Kentucky's starting lineup looks drastically different than it did six games ago when the Wildcats lost to Tennessee in Rupp Arena.

Even so, the primary challenge as the Wildcats (18-10, 8-6 SEC) come to Knoxville tonight hasn't changed a bit:

Contain Chris Lofton.

Tennessee's Kentucky-born sophomore torched the Wildcats for 31 points in the Vols' 75-67 win in Lexington on Feb. 7.

Kentucky coach Tubby Smith, who has caught plenty of grief for not recruiting Lofton, is now nominating him for SEC player of the year.

"Bruce (Pearl) has done a fantastic job (at Tennessee),'' Smith said, "and (Lofton) has been a big reason why. He's had a phenomenal year shooting the basketball.

"We did a lot of switching on him last time. ... He shot over everybody. He didn't just score on one person. We need to make sure we are there when he catches the ball.''

Senior Ravi Moss is one of the Wildcats who will be charged with the task of limiting Lofton's touches.

"I just have to get up high to contest his shots and work hard on defending him all around,'' Moss said. "Shutting him down is the key to beating Tennessee.''

UT coach Bruce Pearl feels similarly about Kentucky guard Patrick Sparks.

Sparks scored only two points against Tennessee in Lexington. He attempted only two shots.

In the five games since, he has averaged 14.8 points a game and poured 26 on the Gamecocks at South Carolina.

"I like playing on the road better than at home,'' said Sparks. "It's just our team versus everybody. Everybody's against you and that's the way I like it.''

Spark was one of the few to keep his starting job when Smith threw all the positions open following a Feb. 11 loss at Vanderbilt.

Center Randolph Morris and guards Joe Crawford and Rajon Rondo went to the bench, although all three still play prominent roles.

Senior Brandon Stockton has started at the point the past four games, joining Sparks and Moss on the perimeter. Lukasz Obrzut, one of Kentucky's three 7-footers, now starts at center, along with Bobby Perry at forward.

"There are a lot of ways to motivate players,'' said Smith. "That's the way I chose.''

The new lineup sparked a three-game winning streak before the Wildcats lost 71-67 at LSU on Saturday.

Kentucky finds itself in an unusual position as the calendar flips to March of still having work to do to secure an NCAA tournament bid.

"If we can win this game,'' said Smith, "I think it can go a long way and give us a lot more confidence ...

"We plan on winning. We're going down there expecting to win.''