GoVols247: A Tennessee Volunteers athletics podcast

GoVols247’s Wes Rucker (from Fort Rucker Studio) and Grant Ramey (from GoVols247’s Blount County Satellite Office in Maryville) convened via the magic of Al Gore’s Internets to discuss Tennessee’s midweek loss at Cincinnati and the reasons for the program’s first two-game losing streak in two years.

Tennessee’s 78-66 loss at Cincinnati was troubling for many reasons, and those reasons are discussed in detail in the first segment of this episode. The Vols’ offense showed some signs of life after its dismal performance in the 51-47 loss to Memphis, but their defense was as bad as it’s been for a while, and it’s fair to suggest no one in or around the program saw that coming. Why did it happen? What possible explanations are there for that performance? Those aren’t easy questions to answer, but the first segment of this episode is an attempt to make sense of the situation. 

An interview with Tennessee basketball coach Rick Barnes is the second segment of this episode. Barnes, as usual, was candid with his remarks about the rough performances against Memphis and Cincinnati.

Discussion in the third segment focuses on the potential solutions for Tennessee to work its way out of this rut. Is the sky falling? No, it’s not. But these Vols have some real issues at the moment, and it’s fair to wonder just how many solutions there are for some of those issues.

The next GoVols247 Podcast episode will be released Monday morning, unless breaking news occurs before that point.

GoVols247’s full staff Wes Rucker (from Fort Rucker Studio) and Ryan Callahan (from his house across town) convened via the magic of Al Gore’s Internets to discuss Tennessee’s 2020 recruiting class after the program’s strong start to the Early Signing Period.

There was at least a mild amount of consternation throughout much of Tennessee’s fan base during the 2020 recruiting cycle, because the Vols’ class looked solid but not outstanding on the surface for much of that time.

For the second consecutive year, though, Jeremy Pruitt and his staff got hot late in the process and added plenty of big pieces.

Tennessee added five prospects — including three four-star prospects — on Wednesday, and the Vols’ class is now ranked 15th nationally. And it could get even better in the coming weeks, because some big-time prospects — including five-star tight end/athlete Darnell Washington from Las Vegas — are still heavily considering Tennessee.

How did Tennessee regenerate momentum on the trail? What kind of players did the Vols just sign? What are the strengths and weaknesses of this bunch? How much of a factor is Tennessee for Washington, elite in-state defensive lineman Jay Hardy and other unsigned prospects? Those are the main questions addressed in the first segment of this episode.

A busy week of football, recruiting and basketball pushed the Thursday morning podcast to Friday morning, so the second segment of this episode is a staple usually reserved for Thursdays — answers to questions submitted by GoVols247 subscribers on The CheckerBoard. The questions ran the gamut, as usual, and as always there was a hand-to-hand combat question in the mix.

The next GoVols247 Podcast episode — an episode focusing on the 21st-ranked Tennessee basketball team and its current struggles — will be released later Friday morning.

GoVols247’s full staff Wes Rucker (from Fort Rucker Studio) and Grant Ramey (from GoVols247’s Blount County Satellite Office in Maryville) convened via the magic of Al Gore’s Internets to discuss Tennessee’s ugly loss to Memphis and the challenges facing the Vols this week and beyond.

Saturday certainly didn’t go the way Tennessee hoped or expected. Thirteen-ranked Memphis came to Thompson-Boling Arena down two starters — including arguably the top NBA prospect in college basketball — but still walked away with a jersey-popping, 51-47 win in one of the ugliest games in a fierce rivalry that often produces ugly games.

The first segment of this episode is a breakdown of Saturday’s ugly affair in the Tommy Bowl and the ending of what had been an NCAA-leading, 31-game home-court winning streak. How in the world did that happen? That’s perhaps the easiest way to describe the nature of that segment.

The second segment of this episode is a look at other questions. The most important question — “Was that an outlier?” — is the primary discussion point, but there are other questions to answer, too. What’s the latest on Lamonte Turner and his shoulder issues? What’s the latest on Jordan Bowden following his disappointing performance? Can we expect to see Josiah-Jordan James continue to increase his role after having much of preseason camp cut short with an injury? Why isn’t Jalen Johnson getting more time on the floor? Can some of these freshmen help transform this team as the season progresses?

Obviously there’s a ton to discuss after such a miserable game, and this episode attempts to discuss as much of it as possible.

The next GoVols247 Podcast episode will be released Thursday, unless breaking news occurs before that point.

GoVols247’s full staff Wes Rucker (from Fort Rucker Studio) and Ryan Callahan (from his house across town) convened via the magic of Al Gore’s Internets to discuss Tennessee’s 2020 recruiting class heading into the Early Signing Period.

Second-year Vols coach Jeremy Pruitt and his staff hosted a long list of official visitors — including five-star tight end Darnell Washington from Las Vegas — on the final weekend before the Early Signing Period opens, so there’s plenty to discuss about all the moving parts that always go into the recruiting process.

The first segment of this episode is a recap of the big recruiting news from the past week — and there certainly was plenty of that, with Tennessee adding several commitments and parting ways with some others before hosting a big, impressive list of visitors over the weekend.

The second segment of this episode is a general discussion on where things stand heading into the opening of the Early Signing Period and how things could go this week for the Vols. Which prospects could sign with Tennessee this week? Are there any concerns with current commitments having a late change of heart? What are the strengths and weaknesses of the current class, and how much of that can change in the next week? What areas do the Vols still need to address? How many prospects still plan to be available heading into the traditional National Signing Day in early February? There are many questions to answer, and this episode attempts to answer as many of them as possible.

The next GoVols247 Podcast episode — an episode focusing on the 19th-ranked Tennessee basketball team — will be released later Monday morning morning, unless breaking news occurs before that point.

GoVols247’s Wes Rucker (from Fort Rucker Studio) and GoTigers247’s Christian Fowler (from Memphis) convened via the magic of Al Gore’s Internets to discuss Saturday’s Tennessee-Memphis game at Thompson-Boling Arena.

The first segment of this episode is a general lay-of-the-land discussion setting up the second and third segments, when Fowler arrives to deliver insider information on Penny Hardaway and his Tigers heading into Saturday’s game.

The second segment of this episode is a discussion with Fowler on the drama surrounding all things Vols and Tigers the past 12 months and how much that has impacted the future of this series, and whether Memphis is more interested than Tennessee seems to be about continuing this rivalry in the coming years.

The third segment of this episode is a discussion with Folwer on Saturday’s game itself — the matchups, the absence of Memphis freshmen James Wiseman and Lester Quinones, the way these young Tigers will perform in a sold-out, hostile environment like Thompson-Boling and much more.

The final segment of this episode is something that’s usually reserved for the final segment of the Thursday morning podcast — answers to questions submitted by members of GoVols247’s CheckerBoard. And, yes, as always there were some hand-to-hand combat questions.

The next GoVols247 Podcast episode will be released Monday morning, unless breaking news occurs before that point.

GoVols247’s Wes Rucker (from Fort Rucker Studio) and Grant Ramey (from the GoVols247 Blount County Satellite Office in Maryville) convened via the magic of Al Gore’s Internets to discuss Saturday’s Tennessee-Memphis game at Thompson-Boling Arena.

Last season’s rekindling of the heated in-state rivalry provided plenty of drama during and after the game between the Vols and Tigers. The first segment of this episode is a rundown of all that drama between Memphis coach Penny Hardaway and Tennessee coach Rick Barnes and their players, and where those actions have placed the future of this series after the current contract between the two programs expires next season.

The second segment of this episode is an interview with Barnes talking Vols, Tigers, injury updates and more.

The third segment of this episode tosses aside the drama and discusses only the matchups on the court between the 19th-ranked Vols and 13th-ranked Tigers. Memphis obviously isn’t at full strength, but the Tigers still have plenty of top-shelf talent and athleticism on the active roster and still have the potential to give Tennessee some fits in certain areas.

All things Vols-Tigers is the talk of this entire episode.

The next GoVols247 Podcast episode will be released Friday, unless breaking news occurs before that point.

GoVols247’s Wes Rucker (from Fort Rucker Studio) and Ryan Callahan (from across town) convened via the magic of Al Gore’s Internets to discuss Tennessee’s Tuesday commitment from Jabari Small, a dynamic running back at Briarcrest Christian School in Memphis.

Small — the nation’s No. 11 all-purpose back prospect in the 2020 industry-generated 247Sports Composite — decommitted from Ole Miss less than two weeks ago and quickly switched his SEC allegiance to the in-state Vols, who on Monday added a commitment from his high school teammate, elite lineman Omari Thomas.

What kind of player is Small? What kind of impact could he have on Tennessee’s offense and special teams units? Why are the Vols so hot in Memphis this year, and is that a trend that can continue in future classes? Is there any concern that Ole Miss with new head coach Lane Kiffin will try to get Small back to Oxford? And why did Tennessee and junior-college cornerback Art Green part ways Monday night? Those are the main discussion points in this breaking-news podcast episode.

The next GoVols247 Podcast episode will be released Thursday morning, unless breaking news occurs before that point.

GoVols247’s Wes Rucker (from Fort Rucker Studio) and Ryan Callahan (from out of town) convened via the magic of Al Gore’s Internets to discuss Tennessee’s Monday morning commitment from Omari Thomas, a star two-way lineman at Briarcrest Christian School in Memphis.

Thomas — the nation’s No. 104 overall prospect and No. 8 defensive tackle prospect in the 2020 industry-generated 247Sports Composite — had dozens of offers but ultimately chose the Vols over Auburn and Texas A&M.

At 6-foot-5, 300 pounds, Thomas has been a two-way line-of-scrimmage standout at Briarcrest, and he could project to either side of the ball at the next level, but he prefers defense and Tennessee plans on putting him there to start his career.

What led Thomas to Tennessee when at times he seemed a bit more likely to commit elsewhere? What kind of player is Thomas, and how does he project to the next level? Will his commitment impact the upcoming decision from Briarcrest running back Jabari Small? Is there any reason for concern that new Ole Miss (and former Tennessee) head coach Lane Kiffin will try to get the Rebels back into the picture for Thomas? Those are the main topics discussed in this breaking-news podcast episode.

The next GoVols247 Podcast episode will be released Thursday morning, unless breaking news occurs before that point.

GoVols247’s Wes Rucker (from Fort Rucker Studio) and Patrick Brown (from his house across town) convened via the magic of Al Gore’s Internets to discuss the Vols, the Hoosiers and the Gator Bowl.

A weekend full of speculation ended with Tennessee accepting a bid to the Gator Bowl, so the Vols will play Indiana on Jan. 2 at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville. 

The first segment of this episode is focused on the process that led Tennessee to its Gator Bowl bid, rather than a bid in the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl in nearby Nashville. There were compelling reasons for Tennessee to prefer both places, so there’s plenty of discussion on why the Vols ultimately insisted on Jacksonville rather than their own state capital.

The second segment of this episode is focused on Indiana football. The Hoosiers are historically a Big Ten doormat with just 11 bowl appearances and three bowl wins in their 121-year history, and they have to share a Big Ten West Division with juggernauts Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State and Michigan State, but they’ve gotten something going with third-year head coach (and Hugh Freeze protege) Tom Allen. They went 5-7 in each of Allen’s first two seasons but have jumped to 8-4 this season, with all four losses coming to ranked teams.

Indiana and Tennessee have campus separated by just a five-hours-and-change drive but have played only once — a 27-22 win for the Vols in 1988 — so there’s plenty to learn about the Hoosiers, and this podcast episode can be the first step in that process.

The next GoVols247 Podcast episode will be released Thursday morning, unless breaking news occurs before that point.

GoVols247’s Wes Rucker and Grant Ramey convened courtside at Thompson-Boling Arena to discuss all things Tennessee basketball following a comfortable win over Florida A&M that sent the 21st-ranked Vols into a brief academic break with a 7-1 record on the young season.

The first segment of this episode is a recap of Tennessee’s win over Florida A&M — a comfortable win that was supposed to be comfortable, but also a game that allowed the Vols an opportunity to play all four of their freshmen together for a good chunk of the second half.

The second segment of this episode is a full recording of Rick Barnes’ presser following the win over Florida A&M.

The third segment of this episode is a discussion on where things stand with these Vols — the good, the bad, the ugly and the unknown — heading into their break break for fall semester final exams and their huge game against Memphis next weekend at Thompson-Boling.

The next GoVols247 Podcast episode will be released Monday morning, unless major news breaks before that point.