The secret is out: Tennessee men's basketball is pretty good.

You can read about the Vols in Sports Illustrated, on CBSsportsline.com and even hear national talk-show host Jim Rome talking about Tennessee men's basketball.

"I've been in those publications and done the radio show before,'' Vols' coach Bruce Pearl said, "but I guess not in the same week.''

That's what happens when you climb from the depths of the collegiate basketball dungeon to No. 19 in the nation and the top of the SEC East with a 13-3 overall record and 4-1 league mark.

UT, fresh off an 88-65 pasting of Mississippi State, is playing to get some separation when it plays host to South Carolina (11-8, 2-4) at 5 p.m. Saturday in Thompson-Boling Arena.

The Vols handed the Gamecocks a 76-69 setback on Jan. 8 in Columbia, S.C.

"Our road win at South Carolina only means something if we can sweep them,'' Pearl said. "Otherwise, it's just a split. A sweep over South Carolina would be a ground gainer.''

It also would be a noteworthy accomplishment. The Gamecocks, fresh off a win over Florida on Wednesday night, are playing some of the best basketball in the SEC, according to Pearl.

And this time, South Carolina knows what to expect from Tennessee.

"I've given them my A game, the best I have, as far as what I need to do strategically,'' Pearl said. "Most likely, it will be the same way to beat them the second time, so they'll have time to figure it out.''

It wasn't like South Carolina was totally lost the first time. The Gamecocks had little trouble against the Vols' press and held a 15-point lead in the second half. The defending NIT champs clearly were the more athletic team.

"There's a reason they were beating us by 15,'' Pearl said. "They have big guards, length and shooting ability ... what makes them tough is they have five or six guys out there that can shoot the ball.''

The Vols beat South Carolina by hitting 10 of 13 3-pointers in the second half.

"We know it's going to be a challenge,'' said UT guard Chris Lofton, who was 6-for-7 beyond the arc against USC. "They're a really good team.''

Same Lineup: Pearl said he'll likely keep Andre Patterson in the starting lineup over Stanley Asumnu.

Patterson had 10 of his 11 rebounds in the first half Wednesday before running into foul trouble, and Asumnu had only his second turnover-free game of the season.

"Stanley had a lot focus rebounding and on defense,'' Pearl said. "He was very efficient.''

Injury Update: UT forward Dane Bradshaw (strained wrist) didn't shoot in Thursday's practice, but Pearl expects him to shoot today.

MSU Take: Mississippi State junior Dietric Slater had an interesting take on the difference between this year's Vols and last year's.

"Last year, they had a guy named Scooter McFadgon and they would get the ball to him and let him make all the decisions,'' Slater said. "This year, whoever they put out there can make whatever decisions they want. They can all play, and they can all shoot.''