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Basketball

Kentucky and Tennessee set for their third matchup this season, with an Elite Eight spot on the line

Zakai Zeigler gestures towards his teamates in the 1st half

Kentucky and Tennessee are set to add a new chapter to their rivalry on Friday night as they face off in Indianapolis for the first time in the March Madness.

This NCAA Tournament matchup holds more significance but brings similar emotions.

Tennessee guards Zakai Zeigler and Jahmai Mashack discussed how much they dislike the Wildcats during Thursday’s press conference. Kentucky guard Koby Brea, on the other hand, expects the second-seeded Volunteers to make some adjustments after the Wildcats beat them twice this season.

The passionate fan bases from both Southeastern Conference teams expect nothing less.

“I’m big on rivalries. When I don’t like a school, I don’t like it and I want to do everything I can to make sure we win that game,” Mashack said. “I’m taking this as serious as I possibly can, and everybody knows, we want nothing more than to not just win but make a statement with a team like this.”

With a spot in the Elite Eight at stake, they will face one of college basketball’s most successful programs.

The third-seeded Wildcats (24-11) hold records for the most March Madness games (187) and tournament bids (62). They’re also in the top five for tournament wins (132), Final Four appearances (17), and national championships (eight).

A win over the Vols (29-7) would send Kentucky to its 35th regional final in its first season under coach Mark Pope, where they will face either top-seeded Houston or fourth-seeded Purdue for the Midwest Region title on Sunday in Indianapolis.

“They’ve been a really good defensive team, but I feel we’ve seen their defense a couple times this year, teams that do similar things. So we kind of just do what we do every game,” Brea said. “I’m sure they’ll probably try to change things up a little bit since the first two times didn’t work out too well.”

Kentucky has struggled in recent trips to Indianapolis. In 2022, the Wildcats lost in the first round to Saint Peter’s, and in 2015, Wisconsin ended their perfect season in the national semifinals.

Koby Brea reacts in the 2nd round

This time could be different

Brea helped Kentucky make 12 of 24 3-pointers — twice — against Tennessee, which has the nation’s third-best 3-point shooting defense (28.3%).

If the Vols find a way to adjust, they could reach their second straight Elite Eight by defeating their rival.

“We know we’re the best defense in the country. We didn’t show that either time we played them,” Zeigler said. “Just being ourselves on defense, going out there, showing we’re the No. 1 defense in the country and doing all the little things and everything then we’ll be fine. I don’t feel we did that in either game. We’ll make sure to do better this time.”

Feels like home for Pope

Pope feels at home in Indiana. He was a 1996 second-round draft pick of the NBA’s Indiana Pacers and played parts of two seasons under coach Larry Bird and alongside Reggie Miller. Both teams reached the Eastern Conference finals.

Despite playing just 32 games with Indiana, Pope met his wife, Lee Anne, in Indy.

“Come on, I’m the most blessed human being in the world that I got to be here on those great Indiana Pacers teams in this tremendous city, playing for Larry Bird and Rick Carlisle and the whole crew. I’ll never forget it,” Pope said.

A memorable return for Cryer

Houston guard L.J. Cryer played only three minutes as a freshman in the 2021 Final Four with national champion Baylor. That year, the entire tournament was held in Indiana because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cryer is familiar with the setting at Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts, which is transformed into a massive basketball arena.

“I think we got the same locker room as that year,” Cryer said. “When I walked in there today, I kind of got the chills a little bit. A lot of good mojo for sure.”

Cryer left Baylor after three seasons and has become one of Houston’s top offensive players. He’s averaging more than 15 points over 73 games.

Matt Painter calls to his players in the 1st round

Changing times at Purdue

Purdue coach Matt Painter has focused on player development and experienced rosters, leading the Boilermakers (24-11) to six Sweet 16 appearances in the last eight tournaments.

However, Painter suggested that could change soon. He hinted that the Boilermakers might be more active in the transfer portal after this season.

“We’ve taken two people out of the portal in four years, probably the fewest amount in the country,” said Painter, whose team was last year’s national runner-up. “It will be interesting to see where we go from here, though, because there’s no doubt that we’re going to use the portal. We’re probably just not going to use it as much as everybody else.”

Tennessee’s coach not retiring anytime soon

Tennessee coach Rick Barnes, 70, put any rumors of his retirement to rest. He said he’s not stepping down next season.

“I think God will make it perfectly clear when he wants me to step down and my time will be up,” Barnes said. “But it’s not now. If it is, I don’t feel that. But I love coaching basketball. I love being around it.”

Barnes is 231-108 in 10 seasons at Tennessee and 835-422 in 38 years as a head coach, including stints at George Mason, Providence, Clemson, and Texas.

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Basketball

Chaz Lanier is making the most of his one chance at March Madness with No. 2 seed Tennessee

Chaz Lanier celebrates with the teammates

Chaz Lanier is taking full advantage of his chance in the NCAA Tournament for both himself and No. 2 seed Tennessee.

The Tennessee native returned home last spring as a graduate transfer after four seasons at North Florida, hoping to follow in the footsteps of Dalton Knecht, who played one year with the Volunteers before reaching the NBA.

Now, Lanier heads into Friday night’s Midwest Region semifinal against Kentucky in Indianapolis as Tennessee’s best 3-point shooter in a single season. He’s also been performing at his best during his one opportunity at March Madness, averaging 24.5 points in the first two games. He’s made 10 of 18 3-pointers, breaking the record for the most 3-pointers in a season with 120, surpassing Chris Lofton’s 118 in 2007-08.

“Blessed to be able to leave my mark on Tennessee Basketball…” Lanier wrote on social media. “Thank you for all the support!! Let’s keep building!!”

The Vols (29-7) will need Lanier to keep making shots to reach their second straight Elite Eight and chase the program’s first Final Four appearance. The 6-foot-5 guard is Tennessee’s leading scorer, averaging 18.1 points per game.

“You expect him to take those shots, and I tell him every time he shoots the ball, I think it’s going in,” senior point guard Zakai Zeigler said of Lanier. “So if he misses, I want him to shoot the next one.”

Lanier has certainly improved as a player and physically since returning to Tennessee for his final season. He already had a 6-10 arm span, allowing him to shoot over taller defenders. Working with Tennessee’s training staff, Lanier added more than 2 1/2 inches to his vertical jump and gained 12.9 pounds, now weighing in at 209 pounds.

He ranks fifth in the Southeastern Conference for points per game

Lanier made a big impact in the opening game of the tournament against Wofford by scoring 29 points, the third-most by a Volunteer in an NCAA Tournament game and the most in a win. He made six 3-pointers, tying the program’s record for most 3s in a single NCAA Tournament game.

In the second-round win over UCLA at Rupp Arena, he was tied for fourth in Division I with 116 made 3-pointers. He led the Vols with 20 points, hitting 4 out of 5 3-pointers, and celebrated by showing three fingers.

Lanier leads the SEC in 3-pointers made per game, with an average of 3.3. He is shooting 41% and playing 31.6 minutes per game. Only AP All-American Johni Broome (238) has made more field goals in the SEC than Lanier’s 226.

Chaz Lanier celebrates after scoring

Coach Rick Barnes, whose only Final Four appearance came at Texas in 2003, wants Lanier to keep shooting. “I’m always wanting him to come off and shoot 3s, but I said, ‘You’ve got to do what you think,’ and he’s really comfortable at the mid-range as well,” Barnes said.

Lanier has developed his mid-range shot, especially after coming off screens set by 6-10 Felix Okpara and others. Barnes credited Okpara for setting 14 screens against Wofford that led to points for Lanier.

“I think that Chaz probably leads the nation in shirts pulled out…,” Barnes said of Lanier. “His shirt tail is always out because he has learned to really cut, move, and he’s going to get down. They’re going to down him.

And what that means is they’re going to try to face-guard him and keep him from cutting to the ball. He’s learned how to handle that and he’s learned how to use it to his advantage.”

Barnes said Lanier has really improved in the past three weeks at reading not just his own defender but also where the help is coming from when Tennessee sets a screen. This helps him go to the basket more.

Lanier has also worked on his defensive skills, seeking advice from Zeigler and senior guard Jahmai Mashack. Lanier’s scoring also gives the Vols extra energy on defense.

“It definitely frees us up for getting a lot of energy on the defensive end, trying to create turnovers,” Mashack said about Lanier. “But when he’s hot, you try to give him the basketball and that’s kinda how you play. I think we did a good job of doing that.”

Barnes believes Lanier will keep getting better.

“He’s just getting started,” Barnes said. “You think about how much he’s improved this year and how much he’s really improved in the last month, it’s really pretty remarkable. It’s really been neat coaching him because we’ve expected a lot from him, and he’s come in and has been just a great teammate.

He’s never made it about himself… I think he’s done as good a job as any incoming player as a transfer.”

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FEATURED

Patriots coach Mike Vrabel’s new staff in New England will feature 11 members from his time with the Titans

New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel (NFL)

New Patriots coach Mike Vrabel’s coaching staff will feature many familiar faces from his time with the Tennessee Titans.

Of the 26 staff members announced by New England on Wednesday, 11 worked with Vrabel during his six years in Tennessee from 2018 to 2023.

Along with defensive coordinator Terrell Williams, who previously served as Vrabel’s defensive line coach with the Titans, three other staff members are getting new roles with the Patriots.

John Streicher is now the Patriots’ vice president of football operations and strategy, a position he held as director of football administration in Tennessee. New inside linebackers coach Zak Kuhr was Vrabel’s assistant linebackers coach, and Clint McMillan, the Titans’ assistant defensive line coach, will now be the Patriots’ top defensive line coach.

Other former Titans assistants under Vrabel joining his new staff include receivers coach Todd Downing (who was the Titans’ offensive coordinator), assistant offensive line coach Jason Houghtaling, running backs coach Tony Dews, safeties coach Scott Booker, Justin Hamilton (cornerbacks coach, who was a defensive quality control coach in Tennessee in 2023), director of sports performance Frank Piraino, and assistant special teams coach Tom Quinn.

There are a few holdovers from former coach Jerod Mayo’s staff as well. Mayo’s brother and strength and conditioning coach Deron Mayo will stay in his position.

Mike Vrabel
Mike Vrabel (NFL)

Assistant strength coach Brian McDonough, assistant offensive line coach Robert Kugler, and defensive assistant Vinny DePalma will remain, with Ben McAdoo, who worked as a senior offensive assistant under Mayo, now taking on a role as senior defensive assistant under Vrabel.

Former Patriots assistant Josh McDaniels has already been announced as Vrabel’s offensive coordinator, and special teams coordinator Jeremy Springer, who held the same role last season under Mayo, will stay in that position.

One other key hire is tight ends coach and passing game coordinator Thomas Brown. He interviewed for the offensive coordinator job that ultimately went to McDaniels. Brown began this past season as passing game coordinator for the Chicago Bears, was promoted to offensive coordinator midseason, and then became interim head coach for the final six games of the season.

Vrabel said in a statement that he wanted to “identify loyal, trustworthy coaches who are diverse in background, ideas, experiences, and systems.”

“We will be aligned in our vision to teach and develop our players with creativity, consistency, and attention to detail, with the major goal of developing relationships that stretch beyond the field and meeting rooms,” Vrabel added.

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NBA (Basketball)

No. 8 Tennessee Aims To Build Momentum As They Face No. 12 Kentucky In Knoxville

Tennessee (NCAAB)

Tennessee and Kentucky have lost a total of eight games this season, with six of them happening in the last three weeks.

One of these teams will add a fourth loss during that stretch when No. 8 Tennessee hosts No. 12 Kentucky in Southeastern Conference play on Tuesday night in Knoxville, Tenn.

Tennessee (17-3, 4-3 SEC) started the season strong, winning their first 14 games and being the last team in the country to lose. However, they have since gone 3-3, with their most recent loss being a 53-51 road defeat against top-ranked Auburn.

Kentucky (14-5, 3-3 SEC) started with 12 wins in their first 14 games but has now dropped three of their last five, including back-to-back losses against No. 4 Alabama and at Vanderbilt. The Vanderbilt loss also dropped the Wildcats to 10th place in the 16-team SEC.

Kentucky head coach Mark Pope was frustrated with his team’s turnovers in their 74-69 loss to Vanderbilt on Saturday. Kentucky had 17 turnovers, compared to just five for the Commodores.

“We just kept giving them the ball,” Pope said. “We’re one of the top ball protection teams in the country. There’s some spaces in the game where you feel like you have some confidence, but when you start leaking there, the game gets super hard.”

The Wildcats were without forward Andrew Carr (back) on Saturday and may be without him again on Tuesday. Carr is fourth in scoring (10.9 points per game) and second in rebounds (5.6). Carr hasn’t been able to practice due to his back injury.

“He wants to play so bad, but there’s just so much he can’t do with his back,” said Carr. “Every game, it’s like he gets beat up so bad, it’s back to square one, where it’s hard for him to walk.”

Jaylen Carey celebrates a dunk against Kentucky

Kentucky’s leading scorer, Otega Oweh (15.9 points per game), has scored 21 points in back-to-back games and has reached that total five times this season.

Tennessee is currently tied for fifth through ninth in the SEC after struggling with their shooting in the loss to Auburn, where they made only 31.5% of their shots and went 4-for-22 from three-point range.

While Tennessee’s defense was strong, holding Auburn to just 31% shooting and 3-for-20 from beyond the arc, they struggled to score.

“We believe in our defense,” said Tennessee coach Rick Barnes. “We struggle at times like every team in the country struggles to score. It’s not just us. It’s everybody.”

Zakai Zeigler scored 14 points but only made 4 of his 15 field-goal attempts. Chaz Lanier, who scored 10 points, was the only other player to reach double digits. Lanier had a strong start to the season but has been struggling recently, averaging 12.5 points in the last six games while shooting just 30.5% from the field.

“Well, he’s going to have to continue to move, cut, get open,” Barnes said about Lanier. “If he doesn’t get some separation, we’re not going to be able to screen for him. It’s up to us as coaches and him to understand the adjustments that he’s got to make to get open.”

The two teams split their meetings last season, with the road team winning each game. Tennessee won 103-92 on Feb. 3, and Kentucky won 85-81 on March 9.