Both teams have turned in deeply disappointing bodies of work thus far. Both are desperate for a win.

That's where the similarity ends for Kentucky and Alabama, who meet in Rupp Arena on Saturday (TV: WVLT, 1 p.m.).

One is adjusting to getting a marquee big man back. The other is adjusting to life without one.

Oddly, the latter scenario is off to a better start.

Alabama (8-6) toughed out a 56-52 win at Auburn on Wednesday in its first game without preseason All-SEC forward Chuck Davis.

Kentucky (10-5) lost in Rupp to Vanderbilt, 57-52, on Tuesday, its first game with Randolph Morris reinstated.

A knee injury last Saturday ended Davis' season. His only contribution at Auburn was a celebratory phone call to the locker room from his hospital bed.

"I thought Alabama responded very well,'' said Auburn coach Jeff Lebo. "(Alonzo) Gee played well and got a lot of minutes.''

Gee, a freshman forward, popped for 17 points and 10 rebounds off the bench.

Coach Mark Gottfried played only seven players. He moved Brandon Hollinger into the starting lineup at point guard, shifting Ronald Steele to shooting guard.

"Our options are limited,'' Gottfried said. "We have very little room for error, whether it's foul trouble or a sprained ankle.''

Morris' season debut at Kentucky was more promising than his numbers (10 points, seven rebounds in 28 minutes) indicate.

"He's got to get in better game shape,'' said coach Tubby Smith, "but I was impressed with his stamina, endurance and aggressiveness.

"He needs to get more touches and that's an area we've struggled with all year long. But he'll command the ball in there.''

Morris will start against Alabama. So will guard Ravi Moss, replacing slumping Patrick Sparks.

Moss' unselfishness, passion and 3-point shooting have been one of the few highlights for the Wildcats, who have struggled early in the past several games.

Ole Miss, New Hit: Ole Miss is the Tennessee of the SEC West, off to a surprising 12-3 (2-0 SEC) start.

"They're better this year because they've got better players,'' said South Carolina coach Dave Odom.

"They've got greater depth, they're quicker and at most positions they shoot the ball better.''

The Rebels hope to end an eight-game losing steak to Mississippi State on Saturday in Oxford.

Lofton Showtime: A documentary on UT sophomore Chris Lofton is in the works to be shown during Wednesday's UT-Memphis telecast.

Avalanche Film and Video Studios of Louisville had a crew in Maysville, Ky., this week doing interviews, according to the Maysville Ledger Independent.

The telecast is by CSTV, a division of CBS. However, only Knoxville-area viewers with Direct TV will see the game.

Lofton is averaging 16.8 points a game and leads the SEC with 3.83 3-point baskets per game. His 47.4-percent accuracy from 3-point range ranks third in the league.

"Lofton has the ability to make some tough, well-guarded shots,'' said Georgia coach Dennis Felton. "He did it to us a little bit in the second half (of an 89-76 UT win) and I remember last year, he did the same thing. We're having a great game with them and then he strung together some shots where he was defended very well.

"Lofton is something else, he really is, and (C.J.) Watson is playing terrific.''

Bracketology: With UT at 11-1, it's getting harder to ignore NCAA tournament speculation.

Coach Bruce Pearl is trying to, but Thursday gave his early scenario.

"You look at the (SEC) East,'' Pearl said. "You've got Florida, Kentucky and Vanderbilt. ... Those three right there (with) South Carolina, ourselves and Georgia, we're battling if there will be a fourth team in the East.

"Arkansas looks like one of most-talented teams in the West. LSU looks like one of the most-talented teams in the nation and then I don't know who you'd look at.''