DISAPPOINTING: THE VOLS QB PLAYER WHO COMMITED WITH.
Four-star wide receiver commit ends recruiting, intends to sign with the Vols
At his signing ceremony on Friday, a Top 247 wide receiver who has been committed to Tennessee since June declared his intention to stay with the Vols.
On Early Signing Day, Braylon Staley will still be nearly two weeks away from formally deciding on his college. However, it was evident from the signing ceremony he conducted on Friday that he has no plans to renounce his long-standing pledge to Tennessee.
The four-star wide receiver from Strom Thurmond High School in Johnston, South Carolina, who is committed to Tennessee despite pressure from home-state rival South Carolina, told GoVols247 on Friday that he is ending his recruitment. Staley visited the home of the Gamecocks wide receivers coach Justin Stepp on Wednesday, but the Top247 prospect stated he is still fully committed to the Vols and intends to enroll early.
Illinois Fighting Illini, No. 20, behind enemy lines
We go “Behind Enemy Lines” to preview Tennessee’s game against Illinois in the top-20, brought to you by Derek Piper of 247Sports’ IlliniInquirer.com, who covers the Fighting Illini.
No. 17 On Saturday afternoon, Tennessee basketball takes on No. 20 Illinois in front of a packed Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center. On CBS, kickoff is set for 12 p.m. ET. Rich Waltz, who will play-by-play, Bill Raftery, Jay Wright, and Jon Rothstein, who will provide sideline coverage.
The Vols are riding a 24-game home winning streak in nonconference play as of Saturday. Tennessee will play four AP-ranked teams in five games for the fourth time in program history. The Vols are playing only non-conference games for the first time, and they are also playing so while ranked for the first time.
In order to preview the Fighting Illini, GoVols247’s basketball writer Ben McKee spoke with Derek Piper of IlliniInquirer.com. Here are Piper’s thoughts on Illinois basketball before their Saturday afternoon game.
McKee: Illinois is off to a great start this season. Why are they playing so well right now?
Piper: For starters, Terrence Shannon Jr. has been one of the best players in all of college basketball up to this point. He could have been an early-to-mid second-round pick in the NBA Draft if he decided to stay in this past summer, but he came back and he’s been dominant. Shannon has averaged 22 points per game, while shooting 54 percent from the field and a career-best 45 percent from three. He’s a high-level athlete at 6-foot-6, 225 pounds. His improved three-point shooting has been huge. He’s also been much more assertive this season, while last year was his first experience in an alpha role in college basketball. He’s been really locked in at the defensive end as well.
In light of this, Illinois has demonstrated strong defensive play as a unit. The Illini, particularly in positions 1-4, have a lot of positional size, excellent individual defenders, and a lot of physicality. Ty Rodgers, who is 6’6″ and 200 pounds, can be difficult to play against. At the four, Quincy Guerrier (6’8″, 220 lbs.) mixes it up nicely. Coleman Hawkins, a stretch five who stands 6’10” and weighs 225 pounds, provides length and versatility. While there are undoubtedly some things Illinois needs to improve upon after losing to Florida Atlantic by 89 points in a high-scoring game at Madison Square Garden, the Illini should primarily give the Owls credit for making their shots.
It has also been huge to see Marcus Domask emerge as Illinois’ second-best scoring option. Throughout most of November, the transfer from Southern Illinois struggled with his shot and was still figuring out his role. However, during the Illini’s recent East Coast trip, Domask excelled, scoring a career-high 33 points against FAU and 15 points at Rutgers. The 6-foot-6 forward can really back guys down and has a sweet turnaround jump shot. He also has a great mid-post game.
