Big Orange Report April 2, 2026

 

That Is A Wrap

For the third consecutive year, the Tennessee men's basketball team's dreams of earning the program's first trip to the final four were crushed in the elite eight game against a powerhouse Michigan team. Even lipstick on a pig would not make this loss look like anything more than a total beatdown. The Wolverines took command early in the first half and maintained the choke hold on the Volunteers for the rest of the contest. One of the main factors in the lopsided loss was the fact that Michigan got to the foul line 37 times and hit 27 freebies. The Vol big men were saddled with early foul trouble while Tennessee had just 17 shots at the charity stripe and converted only nine. The officials did not have a bearing on the eventual outcome but they certainly contributed to the final margin of the Michigan victory.

So now both UT basketball programs will turn to the portal and start searching the list of available players that might be interested in moving to Knoxville for next season. Both programs need outside shooting help and low post players that can defend and rebound in the paint. Players that are moving to new locations can begin to sign with their selected teams next week.

One other note about the weekend that makes it one of the most forgettable in recent UT history. The Vanderbilt baseball squad sweep a three-game series from Tennessee, winning the finale on Sunday with a walk off home run in the bottom of the ninth. The Vols' long run in the top 25 rankings is officially over.

The softball squad was able to salvage the third game of the series against Ole Miss on Sunday, but the Lady Vols had dropped the first two games to a Rebel team that arrived in Knoxville with an 0-9 record in conference play. Ranked fourth going into the weekend, Tennessee will no longer be listed among the top 10 teams in the nation. The fall can be directly pinned on an anemic offense that is hitting less than .200 in the last nine SEC games.

Spring Observations (Part 2)

The Tennessee football squad and staff conducted the first scrimmage of spring drills last Thursday. It was a brisk and smooth workout and there were no reports of injuries after the scrimmage. Most of the comments from coaches following the practice were somewhat generic in nature, offering generally positive words about their particular player groupings.

Coach Josh Heupel summed up the scrimmage with these words. "A one-word answer would be competitive," Heupel said. "These guys have attacked every rep and competed extremely hard."

"I like the physical traits, but I also like the competitive makeup of this group. They have competed and practiced extremely hard. We don't have to push them to get going," Heupel noted. "They embrace and take advantage of every opportunity that we've had out on the field. Derek (Owings) has done the same thing in the weight room, growing that mindset. And so holistically in every area of our program, I like the way that they have attacked everything that we are doing."

It is quite obviously that the Vol head man is also very pleased with the new staff additions, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. While he does observe the work of the defensive coaches and staff, it is important to note that he has, basically, turned over the management of that side of the ball to new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles. The veteran coordinator has made the transition for the returning players easier by adding assistants that he has worked with in the past and are very focused and well acquainted  with his system of defensive football.

During the scrimmage last Thursday, the young quarterbacks were inconsistent at best. Sophomore rising star cornerback, Ty Redmond had an interception and transfer safety; DeJuan Lane, also had a pick on a play that was described as acrobatic. The defense out performed the offense but that is not unusual in the early going.

The offensive staff has already been very complimentary of the wide receivers on this team and certainly the running back room has earned praise as well. Returning starter DeSean Bishop has added 12 pounds of pure muscle and frankly, looks like an Olympic weight lifter. Transfer tailback Javin Gordon (5-10, 210) has also turned a few heads in practice. He was a part time starter at Tulane last season and had 66 yards rushing and a touchdown in the Green Wave's victory over Memphis. He had 516 yards rushing during the 2025 campaign for Tulane. The room also has two or three younger ball carriers that are described as talented and eager to contribute. 

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