GREENSBORO, N.C. -- So much for the element of surprise.

Second-seeded Tennessee can't expect seventh-seeded Wichita State to be shocked by its unorthodox style in today's 3:40 p.m. (TV: WVLT) game in the second round of the NCAA tournament at the Greensboro Coliseum.

After all, UT coach Bruce Pearl is a disciple of Drake coach Dr. Tom Davis, whom the Shockers play against in the Missouri Valley Conference.

"Bruce worked with Tom Davis a long time,'' said Wichita State coach Mark Turgeon, who guided the Shockers to the MVC regular-season championship. "It helps we've played Drake and they (Pearl and Davis) worked together.

"What they do with their out-of-bounds and under (the basket inbounds) defense is tremendous.''

But not so tremendous as to trip up Turgeon. The Shockers (25-8) are 6-1 against Davis' Drake teams.

"It's a real disadvantage,'' said Pearl, who's guided UT into the second round of the NCAA tournament for the first time in six years. "And the worst part is, I don't even have tape of their games this year.''

And yet, UT assistant coach Tony Jones confidently went over the Vols' scouting report of Wichita State, an 86-66 winner over Seton Hall on Thursday.

"The NCAA tournament is all about match-ups, and this match-up fits us well,'' Jones said. "Offensively, they're a team that will get into a running game with us.

"We can exploit their ball-screen defense and compromise it; we will get open looks.''

The million-dollar question is, can the Vols hit them?

UT (22-7) has hit just 31.5 percent of its 3-point attempts over the past three games -- well off their SEC-leading 38.8 percent on the season.

If it's any consolation for Vols fans, shooting guard Chris Lofton has traded in his pout-like scowl for a smile since hitting the game-winning shot with 0.4 seconds to play to beat Winthrop on Thursday.

"It was a great feeling to hit that shot,'' said Lofton, who's 7-for-29 (24.1 percent) on 3-pointers the past three games. "It's just key we advanced after the first round.''

To boot, the Vols find themselves in familiar territory. Though UT is a 2-point favorite in Las Vegas, the talk in Greensboro is that the Shockers are the pick.

"We like being the underdogs,'' UT senior forward Andre Patterson said. "It gives us a chip on our shoulders.''

Junior Dane Bradshaw said that despite its best effort, UT was at a bit of a psychological disadvantage as a favorite.

"Everyone tries to avoid the first-round upset,'' Bradshaw said. "You're trying to play not to lose.''

Wichita State's players sound as though they're willing to cooperate with the Vols' preferred mode of an up-tempo game.

"I see this being a full-court game,'' Shockers guard Ryan Martin said. "They're athletic, we're athletic. I think it will be a high-paced game.''

Jones offered some insights as to what UT will need to do against Wichita State's starting five:

* Paul Miller, 6-foot-10 center: "He's very skilled and real strong. His length will be a factor, but I think Major (Wingate) can keep him from the sweet spots.''

* Kyle Wilson, 6-8 power forward: "He's very versatile, not only in the low post but he can shoot the jumper. We'll try to exploit the lack of quickness in the front court. Andre's quickness will serve him well against Miller or Wilson.

* PJ Couisnard, 6-4 small forward: "He's similar to (Winthrop's) James Shuler. He's strong with a (Renaldo) Balkman-like motor. He really goes to the offensive glass. Dane will be a tough match for him.''

* Matt Braeuer, 5-11 point guard: "He's deceptively quick and gets the ball up court in transition. He's a very capable 3-point shooter.''

* Sean Ogirri, 6-2 shooting guard: "He's the key to their perimeter offense. He has unlimited range, so we'll have to identify him in transition.''

If UT wins today, the Vols advance to the Sweet 16 and would play Friday night at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C.