Wes Rucker
@wesrucker.bsky.social
Hank's dad. Lauren’s husband. Award-winning and award-losing journalist, now covering the Tennessee Volunteers for WBIR. Two-time learner of walking. Grower of legal flora.
Pinned
Farewell from Food City Center after another very long but very good day working a job I can’t believe I’m paid to do.
November 13, 2025 at 6:18 AM
Farewell from Food City Center after another very long but very good day working a job I can’t believe I’m paid to do.
COLUMN: Rick Barnes has 200 minutes per game to offer a Tennessee roster than probably needs more than 200 minutes per game. How everyone involved handles that situation will determine where this season goes.
www.wbir.com/article/spor...
www.wbir.com/article/spor...
Rucker: Barnes has 200 minutes to give Tennessee roster that needs more minutes
College basketball coaches have 200 minutes to give their roster in an overtime-free game. That could be an issue for these Tennessee Volunteers.
www.wbir.com
November 13, 2025 at 6:03 AM
COLUMN: Rick Barnes has 200 minutes per game to offer a Tennessee roster than probably needs more than 200 minutes per game. How everyone involved handles that situation will determine where this season goes.
www.wbir.com/article/spor...
www.wbir.com/article/spor...
When I go back and watch some of these Tennessee defensive possessions, they're *usually* not as bad as I thought they were live.
I just have to remember that watching Zakai Zeigler and Jahmai Mashack play defense set the bar at an unfair level on that half of the floor.
I just have to remember that watching Zakai Zeigler and Jahmai Mashack play defense set the bar at an unfair level on that half of the floor.
November 13, 2025 at 3:51 AM
When I go back and watch some of these Tennessee defensive possessions, they're *usually* not as bad as I thought they were live.
I just have to remember that watching Zakai Zeigler and Jahmai Mashack play defense set the bar at an unfair level on that half of the floor.
I just have to remember that watching Zakai Zeigler and Jahmai Mashack play defense set the bar at an unfair level on that half of the floor.
Credit to Tennessee senior guard Amaree Abram saying there's zero performance-based reason for the headbands, baggy undershirts and forearm pads he wears.
Headbands? He's always worn them.
Baggy undershirt? Fits his personality and he thinks it looks cool.
Forearm pad? Tribute to Kobe.
Headbands? He's always worn them.
Baggy undershirt? Fits his personality and he thinks it looks cool.
Forearm pad? Tribute to Kobe.
November 13, 2025 at 3:15 AM
Credit to Tennessee senior guard Amaree Abram saying there's zero performance-based reason for the headbands, baggy undershirts and forearm pads he wears.
Headbands? He's always worn them.
Baggy undershirt? Fits his personality and he thinks it looks cool.
Forearm pad? Tribute to Kobe.
Headbands? He's always worn them.
Baggy undershirt? Fits his personality and he thinks it looks cool.
Forearm pad? Tribute to Kobe.
Tennessee senior guard Amaree Abram: This team is deep. Really deep. Deep enough to compete really hard every day. I think we could be special, and we're gonna keep getting better.
November 13, 2025 at 2:57 AM
Tennessee senior guard Amaree Abram: This team is deep. Really deep. Deep enough to compete really hard every day. I think we could be special, and we're gonna keep getting better.
Tennessee senior guard Amaree Abram: I take pride in my defense. That's why Coach Barnes wanted me here.
November 13, 2025 at 2:55 AM
Tennessee senior guard Amaree Abram: I take pride in my defense. That's why Coach Barnes wanted me here.
Tennessee coach Rick Barnes said Chaz Lanier is an example in this era of how a college player can truly have two homes, because of the class he showed to North Florida during his time there and while transferring to Tennessee. Said he and his family treat everyone the right way.
November 13, 2025 at 2:52 AM
Tennessee coach Rick Barnes said Chaz Lanier is an example in this era of how a college player can truly have two homes, because of the class he showed to North Florida during his time there and while transferring to Tennessee. Said he and his family treat everyone the right way.
Rick Barnes not liking the lack of urgency at times on Tennessee getting into position early on defensive possessions. Said guys are watching the game from the court, which you can't do.
Standards on defense at Tennessee are what they are. Very high. Despite results, standard hasn't been met.
Standards on defense at Tennessee are what they are. Very high. Despite results, standard hasn't been met.
November 13, 2025 at 2:49 AM
Rick Barnes not liking the lack of urgency at times on Tennessee getting into position early on defensive possessions. Said guys are watching the game from the court, which you can't do.
Standards on defense at Tennessee are what they are. Very high. Despite results, standard hasn't been met.
Standards on defense at Tennessee are what they are. Very high. Despite results, standard hasn't been met.
Tennessee coach Rick Barnes on sophomore forward J.P. Estrella having another double-double tonight: That's what he should do. He should be a double-double guy.
November 13, 2025 at 2:46 AM
Tennessee coach Rick Barnes on sophomore forward J.P. Estrella having another double-double tonight: That's what he should do. He should be a double-double guy.
Tennessee coach Rick Barnes on whether J.P. Estrella is surprising him early this season: No. We've told him what he could do ever since we recruited him and got him here.
November 13, 2025 at 2:42 AM
Tennessee coach Rick Barnes on whether J.P. Estrella is surprising him early this season: No. We've told him what he could do ever since we recruited him and got him here.
North Florida coach Bobby Kennen: We'll always be proud that Chaz Lanier graduated from the University of North Florida before he came up here to Tennessee. He's a great player, and he's a better person than player.
November 13, 2025 at 2:17 AM
North Florida coach Bobby Kennen: We'll always be proud that Chaz Lanier graduated from the University of North Florida before he came up here to Tennessee. He's a great player, and he's a better person than player.
North Florida coach Bobby Kennen on Tennessee: Tennessee's size and strength and length isn't just gonna bother the North Floridas of the world. It's gonna bother everyone.
November 13, 2025 at 2:14 AM
North Florida coach Bobby Kennen on Tennessee: Tennessee's size and strength and length isn't just gonna bother the North Floridas of the world. It's gonna bother everyone.
North Florida coach Bobby Kennen: We've got a young team, seven new guys, lots of freshmen, and our first two games were against two of the best teams and most elite programs in the country. We'll learn from it.
November 13, 2025 at 2:12 AM
North Florida coach Bobby Kennen: We've got a young team, seven new guys, lots of freshmen, and our first two games were against two of the best teams and most elite programs in the country. We'll learn from it.
HOOPS FINAL IN KNOXVILLE: No. 20 Tennessee 99, North Florida 66
Supposed to be a comfortable night for the Vols, and after 20 minutes it was
Supposed to be a comfortable night for the Vols, and after 20 minutes it was
November 13, 2025 at 1:58 AM
HOOPS FINAL IN KNOXVILLE: No. 20 Tennessee 99, North Florida 66
Supposed to be a comfortable night for the Vols, and after 20 minutes it was
Supposed to be a comfortable night for the Vols, and after 20 minutes it was
Tennessee 93, North Florida 61, 2:54/2ndH
Think they're gonna go ahead and play the final few minutes, anyway
Think they're gonna go ahead and play the final few minutes, anyway
November 13, 2025 at 1:46 AM
Tennessee 93, North Florida 61, 2:54/2ndH
Think they're gonna go ahead and play the final few minutes, anyway
Think they're gonna go ahead and play the final few minutes, anyway
Tennessee's Jaylen Carey assessed a foul apparently for being 4 inches taller and 90 pounds heavier than North Florida's Devin Hines.
November 13, 2025 at 1:36 AM
Tennessee's Jaylen Carey assessed a foul apparently for being 4 inches taller and 90 pounds heavier than North Florida's Devin Hines.
Tennessee continues to absolutely assault these mid-major opponents on the glass.
Much bigger tests are coming, but this is the deepest collection of big men Rick Barnes has had on a Tennessee roster.
Much bigger tests are coming, but this is the deepest collection of big men Rick Barnes has had on a Tennessee roster.
November 13, 2025 at 1:12 AM
Tennessee continues to absolutely assault these mid-major opponents on the glass.
Much bigger tests are coming, but this is the deepest collection of big men Rick Barnes has had on a Tennessee roster.
Much bigger tests are coming, but this is the deepest collection of big men Rick Barnes has had on a Tennessee roster.
HALFTIME IN KNOXVILLE: No. 20 Tennessee 47, North Florida 30
Not the best start for the Vols, but the end of the half looked about right
Not the best start for the Vols, but the end of the half looked about right
November 13, 2025 at 12:46 AM
HALFTIME IN KNOXVILLE: No. 20 Tennessee 47, North Florida 30
Not the best start for the Vols, but the end of the half looked about right
Not the best start for the Vols, but the end of the half looked about right
Bit of hot sauce hanging on the rim from Cade Phillips after that lob from Amaree Ambram, and he got away with it.
Timeout, North Florida
Vols 41, UNF 30, 4:21/1stH
Timeout, North Florida
Vols 41, UNF 30, 4:21/1stH
November 13, 2025 at 12:33 AM
Bit of hot sauce hanging on the rim from Cade Phillips after that lob from Amaree Ambram, and he got away with it.
Timeout, North Florida
Vols 41, UNF 30, 4:21/1stH
Timeout, North Florida
Vols 41, UNF 30, 4:21/1stH
That's 13 points in 7 minutes off the bench for Tennessee's J.P. Estrella. Inside buckets, then that three.
Kid's a bucket.
Kid's a bucket.
November 13, 2025 at 12:26 AM
That's 13 points in 7 minutes off the bench for Tennessee's J.P. Estrella. Inside buckets, then that three.
Kid's a bucket.
Kid's a bucket.
Ethan Burg just left his feet without knowing where he was going with the ball.
I immediately looked at Rick Barnes, knowing a sub was coming.
Sure enough, Barnes called for Amari Evans to replace Burg.
Maybe Barnes' biggest pet peeve.
I immediately looked at Rick Barnes, knowing a sub was coming.
Sure enough, Barnes called for Amari Evans to replace Burg.
Maybe Barnes' biggest pet peeve.
November 13, 2025 at 12:17 AM
Ethan Burg just left his feet without knowing where he was going with the ball.
I immediately looked at Rick Barnes, knowing a sub was coming.
Sure enough, Barnes called for Amari Evans to replace Burg.
Maybe Barnes' biggest pet peeve.
I immediately looked at Rick Barnes, knowing a sub was coming.
Sure enough, Barnes called for Amari Evans to replace Burg.
Maybe Barnes' biggest pet peeve.
Really like J.P. Estrella's hands for a 6-foot-11 player.
So many college players that size have bad hands, because they'd already be pros if they had good hands. Estrella doesn't have just average hands. He has good hands. Can catch bad passes.
So many college players that size have bad hands, because they'd already be pros if they had good hands. Estrella doesn't have just average hands. He has good hands. Can catch bad passes.
November 13, 2025 at 12:14 AM
Really like J.P. Estrella's hands for a 6-foot-11 player.
So many college players that size have bad hands, because they'd already be pros if they had good hands. Estrella doesn't have just average hands. He has good hands. Can catch bad passes.
So many college players that size have bad hands, because they'd already be pros if they had good hands. Estrella doesn't have just average hands. He has good hands. Can catch bad passes.
Hello there, Troy Henderson.
Sluggish start for the Vols, but the freshman PG changed that with three steals and a three-pointer in less than two minutes off the bench.
Say this a lot, but if Rick Barnes wants an under-the-radar HS PG, trust him.
Sluggish start for the Vols, but the freshman PG changed that with three steals and a three-pointer in less than two minutes off the bench.
Say this a lot, but if Rick Barnes wants an under-the-radar HS PG, trust him.
November 13, 2025 at 12:09 AM
Hello there, Troy Henderson.
Sluggish start for the Vols, but the freshman PG changed that with three steals and a three-pointer in less than two minutes off the bench.
Say this a lot, but if Rick Barnes wants an under-the-radar HS PG, trust him.
Sluggish start for the Vols, but the freshman PG changed that with three steals and a three-pointer in less than two minutes off the bench.
Say this a lot, but if Rick Barnes wants an under-the-radar HS PG, trust him.
Sophomore guard Ethan Berg is starting tonight for the first time at Tennessee, and give PA man Jeff Jacoby credit for his solid effort at pronouncing Mishmar HaShiv'a, Israel.
November 13, 2025 at 12:02 AM
Sophomore guard Ethan Berg is starting tonight for the first time at Tennessee, and give PA man Jeff Jacoby credit for his solid effort at pronouncing Mishmar HaShiv'a, Israel.
No longterm concern with Bishop Boswell's foot, but the Tennessee sophomore guard isn't dressed for tonight's game against North Florida.
Come on, Rick. Do the funny thing. Start all the 7-footers.
Come on, Rick. Do the funny thing. Start all the 7-footers.
November 12, 2025 at 11:21 PM
No longterm concern with Bishop Boswell's foot, but the Tennessee sophomore guard isn't dressed for tonight's game against North Florida.
Come on, Rick. Do the funny thing. Start all the 7-footers.
Come on, Rick. Do the funny thing. Start all the 7-footers.