University of Tennessee Athletics
The @Vol_Hoops Report: Nov. 12
November 12, 2014 | Men's Basketball
The Tennessee basketball team practiced Wednesday morning at Pratt Pavilion on the UT campus before departing for Annapolis, Md., where it faces 15th-ranked VCU Friday as part of the inaugural Veterans Classic doubleheader event at the U.S. Naval Academy's Alumni Hall.
Tipoff for the Vols and the Rams is set for 6:37 p.m. ET. Navy plays 18th-ranked Michigan State in the second game of the doubleheader at 9 p.m. ET. Both games will be televised nationally on CBS Sports Network.
Entering its 106th season of varsity hoops, UT owns a 1,553-986-2 (.612) all-time record. The Volunteers are entering their first campaign under new head coach Donnie Tyndall.
"It's very exciting," Tyndall said. "We're going to have a chance to go to the Naval Academy and tour their campus and do a lot of neat things tomorrow as a team along with the other three teams. I think it'll be a great experience for our young guys.
"On Friday night, we'll have a challenge against one of the better teams in college basketball. A team that has an outside chance to make the Final Four. They're ranked in the top 15 in the country, and it's going to be a daunting challenge."
As part of the Veterans Classic, the Vols will have the opportunity to get a glimpse of what life is like as a midshipman at the Naval Academy. From touring the `Yard,' to watching noon meal formation and eating lunch with the Brigade at King Hall, the team will be immersed in the culture and tradition of the Naval Academy. The Vols also will enjoy other unique experiences, including military demonstrations and receptions.
"I think it'll be a great experience for us," senior guard Josh Richardson said. "A lot of us haven't been up there. Especially playing against a team like that, it'll be fun."
Junior guard Kevin Punter added that the trip will be an opportunity for the new-look Vols to grow closer together as a unit.
"First road trip with each other to grow as a team, to become bigger, stronger brothers with one another," Punter said. "We're ready for it. We can't wait for Friday night."
The Veterans Classic marks the Volunteers' second straight season-opener away from Knoxville. Tennessee opened last season at Xavier. Prior to that contest, the Big Orange had opened 13 straight seasons at Thompson-Boling Arena.
The Veterans Classic will take place each year through 2017, with Navy hosting and participating, along with other top teams from across the country. The doubleheader officially tips off CBS Sports Network's 2014 college basketball schedule.
ABOUT VCU
In their sixth season under head coach Shaka Smart, the Rams enter the year ranked No. 15 in the AP poll and No. 16 in the coaches' poll. The Rams average 27.4 wins per year under Smart.A Tennessee victory Friday would mark UT's 72nd all-time win over an AP top-15 team. It would also mark Tennessee's first win over an AP top-15 team since the Vols beat No. 8 Florida Feb. 26, 2013, in Knoxville (64-58).
VCU posted a 26-9 (12-4 A-10) record last season and made the program's fourth straight NCAA Tournament appearance. The Rams advanced to the Final Four in 2011 and reached the third round of the NCAA Tournament in both 2012 and 2013.
Tennessee leads its all-time series with VCU 4-0, dating to 1981. The most recent meeting saw the Vols post a 77-72 victory in the semifinals of the NIT Season Tip-Off at Madison Square Garden in New York City Nov. 24, 2010.
VCU's returning starter at point guard, Briante Weber, has been suspended for Friday's game by Smart. Weber's projected replacement for Friday is sophomore Dickson, Tenn., native JeQuan Lewis.
Former Tennessee head coach Don DeVoe, who guided the Vols from 1978-89 and owns the second-most wins in program history (204), went on to serve as head coach at Navy from 1992-04. DeVoe will be in attendance Friday at Alumni Hall.
THE LITERAL SIXTH MAN
In order to prepare for VCU's tough defense which features plenty of press and double teams, Tyndall had the Vols practice against six defenders during some drills this week."They're going to get down and guard, and we've just got to stay poised and stay focused and stay calm," Punter said.
Richardson, who has been sharing point guard duties with Punter in exhibition play, knows VCU's pressure makes it difficult for taking care of the ball but feels confident in his teammates and preparation.
"Every player is always guarded when you have six players on the floor, and you're getting trapped," Richardson said. "It's been tough, but I think it'll make it a lot easier for us on Friday."
HOW TO WATCH
In addition to being televised on the CBS Sports Network (6:37 p.m. ET), the game will be streamed live via the CBSsports.com app for fans who have an affiliated provider.CBS Sports Network can be accessed on your cable provider's channel guide at: AT&T U-verse (643 and 1643 HD), Charter (303 and 813 HD), Comcast XFINITY (744 and 1721 HD), DirecTV (221), DISH Network (158 and 158 HD).
For the most up-to-date information about the Tennessee basketball program, visit UTsports.com/basketball and follow @Vol_Hoops on Twitter and Instagram.
