WASHINGTON, DC (November 18, 2024) – AAA projects 79.9 million travelers will head 50 miles or more from home over the Thanksgiving holiday travel period*. For the first time, AAA’s forecast includes the Tuesday before and the Monday after Thanksgiving Day to better capture the flow of holiday travelers. This year’s projection of nearly 80 million travelers is an increase of 1.7 million people compared to last year and 2 million more than in 2019.
“Thanksgiving is the busiest holiday for travel, and this year we’re expecting to set new records across the board, from driving to flying and cruising,” said Stacey Barber, Vice President of AAA Travel. “Americans reconnect with family and friends over Thanksgiving, and travel is a big part of that. AAA continues to see travel demand soar post-pandemic with our members looking for new adventures and memorable vacations.”
Thanksgiving Travelers By Mode
By Car: AAA projects a record 71.7 million people will travel by car over Thanksgiving – that’s an additional 1.3 million travelers on the road compared to last year. This year’s number also surpasses pre-pandemic numbers when 70.6 million people drove to their Thanksgiving destinations in 2019.
Gas prices are lower this Thanksgiving season compared to 2023. The national average last Thanksgiving Day was $3.26. Falling oil prices this autumn may help push the national average below $3 a gallon for the first time since 2021, and that could happen before drivers hit the road for Thanksgiving. Regionally, drivers east of the Rockies will find gas between $2.25 to $2.50 a gallon in more than a dozen states.
AAA car rental partner Hertz says Atlanta, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Oahu, Orlando, and Phoenix are the cities displaying the highest rental demand for the Thanksgiving holiday. The busiest car pick-up day is expected to be the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, and the busiest rental return days will be the Monday and Tuesday after the holiday.
By Air: Thanksgiving air travel is also expected to set a new record. AAA projects 5.84 million people will fly domestically this holiday. That’s an increase of 2% compared to last year and a nearly 11% increase over 2019. According to AAA booking data, air travelers are paying 3% more for domestic Thanksgiving flights this year, while the number of flight bookings is similar to last year. International flight bookings are up 23% compared to last Thanksgiving, in part because the cost to fly internationally is down 5%.
By Other Modes: Nearly 2.3 million people are expected to travel by other modes of transportation, including buses, cruises, and trains. This category is seeing an increase of almost 9% compared to last year and an 18% jump over 2019, in large part due to the popularity of cruising. The demand for cruises has been red-hot post-pandemic. Domestic and international cruise bookings are up 20% compared to last Thanksgiving.
Best/Worst Times to Drive and Peak Congestion by Metro
INRIX, a provider of transportation data and insights, says the worst times to travel by car over Thanksgiving are Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon. The best time to hit the road is Thanksgiving Day itself when interstates and highways are typically clear. Drivers returning home on Sunday should leave early in the morning, and those coming back on Monday should expect a mix of travelers and work commuters on the road.
“With a record number of travelers expected to be on the road, drivers should follow traffic apps and local news alerts to avoid major delays,” said Bob Pishue, transportation analyst at INRIX. “This is especially important for drivers in metropolitan areas like Boston, New York, LA, Seattle, and Washington, DC, where traffic is expected to be more than double what it typically is on a normal day.”
Please note that the times listed below are for the time zone in which the metro is located.
For example, Atlanta routes = ET and Los Angeles routes = PT.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee men’s basketball team retained its No. 11/9 spot in the major polls this week.
Tennessee (4-0) is again No. 11 in the Associated Press Top 25 Poll and ninth in the USA TODAY Coaches Poll, as revealed Monday afternoon.
The Volunteers have now been ranked in the AP Poll for 62 consecutive weeks across four seasons, dating to the 2021-22 preseason edition. That figure is 25 weeks longer than the previous program record and marks the third-longest active streak in the nation, trailing only Houston (88) and Kansas (67). Just one other school, Arizona (60), is even at 45-plus, while the closest SEC program, Kentucky (24), is over three-dozen weeks behind.
This is the 36th time in the last 39 releases Tennessee is ranked in the top 15 of the AP Poll, a mark that goes back to Nov. 28, 2022.
Tennessee not only won both its games at Food City Center last week, but did so by 35 points in each outing. Senior forward Igor Miličić Jr., recorded an 18-point, 10-rebound double-double Wednesday in a 92-57 decision over Montana. He followed that with a 23-point, nine-rebound showing Sunday in a 103-68 triumph over Austin Peay.
Through four contests this year, Tennessee has led for 155 minutes and 32 seconds, while trailing for just one minute and 34 seconds.
The Volunteers collected 942 points in the AP Poll balloting, a 12-point increase from last week and just 27 shy of No. 10 North Carolina. In the Coaches Poll, they earned 462 points, just eight back of co-seventh-place Alabama and Houston.
Tennessee is among seven SEC teams in the top 25 of both polls, joining No. 4/3 Auburn, No. 8/7 Alabama, No. 9/11 Kentucky, No. 20/24 Arkansas, No. 21/19 Florida and No. 23 Texas A&M. Meanwhile, Ole Miss is top-three in the receiving votes category from each group, with Texas and Mississippi State also listed in that section of both polls.
The Volunteers resume play Thursday at 9:30 p.m. against Virginia in the opening game of the Baha Mar Championship, live on CBS Sports Network from the Baha Mar Convention Center in Nassau, Bahamas.
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.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – No. 10/11 Tennessee will look to rebound from a disappointing result on the road at Georgia last weekend as it returns home for the final regular-season contest at Neyland Stadium this season against UTEP on Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m.
Saturday’s game will serve as Senior Day for the Volunteers, who will honor their departing seniors during a pregame ceremony before they run through the T one final time.
“You look at this group of seniors, so many guys that when I first got here, chose to stay here and have been cornerstones in building this program,” head coach Josh Heupel said. “A lot of guys that have played a lot of great football for us. Great leaders, but great individuals too, so it will be a special day to recognize them.”
Looking back on last weekend’s loss to the 12th-ranked Bulldogs, Heupel reinforced the need for the team do to the little things at an elite level.
“I said the simple things are the things that are going to matter in the game,” Heupel said in regard to Saturday’s loss in Athens. “The ordinary, everyday things and doing them at a high level. It’s signal recognition, it’s alignment, it’s no pre-snap penalties, it’s not changing the way the game is played.
“There are too many instances of Tennessee hurting Tennessee on Saturday. That’s not taking anything away from Georgia, but the things that we can control, we have to be better at. Ultimately, when you play good-on-good, those things are going to have a huge impact on the game.”
The Vols’ main focus will be putting together a complete, 60-minute performance on both sides of the ball Saturday afternoon as they look to hit their stride and remain in contention for a College Football Playoff berth.
Quotes from Monday’s availability with Heupel and select players can be seen below.
Opening statement… “Good afternoon, hope everybody’s doing great. First of all, this week is our Salute to Service game honoring all the men and women that are serving and have served. It will be great to honor them and the sacrifices that they make, their families make. We appreciate everything that they do. It’s also Senior Day. You look at this group of seniors, so many guys that when I first got here, chose to stay here and have been cornerstones in building this program. A lot of guys that have played a lot of great football for us. Great leaders, but great individuals too, so it will be a special day to recognize them.
“Moving on, we’ve got UTEP this week. Opportunity for us to grow as a football team, continue to get better and (take) the next step forward for us.”
On the team’s culture and ability to move on from the loss at Georgia… “This group is extremely competitive. They work hard. They made last week a big game because of what they’ve invested. Today, how we can, we need to be better, things that we control. It’s a group that’s been competitive on the grass (in practice) and on Saturdays. This is the next step for us. You have heard me say it before, but we are in the arena, have to go make it happen. Have to continue to grow, and they recognize the opportunity that they have this week. I expect everybody to respond in a really positive way, and it was that today.
On growing offensively and defensively… “There are a lot of really good things that we have done, and that can be throughout the season or on Saturday against Georgia. There are areas that we have to get better at offensively, red zone. I said the simple things are the things that are going to matter in the game. The ordinary, everyday things and doing them at a high level. It’s signal recognition, it’s alignment, it’s no pre-snap penalties, it’s not changing the way the game is played. There are too many instances of Tennessee hurting Tennessee on Saturday. That’s not taking anything away from Georgia, but the things that we can control, we have to be better at. Ultimately, when you play good-on-good, those things are going to have a huge impact on the game.”
On Georgia being able to slow down the pass rush… “At the end of the day, they got a hat on a hat and protected well. They did that in different ways. Some of it was heavy play action with some extra bodies in there. Some of it was on dropback pass. At the end of the day, we didn’t get home, and we have to affect the quarterback. He was too comfortable for most of the night.”
On playing an early time slot as a team that practices in the morning… “I do think early (kickoff), because of our practice schedule, those guys know how to get their bodies ready to roll. I know it’s been a while since we had a true early kickoff, but our guys will be ready for this week.”
On how to approach Nico Iamaleava’s internal clock in the pocket… “For the most part, it’s been really good. When the pocket has been clean, he’s stayed in there until the bodies were matched out, and then you have to go make a play. There’s been an occasion when color flashes and he gets out, but that’s a part of his game too in extension of plays and making plays outside the pocket. All in all, as a young guy he’s been solid, but continued growth there.”
On the decision to punt on the opening drive of the third quarter… “We were right on the edge of where all things are in play. Fourth down, field goal and punt. Ultimately, made the decision based on a bunch of different factors. Tried to draw them offsides and then took the delay, trying to pin them back. We had been good in those situations. It wasn’t our best pin-punt, but it’s inside the 15, and defensively just gave up a couple of plays.”
On his outlook on the Georgia game as a measuring stick for the program… “This program is a long way’s away, rearview mirror from being OK with the wrong outcome. I think we look at the second half, the first half too, but the second half, missed opportunities, things that we didn’t take advantage of in all three phases of the game. All that being said, it’s a one possession game late in the fourth, and we have to go make a play. I told the guys before the game, games like that, you have to play smart, you have to be extremely physical. We were physical, but you have to go take the game in the fourth quarter too. There’s a bunch of different reasons, but we didn’t get it done.”
On what has to happen for penalties to get corrected… “At the pre-snap, that can be false starts, a couple of them in critical moments. Defensively, offsides a couple of times, giving them free plays to push it down the field. It’s literally doing your job, the ordinary things at a really high level. I know that’s not the sexiest way to say it, but at the end of the day, it’s doing your job at a high level.”
On assessing the receiver room as a whole… “I thought they did some really good things on Saturday, winning one-on-ones. We were much better on third down than certainly a year ago against them. That’s where the game changed a year ago. Still more opportunities for us in the pass game, and that’s all 11. You’ve heard me say that again, it’s winning the one-on-one with route discipline and playing with technique to create some separation. It’s accuracy, quarterback, it’s protection, it takes all of it to come together and be as efficient as possible to try to create more big plays in the pass game.”
On doing ordinary things at a high level when it comes to defense and tackling… “It’s ball-me-man relationships and being a player and understanding where you’re at. Can I go make a play or do I need to defend the man and make a tackle? It’s called being a player, and there are some really good things as far as our coverage, second and third level the other night. There are some competitive plays that they made, which if you play good teams, that’s going to happen too. There are some things, it could be our eyes on the snap, whatever it might be, where we’re just a little out of position. Some of those things are what I was talking about as far as how we can be better and control our controllables.”
On using the Austin Peay tape from last year to prepare for UTEP… “I think obviously some of their staff being there, a lot of it, you can draw from some of that. As he takes a new job, personnel, all of that, that plays into who he is now at UTEP.”
On how the coaches can improve coming off a loss… “I always try to point a finger at myself first, and again, just making sure we’re putting our kids in the best position. Some of that is situational football or whatever it might be, so how can we continue to put the 11 guys — offense, defense, special teams — in the best position to go play their best.”
On young players seizing playing opportunities this week… “Man, we’re a long way away from 2025. But, we’re always intentional with developing our young guys. Some of those that are on the field, some that aren’t, how do we continue to get them better. But also in leadership, control, command, communication roles as well, a lot of those guys are part of what we do with our guys every single week. So again, it’s everybody in our program, continuing to take a step forward. That’s the challenge, man. You get an opponent on Saturdays, but the real opponent is yourself. How do I continue to push forward and be my best? What are the things that I need to improve on? And you do that whether you win or you lose, and that’s how good teams become great, because everybody is taking those steps forward. It’s a journey.”
On how important it is to flip the page and prepare for next week… “Yeah for sure. I have already flushed the loss. I’m really ready to stop talking about it. Ready to move on. We got UTEP this week. Learn from our mistakes last week and keep moving together as a team and really come together. You never know what is going to happen, and we are going to be ready for the next opportunity we get, which is this Saturday against UTEP.”
On what the emotions will be like for Senior Day… “Everyone keeps asking me if I’m excited or ready for it, and I don’t really know how to feel about it. I’m definitely sad. I don’t think the emotions have quite hit me yet. I wish I had a lot more time here in Knoxville, it’s a great place. I think I have enjoyed my time here a lot. I’m just really excited to go out there and play in Neyland. Hopefully not for the last time, but I’m just really excited.”
On assessing the linebackers from Saturday and their coverage… “At the end of the day we just have to refocus, regroup and just make sure that we’re better in coverage next time and be able to execute the calls better.”
On the team’s morale after the loss… “It’s been good. We just got to make sure that we focus on the two games that we have coming up, and this week against UTEP, that’s all we can focus on. That’s the main focus right now just moving forward, just turning a page and learning from our mistakes from last game, just making sure that it’s better.”
On team leadership when moving on after a loss… “Coach Heupel, that’s a whole team thing, just everybody making sure that we move forward. That’s not a position (group thing), that’s everybody. We’ve got to make sure that we learn from the mistakes and learn from what we did wrong and go out and practice better. Practice more focused and pay more attention to detail to make sure that we’re better every Saturday.”
MEDIC Regional Blood Center is behind in the 37th Orange and Blue Blood Drive against Kentucky Blood Center.
Tennessee is trailing Kentucky by 66 units after the first day of the competition which last through Friday.
MEDIC has lost to the Kentucky Blood Center in the last two years.
A big change for this year, the event is appointment only. Please go to https://medicblood.org/ to schedule yours today.
Donors will receive a special edition hoodie and coupons for various local organizations. Sizing is first come, first served. Sizes are not guaranteed with an appointment.
With assistance from the Organized Retail Crime Unit and S.W.A.T., the Knox County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit executed a search warrant in the 7000 block of Dogwood Drive in the Rocky Hill community this afternoon.
The search warrant was in response to numerous complaints from nearby residents regarding suspected drug activity, including overdoses.
As a result of the search warrant, two suspects have been arrested.
Jackie Hunley, 50, of Knoxville, is charged with maintaining a dwelling for drug use and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Leslie Pilipovic, 45, of Knoxville, had an outstanding warrant.
The investigation is ongoing, and additional charges are expected.
Knoxville, TN (WOKI / WVLT) The City of Knoxville will cut the ribbon on the Sunsphere’s new welcome center Wednesday, but the center won’t be the only change for the Knoxville icon.
The welcome center’s canopy will also house an array of solar panels, which will power the venue through solar energy.
Chroma Energy Group is behind the addition; the group said the array will pay homage to the 1982 World’s Fair’s theme: “Energy Turns the World.”
“As Knoxville continues to position itself as a clean energy hub for businesses and residents, Chroma is honored to take part in this pivotal project for downtown Knoxville,” said Ed Rottmann, CEO of Chroma Energy Group. “This installation not only generates clean electricity but serves as an educational tool, demonstrating how solar power can be seamlessly integrated into historic structures while preserving their architectural significance.”
The welcome center’s canopy will house 30 7.7 kilowatt solar panels which will generate around 10,000 kilowatt-hours of power each year.
Those interested in stopping by the Sunsphere for the Welcome Center’s opening day are invited to do so on November 20.
Chroma Energy Group said the array will pay homage to the 1982 World’s Fair’s theme: “Energy Turns the World.” (Courtesy: Rich Benjamin and or Ray Surface RBA Marketing & Media | Visit Knoxville)
Oak Ridge, TN (WOKI) Several Oak Ridge residents can expect a letter from the city telling them they could have been exposed to lead through drinking water service lines.
The city says crews conducted a service line survey and found that “many properties” have lines made out of “an unknown material” which means people could have been exposed to lead.
Service lines connect water mains to building inlets. Oak Ridge’s service line is owned in part by the city and in part by the owner of the property it services. City officials say the unknown material was found in both portions of the service line.
If you get the notice, you are being asked to fill out a survey to help crews identify what material the line is made of. Please go to oak ridge tn dot gov and search lead exposure.
Oak Ridge officials said crews conducted a service line survey and found that “many properties” have lines made out of “an unknown material.” (Pexels)
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Knoxville Police Department officials have identified the officers involved in the shooting of an axe-wielding man Tuesday in North Knoxville.
KPD says Officers Alexandra Burns and Eric Smith were “involved” in the shooting in the 2600 block of Fairview Street and that both have been with the department since 2020 serving the Field Operations East District.
The officers were called to a domestic situation, finding 52-year-old Christopher Arons of Knoxville outside of the home armed with an axe.
Christopher Arons, 52 (Courtesy: JIMS)
Arons was reportedly shot at least one time after refusing the officers’ requests to drop the axe and continuing to advance upon them.
He remains hospitalized in critical but stable condition.
Per standard protocol, both officers have been placed on routine administrative leave.
It happened in the 2600 block of Fairview Street Tuesday afternoon, department officials said.(Courtesy: WVLT)
Shady Grove Boat Launch on Douglas Lake will be closed the rest of the year as TVA, FEMA and TWRA will be using it as a hub for debris removal due to flooding caused by Hurricane Helene. It is expected on re-open on January 1, 2025.
Darrell Guinn with TVA says there is still a boating advisory for Douglas Lake.
TVA and other involved agencies will hold an Open house on November 25th at the Field of Dreams Activity Center in Dandridge from 6 p.m.- 8 p.m. to discuss what you can do with debris and discuss their clean-up plans.
FILE: Water from the remnants of Hurricane Helene washed out roads and submerged bridges in East Tennessee over the weekend. (Courtesy: WSMV)
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee men’s basketball team recorded a 103-68 victory over Austin Peay behind a scintillating offensive performance Sunday afternoon at Food City Center.
No. 11/9 Tennessee (4-0) shot a remarkable 63.8 percent, tied for its fifth-best mark of the last 20 seasons (2005-25) in the decisive victory and got a game-high 23 points from senior forward Igor Miličić Jr., who paced the team in scoring for the second straight outing.
The Governors hit a 3-pointer on the opening possession, but the Volunteers countered with nine straight points in 1:54, grabbing early control that it would never relinquish. Following another basket by Austin Peay (3-1), Tennessee went on a 12-0 run in 2:57 to go ahead by 16 points, 21-5, after just 6:34 of action. At that point, the home team was 8-of-9 from the floor, with seven makes in a row.
Tennessee soon had a stretch of nine straight made field goals that upped its ledger to 18-of-21—along with a 10-of-11 free-throw clip—through 17 minutes of play, at which point it led by 22, 48-26. Although the Volunteers then missed their next four shots from the floor, they still posted a mark above 70 percent (19-of-27) in a frame for the first time in over 22 months.
Behind its torrid shooting, Tennessee took a 23-point led, 52-29, into the break. Miličić totaled 17 first-half points on an 8-of-10 field-goal clip, while senior guard Zakai Zeigler had 12 on a perfect 4-of-4 mark. At the other end, the Volunteers limited Austin Peay to 9-of-30 (30.0 percent) field-goal shooting.
Tennessee scored the first six points on the second session to go up by a then-game-high 29, 58-29, with 18:21 to play. The home team extended its margin up to 30 points on multiple occasions, despite Austin Peay making five 3-pointers in a six-minute stretch midway through the second half.
The Volunteers used an 11-0 surge in 2:57, capped by a 3-pointer from senior guard Jordan Gainey, to go ahead by 34 points, 98-64, with 2:04 left. Tenth-year head coach Rick Barnes‘ team stretched the margin as high as 37 before claiming a second consecutive triumph by exactly 35.
Miličić amassed his game- and season-best point total on an 11-of-14 field-goal ledger to tie his career high in makes, led all players with nine rebounds and dished out four assists, one shy of his career best, plus blocked two shots. He finished plus-42 during his 30 minutes of action, while Zeigler was plus-43 in his 31 minutes. The Long Island, N.Y., native totaled 19 points, a game-best eight assists, three rebounds, a block and a steal, becoming the first Volunteer with that line in over 13 years. Zeigler, who shot 7-of-8 overall with a 3-of-4 clip from deep, also became the fifth player in program history to reach 500 career assists.
Gainey contributed 15 points, 11 of which came in the second half, while finishing 4-of-7 from the field and 6-of-8 at the line. Sophomore forward Cade Phillips scored 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting and grabbed nine rebounds, setting a career high in each category. Junior forward Felix Okpara posted 12 points on a 6-of-10 ledger, seven rebounds and a game-high three blocks, while senior guard Jahmai Mashack scored 10 points, aided by an 8-of-10 free-throw mark that gave him career bests in both areas.
For Tennessee, it marked the first time in nearly two years that six players scored in double figures, dating to Dec. 4, 2022, as well as the first time since Feb. 1, 2022, it had five players with at least a dozen points.
Senior guard Isaac Haney paced the Governors with 22 points, finishing 5-of-11 from 3-point range, while junior guard L.J. Thomas registered 20 points. The rest of the team scored a combined 26 points in the defeat.
Tennessee, which eclipsed 60 percent shooting for the second straight outing, posted a blistering 32-of-44 (72.7 percent) tally inside the arc. It notched the same percentage at the line, where it shot 24-of-33. The Volunteers had a dominant 64-22 margin in paint points, a 34-13 ledger in bench scoring and a 27-6 cushion in fast-break points.
Barnes’ team posted 10 blocks, the first time it has reached double figures since the 2021 SEC Tournament. Meanwhile, the 103 points tied for the second-most during his illustrious 10-year tenure in Knoxville.
Tennessee now heads to Nassau, Bahamas, where it begins Baha Mar Championship play Thursday at 9:30 p.m. against Virginia, live on CBS Sports Network.
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 improved to 10-1 all-time versus Austin Peay, including 4-1 this century with the four victories by an average of 34.8 points per game. • The Volunteers are now 21-1 all-time versus current Atlantic Sun members, despite only playing four of its schools. • Barnes, meanwhile, upped his mark to 12-0 against the Atlantic Sun membership, including 7-0 with the Volunteers. • Barnes is now 32-6 (.842) against in-state competition as the head coach of the Volunteers, including 15-1 (.938) over the last 16 such outings. • Coaching in his 600th home game, Barnes improved to 501-99 (.835) in such contests across his 38-year career, including 125-24 (.839) in 10 years atr Tennessee. • Sophomore forward J.P. Estrella, as announced before tip-off, did not play due to a left foot injury, while fifth-year guard Darlinstone Dubar (personal matter) missed his fourth consecutive contest to begin the season. • Freshman guards Campbell Duncan and Gavin Paull both made their collegiate debuts, checking in for the final 2:01 of the contest. • Tennessee upped its non-conference home winning streak to 31 straight games, a span that dates to the 2020-21 season opener versus Colorado on Dec. 8, 2020. • Sunday marked the 68th time in program history the Volunteers have scored 100-plus points, including the first since Feb. 3, 2024, when they had 103 in a victory at Kentucky. • The Volunteers have now reached triple digits seven times during Barnes’ tenure, including five times at home, with 103 matching their second-highest total during his 10 seasons. • This is the sixth time in the last 20 seasons (2005-25) the Volunteers have shot over 61.0 percent from the floor, including the fourth under Barnes. • Of the nine times Tennessee has shot greater than 60.0 percent in the last 20 seasons (2005-25), two have come in the last two games, as the Volunteers posted a 60.8 percent (31-of-51) mark Nov. 13 against Montana. • The Volunteers now have 16 wins by 30-plus points over the last three seasons (2022-25), including 12 by at least 35. • The last time Tennessee won back-to-back games by 35-plus points was Dec. 4 and Dec. 7, 2022, when it defeated Alcorn State by 54, 94-40, and Eastern Kentucky by 35, 84-49, respectively. • Tennessee last had six double-digit scorers on Dec. 4, 2022, against Alcorn State, a group that also included Mashack (13) and Zeigler (10) • The Volunteers last had five players score 12-plus points on Feb. 1, 2022, versus Texas A&M a quintet that also included Zeigler (14). • The last time Tennessee had double-digit blocks in a game was March 12, 2021, when it logged 11 against Florida in the SEC Tournament in Nashville, Tenn. • The Volunteers have now scored 50-plus points in a half 45 times in Barnes’ tenure, including in each of the last three frames, dating to the second session Nov. 13 against Montana. • Through four contests this season, Tennessee has trailed for a total of just 94 seconds and led for a total of 155:32. • The last time Tennessee shot 70-plus percent in a half was Jan. 3, 2023, against Mississippi State, when it went 19-of-25 (76.0 percent) after the break. • On his fifth assist of the day, with 7:16 left in the first half, Zeigler became the fifth player in Tennessee history to record 500 assists, joining Johnny Darden (715 from 1975-79), C.J. Watson (577 from 2002-06), Rodney Woods (525 from 1972-75) and Tony Harris (509 from 1997-2001). • Prior to Zeigler, the last Volunteer to shoot over 85.0 percent on at least eight attempts was Olivier Nkamhoua, who went 10-of-10 on Jan. 7, 2023, at South Carolina, while the last Tennessee guard to do so was Admiral Schofield when he notched an equal 7-of-8 mark on Dec. 29, 2018, versus Tennessee Tech. • Zeigler is the second Volunteer in the last 20 seasons (2005-25) to post 19 points, eight assists, three steals, one block and one steal in a game, joining Trae Golden, who did so on Nov. 11, 2011, against UNC Greensboro. • Miličić has scored 14-plus points in each of the last two first halves, as he tallied 14 before the break Nov. 13 versus Montana and then 15 against Austin Peay. • Over the last 20 seasons (2005-25), Miličić is now one of three Volunteers with 23 points, nine rebounds, four assists and two blocks in a contest, joining Admiral Schofield, who did so on Jan. 29, 2019, at South Carolina, and Grant Williams who did so earlier that season on Nov. 21, 2018, versus Louisville in Brooklyn, N.Y. • Mashack’s prior career best in made free throws was five, set on Dec. 9, 2023, versus Illinois, while his prior top mark in attempts was six, recorded thrice, most recently in that contest against the Fighting Illini. • Phillips’ prior career high in points was seven on Nov. 4, 2024, versus Gardner-Webb, while his top mark in rebounds was six on Nov. 9, 2024, against Louisville and his best tally in made field goals was three, recorded in each of those two games. • Redshirt junior guard Grant Hurst scored the first points of his Tennessee career on a layup with 33 seconds to play. • The last time two opposing players scored 20-plus points against the Volunteers was March 9, 2024, when Antonio Reeves (27) and Reed Sheppard (27) of Kentucky did so.
Posted on November 19, 2024 by rcadle • 0 Comments
WASHINGTON, DC (November 18, 2024) – AAA projects 79.9 million travelers will head 50 miles or more from home over the Thanksgiving holiday travel period*. For the first time, AAA’s forecast includes the Tuesday before and the Monday after Thanksgiving Day to better capture the flow of holiday travelers. This year’s projection of nearly 80 million…… Continue Reading
Posted on November 19, 2024 by Jim Kelly • 0 Comments
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee men’s basketball team retained its No. 11/9 spot in the major polls this week. Tennessee (4-0) is again No. 11 in the Associated Press Top 25 Poll and ninth in the USA TODAY Coaches Poll, as revealed Monday afternoon. The Volunteers have now been ranked in the AP Poll…… Continue Reading
Posted on November 19, 2024 by Jim Kelly • 0 Comments
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – No. 10/11 Tennessee will look to rebound from a disappointing result on the road at Georgia last weekend as it returns home for the final regular-season contest at Neyland Stadium this season against UTEP on Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. Saturday’s game will serve as Senior Day for the Volunteers, who will honor…… Continue Reading
Posted on November 19, 2024 by rcadle • 0 Comments
MEDIC Regional Blood Center is behind in the 37th Orange and Blue Blood Drive against Kentucky Blood Center. Tennessee is trailing Kentucky by 66 units after the first day of the competition which last through Friday. MEDIC has lost to the Kentucky Blood Center in the last two years. A big change for this year,…… Continue Reading
Posted on November 18, 2024 by rcadle • 0 Comments
With assistance from the Organized Retail Crime Unit and S.W.A.T., the Knox County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit executed a search warrant in the 7000 block of Dogwood Drive in the Rocky Hill community this afternoon. The search warrant was in response to numerous complaints from nearby residents regarding suspected drug activity, including overdoses. As a…… Continue Reading
Posted on November 18, 2024 by rtravers • 0 Comments
Knoxville, TN (WOKI / WVLT) The City of Knoxville will cut the ribbon on the Sunsphere’s new welcome center Wednesday, but the center won’t be the only change for the Knoxville icon. The welcome center’s canopy will also house an array of solar panels, which will power the venue through solar energy. Chroma Energy Group…… Continue Reading
Posted on November 18, 2024 by rtravers • 0 Comments
Oak Ridge, TN (WOKI) Several Oak Ridge residents can expect a letter from the city telling them they could have been exposed to lead through drinking water service lines. The city says crews conducted a service line survey and found that “many properties” have lines made out of “an unknown material” which means people could…… Continue Reading
Posted on November 18, 2024 by rtravers • 0 Comments
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Knoxville Police Department officials have identified the officers involved in the shooting of an axe-wielding man Tuesday in North Knoxville. KPD says Officers Alexandra Burns and Eric Smith were “involved” in the shooting in the 2600 block of Fairview Street and that both have been with the department since 2020 serving the…… Continue Reading
Posted on November 18, 2024 by rcadle • 0 Comments
Shady Grove Boat Launch on Douglas Lake will be closed the rest of the year as TVA, FEMA and TWRA will be using it as a hub for debris removal due to flooding caused by Hurricane Helene. It is expected on re-open on January 1, 2025. Darrell Guinn with TVA says there is still a…… Continue Reading
Posted on November 18, 2024 by Jim Kelly • 0 Comments
Game Recap: Men’s Basketball | November 17, 2024 KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee men’s basketball team recorded a 103-68 victory over Austin Peay behind a scintillating offensive performance Sunday afternoon at Food City Center. No. 11/9 Tennessee (4-0) shot a remarkable 63.8 percent, tied for its fifth-best mark of the last 20 seasons (2005-25) in…… Continue Reading
