Tag: Tennessee

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Virginia Tech keeps rolling in March Madness, tops Tennessee

Virginia Tech keeps rolling in March Madness, tops Tennessee

SEATTLE (AP) — All through this historic period for Virginia Tech, mentor Kenny Brooks has recurring the belief that Elizabeth Kitley is the most effective participant for the Hokies, but Georgia Amoore is the most crucial.

It was demonstrated all over again Saturday with Amoore carrying Virginia Tech to a amount it’s in no way achieved in advance of in program history.

Amoore scored a career-significant 29 details and the top rated-seeded Hokies highly developed to the Elite 8 for the first time in university history with a 73-64 gain over No. 4 seed Tennessee.

“I just want to win. All we have to do is retain winning to get persons to discuss about us, so we’ll keep making an attempt to get,” Amoore claimed.

The Hokies (30-4) received their 14th straight game all round and superior to a matchup with No. 3 seed Ohio State in the Seattle 3 Regional remaining on Monday evening. Ohio Condition topped UConn in the 1st semifinal, ending the Huskies’ streak of 14 straight Last 4 appearances.

Amoore and the Hokies utilised a dominant stretch spanning the conclude of the 2nd quarter and commencing of the 3rd that crafted adequate of a cushion to keep off Tennessee’s valiant rally over the final 12 minutes.

Amoore tried 19 3-tips in the Hokies’ 2nd-round get, but shot only 14 this time about.

“She’s only doing now what we see all the time. When the young ones have to go out and guard her, they actually tighten up their shoestrings simply because they know that there is anything that can occur,” Brooks stated. “But she’s phenomenal. She’s as very good as any one in the country, in my opinion. She’s playing with the utmost self-confidence and she’s been playing like this at any time due to the fact we definitely started this extend.”

Kayana Traylor added 14 points and Kitley scored 12 factors even with sitting a big chunk of the very first half with foul difficulty. The ACC Event champions experienced attained the Sweet 16 only after earlier in faculty history and are now one particular acquire absent from the Last 4.

“I’m just so happy that I landed at these types of an awesome location the place we did exactly what we wanted to,” Kitley said. “And it has not been uncomplicated and it is taken mentor Brooks a handful of yrs, but what he’s performed with the system and the quantity of time is amazing.”

Jordan Horston led Tennessee (25-12) with 17 points. Rickea Jackson scored 15 and Jordan Walker added 12.

The Woman Vols achieved the regional semifinals for the second straight period, but haven’t been to the Elite Eight considering the fact that 2016. And it was their offense that was so outstanding in the initial two rounds that disappeared from the Hokies.

“I felt like we have been locked in and focused prior to the game. We had fantastic electrical power in warmup, so almost nothing with that. But we just ended up a very little stagnant on the offensive end,” Walker said.

The Girl Vols scored 95 points in their 1st-spherical gain above Saint Louis and adopted up with 94 in an amazing blowout of Toledo. But Tennessee relied far too a lot on perimeter shots early on, to the place coach Kellie Harper yelled at her group “who are we?” right after attempting their 12th 3-pointer of the initially half.

Tennessee manufactured just 3 of 17 tries from beyond the arc against the Hokies right after creating 11 of 22 in the acquire in excess of Toledo.

“They did a very good position with our initial assault and we bought seriously impatient,” Harper reported. “I thought we were being actually stagnant offensively, and for that reason we have been settling. We took way much too numerous threes for us in the first 50 {515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502}.”

The Hokies closed the to start with 50 {515baef3fee8ea94d67a98a2b336e0215adf67d225b0e21a4f5c9b13e8fbd502} with a flourish, scoring the closing eight details to get a 35-22 lead at the crack. Amoore started off the second fifty percent with her fourth 3-pointer of the match and Kitley scored on the inside and rapidly a 5-point game ballooned to a 40-22 Virginia Tech guide.

Tennessee trimmed the deficit to nine by the close of the 3rd quarter and its surge ongoing into the fourth quarter. The Lady Vols capped the 19-4 operate with Jasmine Powell’s 3-pointer with 6:05 left and pulled with 53-52.

But turnovers and fouls started off to mount and for the Woman Vols and Virginia Tech pushed its guide back again to 11 on Amoore’s jumper with 2:10 remaining.

“It was a problem. I’m glad we pulled absent from it,” Amoore reported. “It’s what we’re going to see with Ohio Point out with their press. Glad we bought a little taste of it now. Now we know.”

___

AP March Madness protection: https://apnews.com/hub/march-insanity and https://apnews.com/hub/ap-major-25-womens-college-basketball-poll and https://twitter.com/AP_Prime25

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Tennessee GOP introduces bills that would shake up Nashville

Tennessee GOP introduces bills that would shake up Nashville

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — For yrs, Nashville leaders have watched Tennessee’s GOP-dominated Legislature continuously kneecap the liberal-leaning city’s potential to set its very own least wage, regulate plastic bag use and place increased scrutiny on police officers.

Nevertheless that simmering rigidity has only escalated this yr as Republican lawmakers have introduced a string of proposals that neighborhood officers warn would considerably upend New music Metropolis.

It is a widespread scenario felt in towns throughout the United States as statehouses flex their authority about municipalities, frequently though disregarding concerns raised by community associates in search of to keep nearby handle.

In Mississippi, Black lawmakers are denouncing a program by the state’s the vast majority-white and Republican-led Legislature to take around ability from the capital town of Jackson. Around in Missouri, lawmakers are pursuing laws to strip energy from St. Louis’ prosecutor — a prepare supporters say will handle violent criminal offense but is criticized by Black leaders. Whilst the disputes in Mississippi and Missouri replicate racial tensions, the issue in Tennessee also consists of conflicts in political ideology.

In Tennessee, the most current statehouse backlash stems back again to previous summer months when Nashville’s metro council spiked a approach to convey the 2024 Republican Countrywide Convention to the metropolis. Progressive leaders argued that hosting the substantial Republican gathering would go from the city’s values. Others expressed hesitation towards tying up so numerous metropolis means — specifically for an party that residents mostly would not attend.

For GOP leaders, who had spent months lobbying and wooing celebration officers on why Tunes Town should really host the conference, Nashville experienced crossed but a further line. Warnings started trickling in that effects have been imminent.

Nashville continued to entice political ire immediately after council users started speaking about irrespective of whether to cover bills for employees who cross point out strains to get an abortion. That is for the reason that Tennessee’s abortion ban — which was enacted after the U.S. Supreme Courtroom overturned Roe v. Wade — at this time has no express exemptions.

Lawmakers have been swift in submitting costs that give retribution. Legislation has been launched that would slash Nashville’s 40-member town council in 50 percent. A independent bill would give the state handle of the governing board for the city’s airport, stadiums and other landmarks, when an additional proposal would eliminate Nashville’s means to cost the tax that funds its convention heart. Republicans then released a bill that would block towns from utilizing community money for reimbursing employees who travel to get an abortion.

Advocates have elevated alarm at decreased-profile bills, like the proposal to reduce all police oversight boards in Tennessee. Nashville has just one, and lawmakers now limited it beneath a 2019 law. Some Republicans have proposed a monthly bill that would rename a part of Nashville Rep. John Lewis Way to Trump Boulevard.

Particularly, the effort to lower Nashville’s abnormally big metropolis council has sparked some of the fiercest concerns, as advocates warn that carrying out so will undo illustration of minority communities and erode council members’ ability to deal with constituent requires.

“When individuals get to out to us about trash pickup, about deaths in their household, about needing items and sources, these are men and women that we are in local community with,” stated Delishia Porterfield, who has served on Nashville’s council since 2019. “And when you raise the range of constituents that we as council associates provide, not only do you make our employment more difficult, but you make us more from the folks that elected us to serve.

Nashville has a put together city-county governing administration has operated under a 40-member council — considerably bigger compared to even extra populous towns like New York, Chicago and San Francisco — since 1963, when leaders had been wrestling with consolidating the city with the encompassing county, and other people have been doing the job to assure Black leaders taken care of a potent illustration inside of the southern metropolis.

“When the metropolis was consolidated, and the size amplified to 40, there was a assure that we would have more Black illustration,” claimed Democratic Rep. Harold Love Jr., whose father was among the the very first Black members to be elected to the newly expanded city council in 1963.

“So for me, there are some deep historical ties to the sizing of metro council when it comes to Black and minority representation that I hope my colleagues would have an understanding of,” he mentioned.

To date, a quarter of the council’s seats are held by Black users, half are held by gals and 5 discover as LGBTQ.

Republican lawmakers, however, thrust back again that they’re explicitly punishing Nashville. Home Greater part Chief William Lamberth has stated that lessening Nashville’s city council would aid make it additional efficient.

“There’s a purpose why juries are just 12 people, not 50. When you have a group of men and women striving to make a decision, very frankly, it’s just fewer efficient the a lot more persons that you have,” Lamberth claimed through a Tuesday hearing. “A more compact far more cohesive team of men and women that pretty stand for the varied communities just operate better.”

Household Speaker Cameron Sexton downplayed that the Legislature was “bigfooting” towns that dare to defy Republican procedures and rather argued that lawmakers have an obligation to oversee local governments.

“We want to make positive we never get progressiveness in these cities that will limit enterprises from coming into the state,” he claimed.

Over the several years, Tennessee Republicans have minimal Nashville and other cities’ capacity to ban quick-phrase rentals, including Airbnb. Lawmakers have barred metropolitan areas from decriminalizing possession of smaller quantities of marijuana, which Nashville and Memphis experienced moved to do. And when Nashville’s district legal professional said he would no more time deliver all those scenarios or prosecute selected GOP social concern legislation, lawmakers passed a requirement that puts a exclusive prosecutor in location when a district attorney has pledged not to demand anyone under a law as a total.

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March Madness 2023: Houston leads contenders, Tennessee among pretenders for NCAA Tournament

March Madness 2023: Houston leads contenders, Tennessee among pretenders for NCAA Tournament

There are 363 Division I teams in college basketball. Only 68 of them will get into the NCAA Tournament field this year. And only a fraction of those 68, if I’m being truthful, are legitimate contenders fit to wear the crown.

So who are they?

By my count, only seven teams have the goods to be the last team standing on the first Monday night of April in Houston. They are (no surprise) called “contenders.” Just below them is another bucket of good — but not great — teams called “pretenders.” These are teams that can make a run in March but don’t quite have the goods to win it all. I am sorry in advance if your team falls into that category and your feelings are hurt. The truth isn’t always stuffed with empathy.

Let’s start with the contenders and work our way down to the pretenders. In the contenders column, I’ll rank each team from most to least likely to win the title – led, of course, by my current pick to win it all — along with accompanying title odds courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook.

Contenders

1. Houston

Odds to win title: +700

The only team in America with a top-10 offense and top-10 defense in adjusted efficiency, according to KenPom metrics. Houston has a healthy balance on both ends and plays a physical, disciplined style that grinds teams down throughout the game. The Cougars have a superstar vet in Marcus Sasser, a one-and-doner in Jarace Walker and experience littered throughout the roster. 

2. Purdue

Odds to win title: +1000

A No. 1 seed has won the championship 24 of the last 37 tournaments since the NCAA Tournament’s bracket expansion in 1985. That’s a bright green flashing GO sign for Purdue, the likeliest No. 1 overall seed at this juncture. Historical data aside, this Boilermakers team is exactly the type of team that can win in March, too. Zach Edey — the frontrunner for Player of the Year who stands at a towering 7-foot-4 — is a nightmare matchup. Matt Painter, perennially underrated, may be the best coach in college basketball this year. And the supporting cast of characters fits perfectly around Edey with Fletcher Loyer, Braden Smith, Mason Gillis blending smarts, length and depth.

3. Arizona

Odds to win title: +1000

The Wildcats have tightened up their defense lately, boasting the top-rated unit at BartTorvik.com since giving up 87 points to Oregon on Jan. 14 — its last loss. They also rank No. 1 across the metrics spectrum at the site overall. This team took some time to find itself, but boy it has found itself an identity behind the lethal quartet of Azuolas Tubelis, Oumar Ballo, Kerr Kriisa and Courtney Ramey. Tubelis is playing like a top-three player in college basketball and raising this team’s postseason ceiling.

4. UCLA

Odds to win title: +1200

Coach Mick Cronin knows defense, and this UCLA team has embraced its identity on that side of the ball with one of the most fearsome units in college basketball. The roster is good enough to win big in March thanks to elite guard play from Jaime Jaquez Jr., Tyger Campbell and Jaylen Clark, plus an emerging freshmen duo of Amari Bailey and Adem Bona.

5. Alabama

Odds to win title: +1200

Nate Oats’ Alabama team has a rep for being explosive and devastating on offense — which is true of this year’s team — but its ability to lean into its defense is what makes it truly dangerous. It’s no one-trick pony. The Crimson Tide play with the quickest tempo in college hoops. They can bury you on offense with star freshman Brandon Miller and get after you on defense with top-two marks in 2-point defense and 3-point defense in percentage allowed. 

6. Kansas

Odds to win title: +1600

Whatever Kansas stock was sold after the Jayhawks lost four in six outings during conference play, I’m willing to buy. This team still has the goods to defend its national championship. Dajuan Harris has improved, providing a floor for two talented shot-makers next to him in Gradey Dick and Jalen Wilson. The Jayhawks lack size, but they’re bringing along 6-foot-11 freshman Ernest Udeh Jr. to be a nice complementary piece to small-ball do-it-all weapon KJ Adams in the frontcourt. 

7. Texas

Odds to win title: +2500

It was between Texas and Baylor for this seventh and final spot, but I gave the Longhorns the nod here. Sir’Jabari Rice is playing like a star and Marcus Carr is a microwave scorer who can heat up any night. The depth of Timmy Allen, Tyrese Hunter and Christian Bishop is a luxury few teams have in their back pockets — not to mention five-star freshman Dillon Mitchell, who has shown flashes and is probably the most talented X-factor in America. This team has won four times on the road in Big 12 play — the toughest conference in the sport — and remained a contender even with internal turmoil following Chris Beard’s in-season firing. It is resilient, not just frontrunners. 

Pretenders

1. Tennessee

Odds to win title: +1200

Tennessee has the fourth-best odds to win the national championship, but … yeah … I’m not buying at that price. The Volunteers have an elite defense, sure, but their offense is shaky at best. That’s cost them in two of their last three losses against unranked SEC foes Florida and Vanderbilt. The Vols have also scored fewer than 60 points twice in the last three games. This is a team that can be great in the regular season but — much like its head coach — seems destined to fall short of expectations in the postseason.

2. UConn

Odds to win title: +1800

It pains me as a UConn truther to say it, but the Huskies might be pretenders. The 14-0 start to the season was fabulous, and the 15-point home win over Marquette this week was euphoria wrapped inside some early-season nostalgia. However, what we saw to open the 2023 calendar year — the Hukies lost five of their first seven games — was alarming. If this team gets its act together and starts rounding into form again, I’ll happily jump back onto the UConn wagon. For now, I’m regretfully hedging my Huskies bets. 

3. Creighton

Odds to win title: +4000

Another team that I love but have to fade. Creighton’s won seven in a row after some fits and starts in December thanks to the return of Ryan Kalkbrenner, but this team fits the very definition of a good-not-great team. If the bracket breaks right, I’ll pick it to make it to the second weekend, but beyond that I’m not sold it has the goods to really challenge for a national title. 

4. Gonzaga

Odds to win title: +1800

No team has more NCAA Tournament wins over the last decade than Gonzaga, so I’ll acknowledge that factoid right off the top and admit that I am very much a Zags truther. Unfortunately, this is an easy fade. Gonzaga has two elite talents in Julian Strawther and Drew Timme, but its guard play this season has been well beneath recent standards for the program. 

5. Virginia

Odds to win title: +4000

It’s become fashionable to fade Virginia in March even after it won the whole thing in 2019 in part because its offense has not quite been good enough to complement its defense. This season, its offense statistically is the best it has had since it won the title. Defensively, however, this team is worse at defending the 3 than any team since the title team under coach Tony Bennett. On top of that, the Cavaliers don’t have enough size or play with enough physicality to overcome their shortcomings. A matchup against a team that’s good at defending at the rim or dominant on the glass — or both — will likely be what sends UVa packing. My guess is that it winds up being earlier than most people will predict in their brackets.