#tennessee

ESPN Ranks Tennessee Behind Kentucky, Virginia in Best Tournament Teams Remaining The NCAA Tournament has narrowed to 32 teams after a busy weekend of games, with the field cut in half following Thursday and Friday’s matchups. Now, teams will compete on Saturday and Sunday for a spot in the Sweet 16, set for next weekend. Tennessee advanced with a dominant performance on Friday night, defeating 11-seed Miami (OH) in Philadelphia. The Vols’ victory was led by Ja’Kobi Gillespie, who scored 29 points and added nine assists, while forward JP Estrella contributed 14 points and 10 rebounds. Star freshman Nate Ament, however, was limited by an injury sustained late in the regular season. ESPN analyst Myron Medcalf ranked the remaining 32 teams on Saturday morning, placing Tennessee 21st in the field. Medcalf noted that despite Ament’s absence, the Vols’ offense remained strong, with Gillespie continuing to drive the team. He highlighted Tennessee’s status as the top offensive rebounding team in the nation and praised their defensive consistency, which has ranked in the top 10 over the past six weeks. Medcalf also acknowledged a recent 2-4 stretch before the tournament but emphasized that the Vols’ strengths could carry them to the second weekend. Teams ranked above Tennessee in Medcalf’s list all carry higher tournament seeds, with one exception: 7-seed Kentucky. The Wildcats, who needed overtime to defeat 10-seed Santa Clara, were ranked 20th. Both Kentucky and Tennessee are one upset win away from meeting in the Sweet 16 for the second consecutive year. A potential matchup would mark their second straight postseason clash, following their previous Sweet 16 encounter last year, where Tennessee advanced to the Elite Eight. Virginia, the 3-seed team Tennessee will face on Sunday, is also ranked above the Vols.#espn #tennessee #kentucky #virginia #myron_medcalf

Best March Madness Prop Bets Today The Round of 64 has seen a strong start for player prop bets, with a 2-1 record achieved by focusing on key matchups. The second day of action brings three standout prop bets, highlighting matchups where specific players are expected to perform. For those looking to place wagers, the latest edition of the Road to the Final Four provides insights into favorite sides and totals, while the best betting sites for these plays are also listed. The Miami (Ohio) vs. Tennessee matchup offers a compelling prop bet centered on rebounding. The Miami RedHawks, ranked 171st in rebounding percentage, have struggled to secure rebounds, grabbing only 50.1% of available opportunities against weaker opponents. In contrast, Tennessee ranks second in the nation in rebounding, with a 58.8% rebounding rate. The Volunteers’ top rebounder, Nate Ament, is positioned to dominate the glass, making this a key factor in the game’s outcome. Another top prop bet features Hofstra vs. Alabama, where the Crimson Tide’s three-point shooting prowess is expected to shine. Alabama leads the nation in three-point attempts and should maintain that approach against Hofstra, whose defensive weakness lies in perimeter defense. Hofstra’s ability to limit two-point field goals—ranking third in opponent two-point percentage, keeping teams to 44.2% from inside the arc—could leave Aiden Sherrell of Alabama with minimal defensive responsibilities. This setup allows Alabama’s guards to focus on scoring, making the game a potential high-scoring affair. The Utah State vs. Villanova matchup centers on Tyler Perkins, who has shown strong form in recent games. Perkins scored 18+ points in two of his last three contests, and his performance could be elevated against a Utah State team ranked 178th in opponent three-point field goal percentage.#alabama #miami_ohio #tennessee #hofstra #nate_ament

Severe Storms and Tornado Threat Loom Across Midwest A severe weather warning has been issued for the region, with a high likelihood of damaging wind gusts and potential tornado activity. A Tornado Watch remains in effect for parts of Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, and Tennessee until 11 p.m. local time. Additionally, a Wind Advisory is active for the entire Heartland region, extending through midnight tonight and into Monday morning. The primary threat involves strong wind gusts, which could lead to widespread damage. Secondary concerns include the possibility of quick spin-up tornadoes forming along the storm's path. Meteorologists note that the available wind energy could allow for the development of powerful tornadoes, though these are expected to be brief in duration. The storm system is projected to move through the Ozark Counties between 3 and 5 p.m., then progress along the Mississippi River between 6 and 8 p.m. The system is anticipated to exit the area by 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. High temperatures are expected to reach the upper 60s and lower 70s during the day. After the storm passes, temperatures will drop significantly. Winter-like conditions are expected to return, with isolated showers potentially turning to light snow. Highs on Monday are forecast to settle in the mid-30s, while overnight lows could fall to the upper teens on Tuesday. Cloudy skies and moderate winds will persist through Tuesday. Residents are advised to stay updated with the First Alert Weather Team and the First Alert Weather app for real-time updates. The National Weather Service recommends preparing for severe weather by securing outdoor items, keeping emergency supplies accessible, and remaining indoors during the storm's peak activity.#illinois #tennessee #kentucky #missouri #midwest

Did Auburn basketball blow its chance at the NCAA tournament? The 2026 SEC basketball tournament saw Auburn’s potential NCAA tournament bid slip away as the Tigers fell to Tennessee in a dramatic second-round matchup. The loss marked a pivotal moment for the program, leaving them with a 17-16 record and a 7-11 SEC mark despite facing one of the toughest schedules in the country. With a win over the Volunteers, Auburn would have secured its place in the tournament, potentially bypassing Dayton in the bracket. Instead, the Tigers’ collapse in the final minutes of the game left them in a precarious position, raising questions about whether their season had already been derailed. The tournament’s chaos began earlier in the day as Miami (OH)’s undefeated streak came to an end in the MAC tournament. The Red Hawks’ 31-game winning streak was broken by UMass, sending shockwaves through the college basketball landscape. While the MAC upset had little direct impact on the SEC, it indirectly affected the tournament’s bubble teams. Auburn, Missouri, and Texas had relied on Miami’s success to bolster their NCAA chances, but the loss left them scrambling. Missouri, which had already lost to Kentucky in the SEC’s second round, now joined Texas as a team that failed to secure its bid. Auburn’s collapse against Tennessee was emblematic of the Tigers’ struggles this season. Up by double digits early in the game, the Tigers allowed a 22-2 run by the Volunteers, which proved insurmountable. The final score of 72-62 underscored the gap in execution, with Auburn’s defense unable to contain Tennessee’s offense. The loss left the Tigers with a slim chance of making the NCAA tournament, as their record and schedule would need to impress the selection committee. Meanwhile, Ole Miss and Oklahoma emerged as standout performers in the tournament.#ole_miss #tennessee #dayton #auburn #sec_basketball_tournament

A Tennessee woman has initiated a GoFundMe campaign to assist a DoorDash driver in retiring after facing financial hardship. The fundraiser, launched by the woman, aims to provide relief for Richard, who relies on delivering food to cover essential expenses, including medication for him and his wife. Smith, the woman behind the campaign, discovered Richard through social media and shared his situation. She explained that Richard’s wife was recently laid off from her job, and the couple struggles to meet their monthly costs. “By the time they pay their monthly expenses, there is nothing left,” Smith wrote, urging supporters to help Richard return to retirement. The GoFundMe page has garnered significant attention, with over 1,000 donors contributing to the cause. As of Wednesday afternoon, the campaign had raised more than $35,000. The funds are intended to alleviate the couple’s financial strain, allowing Richard to step away from his part-time work and focus on his retirement. The campaign highlights the challenges faced by gig economy workers, many of whom rely on multiple income streams to manage expenses. Richard’s story has resonated with donors, who have expressed solidarity with his situation. The success of the fundraiser underscores the growing role of community-driven initiatives in addressing financial gaps for individuals in precarious economic circumstances. The campaign also reflects broader issues of job insecurity and the pressures of maintaining a livelihood in an unstable market. Richard’s reliance on DoorDash to cover basic needs, including healthcare costs, illustrates the vulnerability of workers in gig-based roles. The GoFundMe page has become a symbol of collective support, demonstrating how online platforms can mobilize resources for individuals facing unexpected hardships.#tennessee #richard #doorDash #goFundMe #rachel_smith

Final Predictions for Titans Uniform Reveal As the anticipation for the Tennessee Titans' new uniforms reaches its peak, fans are now focusing on final predictions ahead of the official reveal. The team’s offseason has been dominated by free agency activity, with significant roster additions under new head coach Robert Saleh. However, attention is shifting toward a visual rebranding that promises a fresh identity for the franchise. With the reveal set for March 12, this marks the last opportunity to speculate before the details are confirmed. The Titans’ rebranding effort includes a redesigned logo featuring a circular emblem in light blue and red, which has been spotted in various locations. This design appears to blend modern elements with nostalgic aesthetics, as the team seems to favor the past’s color palette while simplifying its overall branding. The logo’s shift away from the traditional "Titans" name and toward "Tennessee" suggests a broader move to emphasize the state’s identity over the team’s mascot-based branding. This aligns with the decision to remove the fiery emblem from the logo, signaling a streamlined approach to the franchise’s visual identity. Key details about the uniforms include the likely use of light blue as the primary color, replacing the previous red-and-black scheme. The team is expected to replace the word "Titans" on the jersey with "Tennessee," a change that reflects the growing emphasis on the state’s name. Additionally, the helmet and mask design may feature a white-on-white combination, maintaining a clean, contemporary look. The tri-star emblem, a longstanding symbol of Tennessee, is also anticipated to make an appearance, alongside traditional navy and red accents to complement the light blue.#tennessee #tennessee_titans #robert_saleh #march_12 #tri_star_emblem

Miami Dolphins re-sign defensive tackle Matthew Butler and cornerback A.J. Green III as free agency begins The Miami Dolphins made two re-signings on Wednesday as the new NFL league year opened, bringing back defensive tackle Matthew Butler and cornerback A.J. Green III. The moves came as several other Dolphins players entered free agency, but the team opted to retain these two defenders to bolster its roster. Matthew Butler, 26, was selected by the Las Vegas Raiders in the 2022 NFL draft as a fifth-round pick (No. 175 overall) out of Tennessee. After spending three seasons with the Raiders, he joined the Dolphins in 2023. Over four NFL seasons, Butler has appeared in 27 games, starting two, and recorded 27 tackles along with a half-sack. A.J. Green III, 27, played college football at Oklahoma State, where he earned All-Big 12 honors twice. He went undrafted in 2020 and has since played for the Cleveland Browns, Minnesota Vikings, and Los Angeles Rams before joining the Dolphins. In six NFL seasons, Green has appeared in 39 games, starting two, and has totaled 41 tackles, seven passes defensed, two interceptions, and two fumble recoveries. The Dolphins’ decisions to re-sign Butler and Green reflect their focus on maintaining depth in the defensive line and secondary. Both players have contributed to the team’s efforts to strengthen its defensive unit ahead of the 2026 season.#miami_dolphins #tennessee #matthew_butler #a_j_green_iii #oklahoma_state

Severe Weather Threatens Tennessee as Multiple Rounds of Storms Loom Tennessee residents are being warned of an approaching storm system that could bring severe weather across the state. The National Weather Service Nashville Office has issued alerts indicating a low chance of severe thunderstorms through the evening of March 11, with a strong cold front expected to move through Middle Tennessee on that day. The storm system is projected to bring widespread rain and thunderstorms, posing threats such as damaging winds, heavy rainfall, and isolated large hail. A "low-end tornado threat" is also noted, particularly if storms develop ahead of the main storm line. The first round of severe weather is anticipated on March 9, with a marginal threat primarily affecting the state's southwest corner near the Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi borders. While thunderstorms are possible elsewhere, the likelihood of severe conditions outside Wayne and Lawrence Counties remains very low. The second round of storms is expected on March 10, as activity builds ahead of the cold front. This threat is also marginal, focusing on the northwest region, specifically Stewart and Montgomery Counties, with damaging winds and large hail as the main hazards. The most significant threat arrives on March 11, when a stronger cold front moves through Middle Tennessee. National Weather Service meteorologist Alexandra Holley emphasized that while storms are expected to form in a line, there is a low-end tornado risk if any cells develop ahead of the main storm band. Otherwise, damaging winds, large hail, and heavy rain will be the primary concerns. Conditions are expected to shift to mostly sunny weather from March 12 to 14 as high pressure settles over the region.#national_weather_service #tennessee #alexandra_holley #cold_front #stewart_county