WEBVTT 00:00.000 --> 00:05.439  (female announcer)    Production funding    for Sports Files is made 00:05.439 --> 00:06.807  possible in part by... 00:06.807 --> 00:09.476  (male narrator)    Infiniti of Memphis has    moved to Germantown 00:09.476 --> 00:12.746  road just half mile north of   Wolfchase Galleria and is proud 00:12.746 --> 00:16.016  to support WKNO for its quality   broadcasting and service to our 00:16.016 --> 00:17.017  to our community. 00:17.017 --> 00:19.253  Quality and service --   No wonder Infiniti of Memphis 00:19.253 --> 00:21.255  feels at   home on WKNO. 00:30.130 --> 00:32.699 - Today on Sports Files I'll talk football with Tennessee 00:32.699 --> 00:35.636 Head Coach Butch Jones and roundball with Memphis women's 00:35.636 --> 00:39.106 coach Melissa McFerrin and star senior guard Ariel Hearn. 00:39.106 --> 00:43.277 [theme music] 00:56.990 --> 00:58.992 Later in the show Tennessee Vols Head Football 00:58.992 --> 01:01.728 Coach Butch Jones sits down with me for a candid one on one 01:01.728 --> 01:05.332 interview, fresh off the big orange's win against Georgia, 01:05.332 --> 01:07.334 but first let's talk some hoops. 01:07.334 --> 01:09.436 The University of Memphis women's basketball team is 01:09.436 --> 01:12.472 gearing up for a new season on the hardwood but go into the 01:12.472 --> 01:14.908 campaign currently in a dry spell. 01:14.908 --> 01:17.611 The Tigers have failed to reach the post season each of the last 01:17.611 --> 01:18.612 two seasons. 01:18.612 --> 01:21.715 Head Coach Melissa McFerrin is entering her eighth season at 01:21.715 --> 01:24.918 the helm and there suddenly seems to be a sense of urgency. 01:24.918 --> 01:27.487 McFerrin is the Tigers third winningest coach in their 01:27.487 --> 01:31.325 history and has three seasons of 20 or more victories at Memphis 01:31.325 --> 01:34.361 under her belt, but the program has struggled to stay in the 01:34.361 --> 01:36.730 upper tier of the American Athletic Conference. 01:36.730 --> 01:40.467 This season the Tigers have their entire starting five back. 01:40.467 --> 01:43.136 In fact, nearly all their scoring from a season ago 01:43.136 --> 01:47.107 returns and McFerrin is hopeful the chemistry and experience 01:47.107 --> 01:48.575 will take the team a long way. 01:48.575 --> 01:51.745 Today the state of the Memphis women's basketball program with 01:51.745 --> 01:55.482 Head Coach Melissa McFerrin and star senior guard Ariel Hearn. 01:55.482 --> 01:57.551 And it's next on Sports Files. 01:57.551 --> 02:08.829 [theme music] 02:08.829 --> 02:09.896 Coach, great to have you. 02:09.896 --> 02:11.431 Ariel, you're already laughing. 02:11.431 --> 02:12.432 What's going on? 02:12.432 --> 02:13.433 How are you? 02:13.433 --> 02:14.434 - I'm just happy to be here. 02:14.434 --> 02:15.435 I'm good. 02:15.435 --> 02:16.436 - Yeah, thanks for coming in. 02:16.436 --> 02:17.437 We appreciate it. 02:17.437 --> 02:18.438 Another season, Melissa. 02:18.438 --> 02:19.439 I know you guys are fired up. 02:19.439 --> 02:20.474 All five starters back. 02:20.474 --> 02:22.576 First time for you here at Memphis. 02:22.576 --> 02:26.146 96.8% of your scoring from last year. 02:26.146 --> 02:28.148 A bunch of rebounding, a bunch of this, 02:28.148 --> 02:29.149 a bunch of that. 02:29.149 --> 02:31.218 I would imagine the expectations are pretty high for you guys. 02:31.218 --> 02:34.154 - The expectations are very high in our own camp. 02:34.154 --> 02:35.522 We had no seniors last year. 02:35.522 --> 02:37.391 We lost no one to graduation. 02:37.391 --> 02:40.427 We returned every player and we've added four additional 02:40.427 --> 02:42.029 players to our team. 02:42.029 --> 02:45.332 We're lead by four seniors, which I would imagine all are 02:45.332 --> 02:47.334 going to be in the starting lineup. 02:47.334 --> 02:49.336 So, we feel like this is our time. 02:49.336 --> 02:51.571 We've spent the last two years getting ready to play in this 02:51.571 --> 02:52.873 new conference. 02:52.873 --> 02:55.409 When Ariel was a sophomore, we were very, 02:55.409 --> 02:56.410 very young. 02:56.410 --> 02:58.779 In our first years, started three sophomores and two 02:58.779 --> 03:00.013 freshmen in that year. 03:00.013 --> 03:03.717 But now we feel like we've made the proper transition to be able 03:03.717 --> 03:05.719 to compete in the American Athletic Conference. 03:05.719 --> 03:09.089 - Ariel, I would imagine that having your teammates back, 03:09.089 --> 03:11.191 the starters that you've played along with, 03:11.191 --> 03:14.127 to have that chemistry is very pivotal for this team 03:14.127 --> 03:15.462 to have success. 03:15.462 --> 03:16.463 - It's great. 03:16.463 --> 03:18.465 It's great to have Mooriah Rowser back. 03:18.465 --> 03:20.467 I feel like she's gonna be 100% this year. 03:20.467 --> 03:22.502 Asianna Fuqua-Bey, I love her running the floor. 03:22.502 --> 03:26.106 I know she's running up the floor looking for a lay-up. 03:26.106 --> 03:28.442 Brianna Wright, she's down there in the post. 03:28.442 --> 03:30.444 I expect to get a lot of rebounds and get a lot 03:30.444 --> 03:31.445 of points. 03:31.445 --> 03:33.447 - You have been an all AAC selection the last couple 03:33.447 --> 03:34.448 of years. 03:34.448 --> 03:36.450  You're 12th on the   Memphis scoring list, 03:36.450 --> 03:37.451  which is amazing. 03:37.451 --> 03:38.919  You got a whole year to go. 03:38.919 --> 03:41.822  With that said, I would   imagine you're a team player. 03:41.822 --> 03:43.824  The most important thing to you   is to get this team back in to 03:43.824 --> 03:44.825  the post season. 03:44.825 --> 03:45.826  (Ariel)    I'm hyped, I'm hyped. 03:45.826 --> 03:47.828  Coach has been talking    a lot about being a leader 03:47.828 --> 03:48.829  in the post season. 03:48.829 --> 03:51.364 I think that is our biggest goal this year. 03:51.364 --> 03:56.536 If we reach it, I think that'd be a great success for us. 03:56.536 --> 03:59.639 As far as me, I'll keep doing what I've been doing. 03:59.639 --> 04:01.575 Scoring the ball, assisting, rebounding, 04:01.575 --> 04:03.143 talking, being a leader. 04:03.143 --> 04:04.811 - Tell me about her. 04:04.811 --> 04:08.281 - Ariel has been a player who from the day she came to us, 04:08.281 --> 04:09.683 she loved to play the game. 04:09.683 --> 04:14.521 And she has grown from that player who just loved to play 04:14.521 --> 04:17.591  the game who could   score the basketball, 04:17.591 --> 04:20.827  who brought a lot of   energy to the floor. 04:20.827 --> 04:23.697  Her freshman year, Ariel didn't   really think she was going to be 04:23.697 --> 04:24.698  a defender. 04:24.698 --> 04:28.001  Now we've got a player who has   now really bought into not only 04:28.001 --> 04:31.004  scoring but creating for    others and truly has become 04:31.004 --> 04:32.005  our best defender. 04:32.005 --> 04:34.775  I think the final piece for   Ariel is the leadership piece. 04:34.775 --> 04:37.878  And I think she's really   serious about carrying that 04:37.878 --> 04:39.880  responsibility this   year for our team. 04:39.880 --> 04:41.882  (Greg)    Ariel, describe your coach. 04:41.882 --> 04:44.117  What type of coach is Melissa? 04:44.117 --> 04:45.152 - She's a great coach. 04:45.152 --> 04:46.153 She has a lot of knowledge. 04:46.153 --> 04:48.155 I say that about her all the time. 04:48.155 --> 04:49.156 She's very intelligent. 04:49.156 --> 04:52.125 Some days she can get a little crazy. 04:52.125 --> 04:54.127 What's not to expect in a head coach? 04:54.127 --> 04:56.129 So, I expect that each and every day. 04:56.129 --> 04:57.230 She pushes us hard. 04:57.230 --> 04:59.232 She pushes us to be a great team. 04:59.232 --> 05:01.168 And she also pushes me to be a great player. 05:01.168 --> 05:03.170 - What's the most important thing you've learned over your 05:03.170 --> 05:05.672 tenure at Memphis? 05:05.672 --> 05:06.673 - What have I learned? 05:06.673 --> 05:08.675  (Greg)    It can be on the   court or even off the court. 05:08.675 --> 05:11.244 Maybe something that you've learned from being a part of 05:11.244 --> 05:12.612 this team. 05:12.612 --> 05:15.315 - What I have learned, one thing I can say I learned from 05:15.315 --> 05:18.919 Melissa, whenever I'm not having a good day or whenever I come to 05:18.919 --> 05:21.888 practice, she told me about this ten step plan. 05:21.888 --> 05:24.191 My last sentence before I walk in to the gym, 05:24.191 --> 05:26.526 I just clear my mind, clear my head about everything that's 05:26.526 --> 05:28.528 going on no matter if it's good or bad. 05:28.528 --> 05:30.530 Basketball is my main focus for the next couple of hours. 05:30.530 --> 05:32.532 - Without getting in to too much depth, 05:32.532 --> 05:33.533 ten step plan. 05:33.533 --> 05:35.535 Give me an idea of what that is. 05:35.535 --> 05:37.537 - I would say we're in charge of our own attitude. 05:37.537 --> 05:39.539 At any moment, we can be in charge. 05:39.539 --> 05:41.808 That has nothing to do with the circumstances in our life or in 05:41.808 --> 05:42.809 the situation. 05:42.809 --> 05:44.811 So, regardless of what's happened throughout the course 05:44.811 --> 05:48.415 of the day, my last ten steps before I enter the gym floor are 05:48.415 --> 05:50.984 a time that I use to get my mind right and to be good 05:50.984 --> 05:51.985 for our team. 05:51.985 --> 05:56.423 And I think Ariel really wants to be a really great player 05:56.423 --> 05:57.691 every day. 05:57.691 --> 06:00.060 And she's bought in to those things that not every day is a 06:00.060 --> 06:01.061 great day. 06:01.061 --> 06:03.063 Not every day is cake and ice cream. 06:03.063 --> 06:05.065 But everyday we've got to go to work and get better. 06:05.065 --> 06:07.067 - We talked about the core, the starters that are back. 06:07.067 --> 06:09.069 And you said four new additions. 06:09.069 --> 06:11.071 One of those players, a player from Europe, 06:11.071 --> 06:12.072 first time. 06:12.072 --> 06:13.073 You have a couple of Canadians. 06:13.073 --> 06:15.075 But first time you've reached in to Europe to bring in a player. 06:15.075 --> 06:17.544 Tell me about her and how is her English. 06:17.544 --> 06:19.846 - Her English actually is pretty good. 06:19.846 --> 06:23.450 She is one of those young ladies from Montenegro who they were 06:23.450 --> 06:24.784 schooled in English. 06:24.784 --> 06:26.786 So, I believe she speaks four languages. 06:26.786 --> 06:28.788 She is a kid with a really, really good heart. 06:28.788 --> 06:36.763 She was dying to come to the states to play basketball and 06:36.763 --> 06:37.864 pursue her dream. 06:37.864 --> 06:39.266 So, she is here really, really fresh, 06:39.266 --> 06:40.634 really, really motivated. 06:40.634 --> 06:43.703 We have begun to recruit overseas more because as the 06:43.703 --> 06:47.073 American game has developed, there aren't enough players 06:47.073 --> 06:48.742 here, particularly big players. 06:48.742 --> 06:53.847 So, many of us go overseas seeking more players to create 06:53.847 --> 06:56.516 -- to enlarge our prospect pool. 06:56.516 --> 06:58.585 And also, to sign big players. 06:58.585 --> 06:59.586 - This conference is tough. 06:59.586 --> 07:00.687 Everybody knows that. 07:00.687 --> 07:03.523 Ariel, is it a blessing or a curse to be in the same 07:03.523 --> 07:05.325 conference with Connecticut? 07:05.325 --> 07:06.660 - It's a blessing. 07:06.660 --> 07:07.661 It is a blessing. 07:07.661 --> 07:09.663 I love stepping on the court no matter who the opponent is. 07:09.663 --> 07:11.264 Connecticut is a great team. 07:11.264 --> 07:13.266 I love stepping on the floor to them. 07:13.266 --> 07:14.334 I love a challenge. 07:14.334 --> 07:15.902 Connecticut is a challenge. 07:15.902 --> 07:16.903 - Melissa, you.. 07:16.903 --> 07:18.905 Anything could happen in sports, as we know. 07:18.905 --> 07:20.974 But it would take a Titanic effort, 07:20.974 --> 07:25.078 probably a partial breakdown for Connecticut to not win. 07:25.078 --> 07:27.714 So, when you go in to the conference knowing that you 07:27.714 --> 07:30.717 could perform really well but the chances to win the 07:30.717 --> 07:34.454 conference are very limited because there is Connecticut, 07:34.454 --> 07:36.456 which is a very special program. 07:36.456 --> 07:38.792 So, how tough of a challenge is that in trying to sell that 07:38.792 --> 07:40.193 to recruits? 07:40.193 --> 07:42.696 - Well, we sell a lot playing against the best. 07:42.696 --> 07:46.399 And not only U-Conn in our league but South Florida is 07:46.399 --> 07:48.802 going to open up as number 15 in the rankings. 07:48.802 --> 07:51.271 Temple is going to be very good. 07:51.271 --> 07:53.273 Tulane is going to be very good. 07:53.273 --> 07:55.742 So, we talk about U-Conn but that's not our focus. 07:55.742 --> 07:57.410 And I tell people all the time. 07:57.410 --> 07:59.813 It's not just the American Athletic Conference 07:59.813 --> 08:00.747 chasing U-Conn. 08:00.747 --> 08:02.749 The entire country is chasing U-Conn. 08:02.749 --> 08:06.252 So, we're not unique in that challenge. 08:06.252 --> 08:09.189 - Alright, major rule changes to the women's game. 08:09.189 --> 08:11.458 You're going four quarters. 08:11.458 --> 08:13.460 What type of a difference does that make? 08:13.460 --> 08:15.462 I'll get you in a second, Ariel. 08:15.462 --> 08:17.497 But Coach, what does that mean in preparing for a season with 08:17.497 --> 08:19.199 this major rule change? 08:19.199 --> 08:22.569 - I don't know that it's going to be a drastic change. 08:22.569 --> 08:26.206 We're still gonna have a time out every five minutes as 08:26.206 --> 08:27.640 opposed to every four minutes. 08:27.640 --> 08:30.577 So, there's going to be a little bit of a conditioning factor or 08:30.577 --> 08:34.748 a little bit of a substitution factor where you might sub at a 08:34.748 --> 08:35.849 four minute media time. 08:35.849 --> 08:37.984 Now it's going to stretch to five. 08:37.984 --> 08:40.186 Number of time outs are going to be the same. 08:40.186 --> 08:42.655 We're not going to see any significant difference. 08:42.655 --> 08:46.793 But I think it is going to be a mindset for our players to play 08:46.793 --> 08:47.794 that extra minute. 08:47.794 --> 08:49.796 And that will be a conditioning factor. 08:49.796 --> 08:51.798 - Is Coach right with what she's saying? 08:51.798 --> 08:53.800 It's going to be more a mental thing for you, 08:53.800 --> 08:54.801 not so much a physical? 08:54.801 --> 08:56.803 - I think it would be more mental. 08:56.803 --> 08:57.804 I'm going in to four quarters. 08:57.804 --> 08:59.806 I think everybody's getting used to that. 08:59.806 --> 09:02.409 Two 20 minute halves is.. 09:02.409 --> 09:05.045 A lot of people said it's to be dragging. 09:05.045 --> 09:07.647 So, I know for me going in to the four quarters is just, 09:07.647 --> 09:09.182 you know, it's time to grind. 09:09.182 --> 09:10.650 Three quarters, whatever. 09:10.650 --> 09:13.453 Tied or not, the fourth quarter, it's time to go. 09:13.453 --> 09:16.756 - Other rule changes that affect the game? 09:16.756 --> 09:18.758 - Well, in addition to the four quarters, 09:18.758 --> 09:20.760 we are also advancing the basketball. 09:20.760 --> 09:24.464 So, very similar to what you see in the NBA or the WNBA but not 09:24.464 --> 09:25.465 the men's game. 09:25.465 --> 09:26.499 The men are not doing this. 09:26.499 --> 09:28.101 I'm sure they will follow soon. 09:28.101 --> 09:30.370 I'm not sure but I would think. 09:30.370 --> 09:34.374 So, the last 59.9 seconds of the game, 09:34.374 --> 09:38.678 assuming you do not advance the basketball by pass or dribble, 09:38.678 --> 09:41.414 before calling the timeout, we will actually be able to take 09:41.414 --> 09:44.484 the basketball to the 28 foot line in the front court. 09:44.484 --> 09:46.486 That does change things dramatically. 09:46.486 --> 09:50.557 That means a three point game or even a four point game on a 09:50.557 --> 09:54.294 short clock, you can make up a lot of time if you make a couple 09:54.294 --> 09:59.199 shots, get a steal, foul, call, advance two times or even three 09:59.199 --> 10:01.267 times throughout the course of the end of the game. 10:01.267 --> 10:05.371 So, I think that part is going to change the game dramatically. 10:05.371 --> 10:08.341 And it's going to keep the scores tighter as we go down the 10:08.341 --> 10:11.110 stretch, particularly if you have a player like Ariel who 10:11.110 --> 10:13.646 does a pretty good job of putting in that last bucket. 10:13.646 --> 10:16.783 - Ariel, what do you expect from yourself and from the team this 10:16.783 --> 10:18.218 season your senior year? 10:18.218 --> 10:21.287 What are your goals and aspirations for this final year? 10:21.287 --> 10:24.123 - First and foremost, get to post season. 10:24.123 --> 10:26.459  Get to post season with   my team, be a leader, 10:26.459 --> 10:28.461  a great leader on and    off the court as far 10:28.461 --> 10:29.863  as communicaton wise. 10:29.863 --> 10:31.865  Keep being an energy person. 10:31.865 --> 10:33.867  Whenever things get   tough and down for us, 10:33.867 --> 10:36.302  you know, be that person that   continues to stay positive and 10:36.302 --> 10:37.804  encourage my teammates. 10:37.804 --> 10:40.273  As far as my team, I think   we're going to be great. 10:40.273 --> 10:42.842  Like Coach said, we got   four returning starters. 10:42.842 --> 10:46.112  I think we're going to be   great running the floor wise. 10:46.112 --> 10:48.681  The new Canadian we got is   going to be great for us. 10:48.681 --> 10:50.683 All of our other people are going to be great for us. 10:50.683 --> 10:51.684 - Alright. 10:51.684 --> 10:53.686 I'm going to put you on the spot. 10:53.686 --> 10:55.688 I know one day you may want to be doing what I do, 10:55.688 --> 10:56.689 be in this seat. 10:56.689 --> 10:59.259 Look in to that camera and tell a recruiter out there why they 10:59.259 --> 11:02.662 should come to the University of Memphis and follow Ariel Hearn. 11:02.662 --> 11:03.796 - It's a great environment. 11:03.796 --> 11:06.032 University of Memphis has a great women's 11:06.032 --> 11:07.500 basketball program. 11:07.500 --> 11:08.501 Excuse me. 11:08.501 --> 11:11.571 Led by a great coach in Melissa McFerrin. 11:11.571 --> 11:13.239 - Very well done. 11:13.239 --> 11:16.142 We'll be looking forward to you in this seat one day many years 11:16.142 --> 11:18.144 from now after you're hopefully professional. 11:18.144 --> 11:20.146 Do you want to play professional ball? 11:20.146 --> 11:21.147 - Yes sir, I do. 11:21.147 --> 11:23.149  (Greg)    What are her   chances you think? 11:23.149 --> 11:24.651 - Ariel has got good chances. 11:24.651 --> 11:28.121 Ariel already has identified as probably one of the top 15 or 20 11:28.121 --> 11:29.122 guards in the country. 11:29.122 --> 11:32.292 There will be some people looking at her this year. 11:32.292 --> 11:34.761 If not in person, they will be watching tape on her. 11:34.761 --> 11:39.632 They're going to make sure that they know.. 11:39.632 --> 11:40.700 Can she play the point? 11:40.700 --> 11:42.702 That's going to be a question at the next level. 11:42.702 --> 11:44.237 Can she be a true combo? 11:44.237 --> 11:47.640 They're going to want to see her shooting percentage go up just a 11:47.640 --> 11:48.641 little bit. 11:48.641 --> 11:50.643 They're going to want to see those leadership skills. 11:50.643 --> 11:54.480 But Ariel without question has an opportunity to be a pro. 11:54.480 --> 11:57.617 It's just going to depend on at what level as a pro. 11:57.617 --> 12:00.820 Your fans will get a chance to see you as part of Fan Fest. 12:00.820 --> 12:04.490 That will be on the 24th, a couple of Saturdays from now or 12:04.490 --> 12:07.794 a Saturday from now as this airs. 12:07.794 --> 12:10.396 Also, Heels in Hoops that same night. 12:10.396 --> 12:13.499  So, it's going to be a busy   October 24th for you guys. 12:13.499 --> 12:14.567  Tell me about the events. 12:14.567 --> 12:17.604  (Melissa)    Typical great opening   day for Memphis basketball. 12:17.604 --> 12:20.607  The Fan Fest, I think they're   still working out a few of the 12:20.607 --> 12:24.110  details but it's going to be an   interactive autograph session. 12:24.110 --> 12:28.281  Both men's and women's programs   at the Forum earlier in the day. 12:28.281 --> 12:30.984  Then we're going to go do   a little costume change, 12:30.984 --> 12:32.051  so to speak. 12:32.051 --> 12:35.655  Go to Heels in Hoops, which is   our major fundraiser put on by 12:35.655 --> 12:37.690  our Fast Break Club. 12:37.690 --> 12:42.328  We will begin our social hour at   6:30 and then the doors open at 12:42.328 --> 12:44.330 7:00 with the fabulous Steeler band. 12:44.330 --> 12:46.432 - And that's at the University of Memphis Holiday Inn. 12:46.432 --> 12:47.700 How can people get tickets? 12:47.700 --> 12:48.968 - You can go online. 12:48.968 --> 12:49.969 You can call the.. 12:49.969 --> 12:52.171 Go online ticket office. 12:52.171 --> 12:55.842 We are selling Heels in Hoops single tickets for $100 a piece. 12:55.842 --> 12:57.677 You can buy a table for $1000. 12:57.677 --> 13:00.446 The tables are going very quickly. 13:00.446 --> 13:03.783 We're anticipating between 350 and 400 people. 13:03.783 --> 13:06.519 So, I heard, Ariel, it's a Halloween theme. 13:06.519 --> 13:09.088 So, what are you guys going to do about the theme? 13:09.088 --> 13:10.289 You going to dress accordingly? 13:10.289 --> 13:11.424 - Yes, we are. 13:11.424 --> 13:15.194 We have a little dance routine, something I don't want 13:15.194 --> 13:16.596 to reveal yet. 13:16.596 --> 13:18.598 But it's going to be a great night with our boosters. 13:18.598 --> 13:21.701 - The players always open up the event with a dance. 13:21.701 --> 13:24.237 So, the players open up the event with their own little 13:24.237 --> 13:26.239 dance to put everybody in the mood. 13:26.239 --> 13:27.607 It is a Halloween theme. 13:27.607 --> 13:29.609 So, the dance will also be a Halloween theme. 13:29.609 --> 13:31.611 And you're not going to want to miss it. 13:31.611 --> 13:33.613 - How nice is it to once in a while, 13:33.613 --> 13:34.614 you get away from basketball. 13:34.614 --> 13:35.615 You're out there. 13:35.615 --> 13:36.616 You're competitive. 13:36.616 --> 13:37.617 You're sweatin'. 13:37.617 --> 13:40.286 And then you get up and you get nice and dressed and proper like 13:40.286 --> 13:44.724 a woman does and looking good and having your fans out there 13:44.724 --> 13:46.959 to see you in that sense? 13:46.959 --> 13:48.327 - It's great with our boosters. 13:48.327 --> 13:49.529 They love us. 13:49.529 --> 13:52.498 They say all the time we make their day but I think truly they 13:52.498 --> 13:53.966 make our day. 13:53.966 --> 13:57.637 Heels in Hoops is a great night spent with them and our coaches. 13:57.637 --> 14:00.206 Like you said, it's a time to relax and just be yourself off 14:00.206 --> 14:01.207 the basketball court. 14:01.207 --> 14:03.509 And that night we see a lot of personalities from within our 14:03.509 --> 14:04.844 players and our boosters. 14:04.844 --> 14:07.346 - You see a lot of heels about this high, 14:07.346 --> 14:09.382 too, from the players. 14:09.382 --> 14:11.484 - Do you worry, oh my gosh, they're in heels. 14:11.484 --> 14:13.486 All I need is a twisted ankle, God forbid. 14:13.486 --> 14:15.555 - No, we'll be fine. 14:15.555 --> 14:16.989 - Cost of attendance. 14:16.989 --> 14:20.259 New, obviously, Memphis and American is part of that. 14:20.259 --> 14:24.163 You know the power five and the money they have to be able 14:24.163 --> 14:25.164 to do that. 14:25.164 --> 14:27.700 Now you have other conferences following suit. 14:27.700 --> 14:29.702 As I said, the AAC is part of it. 14:29.702 --> 14:30.703 Memphis is part of it. 14:30.703 --> 14:31.704 How important is that? 14:31.704 --> 14:32.972 - I think it's critical. 14:32.972 --> 14:38.544 We have players on our team in the past who truly just from -- 14:38.544 --> 14:41.047 I'm not talking about an elaborate lifestyle. 14:41.047 --> 14:44.650 I'm talking about a regular student lifestyle that maybe 14:44.650 --> 14:45.785 didn't have the funds for that. 14:45.785 --> 14:47.787 Now certainly not all of our players. 14:47.787 --> 14:50.957 But I think we all would agree that for the time and the 14:50.957 --> 14:53.693 commitment that our players make to our university, 14:53.693 --> 14:56.195 we would like to help them out a little bit financially. 14:56.195 --> 14:58.397 We've also done a few other things. 14:58.397 --> 15:01.801 With the additional funds that they're going to receive, 15:01.801 --> 15:04.303 we've done a lot of financial planning because I've told our 15:04.303 --> 15:07.473 players that this truly is life changing money if you're 15:07.473 --> 15:08.474 responsible with it. 15:08.474 --> 15:09.475 This is hard fought money. 15:09.475 --> 15:10.610 It's university money. 15:10.610 --> 15:11.844 It's donor money. 15:11.844 --> 15:15.581 It's not free so we want to make sure that we're good stewards of 15:15.581 --> 15:17.583 the money that's been given to us. 15:17.583 --> 15:18.584 - Well said. 15:18.584 --> 15:20.586 Memphis Fan Fest on the 24th during the day. 15:20.586 --> 15:23.055 Heels in Hoops in the evening at the University of Memphis 15:23.055 --> 15:24.056 Holiday Inn. 15:24.056 --> 15:26.058 Melissa, it's always a pleasure. 15:26.058 --> 15:27.493 Ariel, great job today. 15:27.493 --> 15:29.595 Looking forward to watching you in your senior season out there. 15:29.595 --> 15:30.596 - Thank you. 15:30.596 --> 15:31.597 - That's Ariel Hearn. 15:31.597 --> 15:33.800 That's Melissa McFerrin with the University of Memphis Women's 15:33.800 --> 15:34.801 Basketball team. 15:34.801 --> 15:35.802 We thank them for joining us. 15:35.802 --> 15:37.804 Coming up next is Overtime. 15:40.273 --> 16:04.230 [theme music] 16:04.230 --> 16:05.298 Now, some pigskin. 16:05.298 --> 16:07.800 The Tennessee Vols are enjoying a bye week after rallying from a 16:07.800 --> 16:12.338 24-3 deficit last Saturday to post a 38-31 victory over 16:12.338 --> 16:13.639 Georgia at Neyland Stadium. 16:13.639 --> 16:17.310 It was a complete 180 from earlier results this season when 16:17.310 --> 16:20.279 UT blew double-digit leads in losses to Oklahoma, 16:20.279 --> 16:21.581 Florida and Arkansas. 16:21.581 --> 16:25.017 Head Coach Butch Jones had been under fire before his team came 16:25.017 --> 16:28.020 through with their win over the Bulldogs and was in pretty good 16:28.020 --> 16:31.224 spirits when he sat down to chat with me earlier in the week at 16:31.224 --> 16:33.893 the Touchdown Club of Memphis. 16:33.893 --> 16:35.895 Butch, great to have you in Memphis, 16:35.895 --> 16:36.896 as always. 16:36.896 --> 16:38.898 - Oh, it's always great to be back in Memphis. 16:38.898 --> 16:41.634 - How gratifying, how satisfying was that victory over Georgia? 16:41.634 --> 16:44.604 - Well, it was a great victory for us for a number of reasons. 16:44.604 --> 16:46.706 First and foremost, our players. 16:46.706 --> 16:49.008 We've been through a lot and think it really showed the 16:49.008 --> 16:52.178 resiliency, the resolve, the character of our football team 16:52.178 --> 16:55.414 by which we were able to come back against a quality opponent 16:55.414 --> 16:59.318 and find a way to win a football game and to finish the game off. 16:59.318 --> 17:03.923 - Was it hard or relatively easy to keep the spirits up for these 17:03.923 --> 17:07.527 players, for this team, for this program after the tough luck 17:07.527 --> 17:08.828 losses you've had? 17:08.828 --> 17:11.130 - Well, we've been in some tough games. 17:11.130 --> 17:15.701 And four fo them have come down to the final possession or final 17:15.701 --> 17:17.870 quarter and three final possessions. 17:17.870 --> 17:21.374 So, it's been a great year in terms of developing 17:21.374 --> 17:22.775 how to finish. 17:22.775 --> 17:25.177 But really, we have great character in our football 17:25.177 --> 17:27.179 program, great competitive character. 17:27.179 --> 17:30.383 And really all this has done is it's galvanized our football 17:30.383 --> 17:31.784 team and our football family. 17:31.784 --> 17:34.720 And finally, they are rewarded for all their hard work 17:34.720 --> 17:35.721 and diligence. 17:35.721 --> 17:37.723 - So, is the secret getting behind? 17:37.723 --> 17:38.724 Is that what you need to do? 17:38.724 --> 17:40.726  (Butch)    Well, I don't like that either. 17:40.726 --> 17:41.727 - No, you don't. 17:41.727 --> 17:42.728 - But you know what? 17:42.728 --> 17:45.097 It's just a consistency in performance each and every time 17:45.097 --> 17:48.067 we step out on the football field whether it's in practice 17:48.067 --> 17:50.336 or obviously in competition on game days. 17:50.336 --> 17:52.672 But we're learning and we're getting better. 17:52.672 --> 17:54.106 I see us making progress. 17:54.106 --> 17:56.609 The bye week's coming at an appropriate time. 17:56.609 --> 17:58.611 We're really banged up right now. 17:58.611 --> 18:00.179 You look at our offensive line. 18:00.179 --> 18:02.515 We've had individuals that have really grinded 18:02.515 --> 18:03.516 their way through. 18:03.516 --> 18:06.252 And then we're playing Georgia, a very talented defense, 18:06.252 --> 18:08.988 and the right side of our line comprised of true freshmen, 18:08.988 --> 18:11.791 both at the right guard and right tackle position with 18:11.791 --> 18:13.693 Chance Hall and Jack Jones. 18:13.693 --> 18:15.995 And then obviously all the freshmen on defense. 18:15.995 --> 18:19.065 But the kids are doing a great job and our older players are 18:19.065 --> 18:20.166 really stepping up now. 18:20.166 --> 18:21.367 - Injury is part of the game. 18:21.367 --> 18:23.703 But you really have had to deal with a lot of not just 18:23.703 --> 18:24.870 those injuries. 18:24.870 --> 18:26.872 It seemed like even before the season, 18:26.872 --> 18:27.873 you would lose players. 18:27.873 --> 18:30.810 You had to dismiss a player recently. 18:30.810 --> 18:34.680 I know it's part of the game but that has to really add to 18:34.680 --> 18:37.650 your frustration of trying to put together a game plan each 18:37.650 --> 18:38.651 and every week. 18:38.651 --> 18:39.652 - Well, you're exactly right. 18:39.652 --> 18:41.721 I mean, we're still in the infant stages of building our 18:41.721 --> 18:44.890 football program and you build that being nine strong. 18:44.890 --> 18:46.892 We talk about power of the position. 18:46.892 --> 18:49.261 And every position grew being strong. 18:49.261 --> 18:52.465 And right now we're working to build that competitive depth and 18:52.465 --> 18:55.501 we're limited in some positions in terms of depth. 18:55.501 --> 18:58.404 So, anytime you have an injury, that sets you back. 18:58.404 --> 19:00.873 When you lose your team leader, Curt Maggitt, 19:00.873 --> 19:04.110 it's an opportunity for someone else to step up. 19:04.110 --> 19:07.079 And I see Brian Randolph stepping up in that role. 19:07.079 --> 19:10.049 But, you know, those are positions that we can't lose 19:10.049 --> 19:11.050 key performers. 19:11.050 --> 19:13.653 But that's like you said, the game of football and it's 19:13.653 --> 19:15.955 another individual's opportunity. 19:15.955 --> 19:19.158 - We saw your quarterback put it all together against Georgia. 19:19.158 --> 19:21.160 Accounted for all five touchdowns. 19:21.160 --> 19:23.262 Some would argue, hey Coach Jones, 19:23.262 --> 19:25.264 Butch, unleash this guy. 19:25.264 --> 19:26.265 We saw his ability. 19:26.265 --> 19:27.500 We know his ability. 19:27.500 --> 19:32.271 How excited are you to see him put it all together? 19:32.271 --> 19:35.641 - Well, Greg, you know, I see a great competitive spirit in him. 19:35.641 --> 19:38.110 And he really willed our football team to win. 19:38.110 --> 19:40.913 And that's what we need from him and that's what we need from the 19:40.913 --> 19:42.048 quarterback position. 19:42.048 --> 19:43.516 And everyone believes in him. 19:43.516 --> 19:46.685 And we had players step up and make plays around him, 19:46.685 --> 19:47.686 too. 19:47.686 --> 19:49.688 You know, the best play, Jalen Hurd, 19:49.688 --> 19:52.658 all night was a third nine where he has to go pick up a corner 19:52.658 --> 19:56.429 blitz, which allows Josh to stay in the pocket and Alex Ellis 19:56.429 --> 20:00.199 down the middle for a big critical third down conversion. 20:00.199 --> 20:02.802 And that's what we talk about, playing complementary football 20:02.802 --> 20:04.603 in all three phases. 20:04.603 --> 20:06.939 What do you think it is when you go back and you look at tape and 20:06.939 --> 20:09.508 discuss what's going on with your team and your assistant 20:09.508 --> 20:13.345 coaches, your staff, about not being able to finish earlier in 20:13.345 --> 20:14.346 the season? 20:14.346 --> 20:16.916 And obviously, you got the moneky off the back on Saturday. 20:16.916 --> 20:19.018 - Well, I think a lot of people just look at the end of the 20:19.018 --> 20:20.619 games in terms of finishing. 20:20.619 --> 20:22.955 But in the world of football, you know, 20:22.955 --> 20:24.957 you can finish in the first quarter. 20:24.957 --> 20:27.393 You can finish in the second quarter or the third quarter. 20:27.393 --> 20:30.629 And sometimes a football game will come down to two to three 20:30.629 --> 20:32.431 plays that make a difference. 20:32.431 --> 20:34.834 Really there's been about eight to ten plays that could have 20:34.834 --> 20:35.835 made the difference. 20:35.835 --> 20:39.271 And I think it's just having that consistency in performance, 20:39.271 --> 20:43.242 that focus that sometimes a young football team will lose. 20:43.242 --> 20:46.345 And maintaining that focus for four quarters or over time. 20:46.345 --> 20:49.582 But I think I would challenge anybody in the country that's 20:49.582 --> 20:51.750 played the schedule that we played. 20:51.750 --> 20:54.420 And like I said, three of them will come down in the final 20:54.420 --> 20:56.755 drive and four of them, the final quarter. 20:56.755 --> 20:59.425 Arguably the Arkansas game, the final drive as well, 20:59.425 --> 21:00.993 which will be four games. 21:00.993 --> 21:03.462 And that's why we have to be able to keep things in 21:03.462 --> 21:06.198 perspective, too, in the progress and that we're making. 21:06.198 --> 21:10.236 You know, the players see it and I think that's what allowed them 21:10.236 --> 21:13.038 to go in and compete like they did against Georgia as they see 21:13.038 --> 21:15.174 the progress that they're making each and every day. 21:15.174 --> 21:17.176 - And Butch, you do a great job of keeping things 21:17.176 --> 21:18.177 into perspective. 21:18.177 --> 21:19.178 You've never wavered. 21:19.178 --> 21:21.180 The positive attitude is always there, 21:21.180 --> 21:22.248 even with those tough losses. 21:22.248 --> 21:24.483 When you hear negative things said, 21:24.483 --> 21:27.653 when you have people throw rumors out there about your 21:27.653 --> 21:30.356 character, how do you respond? 21:30.356 --> 21:32.358 - Well, people who know me know me. 21:32.358 --> 21:34.360 And they know what I'm all about. 21:34.360 --> 21:37.229 And most importantly, it's our players and everyone associated 21:37.229 --> 21:38.230 with that. 21:38.230 --> 21:40.666 And you know, we're going to do things the right way and it's 21:40.666 --> 21:41.667 very unfortunate. 21:41.667 --> 21:45.004 The world of Twitter and blogs and all of that, 21:45.004 --> 21:46.005 that goes on. 21:46.005 --> 21:48.007 And that's part of keeping the distractions 21:48.007 --> 21:49.008 from your football team. 21:49.008 --> 21:51.010 But I don't get caught up in all of that. 21:51.010 --> 21:52.011 I have a job to do. 21:52.011 --> 21:54.213 And you know, I work for a great fan base. 21:54.213 --> 21:55.915 I work for a great institution. 21:55.915 --> 21:59.251 And I most importantly work for our players each and every day, 21:59.251 --> 22:02.521 to work to put them into positions to be successful along 22:02.521 --> 22:04.790 with our coaching staff and build a great culture. 22:04.790 --> 22:05.791 And we have that. 22:05.791 --> 22:07.793 - What do you think you can get accomplished? 22:07.793 --> 22:09.795 What can this team do the rest of this season? 22:09.795 --> 22:11.797 - Well, this bye week is coming at the right time, 22:11.797 --> 22:12.831 first and foremost. 22:12.831 --> 22:13.832 We have to get healthy. 22:13.832 --> 22:16.135 And then we have to go back to the fundamentals. 22:16.135 --> 22:19.605 We have to improve our tackling, our takeaway on defense, 22:19.605 --> 22:22.174 leveraging the football and then offensively, 22:22.174 --> 22:23.175 the same thing. 22:23.175 --> 22:26.412 Just the overall execution and continue to grow and develop. 22:26.412 --> 22:28.914 Each and every day is going to be a challenge obviously with 22:28.914 --> 22:31.617 Alabama being the first game off the bye week. 22:31.617 --> 22:34.019 But the bye week is coming at the appropriate time. 22:34.019 --> 22:36.422 - Who has been the biggest surprise for you? 22:36.422 --> 22:37.456 - In terms of player wise? 22:37.456 --> 22:38.457 - Yes. 22:38.457 --> 22:39.525 - You know what? 22:39.525 --> 22:43.062 I would say just the freshmen class in general. 22:43.062 --> 22:46.465 They've done a very, very good job and they've had to play in 22:46.465 --> 22:48.267 some critical moments. 22:48.267 --> 22:49.268 The maturity. 22:49.268 --> 22:52.705 And I think they've been aided by the maturity and the 22:52.705 --> 22:55.274 leadership of our senior class and our older players. 22:55.274 --> 22:58.777 But been very, very pleased with our entire freshmen class. 22:58.777 --> 23:01.480 - Butch, I'm sure you saw the news today about Will Grier, 23:01.480 --> 23:03.616 who's gone for the rest of the year. 23:06.585 --> 23:07.586 You play them. 23:07.586 --> 23:08.687 Obviously you had them down. 23:08.687 --> 23:10.689 They ended up coming back and winning. 23:10.689 --> 23:13.959 When you see that you played a team that had a player that 23:13.959 --> 23:15.995 probably shouldn't have been playing, 23:15.995 --> 23:16.996 what do you think? 23:16.996 --> 23:18.998 - Well, I haven't really given it much thought. 23:18.998 --> 23:21.500 Actually I just found out when I got off the plane. 23:21.500 --> 23:23.335 So, you know, I know this is. 23:23.335 --> 23:25.804 Florida is a very talented football team. 23:25.804 --> 23:28.207 They're one of the better defenses that we've played 23:28.207 --> 23:29.208 all year. 23:29.208 --> 23:31.210 I thought we had a great game plan. 23:31.210 --> 23:33.212 Unfortunately we weren't able to finish the game 23:33.212 --> 23:34.580 and get the victory. 23:34.580 --> 23:37.650 But I really haven't given that much thought. 23:37.650 --> 23:40.419 - Tennessee has an amazing fan base here in Memphis. 23:40.419 --> 23:41.520 Great recruits as well. 23:41.520 --> 23:43.522 How important is this city for you? 23:43.522 --> 23:44.523 - Well, it's critical. 23:44.523 --> 23:46.525 You know, it's a part of the great state of Tennessee. 23:46.525 --> 23:49.561 Have tremendous respect for all the high school coaches in this 23:49.561 --> 23:52.231 area and all the great high school football players. 23:52.231 --> 23:55.401 And that's why any opportunity I get a chance to come back to 23:55.401 --> 23:56.869 Memphis, I'm over here. 23:56.869 --> 23:58.871 - You guys are a coaching fraternity, 23:58.871 --> 23:59.872 all you coaches. 23:59.872 --> 24:01.807 You know probably just about everyone. 24:01.807 --> 24:03.809 If not, you'll meet them one day. 24:03.809 --> 24:06.545 When you see a story, the struggles of what's happened to 24:06.545 --> 24:09.014 him, again, being in that coaching fraternity, 24:09.014 --> 24:13.686 that must be rough for all you guys to see a fellow coach have 24:13.686 --> 24:15.287 the struggles that he's having. 24:15.287 --> 24:16.588 - Well, you're exactly right. 24:16.588 --> 24:17.623 It is a fraternity. 24:17.623 --> 24:19.625 And pretty much everyone knows everyone. 24:19.625 --> 24:22.261 And if not, you build those relationships 24:22.261 --> 24:23.262 with different events. 24:23.262 --> 24:27.666 But it's very unfortunate and wish him well in all that. 24:27.666 --> 24:29.435 But this is a tough profession. 24:29.435 --> 24:31.971 And it's a very close knit profession. 24:31.971 --> 24:34.106 And, you know, half of your profession loses, 24:34.106 --> 24:35.107 you know. 24:35.107 --> 24:37.109 And unfortunately you're gauged by wins and losses. 24:37.109 --> 24:38.110 That's our profession. 24:38.110 --> 24:40.112 That's the profession that we chose. 24:40.112 --> 24:42.114 But it's also a very rewarding profession when you have the 24:42.114 --> 24:45.284 opportunity to shape lives like we have the opportunity to do. 24:45.284 --> 24:47.286 - Always great to have you in Memphis. 24:47.286 --> 24:49.288 Always good to talk to you, Butch. 24:49.288 --> 24:51.423 - Oh, it's great to talk to you. 24:51.423 --> 24:52.458 - Thank you so much. 24:52.458 --> 24:53.459 That's Butch Jones. 24:53.459 --> 24:56.729 The Volunteers return to action next Saturday at Alabama. 24:56.729 --> 24:59.965 The Memphis Tigers and Ole Miss Rebels went at it earlier today 24:59.965 --> 25:02.768 at Liberty Bowl Stadium in one of the biggest regular season 25:02.768 --> 25:05.137 games in University of Memphis pigskin history. 25:05.137 --> 25:08.407 Of course we taped this program earlier in the week so we 25:08.407 --> 25:11.243 obviously have no idea as to the result. 25:11.243 --> 25:13.879 The Tigers were hosting a ranked team at the Liberty Bowl for the 25:13.879 --> 25:16.115 first time as a ranked team. 25:16.115 --> 25:19.017 Memphis was number 22 in the coaches poll. 25:19.017 --> 25:21.186 A couple of other quick notes. 25:21.186 --> 25:24.823 Steve Spurrier announced that he was stepping down immediately as 25:24.823 --> 25:26.625 the South Carolina Head Coach. 25:26.625 --> 25:30.229 Florida Quarterback Will Grier was suspended for a year for the 25:30.229 --> 25:33.499 use of performance enhancing drugs and Ole Miss star left 25:33.499 --> 25:37.169 tackle Laramey Tunsil will be eligible to play next weekend 25:37.169 --> 25:41.407 versus Texas A and M after missing seven games as an NCAA 25:41.407 --> 25:44.710 penalty for several rules violations. 25:44.710 --> 25:46.712 And that's going to do it for now. 25:46.712 --> 25:52.484 Have a great week and we'll see you next time. 25:52.484 --> 26:05.464 [theme music] 26:05.464 --> 26:06.465  (female announcer)   Production funding for 26:06.465 --> 26:08.967  Sports Files is made   possible in part by... 26:08.967 --> 26:11.870  (male narrator)    Infiniti of Memphis has    moved to Germantown 26:11.870 --> 26:15.407  road just half mile north of   Wolfchase Galleria and is proud 26:15.407 --> 26:18.277  to support WKNO for its quality   broadcasting and service 26:18.277 --> 26:19.378  to our community. 26:19.378 --> 26:21.580  Quality and service --   No wonder Infiniti of Memphis 26:21.580 --> 26:26.585  feels at   home on WKNO.