KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra is pulling for Butch Jones and the Volunteers, so he dropped by Knoxville to talk with the team.
Spoelstra and Jones are friends and the Heat coach visited Tennessee’s training camp Wednesday. Jones believes his Volunteers can take inspiration from the coach of the defending NBA champions.
Spoelstra watched the final stages of Wednesday morning’s practice, but did not speak with reporters. He was scheduled to meet with the team Wednesday afternoon. Players left practice wearing T-shirts that read “Championship Wednesday” and featured logos of Tennessee and the Heat.
Jones says his friendship with Spoelstra goes back two years, but this is first time the Heat coach has visited one of his teams. Jones attended the Heat’s victory in Game 7 of the NBA Finals.
