Wes Rucker Leaving 247

[DenVol]

Basillo is great. His post game show is the best. He cares about us common fans

I never understand the Basilio hate. Dude is a true Vol and actually cares about our school. Just because he doesn’t sugar coat things and hold your hand doesn’t mean he’s a bad commentator. He’s the voice of the true fan.

 

[Rocky Top T]

I never understand the Basilio hate. Dude is a true Vol and actually cares about our school. Just because he doesn’t sugar coat things and hold your hand doesn’t mean he’s a bad commentator. He’s the voice of the true fan.

Absolutely. He is all Vol, he just calls it like it is, and some can't handle that

 

[SpecialKVolfan]

I never understand the Basilio hate. Dude is a true Vol and actually cares about our school. Just because he doesn’t sugar coat things and hold your hand doesn’t mean he’s a bad commentator. He’s the voice of the true fan.

I him.

 

[CAVPUT]

Basillo is great. His post game show is the best. He cares about us common fans

His heart might be in the right place, but his presentation is childish, inane and repetitive. Throw in his on air meals and soda belching and it's just intolerable. Plus he talks over his guests and callers and his voice....he certainly has a face for radio, but his voice makes me want to shove an ice pick in my ears. It's grating to say the least. I'd rather have a colonoscopy than listen to him.

 

[Brave Volunteer]

Basillo is great. His post game show is the best. He cares about us common fans

I consider 5th Quarter Fan Reaction an extension of the game itself! I never miss it! Especially when we lose. Its very entertaining radio!

His heart might be in the right place, but his presentation is childish, inane and repetitive. Throw in his on air meals and soda belching and it's just intolerable. Plus he talks over his guests and callers and his voice....he certainly has a face for radio, but his voice makes me want to shove an ice pick in my ears. It's grating to say the least. I'd rather have a colonoscopy than listen to him.

Is anybody else doing it any better? If so, I'll give them a listen. But up to now I haven't found anybody else that I find as entertaining and informative. I dont always agree with his takes, and he can tend to be a negative Nancy at times. But I'd rather hear that than a boot-licking, sunshine pumping state radio host

 

[wmcovol]

Basilio has great guests. Beano keeps him grounded but days with Adams & Sinclair are tough to listen to.

 

[Jackcrevol]

Additional context:

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Hope his son and family are well.

 

[Jackcrevol]

His heart might be in the right place, but his presentation is childish, inane and repetitive. Throw in his on air meals and soda belching and it's just intolerable. Plus he talks over his guests and callers and his voice....he certainly has a face for radio, but his voice makes me want to shove an ice pick in my ears. It's grating to say the least. I'd rather have a colonoscopy than listen to him.

100%

 

[SDV]

Basilio is the best. Been listening to him since the mid 90s.

 

[TennesseeTarheel]

Likely laid off, journalism industry is going through a transformation rn from print and writing, to more video based content. Plus conquest likely taking the majority of Tennessee subscriptions and him being the longest tenured at 247 so the biggest contract made him the first to cut

The only time it is good to be one of the lower totems on the pole.

 

[05_never_again]

I never understand the Basilio hate. Dude is a true Vol and actually cares about our school. Just because he doesn’t sugar coat things and hold your hand doesn’t mean he’s a bad commentator. He’s the voice of the true fan.

I think 90% of it is because he's a Yankee from Philly and has an irritating voice, especially to us hillbillies. I say this as a fan of his show. He's 100% Vol though; he is an alum and has lived in Knoxville for decades.

He also is a hard listen when he doesn't have something specific to talk about (like right now); his show consists mostly of inside jokes/references with his callers. But during football and basketball season, and increasingly during baseball season, his show is entertaining. His 5th Quarter Fan Reaction show is all I listen to after football games.

 

[LAVol1]

Wes has left 247 sports and possibly college football for good. I know this is going to be fabulous news some folks here.

I kept up with Wes on Twitter for Vols stuff even though I wasn’t a huge fan of him. Who else do yall suggest that is a good follow for Vols sports on Twitter?

IMO, in my 70+ years on this earth, there are only two Vol sports writers that I would rate above all others. Marvin West is the most unique, interesting and entertaining--a real treasure. Wes Rucker is/was the best at reporting, informing and analyzing--a real talent. No writer on 247 is even close to as good as Wes.

 

[Tin Man]

In the early 2000s, I had a running correspondence with Stewart Mandel and Andy Staples. Both ended when they joined the Athletic behind a paywall. These days, I read about the Vols no matter who’s doing the scribbling. I’ve not been inclined to follow or write to any sports journalist since.

 

[Tin Man]

My best note to Stewart Mandel was about his writing style and how his following might include people who don’t regularly follow sports. He replied at length and with humor to that one.

My best note to Andy Staples was about his basset hound, Leeloo. His reply was personal and friendly.

Both have mentioned me in their articles, but that was a long time ago.

 

[A.J.]

He also is a hard listen when he doesn't have something specific to talk about (like right now); his show consists mostly of inside jokes/references with his callers. But during football and basketball season, and increasingly during baseball season, his show is entertaining. His 5th Quarter Fan Reaction show is all I listen to after football games.

I agree. I listen to parts of his show pretty regularly from a few weeks before football season starts til the end of basketball season, then take a break until football starts back. I like the podcasts so I can skip over some of the brutal commercials. Lol. I always enjoy his postgame shows. Can always count on NegaDave to be first in line after a loss. There are definitely some other daily shows out there that may be presented a little smoother, but he seems like a nice guy that loves the Vols and the fans and his community and doesn’t take himself too seriously like some others do.

 

[Clad in Big Orange]

Wes Rucker is one of the greatest sports journalists to ever write an article. Also, one of the wittiest. Just ask him.