Tennessee senior Andre Patterson will be back for the Vols' exhibition game with Carson Newman, but not where most expected.

Patterson, a 6-foot-7, 215-pounder who has played power forward throughout his career, will back up starting center Major Wingate when UT plays the Eagles at 7 pm. Friday at Thompson-Boling Arena.

"The long-range plan is to get him (Patterson) to play a couple of positions,'' UT coach Bruce Pearl said. "Right now, since he's just back, one position (center) will be where he'll play. Eventually, we'll work Andre in at small forward.''

Pearl said he's changing Patterson's position to make the best use of his abilities.

"My power forward trails on our break, and I think it's important to get Andre down the floor at the center position or the (small) forward position,'' Pearl said, "where we can take advantage of his athleticism and ability to score in transition.''

Patterson's move helps compensate for the absence of 6-10 freshman center Damion Harris, who will miss Friday's game with a pulled quadriceps and might redshirt this season.

Pearl said junior Dane Bradshaw and freshman Ryan Childress will continue to play power forward.

Patterson, who came off a four-week suspension earlier this week after his altercation with former football player Daniel Brooks, said he's fine with the position change.

"It fits me a lot better; now because I can use my speed and quickness,'' said Patterson, who has practiced four days. "After the (Southern Indiana) game, coach called me and told me what he'd like me to do and told me where I'd fit in, and I took it from there.''

Patterson could still see action at power forward when the Vols match up with bigger teams in SEC play.