, and I thought he had a great rapport with the student-athletes. Chad has really been an instrumental part of the success of Tennessee basketball, and everyone there should be proud to have him in the program."
Peterson now works in the scouting department of the NBA's Charlotte Hornets.
#VFLs AT PRACTICE
Former Tennessee forward Pat Walden (1981-82) attended Sunday's practice, as did former guard D'Montre Edwards (2012-14).Former UT director of basketball operations Houston Fancher (2011-13) also was in attendance.
SINGLE-GAME TICKETS ON SALE OCT. 14
Season tickets are available for purchase now by visiting www.UTTix.com or calling 1-800-332-8657.Single-game tickets go on sale to the general public starting Tuesday, Oct. 14, but "#GBO Insider" email subscribers will be able to purchase single-game tickets on Thursday, Oct. 9. To subscribe to the #GBO Insider email list (no charge), click HERE.
Tennessee hosts a pair of early-November exhibition games along with 16 regular-season contests. Tipoff for all but one UT home game is set for 7 p.m. or earlier.
For the most up-to-date information about the Tennessee basketball program, visit UTsports.com/basketball and follow @Vol_Hoops on Twitter and Instagram.
