KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – After coming oh-so-close to netting victories over four top-10 teams this season, No. 19/17 Tennessee finally broke through in a big way on Thursday night, outlasting No. 5/5 UConn, 80-76, in an epic battle in front of a raucous crowd of 16,215 at Food City Center.
The Lady Vols (17-5, 4-5 SEC) snapped a four-game series skid to the Huskies and defeated the perennial power for the first time since 2007. The Big Orange also recorded their first triumph over a top-five team since toppling No. 2/3 South Carolina in 2021. UT head coach Kim Caldwell, meanwhile, emerged victorious in her debut game in the series and claimed a hard-earned signature win.
Caldwell and company had suffered a one-point loss to No. 9/10 Oklahoma (87-86), a two-point setback to No. 6/4 LSU (89-87), a four-point defeat to No. 7/7 Texas (80-76) and a seven-point loss to No. 2/2 South Carolina (70-63) before taking down the Huskies and improving to 17-5 this season.
Tennessee featured four players in double figures on the evening. Junior forward Zee Spearman tallied a team-high 16 points on 6-of-9 shooting and hit a layup on a dish from Talaysia Cooper with 12 seconds left to all but clinch the win. Senior guard Samara Spencer tossed in 14 points, while fifth-year guard Jewel Spear added 12 points and Cooper contributed 11 points and team-best eight rebounds and four assists. Cooper helped the Lady Vols out-rebound their foes by 12, 46-34, including 17-13 on the offensive glass.
UConn fell to 21-3 with the loss, with UT joining No. 8/10 Notre Dame (79-68) and No. 7/7 USC (72-70) as the only teams to defeat the Huskies this season. Sarah Strong paced her team in scoring with 18 points, while Paige Bueckers chipped in 14 and KK Arnold and Azzi Fudd added 11 and 10, respectively.
Tennessee quickly jumped ahead 4-0 on jumpers by Ruby Whitehorn and Spear, but UConn responded with a 5-0 burst to move in front, 5-4, with 8:00 to go on a Strong jumper. UT seized another four-point lead, 9-5, at the 6:23 mark on buckets by Sara Puckett and Jillian Hollingshead and used a Spearman jumper to carry a 12-11 advantage into the 4:26 media timeout. After UConn grabbed a 13-12 lead on a pair of Strong free throws, Spencer lifted her team back in front, 15-13, on a long three-pointer. The Huskies responded with six straight points to seize a 19-15 advantage before Spear hit a layup to cut the gap to 19-17 before the end of the quarter.
Tennessee knotted the score at 19-all and 22-22 on a layup by Spearman and a three by Tess Darby, respectively, before UConn snared a 26-22 cushion at the 6:54 mark. A Spencer layup whittled the margin to 26-24, but the Huskies responded by pushing ahead 32-25 for their biggest lead with 4:55 to go in the half. The Lady Vols clawed back, scoring five straight on a Cooper jumper along with a Whitehorn free throw and bucket to pull within two, 32-30, with 2:46 remaining. UConn moved back ahead by seven, 39-32, with 57 seconds, left, but UT reeled off another five straight, getting an old-fashioned three-point play from Spear and a pair of Spearman charity tosses to go into the locker room trailing by only two, 39-37.
UConn increased its lead to six, 43-37, in the early stages of the third period, but UT began to trim the margin, getting layups from Cooper and Spencer to tie it at 45 with 6:47 remaining. UT poured on more steam, moving ahead by four, 49-45, with 5:59 to go on consecutive buckets by Spencer, the second off of her own steal, and forcing UConn to ask for time. Puckett built onto the lead, draining a three from the top of the key to boost her team ahead by seven, 52-45, with 5:12 to go and send the crowd into a frenzy. A layup by Cooper with 4:19 boosted the Lady Vol lead to nine, 54-45, but UConn slowly worked within two, getting a layup by Arnold to make it 56-54 with 52 seconds left. A top-of-the-key three by Spencer with 34 seconds left, though, sent the home team into the final frame with a 59-54 margin.
A Spearman three gave Tennessee a 62-54 lead to open the final stanza, and a layup by the forward made it an eight-point game with 8:26 remaining, 64-56, before UConn responded with an Arnold layup to trim the deficit to six, 64-58, with 8:15 to go. After a Cooper free throw increased the gap to seven, 65-58, with 7:01 to go, the teams exchanged buckets until UConn made it a two-point game, 67-65, with 4:59 remaining on a pair of Aubrey Griffin free throws. Two Kaitlyn Chen free throws evened the score at 69, and Bueckers did so again with a three-pointer to make it 74-all with 2:07 left. The Lady Vols, though, were not about to let an opportunity slip away, as a layup by Spearman at the 1:41 mark made it 76-74, and a pair of free throws by Cooper lifted UT ahead by four, 78-74, with 1:02 showing on the clock. After Strong scored inside with 51 ticks left, Tennessee managed to milk some clock and then went up four, 80-76, after Cooper found Spearman inside for a layup with 12 seconds remaining. UConn got up a couple of shots before time expired, but both were off the mark.
UP NEXT: Tennessee travels to Baton Rouge, La., this weekend to take on LSU on Sunday at the Maravich Center. The Lady Vols and Tigers will meet at 3 p.m. CT (4 p.m. ET) in a contest televised by ESPN. The game also will be available on Lady Vol Network radio stations statewide and via audio stream on UTSports.com.
BIG WIN ON ROCKY TOP: Tennessee produced its first victory over UConn since beating the Huskies, 70-64, in Hartford on Jan. 6, 2007, and its first win over a top-five ranked team since toppling No. 2/3 South Carolina in Knoxville, 75-67, on Feb. 18, 2021. The victory marked head coach Kim Caldwell‘s highest-ranked NCAA Division I win of her career. The Lady Vols now own two ranked wins this season after also beating No. 17/20 Iowa, 78-68, in Brooklyn, N.Y., on Dec. 7, 2024.
SPARKING THE SUMMITT: A season-high crowd of 16,215 fans attended Food City Center during the matchup against the Huskies, and its presence was felt. It was the largest Lady Vol crowd in the venue since 18,563 watched the Florida matchup on Feb. 26, 2012, when the Big Orange posted a 75-59 win. It marked the fifth 10,000-plus crowd of the 2024-25 season. The other 10,000-plus crowds: South Carolina (12,033), LSU (10,220), Oklahoma (11,321) and Winthrop (11,152). UT is now averaging 10,461 over 13 home dates.
THE ZEE SPEARMAN FACTOR: Zee Spearman carded her 13th double-digit contest of the season against the Huskies. The forward secured a team-leading 16 points, seven rebounds, one assist and a block. The junior has now produced back-to-back double-digit performances, firing in 13 at Missouri and 16 against the Huskies and paced her team in scoring for only the third time this season.
TEAM EFFORT ON THE BOARDS: The Big Orange collected 46 rebounds against UConn, marking the 14th time this season the team has snagged 40 boards or more and the eighth occasion with 45-plus. Tennessee out-rebounded UConn 46-34 (17-13 on the offensive glass) and tallied 42 points from the paint. Talaysia Cooper led the pack with eight rebounds, while Zee Spearman grabbed seven.
CLEARWATER, Fla. – Despite a strong 11-strikeout performance by junior pitcher Karlyn Pickens, the sixth-ranked Lady Vols fell to No. 19 Nebraska, 7-1, in Thursday’s season opener at the Eddie C. Moore Complex in Clearwater, Florida.
Tennessee (0-1) managed five hits off Nebraska pitcher Jordy Bahl and scored the game’s opening run in the bottom of the fourth. With freshman Zoie Shuler pinch-running on second, senior Sophia Nugent hit a double to center field, scoring Shuler for her first career run as a Lady Vol.
Up 1-0 after four innings, the Lady Vols recorded two quick outs in the top of the fifth before a single, followed by an error, extended the frame. With runners on the corners, Tennessee suffered another error as an errant throw sailed into right field, allowing three unearned Nebraska runs to score.
A two-run home run extended the Huskers’ lead before Pickens struck out the final batter of the fifth inning.
Pickens faced one batter in the sixth before being relieved by sophomore pitcher Sage Mardjetko, making her Tennessee debut. Pickens finished the game allowing five runs—all unearned—on five hits, with 11 strikeouts over five innings of work.
Mardjetko completed the outing, allowing two runs on one hit, with two strikeouts and one walk.
Nebraska’s (1-0) Bahl tossed a complete game, surrendering one run on five hits while striking out seven.
DUE UP Tennessee returns to action Friday, facing Bethune-Cookman at 4 p.m. ET and Iowa at 7 p.m. Both games will be streamed on the GameChanger app.
Jefferson City, TN (WOKI) Carson-Newman University says most of its systems are back up and running after what they call an “anomaly” shut it down to start the semester.
Officials say they are still working to figure out what it was, where it came from and if it was intentional.
The university is asking all students and staff to take extra caution when clicking on links while using the school’s network.
Officials report they didn’t lose any data or much school time during the incident. They add that they were even able to meet the “dispersed deadline for for financial aid,” Thursday, February 6.
The breach began on January 14, when Carson-Newman representatives said they had discovered an “anomaly” that required them to shut down much of their technological systems. It impacted things like Wi-Fi, email services and student portals, where they submit assignments.
It began on Jan. 14, when Carson-Newman representatives said they had discovered an “anomaly” that required them to shut down much of their technological systems. (Courtesy: WVLT)
Sevierville, TN (WOKI) Sevierville city officials say some staff members are receiving threats connected to the ongoing American flag dispute with Camping World.
Sevierville leaders say they are not, and never will be, against patriotism, but publicly attacking an employee for enforcing regulations is a failure of basic human decency. The alleged threats came through social media and email.
The back-and-forth was started when the Camping World CEO received a notice from the city that its 130-foot flagpole violated city policy, which limits flag poles to 44 feet for safety reasons. The Camping World CEO is flying a 40 foot by 80 foot American flag and says he is not going to remove the flagpole and will pay any fines he incurs.
The City of Sevierville’s full statement is below:
We are aware of the recent concerns shared online regarding one of our City ordinances and its enforcement by our staff. Due to the nature of comments, emails and phone calls directed toward City staff we feel it necessary to say that while we respect and value the right to free expression, we believe that targeting a city employee who is simply carrying out their job is neither patriotic nor productive. The situation is a publicity stunt used for advertising and marketing aimed at drawing attention to the business rather than fostering meaningful change.
Let us be clear: the City of Sevierville is not, and never will be, against patriotism. True patriotism embodies respect for the values that unite our community—freedom of expression, responsibility, and civil discourse. Publicly attacking an employee for enforcing regulations is not a reflection of patriotism but a failure of basic human decency. Our employees do not create ordinances; they implement policies established by the organization. They deserve our protection and respect.
The City has regulations on the height and placement of structures, including flagpoles (not the size of the flag itself), for several important reasons. Excessively tall structures can create visual distractions for motorists, pose potential safety hazards, and impact the scenic views that are a vital part of what makes Sevierville a destination for residents and visitors alike. These ordinances exist not to stifle patriotism but to balance individual expression with the overall safety, beauty, and livability of our city.
Camping World was well aware of the 44-foot maximum height restriction for non-building structures prior to constructing the 130-foot flagpole. The Board of Zoning Appeals reviewed a request to deviate from the 44-foot height restriction and denied it. Despite the denial, Camping World proceeded with the construction of a flagpole that significantly exceeds the 44-foot height limit as a blatant disregard for that decision and our local ordinances. The ability to display an American Flag was never in question.
It’s important to note that other local businesses have applied for similar variances related to tall structures, including flagpoles, and have been denied in accordance with the same regulations (there are structures located just outside the City limits that exceed 44 feet). These businesses have complied with the rulings and worked collaboratively with the City, demonstrating an understanding of the greater community’s needs. We appreciate their cooperation and believe this collaborative spirit is key to Sevierville’s growth and success.
The City of Sevierville is proud to be strategic and business-friendly in our approach to site planning, permit approvals, and development regulations. We work closely with businesses and residents to find practical, flexible solutions that align with both individual needs and community standards. Our goal is to foster growth while protecting the aspects of Sevierville that make it a special place to live, work, and visit.
We welcome open, productive conversations with those willing to contribute positively to our community. We strive to work hand in hand with businesses and residents in an effort to find solutions that reflect our shared values and honor the spirit of true patriotism.
Additional background information:
In February 2024, Camping World submitted a variance request to exceed the 44-foot maximum height restriction for non-building structures in order to construct a 130-foot flagpole. The Board of Zoning Appeals reviewed the request and denied it. Despite the denial, Camping World proceeded with the construction of a flagpole that significantly exceeds the 44-foot height limit.
On January 30, 2025, upon discovering the unauthorized construction, the City issued a notice of violation to Camping World. The notice provides a 30-day period for the company to bring the flagpole into compliance with the City’s zoning ordinance. – City of Sevierville
Sevierville city officials say some staff members are receiving threats connected to the ongoing American flag dispute with Camping World. (Courtesy: WVLT)
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Zoo Knoxville is mourning the loss of Dolly, a 56-year-old Southern white rhinoceros who called Zoo Knoxville home since 1976.
Zoo officials making the announcement Thursday say Dolly was euthanized humanely following a decline in her mobility.
Zoo Knoxville says that Dolly’s care team had been managing age-related conditions for some time, but in recent days, her mobility declined significantly despite ongoing medical support. After careful evaluation, the veterinary team, in collaboration with specialists from The University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, determined that there were no remaining treatment options that could maintain Dolly’s quality of life. With her well-being as the top priority, the difficult decision was made to humanely euthanize Dolly.
“This is an emotional time for everyone who has cared for and loved Dolly,” said Bill Street, President and CEO of Zoo Knoxville. “She was a remarkable animal, and her impact on this zoo and the people who have met her is immeasurable. Our priority was her comfort and dignity, and we take comfort in knowing she was surrounded by the people who knew her best.”
Born in the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park in South Africa, officials say Dolly was the oldest rhino in the United States and was one of the first white rhinos housed at Zoo Knoxville.
The zoo adds that Dolly was a very successful mother, raising 10 calves over her lifetime.
Dolly was the oldest rhino in the United States, according to zoo officials. (Courtesy: Zoo Knoxville)
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Facing an 11-point deficit early in the second half, the University of Tennessee men’s basketball team dominated the final 19 minutes to defeat No. 15/16 Missouri, 85-81, Wednesday night in front of 20,002 fans at Food City Center.
Fourth-ranked Tennessee (19-4, 6-4 SEC) shot 10-of-15 from 3-point range in the triumph, its fourth of the year and second in a row over an AP top-15 foe. Senior forward Igor Miličić Jr., and senior guard Zakai Zeigler, both of whom missed the last game, co-led the victors with 21 points apiece
The Volunteers tallied the first five points of the night, holding Missouri (17-5, 6-3 SEC) scoreless for the opening 5:13 by forcing five missed field goals and a turnover. The Tigers, however, then posted a 13-2 run in just 3:24 to take a 13-7 advantage at the 11:22 mark. Graduate guard Tony Perkins scored 11 of the points, as he hit his first four shots of the night, including a trio from long range. Missouri went on to grab 16-9 lead with 10:35 on the clock after making five straight field goals.
Tennessee closed within two, 23-21, with 5:31 to go in the half after back-to-back dunks, but the Tigers responded with a 7-0 surge in 1:35 to go up by nine, 30-21, with 3:37 remaining. The home team twice cut the deficit to four, but Missouri pushed it back to six, 34-28, at the break.
The Volunteers shot 4-of-5 (80.0 percent) from 3-point range through 20 minutes, but missed all four of their free throws, as well as committed eight turnovers while forcing only two. Missouri, meanwhile, shot 6-of-17 (35.3 percent) from deep and hit both its attempts at the stripe.
The first minute of the second session featured two turnovers by Tennessee and five points for Missouri, which took a game-best 11-point edge, 39-28, with 19:03 to go. The Volunteers, though, countered with 18 of the next 23 points, including notching a 14-2 burst in just 1:55, to go in front, 46-43, with 15:27 to go. The span ended with back-to-back-to-back 3-pointers by three different Volunteers, pushing the team’s ledger to 7-of-8 at that time.
Missouri regained the lead, but Tennessee again hit back-to-back-to-back 3-pointers to claim a 59-53 cushion at the 11:42 mark and extend its long-range clip to 10-of-13. All three shots came during a stretch of five consecutive makes from the floor.
The Tigers closed within three, but Tennessee answered with eight of the next nine points to go up by double digits, 68-58, with 7:05 to play. The onslaught continued from there, as the Volunteers went up by as many as 14 points, 75-61, with 4:30 to go during a stretch of 6:08 in which it did not allow a field goal.
Missouri held Tennessee scoreless for the next 2:50 and logged the next nine points, over just 2:37, to slice the deficit down to five, 75-70, with 1:40 left. The Volunteers made a trio of free throws to make it an eight-point game with 1:17 to go, but senior guard Tamar Bates drilled a 3-pointer at the other end 16 seconds later to again trim the margin to five, 78-73.
Over the next 36 seconds, the two sides combined for eight points, all at the stripe, with Tennessee logging five of them to make it 83-76 with 25.9 left. Missouri graduate guard/forward hit a 3-pointer to make it a four-point affair with 21.7 ticks left, but the Tigers did not score again until just one second remained and the Volunteers held on for the four-point comeback decision.
In addition to his 21 points, Miličić pulled down a co-game-leading 10 rebounds, dished out a career-high-tying five assists, blocked a season- and game-best four shots, tallied a team-leading two steals and posted shooting lines of 8-of-10 overall, 2-of-3 from deep and 3-of-4 at the line. He became, per Stats Perform, the first player this century in Division I basketball (men’s or women’s), the NBA or WNBA to record 20, 10, five, four and two on a 75/50/75 line in a contest.
Zeigler’s season-best 21 points included perfect shooting from long range, as he went 4-of-4, and at the stripe, where he was 7-of-7. It was his first time achieving the former line and second registering the latter. The Long Island, N.Y., native also led all players with eight assists to move into the top 10 on the SEC’s all-time leaderboard (636) and on Tennessee’s single-season list (164).
Junior forward Felix Okpara concluded the night with 12 points, six rebounds and three blocks, plus went 4-of-5 at the line to tie a career best in makes. Senior guard Jordan Gainey had 10 points, four rebounds and three assists, while fifth-year guard Chaz Lanier tallied 10 points and six rebounds, the latter mark one shy of his season high.
Bates paced all scorers with 22 points, all of which came during a second half in which he went 6-of-10 from the field, 4-of-7 beyond the arc and 6-of-8 at the line. Perkins finished with 16 points on 5-of-7 shooting—Tennessee held him to just five in the final 31 minutes—to go along with five rebounds and a team-high five assists. Graduate guard Caleb Grill chipped in 11 points for the Tigers, while graduate center Josh Gray matched Miličić with 10 rebounds.
Tennessee’s 85 points marked its fourth-most of the season and its top tally in SEC play this year. Its 10-of-15 (66.7 percent) mark from long range marked the fourth time in the last 20 seasons (2005-25) making double-digit 3-pointers and connecting on at least two-thirds of its attempts, including its second time on just 15 attempts.
After a 1-of-6 start from the free-throw line, the Volunteers made 17 of their next 18 attempts, en route to capping the contest with a 21-of-30 (70.0 percent) line. At the other end, Missouri shot 19-of-29 (65.5 percent) at the stripe. The Volunteers, who shot 50.0 percent (27-of-54) overall, had zero shots blocked in the win, plus swatted eight on the defensive side of the floor.
Its three-game homestand complete, Tennessee now plays the first of two straight road tilts Saturday at noon ET against Oklahoma, live on ESPN from the Lloyd Noble Center in Norman, Okla.
To keep up with the University of Tennessee men’s basketball team on social media, follow @Vol_Hoops on Instagram and X/Twitter, as well as /tennesseebasketball on Facebook.
TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS POSTGAME NOTES • Tennessee is now 93-34 all-time when playing in front of 20,000-plus fans at Food City Center, including 34-10 under Barnes, with 29 of the latter 44 over the past four years (2021-25). • Tuesday’s crowd of 20,002 marked the ninth time in 2024-25, all in Tennessee’s last 10 outings, over 19,000 fans have been in attendance at Food City Center. • After the road team won each of the last six campus-site series meetings, Tennessee’s victory marked the first home triumph between the two schools since it won Feb. 5, 2019. • The Volunteers improved to 12-6 in their last 18 games against Missouri, including 7-3 in the last 10 matchups. • Tennessee and Missouri have now played four times—all in the last five seasons (2020-25)—with both ranked in the AP Poll, with the Volunteers moving to 3-1 in those outings. • Wednesday marked the 10th time in the last 11 series matchups Tennessee was ranked, after it was unranked for each of its first 12 meetings with Missouri. • Tennessee has now played five consecutive games versus AP top-15 foes for the first time ever, after it had never before met even five straight AP top-25 opponents. • Each of the Volunteers’ last six home games have come against an AP top-25 team, dating to the Jan. 4 SEC opener. • Twelve of Tennessee’s last 14 conference contests—the span dates to Feb. 28, 2024—have been against AP top-25 foes, including eight of 10 so far in 2024-25. • The Volunteers improved to 34-25 (.576) in AP top-25 showdowns in the Barnes era, including 19-5 (.792) at home and 6-3 (.667) in 2024-25. • The above overall mark in AP top-25 matchups in Barnes’ tenure features a 22-12 (.647) ledger since Feb. 26, 2022, and a 13-5 (.722) record since Dec. 9, 2023. • The Volunteers’ record in AP top-15 clashes in the Barnes era improved to 17-12 (.586), including 8-2 (.800) at Food City Center. • Tennessee moved to 22-8 (.733) at home versus AP top-25 opponents under Barnes, including 17-2 (.895) since Jan. 30, 2021. • Barnes-led Tennessee teams now own a 14-5 (.737) ledger at home against AP top-15 squads, including a 12-2 (.857) record since Jan. 30, 2021. • The Volunteers upped their record to 40-40 (.500) against AP top-25 teams in Barnes’ tenure, including 24-13 (.649) since Jan. 22, 2022. • Tennessee is now 26-25 (.510) versus AP top-15 foes under Barnes, including 19-8 (.704) since Dec. 22, 2021. • The Volunteers now own four AP top-15 wins this year, tied with 2023-24 and 1976-77 for its third-most ever, and have reached that mark in four consecutive seasons after doing so just once previously. • After starting 1-of-9 from the field through six-plus minutes, Missouri made seven of its next 10 attempts to begin a 12-of-21 stretch. • The Volunteers assisted all 12 of their field goals in the opening half, including Miličić doing so on four of the first seven through 12-plus minutes. • In total, Tennessee’s first 14 baskets of the night were all assisted, as it did not record an unassisted field goal until an and-one layup by Zeigler with 17:20 to play. • Through the first 26-and-a-half minutes, Miličić (17 points on 7-of-7 shooting) and Perkins (15 points on 5-of-5 shooting) combined for 32 points on a 12-of-12 field-goal clip for their respective teams, with the former 2-of-2 from deep and the latter 3-of-3. • After taking its game-best 14-point lead with 4:30 to go, Tennessee did not make a field goal the rest of the contest, missing all three of its attempts, but went 10-of-14 at the line in the final 100 seconds. • Tennessee’s highest point total in SEC play before Wednesday was 76 in the league opener Jan. 4 against Arkansas. • Missouri’s 81 points marked the most by a Tennessee foe since March 9, 2024, when Kentucky had 85 in the regular season finale. • The prior top point total by a Tennessee opponent this season was 78 by Kentucky eight days ago, Jan. 28. • Missouri had a 16-0 margin in fast-break points, but Tennessee accumulated an equal plus-16 margin in paint points, 34-18. • The Volunteers’ 57 second-half points marked their most in a frame this season, eclipsing the 52 they had both Nov. 17, 2024, against Austin Peay (first half) and Nov. 13, 2024, versus Montana (second half). • Missouri is the third team to record zero blocks against Tennessee this season, joining UT Martin (Nov. 27, 2024) and Montana (Nov. 13, 2024). • Tennessee has conceded 35 or fewer first-half points in 21 of its 23 contests thus far, including 29 or fewer on 13 occasions and 22 or fewer seven times. • The last time Tennessee made double-digit 3-pointers on 15 or fewer attempts was Feb. 19, 2013, when it shot an equal 10-of-15 at LSU. • Just thrice previously in the last 20 seasons (2005-25) has Tennessee made 10-plus 3-pointers and connected on two-thirds of its tries: March 5, 2022, against Arkansas (12-of-28); Feb. 19, 2013, versus LSU (10-of-15); and Jan. 8, 2006, at South Carolina (12-of-18). • According to SEC Network, Miličić and Zeigler became the first Tennessee duo to log 20-plus points and five-plus assists in the same game since 1998. • Miličić logged the 15th double-double of his career, including his fourth in his lone campaign as a Volunteer. • Miličić has now pulled down double-figure rebounds 22 times as a collegian, including doing so on eight occasions in 2024-25. • In addition, Miličić recorded 20-plus points for the sixth time in his career, including the second at Tennessee. • The five assists for Miličić marked his fourth time reaching that number as a collegian, with three of those occasions this year as a Volunteer. • Just thrice previously has Miličić tallied four-plus blocks in a game, all during the 2023-24 campaign while at Charlotte. • Miličić’s 21 points put him two shy of his season high, 23, set Nov. 17, 2024, against Austin Peay, as well as marked the fifth-highest total of his career. • As aforementioned, Miličić is the first player, per Stats Perform, in Division I basketball (men’s or women’s), the NBA or the WNBA this century to amass at least 20 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, four blocks and two steals in a game while shooting at least 75.0 percent from the field, 50.0 percent beyond the arc and 75.0 percent at the line. • Across his 23 outings thus far in his lone seasons as a Volunteer, Lanier has registered double-digit points 21 times, including 18 of the past 19 contests. • Okpara’s four made free throws matched a career-best figure he has posted four prior times, three of which came earlier this season, most recently Jan. 21 versus Mississippi State, his only other collegiate outing with four makes on just five attempts. • Zeigler’s 21 points eclipsed his previous season best of 19, which he recorded both Nov. 17, 2024, versus Austin Peay and Nov. 9, 2024, at Louisville. • Wednesday marked the 13th time Zeigler has connected on at least four 3-pointers in a game, with his best prior mark in those outings a 4-of-5 clip both Feb. 17, 2024, against Vanderbilt and Feb. 5, 2022, at South Carolina. • Before Wednesday, the only time Zeigler hit multiple 3-pointers in his career without a miss was a 3-of-3 performance Feb. 28, 2024, against Auburn. • Zeigler is the first Volunteer to make four-plus 3-pointers without a miss since Santiago Vescovi went 5-of-5 on Dec. 21, 2022, versus Austin Peay. • Over the last 20 seasons (2005-25), Zeigler is now the 12th Volunteer—13th occurrence—to hit at least four 3-pointers in a game without a miss. • The lone previous time Zeigler hit seven free throws in a game without a miss was also this year, as he did so Nov. 4, 2024, in the season opener versus Gardner-Web, giving him the lone two such outings by a Volunteer in 2024-25. • With his fifth assist of the night at the 16:28 mark of the second half, Zeigler tied Mississippi State’s Dee Bost (2008-12) for No. 10 on the SEC’s all-time leaderboard and then 61 seconds later he recorded his sixth—giving him 634 as a collegian—to solely take over 10th place, eventually finishing the night with 636. • Zeigler’s eight assists upped his total this year from 156 to 164, moving him from co-No. 13 to co-ninth, alongside Johnny Darden (1975-76), on the program’s single-season leaderboard and giving him three of the top 12 marks ever by a Volunteer.
Pigeon Forge, TN (WOKI) A Pigeon Forge pastor is under arrest after a months-long investigation following accusations of committing multiple child sex crimes.
According to the Pigeon Forge Police Department, 69 year old Dwight Suttles was indicted on five counts of aggravated sexual battery and one count of rape of a child. Authorities say Suttles was a pastor at Liberty Baptist Church in Pigeon Forge.
Suttles stands accused of having sexual contact with at least five victims under the age of 13.
Suttles was arrested by the Sevier County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday and taken to Sevier County Jail, where he is being held on a $500,000 bond.
Dwight Suttles, 69 (Courtesy: Sevier County Sheriffs Office)
Knoxville, TN (WOKI / WVLT) If you have received a suspicious text message recently saying there is a job opening, likely this is a scam.
These messages are telling you that your resume is a good match for their company, sometimes offering a remote position with lots of benefits. They may even ask that you reach out to them on WhatsApp.
These messages are going out to people who did not even apply for a job. (Courtesy: BBB)
The Better Business Bureau advises anyone who receives a message to look at the email or phone number these messages are coming from. If it does not match the company the person says they are from, then it is probably a scam.
“Delete them, ignore them, don’t respond to them. The main thing is once you respond to an email or text, even if its stop … you’re letting that texter know that they’ve got a live number,” said Tony Binkley, president and CEO of BBB Greater East Tennessee.
The BBB says the person’s ultimate goal is to get you to respond, so the best thing you can do is not respond and delete these messages.
The messages may say that your resume is the perfect match for their company and that you were referred to them by a recruiting service.
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) A burger restaurant, known to be among the best of the best, is planning to expand in Tennessee.
In-N-Out Burger is primarily found out west, but now there appears to be several new locations coming to the Volunteer state. The Memphis Journal is reporting nine Tennessee cities will have In-N-Out locations, including Knoxville, Morristown, Chattanooga, and the Tri-Cities:
Knoxville: three to five stores
Chattanooga: two to three stores
Morristown: one store
Tri-Cities: two to three stores
Nashville: 10 to 15 stores
Clarksville: one store
Cookeville: one store
Jackson: one store
Memphis: four to five stores
The burger chain is already working on locations in middle Tennessee.
The news comes from the Memphis Journal, which highlighted several possible new locations across the volunteer state. (Courtesy: WVLT)
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The defending national champion Tennessee Volunteers were picked to finish second in the 2025 SEC Baseball Preseason Coaches Poll and had six players named to the Preseason All-SEC teams, which were announced by the league on Wednesday.
Tennessee and preseason favorite Texas A&M both had six players tabbed to the preseason all-conference teams, which were tied for the most in the league.
The Big Orange, who enter the season as a consensus top five ranked team nationally, open their 2025 campaign in nine days when they host Hofstra on Feb. 14 at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
The complete preseason coaches’ poll and All-SEC teams can be seen below.
