Welcome to our weekly column, the State of the Vols. Here we look at the pulse of UT football and basketball. Check back next Monday to keep abreast of what’s going on and what’s coming up with UT sports.

Football

Tennessee is five practices into spring but will have the week off for spring break. Here are a few quick impressions from each position thus far.

Quarterbacks: All four UT QBs are sharing reps equally and no one has separated from the pack. Ferguson has made some of the best throws this spring. Dobbs has proven to be the most dangerous playmaker with his legs. Peterman has demonstrated his strong arm a few times. Worley has made some plays but also some mistakes. All four quarterbacks need to be more consistent.

Running backs: Marlin Lane didn’t scrimmage Friday due to a wrist injury. Lane was having an excellent spring. He looks like a much quicker and more determined runner. He should be back practicing after spring break. Jalen Hurd made multiple plays in Lane’s absence. Things are starting to click for Hurd. Just a week into practice, it looks like he’ll see a ton of playing time this year.

Tight ends: Newcomer Ethan Wolf has been working with the first team and has really impressed the coaching staff. They like his versatility. He can line up on the line or out wide and has the size and skills to make plays in all phases of the game. Freshman Daniel Helm has impressed at times. The Vols will be much better at tight end this year.

Receivers: LaVon Pearson, Jason Croom, and Marquez North would be your starters if the season started today. Croom and North look bigger, quicker, and more confident than last year. Pearson is an elite athlete who’ll have a shot to shred defenses this fall. Newcomer Josh Malone made some plays Friday. When he adjusts to the pace of the college game, watch out.

Offensive line: The middle of Tennessee’s line (Crowder, Kerbyson, and Jackson) has been solid thus far while UT’s new tackles have gone through some growing pains. Coleman Thomas and Dontavius Blair have the physical tools to play at a high level, they’re just not yet accustomed to playing against an SEC defensive line.

Defensive line: Corey Vereen made an impact in Friday’s scrimmage. He was effective last year in passing situations but looks like he’ll be an every down defensive end this year. Other than Vereen, the Vols are still looking for playmakers on the defensive front.

Linebackers: Curt Maggitt, A.J. Johnson, and Jalen Reeves-Maybin should anchor an improved linebacking corps this season. They’re healthy. They’re bigger. They’re faster. It will be up to them to compensate for an inexperienced front four early in the season and, thus far, they look up to the task.

Secondary: Brian Randolph isn’t going through spring practice but has one starting safety job locked up. Cam Sutton is the only other Vol with a guaranteed starting spot right now. Speedster Emmanuel Moseley is competing for a starting corner job. Justin Coleman looks entrenched at nickel. Overall, UT’s defensive backfield is much quicker and more athletic than the last few years. No matter who ends up starting, they’ll be better.

Basketball

The Vols are headed back to the NCAA Tournament and will play Iowa in a “First Four” game in Dayton (Wednesday at 9:10 pm TV: TruTV) for the right to an 11-seed in the Midwest region. Should the Vols defeat Iowa, they’ll face No.6 seed UMASS in Raleigh, NC., Friday at 2:45 pm.

Tennessee was once again shafted by the committee. The Vols boast a higher RPI and played a tougher schedule than several bubble teams that made it in the field of 64. As a whole, the SEC just isn’t respected by the committee. Regardless, the Vols got a favorable matchup in Iowa. The Hawkeyes (20-12, 56 RPI) lost six of their last seven games. Currently, Tennessee is a 2-point favorite over Iowa. UMASS and Iowa were a combined 4-8 in their last six games. The Vols were 5-1 with that one loss coming in a close game against the No. 1 Gators.

Expect a game of contrasting styles when the Vols hit the court Wednesday night. Iowa averages 82 points per game (10th nationally) while the Vols score 71.3 ppg. Defensively, the Vols rank among the best in the nation. They allow 61.4 ppg (16th nationally) while Iowa gives up 70.1 ppg (168th nationally). Anything can happen in the tournament, but defense reigns supreme and that bodes well for the Vols. Iowa and Tennessee are among the nation’s leaders in offensive rebounds. The ability of Stokes and Maymon to grab rebounds and stay out of foul trouble will be key for the Vols Wednesday. We’ll have a full game preview and prediction for you in the coming days.

Cuonzo Martin was the 11th highest paid coach in the SEC this season yet is leading one of three SEC teams in the NCAA Tournament. Look for him to get a raise and extension this offseason. Additionally, don’t be surprised if a few major conference teams make a run at Martin after the season ends.