Coach is joined by Jimmy Hyams to break down the fallout of the Knoxville judge’s ruling that denied quarterback Joy Aguilar an additional year of eligibility. This decision leaves Tennessee with an incredibly young and inexperienced quarterback room, forcing the staff to rely on "good-on-good" drills this spring to accelerate the development of players like McIntyre and Brandon. Hyams notes that while the coaches expected this outcome, the pressure is now on the offensive line and the running backs to provide elite pass protection to help these young signal-callers succeed.

The duo also celebrates a hard-fought 69-67 basketball victory over Vanderbilt, a game that saw Rick Barnes officially pass John Calipari for the most active career wins in the SEC. They credit the win to Gillespie’s defensive lockdown of Tyler Tanner and the team's ability to dominate the paint while committing fewer than ten turnovers for the second straight game. To wrap up, they touch on the Diamond Vols' surprising upset loss to Kent State and the Lady Vols' ongoing struggles with consistency, though they find a bright spot in the softball team's unanimous No. 1 national ranking.

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Welcome to a new episode of Big Orange Sunday!

On this episode, we are diving deep into the heart of Rocky Top athletics. We analyze the high-stakes Tennessee quarterback decisions and look ahead to the intensity of spring football preparations. We also recap a thrilling basketball game that had fans on the edge of their seats until the final buzzer.

To help us make sense of it all, the legendary Jimmy Hyams joins the show to provide his signature expert insights. We’re taking a deep dive into:

• College Sports Dynamics: Navigating the current landscape of the game.

• Player Development: Who is making the biggest leaps this spring?

• Team Strategies: The X’s and O’s behind the latest roster moves.

Whether you’re here for the gridiron or the hardwood, we’ve got you covered with the analysis you need.

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Coach is joined by Jimmy Hyams to discuss various updates in Tennessee sports.

Baseball

• Stadium Renovation: Jimmy notes that the ongoing renovations at Lindsey Nelson Stadium are approximately 90% complete, and the stadium looks "fantastic."

• Increased Capacity: Since Tony Vitello took over as head coach, the stadium's capacity has nearly doubled, growing from around 4,400 to 8,000.

• Strong Performance: Tennessee's baseball team displayed a strong performance against Nichols, winning with a 12-2 run-rule in the seventh inning and another 10-0 victory.

• Key Players: Transfer player Blaine Brown had an impressive series, hitting three home runs and achieving five RBIs.

Basketball

• LSU Victory: Tennessee’s men's basketball team secured a 73-63 win against LSU.

• Standout Performance: JP Estrella was a key player in the victory, contributing 16 points and nine rebounds.

• Three-Point Shooting: The team struggled with three-pointers, with only two players successfully hitting them during the game.

• Women's Team: The women's basketball team has experienced significant inconsistency, becoming the first ranked team to lose a game by over 40 points and then win the next by over 40 points.

Football

• Joey Aguillar Eligibility: A local judge is currently considering arguments regarding Joey Aguillar's eligibility to play another season, with a ruling expected soon.

• Spring Practice: Tennessee's spring football practice is scheduled to begin on March 16, with the spring game following on April 11.

• Free Admission: Admission to the upcoming spring game will be free for fans.

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Welcome to another episode of Big Orange Sunday The conversation today covers various aspects of Tennessee athletics, focusing on the upcoming spring practice for football, significant coaching changes, and the analysis of the football team's defensive and offensive strategies. It also touches on the kickoff of the baseball season and a recap of recent basketball games, including discussions on player performances and eligibility issues.

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In this episode of Big Orange Sunday, Coach Doug Matthews dives into the latest news on the University of Tennessee's football program. He discusses the upcoming court hearing for quarterback Joey Aguilar's eligibility and the potential impact on the team's quarterback situation. Doug also talks to immy Hyams about the Tennessee basketball team's recent game against Kentucky and the SEC standings. Additionally, he shares his thoughts on the importance of leadership in college athletics and the recent changes made to the football program, including the hiring of new strength and conditioning coaches.

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Coach is joined by sports journalist Jimmy Hyams to analyze the high-stakes landscape of college athletics, beginning with a deep dive into Tennessee football's evolving roster. They explore the legal complexities surrounding quarterback Jojo Aguilar's eligibility, contrasting his case with other NCAA rulings, and discuss the ripple effects on the team's quarterback competition. The conversation shifts to the burgeoning talent of player Nate Ament, whom Hyams considers one of the most promising athletes in his 40-year career covering the Volunteers. They note Ament's significant development throughout the season, particularly his dominant performance against Texas A&M and his prowess at the free-throw line, while acknowledging that head coach Rick Barnes expects even more growth from him as the year progresses.

The segment further expands into a broader discussion on the SEC's competitive hierarchy and the shifting financial realities of the sport. Hyams identifies Florida as the most complete team in the conference, while noting Kentucky’s resilience in second-half comebacks and the recent struggles of teams like Vanderbilt and Alabama. The dialogue concludes with a breakdown of the massive financial payouts within the SEC, highlighting a $72.4 million distribution to member schools. They discuss how these funds, influenced by recent legal settlements like the House case, are managed within athletic departments, balancing revenue sharing for players with the increasing operational budgets that have seen Tennessee's finances nearly double in recent years.

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Coach Doug Matthews is joined by Jimmy Hyams to break down the current state of Tennessee athletics, from critical basketball wins to the evolving landscape of football recruiting. The men’s basketball team recently secured a 77-69 victory over Auburn, a performance defined by rebounding dominance and a standout night from Nate Ament, who drew nine fouls and went 12-of-15 from the free-throw line. Meanwhile, the Lady Vols are set to renew their storied rivalry against UConn on February 1st, looking to repeat last year's upset win against a Huskies team that went on to win the national title.

On the football front, the program is transitioning into the Jim Knowles era on defense, with Knowles having the rare opportunity to hand-pick his entire coaching staff. This new defensive identity is bolstered by the retention of respected veterans Rodney Garner and William Inge, alongside a top-10 2026 recruiting class led by five-star quarterback Faizon Brandon. The hosts credit Athletic Director Danny White for fostering an "everything school" culture, where the synergy between programs and coaching stability has Tennessee competing at an elite level across all sports.

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In this episode of Big Orange Sunday Coach discusses the current state of Tennessee athletics, focusing on leadership, recent wins in basketball, and significant changes in the football program under Coach Josh Heupel. The conversation highlights the importance of strength and conditioning, the critical month of February for coaches, and the impact of new defensive staff. Insights from basketball analyst Jimmy Himes provide a deeper understanding of the team's performance and challenges, particularly for the Lady Vols as they face UConn. Overall, the episode emphasizes the strong leadership within the athletic department and the strategic moves being made to enhance team success.

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