University of Tennessee Athletics
The @Vol_Hoops Report: Nov. 17
November 17, 2014 | Men's Basketball
After a difficult season-opener last week against 15th-ranked VCU, the Tennessee basketball team hosts its first home game of the Donnie Tyndall era Thursday against Texas Southern at Thompson-Boling Arena.
Tipoff is set for 7:05 p.m. ET, and the game will be televised regionally on FOX Sports Net. Tickets can be purchased by visiting UTtix.com or calling 1-800-332-8657.
Prior to both Sunday and Monday's practices, Tyndall and his staff reviewed film of Friday's setback vs. VCU, hoping to use the challenging non-conference test as a teaching tool that will pay off for UT as the season progresses.
Tyndall was asked by reporters Monday if he focused more on reviewing the first or second half of the VCU game.
"A little bit of both," Tyndall said. "Obviously the first half was ugly, way too many turnovers. In the second half I thought we relaxed and did a better job taking care of the basketball. We were more in attack mode, getting the ball to the paint for some easier opportunities at the rim."
"My biggest concern right now is blocking out."
The Vols gave up 23 offensive rebounds in the loss.
One pleasant surprise off the UT bench against VCU last week was the production from freshman forward Jabari McGhee. The Albany, Ga., native made the most of his 12 minutes of action, totaling seven points and six rebounds.
Five of his rebounds came on the offensive glass, enabling the Vols to extend possessions while attempting to mount a rally.
"That's what coach recruited me for--to get rebounds," McGhee said. "I'm not a scorer. My job is to get rebounds, and I know that. So as long as I know my role, I'll be fine."
Junior guard Kevin Punter joined McGhee as one of five Vols who made their UT debut against the Rams. After playing alongside McGhee since the summer, Punter was not surprised at the freshman's performance Friday.
"How you saw Jabari play (against VCU), he plays like that all the time," Punter told reporters Monday. "In practice he goes hard, he's going to rebound. And when he's under the basket, he's going to go up with two hands, power finish. He does that all the time. It's nothing new. You can expect to see that all year from him.
"Really, that goes for anyone on the team down low. They go hard down there."
Tyndall said Monday that the key to McGhee's debut performance was fearlessness.
"The biggest thing is, he got in against VCU and didn't play scared," Tyndall said. "He was aggressive, he was tough and he played with confidence.
"It's not always pretty, but he's an effort guy, and I thought he gave us good minutes. I probably should have played him a little more."
WELCOME HOME
The Vols have won 22 straight home-openers and are 24-2 in home-openers at Thompson-Boling Arena, which opened Dec. 3, 1987.UT's average attendance for home-openers at Thompson-Boling Arena is 17,151. The Vols drew 15,119 for last year's opener vs. USC Upstate.
Tyndall was 2-0 in home-openers during his two seasons at Southern Miss.
The first 500 UT students to arrive Thursday will receive a free orange "Donnie Knoxville" t-shirt.
ABOUT TEXAS SOUTHERN
A public HBCU located in Houston, Texas Southern has an enrollment of 9,700.Now in their third season under head coach Mike Davis, the Tigers went 19-15 (12-6 SWAC) last year. Davis previously has served as the head coach at Indiana and UAB.
"They're a talented, athletic team, and Mike Davis is a very good coach," Tyndall said Monday.
Davis played collegiately at Alabama for head coaches C.M. Newton and Wimp Sanderson. Davis averaged 10 points per game during his career with the Crimson Tide and was a college contemporary of UT legend Dale Ellis.
Senior Tigers forward Jose Rodriguez is an All-SWAC candidate, while Marshall transfer Chris Thomas is a candidate for SWAC Newcomer of the Year honors.
The Vols have never previously faced Texas Southern on the hardwood.
Incredibly, 15 of TSU's first 16 games this season are on the road. The Tigers play at Indiana Monday night before traveling to Knoxville.
Tennessee and Texas Southern both appeared in the "First Four" round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament in Dayton, Ohio. The Vols advanced by rallying to beat Iowa. Texas Southern fell to Cal Poly.
BAULKMAN BACK ON THE PRACTICE FLOOR
Junior guard Devon Baulkman aggravated a left shoulder injury during practice Nov. 5 and did not travel with the Vols to last week's Veterans Classic.Baulkman returned to action Sunday and may be available to make his Tennessee debut later this week against Texas Southern.
"We hope to (have him back for Thursday's game)," Tyndall said. "He practiced (Sunday), probably about three-fourths of the practice, and he looked pretty good. He said he was pretty sore this morning. But we do hope and anticipate that he'll play on Thursday."
In his only action of the preseason, Baulkman scored two points, grabbed three rebounds and dished out three assists in 15 minutes off the bench during UT's exhibition win over Pikeville Nov. 3.
GET YOUR EAT ON
Thursday's Texas Southern contest is the first Tennessee game for which the new "$2 Eat Seat" is available. For $15, fans get a ticket and a wristband that allows them to purchase as many concession items as they'd like throughout the game for just $2 each.The $2 Eat Seat also is available for the Butler ($15), Texas A&M ($20) and Mississippi State ($20) games later this season.
For the most up-to-date information about the Tennessee basketball program, visit UTsports.com/basketball and follow @Vol_Hoops on Twitter and Instagram.
