Tony Town:

Random musings and short shots as we look forward to the big showdown between our UT softball team and Texas A&M:

IF THE SOFTBALL TEAM formerly known as the Lady Vols takes two of three from the Texas Aggies at The Sherri this weekend, it will mark Tennessee's 8th College World Series visit in the last 13 years under the dynamic coaching duo of Ralph and Karen Weekly. This matchup looks like a coin toss, with home field advantage perhaps giving UT a slight edge.


RICK BARNES COMPLETES ROSTER FOR 2017-18 season by adding fifth year guard James Daniel III. As previously noted, Daniel takes the last remaining scholarship and is a one-and-done next season. Trading Kwe Parker and Shembari Phillips for juco Chris Darrington and Daniel has to be viewed as a net positive, offensively.


THE 2016-17 COLLEGE BASKETBALL RECRUITING CAMPAIGN is all but over and the results aren't good on paper for Barnes' program: Tennessee shows up 12th in the league as Kentucky (1), Alabama (6), Missouri (7), Florida (19), Ole Miss (20), Texas A&M (21), Arkansas (32), Georgia (38), Auburn (41), LSU (48) and Vandy (50) all rank ahead of the Vols nationally.


AS FAR AS INDIVIDUAL PLAYERS, 12 SEC schools signed an amazing 27 players ranked ahead of UT's highest ranked recruit, Frenchman Yves Pons at #121st. However, our resident hoops guru Keith Hatfield doesn't think for a minute there are 27 better players in this incoming group and we agree. Also, juco's can be undervalued and Chris Darrington may be underrated as a three star.


THE SPIN THAT CONTINUES TO COME OUT OF THE UT basketball program is the following: Barnes and staff evaluate better than the rest of the league Barnes and staff coach them better and fit pieces together better Barnes and staff are now actually offering 4 and 5-star players, now that they have a foundation of 3 stars.



THIS LEADS TO THE INTERESTING QUESTION as to what the ceiling is for this program under Barnes? It is patently absurd to compare an NCAA Basketball Tournament appearance to the football team winning the SEC Eastern Division, although the carnage wrought by the Dave Hart Error on the basketball program makes an NCAA appearance (even a one and done in the play-in game) look like the juiciest steak in Kansas City at the present time. None of this gives Butch Jones a pass for missing Atlanta the last two years, but we'll quote the great Philadelphia and say "let's get real."


NO, THE MORE APT COMPARISON is the basketball team making a run to the Sweet 16 or Elite 8. We should expect a hoops program that ranks in the top three of four in the league and makes that type of run in the tourney at least a couple of times every four to five years. We had that under Bruce Pearl.


NEW FOOTBALL COMMIT JACOB WARREN is an interesting developmental project. The Farragut three star TE is long and lean at 6-6 and 215 or so pounds and is very athletic. 247 Sports ranks him 1001st in the nation but his rating could increase.


TENNESSEE'S 2017 FOOTBALL RECRUITING EFFORT still holds a consensus Top 10 national ranking and Alabama has now dropped to 63rd according to 247 and 55th by Rivals. Nick Saban suffered the indignity of an uncommitment this week (how dare that kid!) and we're for anything that upsets and unsettles the Bammers.




LOUISVILLE TRANSFER SHAQ WIGGINS appears to be solid and will enroll at UT next week for the summer semester, after having visited Starkville this week. Put an asterisk by that one if he goes on to an outstanding season at corner.



Orange Throat
IGYAE

Tony,

Been an eventful few days while I have been away from this space. The world of sports slows for no man.

1. The addition of James Daniel gives Tennessee a solid blend of experience and talent in the backcourt. Playing time will have to be earned.

2. The video of Rick Barnes at the graduation of TJ Ford is a valuable recruiting tool. That should be running on a loop at the basketball complex.

3. The trip to Iowa State will be a nice test for Tennessee. Hilton Coliseum is never an easy place to play.

4. The Big 12 and the SEC got it right with their challenge matchups. Kentucky at West Virginia, Baylor at Florida, and A&M at Kansas will all be fantastic matchups.

5. The Predators are a fantastic story. Their resilience makes it easy to root for them.

6. Pittsburgh gritted through. This should be an epic Stanley Cup final.

7. Golden State is rolling. Their efficiency is staggering right now.

8. Cleveland is simply too much for the East right now. Absent some seismic event, it will stay that way for some time.

9. Arsenal finding a way to win the FA Cup would be a nice parting gift for Arsene Wenger. That is my dream scenario.


Sapphire is Knoxville's premier nightspot. Stop by for a signature cocktail on their patio.

Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken goes hand and glove with improving weather. Stop over at 3101 Sutherland Avenue and see why.

The Blankenship Field renovation project is steaming ahead. Go to blankenshiplegacy.org to donate.

Keith

CONFIDENCE IN CURRIE? BEANO'S COACHING SEARCH PROCESS
FREE THOUGHT FRIDAY

WHAT JOHN CURRIE MUST DO:

VOL COACHING SEARCH:

WHO DOES THAT REMOVE? Based on the above criteria -and relying on names I have seen connected publicly:

WHO DOES THAT LEAVE?: - Here are my top 2 candidates for the job:

FANTASY FAUX PAS If there is anything at this time of year that provides weekly comedic material it is my fantasy baseball management. Until that changes, I will provide fantasy foolishness of the week....[more]

'ENTERTAININGLY CREEPY
“ALIEN: COVENANT”
A 4-STAR PREQUEL

“Alien: Covenant”, the second in a planned trilogy of prequels to the original “Alien” (1979), does the series proud, providing plenty of chills and turns. Michael Fassbender is solid in the dual role of brothers David and Walter.


The film starts innocently with the spaceship Covenant transporting 200 humans to colonize a seemingly very Earth-like planet at the far side of our galaxy. An advance crew shuttles down to check out the planet and is quickly in awe of the beautiful scenery of tree-covered mountains, lakes, and waterfalls.


Shortly into their exploration, one by one, the aliens begin to find their way into various crew members. The aliens are creepy and very hostile. “Alien: Covenant” has great special effects and CGI. The good brother vs. bad brother (Walter and David) interactions are both chilling and fascinating. Michael Fassbender pulls off the dual role to perfection.


Fassbender leads a strong cast of supporting performances (Katherine Waterston, Danny McBride, Billy Crudup). “Alien: Covenant” is rated R for very strong language throughout, gore, and lots of blood and violence. The movie might have been even better with less of the adult language.


Director Ridley Scott will be one of the early favorites to nab an Oscar nomination in January 2018. A Best Actor nomination for Michael Fassbender is also a possibility.


With up to 10 films nominated for Best Picture, “Alien: Covenant” has an outside shot at being in the Oscar field.


Fans of the “Alien” series should be pleased with this installment.

MOVIE EXTRAS:
The 5 Best Movies that I’ve seen so far in 2017: -Get Out -The Shack -The Founder -Beauty and the Beast -Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2

6 Movies coming out this Summer that will be Must See Films for me: -Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales -It Comes at Night -Spider-Man: Homecoming -Dunkirk -American Made -All Eyez on Me


From The Movies!!!

Jack Tate'

To Whom It May Concern:

My name is Ron Slay. For the past 13 years, I have been a professional basketball player. My career was a fruitful one as I had the privilege to play in over nine countries. I retired in 2016 to fulfill my requirements for my Bachelor's Degree at the University of Tennessee. My playing days have come to an end. I am interested in returning to the college game, but this time as mentor, recruiter, and Coach. My Bachelor's degree is in Africana Studies.

As a player at the collegiate level, I was a member of the 2003 All America team which included current NBA greats, Carmelo Anthony and Dwyane Wade. That year, I was also the Southeastern Conference player of the year. i led the conference in scoring and ended as its third-leading rebounder. However, it was during my Junior year that I sustained a season ending injury that forced me into a period of reflection about the fragility of sport and my life when my playing days have ended. It was then that I resolved that I would walk across the stage as a college graduate one day.

My life as a young man from a low income and single parent household has taught me some valuable lessons. It has also made me eager to help other aspiring student athletes acquire the self-discipline to succeed. I am confident that, if given the opportunity, my experiences (including a Senior year at Oak Hill Academy), insight, and relational ability could be valuable assets to your coaching staff. If you have any interest in my potential services as a coach and mentor, I am available to visit upon request. Please feel free to contact me at the following: (513)578-7229 or rslay35@hotmail.com (email).

Sincerely,


Ron Slay