Vols searching for answers after Memphis loss

GoVols247’s full staff Wes Rucker (from Fort Rucker Studio) and Grant Ramey (from GoVols247’s Blount County Satellite Office in Maryville) convened via the magic of Al Gore’s Internets to discuss Tennessee’s ugly loss to Memphis and the challenges facing the Vols this week and beyond.Saturday certainly didn’t go the way Tennessee hoped or expected. Thirteen-ranked Memphis came to Thompson-Boling Arena down two starters — including arguably the top NBA prospect in college basketball — but still walked away with a jersey-popping, 51-47 win in one of the ugliest games in a fierce rivalry that often produces ugly games.The first segment of this episode is a breakdown of Saturday’s ugly affair in the Tommy Bowl and the ending of what had been an NCAA-leading, 31-game home-court winning streak. How in the world did that happen? That’s perhaps the easiest way to describe the nature of that segment.The second segment of this episode is a look at other questions. The most important question — “Was that an outlier?” — is the primary discussion point, but there are other questions to answer, too. What’s the latest on Lamonte Turner and his shoulder issues? What’s the latest on Jordan Bowden following his disappointing performance? Can we expect to see Josiah-Jordan James continue to increase his role after having much of preseason camp cut short with an injury? Why isn’t Jalen Johnson getting more time on the floor? Can some of these freshmen help transform this team as the season progresses?Obviously there’s a ton to discuss after such a miserable game, and this episode attempts to discuss as much of it as possible.The next GoVols247 Podcast episode will be released Thursday, unless breaking news occurs before that point.