So, ESPN announcers decided to say Tennessee’s Evan Russell was suspended for PED’s according to “reports and speculation” and that the NCAA would now be testing the whole team.

Where is this report that stated this about Russell? pic.twitter.com/HnsG0GfciZ

— Trey Wallace (@TreyWallace_) June 4, 2022

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As the game between the Vols and the Hornets played out, ESPN broadcaster Troy Eklund was announcing the NCAA tournament game between Missouri State and Oklahoma State and made unsubstantiated claims about Russell's absence.

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"Tennessee is gonna have the whole resort of the team tested tomorrow, or the NCAA is. So, it's going to be interesting to see if that's just a one-player thing or that's throughout that whole entire program. Performance-enhancing drugs is what it was said."

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"Evan Russell's absence last night had nothing to do with any violation of team, NCAA or SEC rules," Tennessee said in a statement. "We have been in contact with ESPN, and they are aware of the situation regarding last night's comments made on their broadcast. ESPN is handling the situation, and we are expecting a public apology from them later today."

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Following Friday's 10-0 win over Alabama State, Vitello addressed Russell's absence, saying that the catcher was sick.

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