The Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament is here, and Tennessee basketball will be attempting to do something it has only done once before Thursday night: reach the Elite Eight. Caleb Calhoun and Dave Hooker discuss the Vols’ matchup with the Florida Atlantic Owls on Off The Hook’s Thursday, March 23 podcast. They also discuss Tennessee football quarterbacks and wide receivers. Josh Ward joins.
Will FAU’s pregame talk hurt or help Tennessee basketball
As written on Off The Hook Sports, Florida Atlantic has joined in on the narrative that Tennessee basketball played dirty to beat the Duke Blue Devils. Will this narrative hurt the Vols because the refs will call a tighter game, or could it help them because they’ll be more motivated to beat FAU and may even play more physical to make a point?
Has Nico Iamaleava been the perfect prospect for Tennessee football?
Up to this point, everything has gone accordingly for Tennessee football and Nico Iamaleava since Iamaleava arrived in December. The freshman quarterback even added an inch to his frame. His potential notwithstanding, has he. been the perfect recruiting prospect for the Vols? Is there anything that he has left to be desired?
Josh Ward talks Tennessee basketball vs. FAU, receivers
Ahead of Thursday night’s matchup between Tennessee basketball and the Owls, Josh Ward of The Sports Animal joined the show to give his take on what will happen in the game. Ward discussed the pre-game narrative, who the most important player will be, which team UT would rather face in the Elite Eight and where Rick Barnes’ legacy would be if he wins.
In addition to basketball, Ward discussed his preview of Tennessee football wide receivers for spring practice, which you can read here on Off The Hook Sports, and which receivers will stand out this year amidst the departures of Cedric Tillman and Jalin Hyatt. Who will have the most yards, receptions and touchdowns this year?
ESPN disrespects Vols QB room
Despite Nico Iamaleava’s arrival and Joe Milton III still being on the roster, an article on the future power rankings of college football quarterback rooms by Adam Rittenberg of ESPN+ ranked Tennessee football No. 8. The rankings take into account projections through 2025. Is this based on Hendon Hooker being gone and Milton only having one year of eligibility left? If not, how is UT not top five?
