Unbelievable:Santiago Vescovi announced his marriage proposal date including……
Tennessee couldn’t send out fifth-year senior guards Josiah-Jordan James, Dalton Knecht and Santiago Vescovi as winners Saturday afternoon, when No. 15 Kentucky invaded the Food City Center and halted the seven-game winning streak of the No. 4 Volunteers, 85-81. The Wildcats led by 14 points on multiple occasions before a late Tennessee run and were paced by 27 points apiece from Antonio Reeves and Reed Sheppard, who combined on 10-of-15 shooting from 3-point range.
Kentucky, which led for the game’s final 30 minutes, spoiled a career-best 40-point performance by Knecht.
“We were too emotional for sure,” James said. “I feel like everybody who started the game was not locked in, and it’s hard to be with everything that went on today affecting our las
t game.
And just like that, it’s senior day in Knoxville. The five-year careers of Santiago Vescovi and Josiah-Jordan James will be celebrated today, along with the spectacular one-year performance from transfer Dalton Knecht. Today’s game against Kentucky will serve as their last at Food City Center.
Tennessee has a lot of work left to do, but that will be put on pause for a few minutes today as the trio goes through Senior Day festivities. Here’s what they all had to say about the day on Friday.
What Santiago Vescovi has gotten from his time at Tennessee
“So many countless things to be honest. From relationships with the guys, bonds that we’ve created that are going to be there forever, I think I’ve grown as a person and as a basketball player, which were the main two things that I wanted to get out of the University of Tennessee. Most importantly, I created a home here. Really Knoxville’s gonna be in my heart forever. Love the city, love the people around, love everything about it. And on top of that, all the people that in their own way, they’ve encountered or helped me to become the person I am right now. I’m really grateful for (it). Really love everything about it.”
What Josiah-Jordan James has gotten from his time at Tennessee
“I’ve gotten lifelong relationships. I’ve gotten humbled through this program. And I wouldn’t be the man that I am today without being here and going through the experiences that I’ve had. I’m so grateful and indebted to Coach Barnes and his entire staff just for sticking with me through the ups and downs. And I’m indebted to my teammates as well because they’re the best groups of groups of people that I’ve ever been around. And I can never repay them for all that they’ve given me. But I try to come in with a great attitude and be the best version of myself every day for them.”
Josiah-Jordan James on what it means to be a cornerstone piece of the program
“Man, it is taken a lot to get to this point. I wouldn’t be here without Santi because he, Coach Barnes is the most consistent person, and right under him is Santi. Because you know what you’re going get out of him every single day. He’s such a great person. He’s a hard worker and he is a great leader. And somebody that’s uplifting me through tough times. And like I said, I wouldn’t be here without him. But Coach Barnes saying that about us, it is really gratifying just because Santi and I have been through so much. Five years is a long time. There’s a lot of ups and downs and highs and lows, but I just credit him and I for always having each other’s back and always coming in the next day and trying to get the best out of each other and the best out of this group. And that’s why I think that we are where we are right now. Not just because of him and I, but the standard that Grant Williams and the guys before us set. Because they were a really good basketball team before we got here. They’re going to be a really good basketball team after Santi and I leave, but the culture here is second to none.”
