100 episodes

The Volunteer State is a Tennessee Vols sports podcast covering sports topics from the University of Tennessee featuring The Knoxville News Sentinel's John Adams, Mike Wilson and Blake Toppmeyer. The Tennessean, Nashville Tennessee.

The Volunteer State USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee

    • Sports
    • 4.3 • 64 Ratings

The Volunteer State is a Tennessee Vols sports podcast covering sports topics from the University of Tennessee featuring The Knoxville News Sentinel's John Adams, Mike Wilson and Blake Toppmeyer. The Tennessean, Nashville Tennessee.

    Tennessee basketball to Final Four? Maybe, but here's a case for Purdue or Creighton

    Tennessee basketball to Final Four? Maybe, but here's a case for Purdue or Creighton

    Rick Barnes and the Sweet 16 go hand and hand.

    The Vols are back among the NCAA Tournament’s final 16 teams standing in March Madness for the second straight year and the third time during Barnes’ tenure.

    But, this round of March Madness remains a familiar pitfall for Tennessee, which has never made a Final Four.

    Barnes’ lone Final Four appearance came in 2003 at Texas. He’s in the Sweet 16 for the ninth time.

    On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer, Mike Wilson and John Adams handicap the hurdles remaining in Tennessee’s path to the Final Four.

    One host says Purdue is the biggest obstacle, while the other two hosts make the case for Creighton. They also debate whether they're more or less confident in Tennessee after two rounds of March Madness.

    Tap the link in bio for more details.

    Stay connected on Twitter with Blake (@btoppmeyer) Adam (@AdamSparks) Mike (@ByMikeWilson) and John (@JohnAdamsKNS) and stay up to date on Vols sports news by following @GoVolsXtra.

    Connect on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/GoVolsXtra/

    Subscribe to KnoxNews: knoxnews.com/subscribe

    • 27 min
    How far will Tennessee basketball go in March Madness? Our experts picks are in

    How far will Tennessee basketball go in March Madness? Our experts picks are in

    Tennessee’s early SEC Tournament exit cost the Vols a likely No. 1 NCAA seed.

    The silver lining: Tennessee won’t have to meet No. 1 overall seed UConn in the NCAA Tournament until the national championship. Also good news: Rick Barnes possesses his best team in a handful of years.

    But, Tennessee’s NCAA Tournament history remains an elephant in the room. The Vols never have reached a Final Four, and the program’s lone Elite Eight came in 2010, with Bruce Pearl as coach.

    On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer, Mike Wilson and John Adams assess Tennessee’s NCAA Tournament draw and handicap the Vols’ chances of making a deep run.

    Tennessee is the No. 2 seed in the Midwest Region, where Purdue is the No. 1.

    But, it's not Purdue that comes to mind first when predicting stumbling blocks for the Vols. Beware of Creighton. 

    Stay connected on Twitter with Blake (@btoppmeyer) Adam (@AdamSparks) Mike (@ByMikeWilson) and John (@JohnAdamsKNS) and stay up to date on Vols sports news by following @GoVolsXtra.

    Connect on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/GoVolsXtra/

    Subscribe to KnoxNews: knoxnews.com/subscribe

    • 26 min
    Why winning SEC Tournament does (and doesn't) matter to Tennessee basketball

    Why winning SEC Tournament does (and doesn't) matter to Tennessee basketball

    More than a trophy is at stake when the Tennessee basketball team takes the floor at the SEC Tournament in Nashville this week. A No. 1 seed could be on the line for the Vols (24-7).



    Some bracket experts are projecting Tennessee as a No. 1 seed for the NCAA Tournament, but such outlooks are subject to fluctuation. If the Vols bow out early in the conference tournament, they could surrender the inside track to a top seed. If they cut down the nets Sunday in Nashville, that likely would cement a No. 1 seed for Tennessee.



    But, to what extent does that even matter?



    On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and Mike Wilson discuss the importance (or lack thereof) of the SEC Tournament for Tennessee.



    Win the SEC Tournament, and the Vols almost certainly are on the 1-line come Selection Sunday. But, is an SEC Tournament title a kiss of doom for March Madness? History warns of that.

    Stay connected on X with Blake Toppmeyer (@btoppmeyer) and Mike Wilson (@ByMikeWilson), and stay up to date on the Vols by following @GoVolsXtra.

    Connect on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/GoVolsXtra/

    Subscribe to KnoxNews: knoxnews.com/subscribe

    • 20 min
    4 Tennessee football storylines to monitor during Vols' spring practice

    4 Tennessee football storylines to monitor during Vols' spring practice

    We're talking about practice. Spring practice.

    Tennessee will begin spring workouts on March 18. Let the Nico Iamaleava era take hold. Iamaleava's performance in his first career start, a bowl victory against Iowa, has Vols fans feeling optimistic about the 2024 season.

    The quarterback position being in capable hands could put Tennessee on a path toward College Football Playoff contention – but only if the Vols address a few important areas this spring.

    On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and the Adam Sparks highlight four storylines to monitor throughout the Vols' spring, which will culminate with the spring game on April 13.

    They break down potential starters in the overhauled secondary and highlight transfers to watch.

    Stay connected on Twitter with Blake (@btoppmeyer) Adam (@AdamSparks) Mike (@ByMikeWilson) and John (@JohnAdamsKNS) and stay up to date on Vols sports news by following @GoVolsXtra.

    Connect on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/GoVolsXtra/

    Subscribe to KnoxNews: knoxnews.com/subscribe

    • 28 min
    What's the most important game on Tennessee football schedule? You can probably guess

    What's the most important game on Tennessee football schedule? You can probably guess

    Perhaps it goes without saying. We’ll say it anyway.

    The Third Saturday in October will be the most important game on Tennessee’s 2024 schedule.

    Oh, sure, we realize the importance of a few other games. When the Vols face Georgia in mid-November, Kirby Smart’s Bulldogs may well be ranked No. 1. Tennessee’s September date at Oklahoma, Josh Heupel’s alma mater, will be another biggie. And be careful about overlooking an October game against Florida. 

    Still, it feels as if Tennessee’s path to the College Football Playoff could go through Kalen DeBoer and his Crimson Tide. 

    On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and Adam Sparks assess Tennessee’s schedule and its path to the playoff.

    The 12-team playoff is big enough for a handful of SEC teams. The outcome of Alabama-Tennessee may decide one of the playoff’s final at-large bids.

    Also in this episode, Sparks ofers an update on the latest in the state of Tennessee’s lawsuit against the NCAA and the status of the NCAA’s investigation into the Vols.

    Stay connected on Twitter with Blake (@btoppmeyer) Adam (@AdamSparks) Mike (@ByMikeWilson) and John (@JohnAdamsKNS) and stay up to date on Vols sports news by following @GoVolsXtra.

    Connect on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/GoVolsXtra/

    Subscribe to KnoxNews: knoxnews.com/subscribe

    • 34 min
    Why Tennessee basketball is built for March Madness. Hint: Dalton Knecht

    Why Tennessee basketball is built for March Madness. Hint: Dalton Knecht

    Is this finally the year Tennessee basketball makes a Final Four? We've wondered that about previous Rick Barnes teams, but Barnes has never advanced past the Sweet 16 with the Vols.

    That history suggests that Tennessee, despite its No. 5 national ranking and 20-6 record, is just teasing a hungry fan base before another postseason disappointment. But, there's something different about this team. Namely, this team has Dalton Knecht.

    On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer, Mike Wilson and John Adams assess whether these Vols are built for March (and April). They also identify sleeper teams that could make the Final Four.

    Stay connected on Twitter with Blake (@btoppmeyer) Adam (@AdamSparks) Mike (@ByMikeWilson) and John (@JohnAdamsKNS) and stay up to date on Vols sports news by following @GoVolsXtra.

    Connect on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/GoVolsXtra/

    Subscribe to KnoxNews: knoxnews.com/subscribe

    • 24 min

Customer Reviews

4.3 out of 5
64 Ratings

64 Ratings

Yojimbodjd ,

Great podcast

I enjoy the discussion and banter between Blake and John. Helps keep me connected to my beloved Vols when time is limited. Thanks guys! Keep up the great work in all that you do!

FckPOF ,

These hosts sit down to pee

If you want to listen to two effeminate guys give horrible uninformed opinions on your favorite team, this is the POD for you!

Love the Logo ,

In Regular Rotation

I listen to a handful of podcasts and this one is always in my regular rotation. Not just reporting on Tennessee Football but they add creative spins such as guessing odds, mock drafts, and rankings. Where else can you get your Tennessee fix from a multi-published author and text group entrepreneur.

Top Podcasts In Sports

Mind the Game with LeBron James and JJ Redick
ThreeFourTwo Productions and UNINTERRUPTED
New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce
Wave Sports + Entertainment
Pardon My Take
Barstool Sports
The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
Dan Le Batard, Stugotz
The Bill Simmons Podcast
The Ringer
Baseball is Dead
Underdog Fantasy

You Might Also Like

GoVols247: A Tennessee Volunteers athletics podcast
247Sports, Tennessee, Tennessee Volunteers, Tennessee Football, Tennessee athletics, Football, College Football
Locked On Vols - Daily Podcast On Tennessee Volunteers Football & Basketball
Locked On Podcast Network, Eric Cain
Volquest.com
Volquest.com staff
Tony Basilio Next Level Network
Tony Basilio
RTI Press Pass
Rocky Top Insider
Brent Hubbs Hour
Brent Hubbs