Since they've already been sharing strategy and recruiting ideas this week, it only seems natural that Tennessee's two basketball teams share the court tonight.

The men's and women's teams will open practice with a doubleheader at Thompson-Boling Arena. The Lady Vols will start at 7 p.m. and the Vols will finish beginning at 9.

The joint operation reflects the compatibility between the staffs of Lady Vols coach Pat Summitt and new men's coach Bruce Pearl.

"We sat in a room this week and visited for four hours, talking recruiting and sharing ideas,'' Summitt said. "There's a mutual respect. When you have the resources right next door, why not share?"

The relationship between the two staffs is comparable to what existed between the Lady Vols and the men's staff of former coach Buzz Peterson, who was fired after last season.

Coaching camaraderie aside, there will be plenty of transition evident tonight, particularly with the Vols.

Pearl will be implementing his uptempo, pressing style. During media day Tuesday, he declared an "open season" on offense regarding shots and scoring roles.

The Lady Vols, who are replacing departed starters Shyra Ely and Loree Moore, will take the floor with high school sensation Candace Parker, who missed last season while recovering from multiple knee surgeries.

Parker will be joined by freshman newcomer Lindsey Moss and Alex Fuller, who also missed last season because of knee surgery.

If you're coming to the arena expecting to see a bunch of Parker dunks, think again.

"This is practice,'' Summitt said. "This is going to be Candace playing defense and rebounding.''