Vol Basketball Fever

Some early preseason polls are starting to come out, and the Vols are starting to appear higher up than you might expect for the 2022-23 season. Co-hosts Nathanael Rutherford and Gene Henley discuss whether or not Tennessee will be a preseason top 10 team this upcoming season and if the Vols deserve that ranking. Plus, UT's full 2022-23 schedule has been released, and it could lead to a pretty strong start for the Vols this year. A...

Tennessee's men's basketball program stayed hot on the recruiting trail in the 2023 class when elite big man JP Estrella announced his commitment to UT on Friday. Co-hosts Nathanael Rutherford and Gene Henley break down the Vols' latest commitment and discuss why he could be a dynamic post option for Tennessee in the future. Plus, where does Rick Barnes rank among the rest of the college basketball world when it comes to recruiting...

No surprise here: The Lady Vols have to face another grueling slate of games when they enter the 2022-23 season. Nathanael Rutherford is joined by special guest Ryan Sylvia of TNJN to discuss UT's difficult schedule for the upcoming season now that the full schedule has been released. Plus, if you could only choose one player to protect the entire season from injury, which Lady Vol would you select? And which game (or games) will w...

**WE APOLOGIZE FOR THE MESSED UP AUDIO QUALITY. Apparently when recording, the software recorded from the incorrect audio source, which is why the audio sounds lower quality in this episode. We apologize for the mishap.**

The Vols added a big piece to their 2023 recruiting class this week when four-star combo guard Freddie Dilione out of North Carolina committed to Tennessee. Co-hosts Nathanael Rutherford and Gene Henley discuss th...

What exactly are fair expectations for Tennessee's men's basketball program as a whole? Does the Vols' distant past matter more than their recent history? Co-hosts Nathanael Rutherford and Gene Henley discuss how the Vols are viewed nationally and where exactly UT should rank in men's college basketball compared to other programs. Do fans who got sucked into UT hoops during the Bruce Pearl era have higher expectations for the Vols ...

Tennessee has swung and missed on some high profile prospects in the 2023 class lately. Is it time for Rick Barnes and his staff to make some adjustments to their recruiting style as Barnes enters his last few years in college basketball? Co-hosts Nathanael Rutherford and Gene Henley discuss the Vols' recruiting as of late, how sustainable UT's current recruiting efforts are, and what the future could hold for the program beyond th...

It's time for the first-ever Lady Vol mailbag edition of the show! Nathanael Rutherford is joined by special guest Maria Cornelius of GoVols247 to answer listener questions about the Lady Vols' starting five, biggest non-conference match-ups this season, how Kellie Harper has changed the culture of the program, and much more!

(2:39) - What match-ups are we most looking forward to? (10:20) - How can Kellie Harper keep this coaching ...

Tennessee officially added New York big man Tobe Awaka to their 2022-23 roster when his signing in the 2022 class was announced this month. Nathanael Rutherford is joined by Awaka's high school head coach, Joe Lods of Cardinal Hayes High School, to give Vol fans the lowdown on the newest addition to UT's roster.

What makes Awaka so great at rebounding? Did the Vols land one of the biggest steals of the 2022 recruiting cycle? Plus, ...

Have both the Vols and Lady Vols done enough this offseason to create rosters that can compete -- and win -- championships this upcoming season? Nathanael Rutherford is joined by special guest Jack Foster of Volunteer Country on Sports Illustrated to break down the roster reconstruction for both the Vols and Lady Vols basketball teams this offseason. Will the Vols use that last open scholarship this summer? Even if they don't, have...

Figuring out the Vols' starting five and their main rotation is going to be a tough job for Rick Barnes and his staff. Co-hosts Nathanael Rutherford and Gene Henley discuss that and more in a mailbag episode of the show! Where does Tennessee stack up with returning production against the rest of the SEC? What do we know about UT's new Director of Recruiting? And is the Vols' SEC schedule actually favorable this year?

(2:12) - Do th...

Many expected Vol point guard Kennedy Chandler to go in the 1st round of the 2022 NBA Draft. Instead, Chandler dropped into the 2nd round and was taken with the No. 38 overall pick. Co-hosts Nathanael Rutherford and Gene Henley discuss why Chandler fell out of the 1st round but why his fit with the Memphis Grizzlies is ultimately more important than where he got drafted. Plus, could the Vols have a NBA Draft lottery pick in next ye...

We're back! Sorry for the break, but we're back with another Lady Vol episode of the show! Nathanael Rutherford is joined by Maria Cornelius of GoVols247 to discuss all of the post options the Lady Vols have now thanks to their additions in the transfer portal. Plus, 5-star Justin Pissott is reminding people why she shouldn't be counted out as a possible notable contributor for the upcoming season, some unfortunate injury news for ...

The Vols added 4-star wing DJ Jefferson as part of their 2022 class, and that leaves them with just one more open spot for the upcoming season. With Iowa State transfer point guard Tyrese Hunter choosing Texas, can the Vols find another guard to round out the roster? Or do they even need to? Co-hosts Nathanael Rutherford and Gene Henley discuss the addition of Jefferson to the roster, why Zakai Zeigler could be ready to start at PG...

The Vols remained hot on the recruiting trail in the 2022 class when four-star wing DJ Jefferson announced his commitment and subsequent signing with Tennessee late last week. Nathanael Rutherford sat down with Jefferson's high school head coach, Lucas Patterson of Minnesota Prep Academy, to discuss what Vol fans should expect from the athletic guard when he arrives in Knoxville.

Why did Jefferson take so long to get noticed by hig...

With five-star Julian Phillips signing on to play for the Vols this upcoming season, it's apparent that Tennessee has made it a point to add more offense to the roster this offseason. Co-hosts Nathanael Rutherford and Gene Henley discuss the impact of Phillips' decision to come to UT as well as what the additions of Phillips, Tyreke Key, and BJ Edwards could have on next year's team. Plus, Grant Williams KILLED IT in Game 7 for the...

For the 7th time in the last four years, Rick Barnes and the Vols have landed a five-star. Nathanael Rutherford is joined by special guest Ethan Stone to discuss five-star wing/forward Julian Phillips choosing the Vols over Auburn and the NBA G League. Is Phillips a true one-and-done type of prospect? What role in the rotation will he play for Tennessee this upcoming season? Plus, can the Vols actually land a transfer point guard? ...

The Lady Vols have "won" the offseason so far thanks to their strong haul from the transfer portal. But can they translate this offseason success into actual success in the 2022-23 season? Nathanael Rutherford is joined by special guest Coral Hall of Knox News to discuss the latest transfers to join the Lady Vols and how all five new additions to the team will fit in this season. Plus, what are fair preseason expectations for this ...