UT Vols vs. Gardner-Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs
Sunday, November 22nd, 2015 | 1:00pm CT
Knoxville, TN | Thompson-Boling Arena
Knoxville, TN – Continuing a stretch of three games in six days, the Tennessee basketball program welcomes Gardner-Webb to Thompson-Boling Arena for a Sunday matinee. Tip is set for 12:00pm ET (1:00pm CT) and the contest will be streamed live online through SEC Network +.
SEC Network + is the live streaming, digital component of the SEC Network that can only be accessed through a computer, tablet, or mobile device. To access Sunday’s game, visit www.WatchESPN.com or download the WatchESPN app and log in using your cable or satellite account information.
Tickets for the game can be purchased online via www.UTTIX.com
Sunday’s game against Gardner-Webb stands as the first of two preliminary games for the Vols as part of the Barclays Center Classic. UT will host two games at Thompson-Boling Arena — the second being Tuesday’s game against Army West Point — before making the trip to Brooklyn, New York, to play the final two games of the invitational at the Barclays Center.
The Vols (2-1) are looking to grab their third home win of the season on Sunday and are coming off of a thrilling come-from-behind victory over Marshall at TBA on Thursday night. UT trailed by as many as 16 in the second half before overcoming the Thundering Herd with a remarkable 26-2 run midway through the period. It was Tennessee’s first comeback of 15 or more points since accomplishing the feat on January 11th, 2015 vs. Vanderbilt.
Four Vols closed the night in double figures, led by a career-high 20 from senior Armani Moore. Fellow senior Kevin Punter scored 19 — 17 in the second half — while junior Robert Hubbs III added 19 more to give him three consecutive double-digit scoring efforts to start the season. Devon Baulkman added a season-best 13 points behind 3-of-6 shooting from beyond the arc.
Derek Reese led UT with a career-high 13 points on the glass, bringing his season average to 10.3 rebounds per game.
Through three games this season, Punter leads the Vols in scoring average at 19.7 ppg. Hubbs and Moore are also averaging double figures at 16.7 and 16.3 ppg, respectively. Each member of that trio, as well as Baulkman, are averaging more than 30 minutes per contest in the early portion of the season.
A Win Would
- Make the Vols 3-0 at home this season.
- Extend Tennessee’s November home win streak to 57 games. The streak began in 1996.
- Improve UT’s all-time record vs. current members of Big South Conference to 20-0.
- Give Vols head coach Rick Barnes an 18-0 career coaching record against current members of the Big South Conference.
About Gardner-Webb
Gardner-Webb University is located in Boiling Springs, NC. The Runnin’ Bulldogs are a member of the Big South Conference. GWU is 1-2 this season under third-year head coach Tim Craft.
The Volunteers won their only previous meeting with Gardner-Webb, posting a 71-69 victory on November 22nd, 2002, at Thompson-Boling Arena. The Vols are 19-0 all-time against current members of the Big South Conference. Rick Barnes has a 1-0 coaching record vs. Gardner-Webb and is 17-0 in his career against current members of the Big South.
Junior Gardner-Webb forward Tyrell Nelson (15.3 ppg, 6.3 rpg) was selected by league coaches as a first-team selection on the preseason All-Big South Team. Senior Bulldogs guard Harold McBride is very close friends with Vols senior Kevin Punter Jr., as both are from the Bronx. Punter regards McBride like a brother.
Good To Be Home In November
Tennessee has won 56 consecutive November home games, dating to 1996. The Vols’ last home loss during the month of November was a 76-79 setback at the hands of Charlotte on November 29th, 1995.
Defending The Three-Ball
Tennessee’s opponents are shooting just .239 (17-of-71) from 3-point range this season. Through the games of Thursday, November 19th, that ranked fourth in the SEC and 42nd nationally. At Georgia Tech November 16th, the Vols held the Yellow Jackets to 2-of-19 shooting from beyond the arc.
R3 On A Roll
Junior wing Robert Hubbs III has scored 100 points over Tennessee’s last seven games, dating to last season (14.3 ppg). Despite missing practice time this month with separate knee and groin injuries as well as a stomach virus, the Newbern, Tennessee, native ranks second on the team in minutes played (31.3 mpg) and scoring (16.7 ppg).
In 94 minutes of action through three games, Hubbs has just two turnovers.
Remarkable Rebounding Effort
Despite an average roster height of 6-4, Tennessee ranks 56th nationally in rebounds per game (44.3 rpg) and 45th in the country in offensive rebounding (15.7 orpg). Devon Baulkman (7), Detrick Mostella (6) and Derek Reese (13) each have already set new single-game career-highs for rebounds this season.
At Georgia Tech November 16th, Tennessee managed to win the battle of the boards 53-47. The Volunteers’ rebounding effort against the Yellow Jackets included 24 offensive rebounds and 19 rebounds by perimeter players.
Tennessee’s 53 total rebounds were its most since grabbing 53 during a four-overtime win at Texas A&M on February 23rd, 2013. And it was UT’s highest rebounding total in a regulation game since January 28th, 2012, when the Vols pulled down 53 boards in a 64-49 home win over Auburn (116 games had elapsed between that contest and the game at Tech).
Broadcast Information
- TV: SEC Network + (Online)
- Radio: Vol Network
- Online: Live Audio , Live Stats
