AUSTIN, Texas - They say everything is bigger in Texas.

That's certainly true of Tennessee's competition today.

"This (Texas) team we're playing is larger, taller, longer and heavier than we've seen,'' UT coach Bruce Pearl said. "I guess if you pinned me down, I'd have to say this is the best team I've ever played against.''

The No. 6 Longhorns (8-1) tip off against Tennessee (5-0) at 2 p.m. today in a game televised by ESPN.

Texas manhandled the Vols 95-70 when the teams met last year at the Maui Invitational in Hawaii.

Tennessee center Andre Patterson said the Longhorns didn't see the Vols' best.

"Last year, we just got blown out,'' Patterson said. "The North Carolina loss (in Maui) hurt us. We lost to North Carolina and we lost our motivation - we were real disappointed after that loss.

"(Today) we have to bring it for 40 minutes.''

Pearl said he'll bring a plan tailored for the talented Longhorns, who he believes look to make a statement after a 97-66 loss to No. 1 Duke last Saturday.

"I do enjoy the Xs and Os, and everybody on our team has to step up, including me,'' Pearl said. "Every team Texas has played, they've attacked. But against Duke, for some reason, they weren't the aggressor. I think against us they go back to pounding the ball inside, being physical and trying to manhandle the boards.''

Pearl said rebounding would be key against Texas, which averages a 12.7 rebounding edge over _opponents.

LaMarcus Aldridge, a 6-foot-10 center considered to be a first-round NBA prospect, leads the Longhorns with 9.9 rebounds per contest.

Dane Bradshaw, a 6-4 starting power forward, leads Tennessee with a 7.8 rebounds average. But against Big 12-favorite Texas, Bradshaw's hustle might not be enough.

"We know they're real good inside,'' UT guard Chris Lofton said. "And we know it will be a hostile environment and they'll be ready to play. We have to get their big guys in foul trouble early.''

Lofton and the rest of the Vols will also have to launch - and convert - a number of 3-point shots to have any shot at an upset.

"I'm not going to come right out and say that,'' Pearl said. "But I have a number in mind, as far as how many threes we'll need to make.''

No one knows for sure what number Pearl is thinking, but it would only be appropriate to think big.

After all, it's Texas.

Injury Update: The Austin American-Statesman reported Friday that senior forward Brad Buckman remains questionable for today's game with a strained right-calf injury suffered at Duke. The newspaper reported that Buckman had not practiced through Thursday.

Texas guard Kenton Paulino is listed as questionable with a strained abdominal muscle.

Pearl said the Vols have prepared as though both will play.