STEVE MEGARGEE
Texas head coach Shaka Smart argues a call during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Kansas, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Big 12-SEC Challenge gives both leagues chance to impress

By Steve Megargee Jan. 24, 2020 12:58 PM EST
The Southeastern Conference didn’t do much to help its reputation the first two

Mississippi guard/forward Blake Hinson (0) shoots the ball during an NCAA college basketball game at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tenn. on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2020. (Calvin Mattheis/Knoxville News Sentinel via AP)
Tennessee wins 73-48 as Ole Miss suffers 6th straight loss

By Steve Megargee Jan. 22, 2020 12:15 AM EST
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee continued its recent surge by playing the

Tennessee ekes out 56-55 victory over South Carolina

By Steve Megargee Jan. 11, 2020 03:38 PM EST
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — John Fulkerson had 15 points and 10 rebounds and drew a

Georgia's Anthony Edwards (5) shakes hands with Kentucky players after during an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2020, in Athens, Ga. Kentucky won 78-69. (Joshua L. Jones/Athens Banner-Herald via AP)
No. 5 Auburn faces Georgia's Edwards in notable SEC matchup

By Steve Megargee Jan. 10, 2020 02:18 AM EST
Here are a few things to watch in Southeastern Conference basketball as it

Tennessee guard Santiago Vescovi (25) and LSU guard Javonte Smart (1) go after a loose ball during an NCAA college basketball game at Thompson-Boling Arena, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020, Knoxville, Tenn. (Brianna Paciorka//Knoxville News Sentinel via AP)
Newcomer Vescovi provides spark for slumping Tennessee

By Steve Megargee Jan. 06, 2020 02:03 PM EST
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee is counting on a freshman point guard who

Tennessee guard Santiago Vescovi (25) passes the ball off to a teammate during an NCAA college basketball game against LSU at Thompson-Boling Arena, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020, Knoxville, Tenn. (Brianna Paciorka//Knoxville News Sentinel via AP)
LSU opens SEC title defense by winning 78-64 at Tennessee

By Steve Megargee Jan. 04, 2020 02:09 PM EST
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — LSU opened its Southeastern Conference title defense by

Auburn center Austin Wiley (50) snags a rebound over Lipscomb guard Andrew Fleming (2) and center Ahsan Asadullah (23) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Julie Bennett)
Unbeaten Auburn visits Mississippi St. to open SEC schedule

By Steve Megargee Jan. 03, 2020 02:08 AM EST
Here are a few things to watch in Southeastern Conference basketball as league

Memphis' guard Lester Quinones (11) defends Tulane guard Christion Thompson (25) in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Monday, Dec. 30, 2019, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Karen Pulfer Focht)
As others rise, No. 9 Memphis thrives without Wiseman

By Steve Megargee Dec. 31, 2019 02:36 PM EST
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Memphis is showing there’s much more to its heralded

Tennessee guard Josiah-Jordan James (5) dribbles the ball as Wisconsin guard D'Mitrik Trice (0) defends during an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019 in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019. (Calvin Mattheis/Knoxville News Sentinel via AP)
Wisconsin trounces Tennessee 68-48 for 1st road win of year

By Steve Megargee Dec. 28, 2019 03:53 PM EST
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Wisconsin finally ended its road woes and helped

Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes yells at forward John Fulkerson (10) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Jacksonville State, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2019, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
No. 21 Vols top Jacksonville St. 75-53 for Barnes' 700th win

By Steve Megargee Dec. 21, 2019 03:06 PM EST
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee coach Rick Barnes reached a career milestone

Tennessee guard Josiah-Jordan James (5) defends against Memphis guard Tyler Harris (1) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
No. 13 Memphis outlasts No. 19 Tennessee, avenges loss

By Steve Megargee Dec. 14, 2019 05:46 PM EST
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Even the newcomers on Memphis’ freshmen-laden roster

Memphis' head coach Penny Hardaway calls to his players in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Bradley Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2019, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Karen Pulfer Focht)
Memphis, Vols face off again with rivalry's future uncertain

By Steve Megargee Dec. 13, 2019 05:02 PM EST
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The future of the Memphis-Tennessee men’s basketball

Tennessee forward John Fulkerson (10) dunks the ball over Florida A&M forward DJ Jones (25) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
No. 21 Vols top Florida A&M 72-43 for 31st straight home win

By Steve Megargee Dec. 04, 2019 10:00 PM EST
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee had no problem extending the longest active

Louisville forward Jordan Nwora (33) reaches for the ball as he tries to knock it away from Western Kentucky guard Taveion Hollingsworth (11) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Friday, Nov. 29, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
No. 2 Louisville breezes past Western Kentucky 71-54

By Steve Megargee Nov. 29, 2019 07:08 PM EST
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Louisville downplayed the possibility it could earn its

Tennessee guard Lamonte Turner, right, drives against Chattanooga forward Rod Johnson, left, during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
No. 17 Vols top Chattanooga 58-46 for 30th straight home win

By Steve Megargee Nov. 25, 2019 09:05 PM EST
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee’s Lamonte’ Turner is emerging as one of the

Tennessee guard Jordan Bowden (23) shoots over Alabama State forward Brandon Battle (14) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
No. 20 Tennessee breezes past Alabama State 76-41

By Steve Megargee Nov. 20, 2019 09:07 PM EST
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee’s stingy defense made up for its own poor

Murray State forward Darnell Cowart gets the rebound next to Tennessee guard Josiah-Jordan James (5) during an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2019, in Knoxville, Tenn. (Saul Young/Knoxville News Sentinel via AP)
Bowden helps Tennessee rally past Murray State 82-63

By Steve Megargee Nov. 12, 2019 11:13 PM EST
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee's Jordan Bowden and Lamonte' Turner responded

Tennessee's Yves Pons (35) drives for a layup defended by UNC Asheville's LJ Thorpe during an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2019, in Knoxville, Tenn. (Tom Sherlin/The Daily Times via AP)
Vols beat UNC Asheville 78-63 for 27th straight home win

By Steve Megargee Nov. 05, 2019 09:35 PM EST
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee's Yves Pons showed he's capable of offering

Plavsic ruling underscores Tennessee's frontcourt concerns

By Steve Megargee Nov. 04, 2019 04:00 PM EST
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee's frontcourt concerns heading into the season

FILE - In this Feb. 7. 2019, file photo, Memphis coach Penny Hardaway reacts during the first half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against Cincinnati in Memphis, Tenn. Hardaway went 22-14 and led the Tigers to an NIT berth in his debut season, but his biggest wins came off the court and on the recruiting trail. Memphis is ranked 14th to start the season and is expected to contend for its first NCAA Tournament berth since 2014. Memphis has the highest preseason ranking of any team that failed to reach the NCAA Tournament last season. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill, File)
Tip Ins: Tigers, Buffs, Wildcats all likely tourney hopefuls

By Steve Megargee Oct. 31, 2019 02:28 AM EDT
Memphis coach Penny Hardaway went 22-14 and led the Tigers to an NIT berth in