First Round Preview: #13 Chattanooga Vs. #4 Illinois
Tennessee basketball walk-on Brock Jancek is partnering with bed sheets company “Sheets and Giggles” as part of the company’s March Madness promotion. “Sheets and Giggles” is partnering with five of the most “well rested” players in men’s and women’s basketball this season.
Jancek is a senior walk-on for the Vols and tallied nine points for Tennessee early in the season before undergoing season ending wrist surgery in February.
The other players in the men’s promotion includes UCLA’s Russell Stong, UCF’s Becca Ripley, Illinois’ Conor Serven and Wisconsin’s Justin Taphorn.
Due to NCAA COVID-19 eligibility relief, Jancek has one final year of eligibility. The Knoxville native plans to graduate transfer to a smaller school where he can earn more playing time.
“I am sure every walk-on can relate to this in any sport,” Jancek said on senior day. “You obviously want to play and get minutes and be that guy. With the success that we have had here at Tennessee over the past four years, it washes that feeling away. Having that extra year, I know that I can be that at a certain place. I have not been thinking about that at all, I have been enjoying and embracing all the success we have had here.”
Jancek — the son of former Tennessee defensive coordinator John Jancek — spent four-years playing for his hometown program while they reached No. 1 in the country, made three NCAA Tournaments and won the SEC Tournament.
“That means a lot,” Jancek said of playing at Tennessee. “Fulky talks about this a lot and he’s from Kingsport so it kind of counts, but just growing up in Knoxville, wearing the university on your chest, representing them and being a part of it. I am sure as any kid in a hometown and eventually played ball there, it is unlike anything else and it has been a dream.”
Tennessee opens up NCAA Tournament play at 2:45 p.m. ET Thursday in Indianapolis against Longwood. CBS is broadcasting the game.
