Bit by bit the Tennessee men’s basketball schedule is being finalized.

A big showdown has been set for Jan. 19 when Ohio State visits Thompson-Boling Arena.

No game time has been set for the afternoon tip-off, but CBS owns the television rights.

Last season UT and the Buckeyes played two epic battles. Ohio State won 68-66 at home during the regular season last January. Ohio State also knocked off the Vols 85-84 in the NCAA Sweet 16 in San Antonio in March.

UT also released its home games against SEC opponents:

Jan. 9 vs. Ole Miss.

Jan. 17 vs. Vanderbilt.

Jan. 26 vs. Georgia.

Feb. 5 vs. Florida.

Feb. 13 vs. Arkansas.

Feb. 20 vs. Auburn.

March 2 vs. Kentucky (noon, CBS).

March 9 vs. South Carolina.

The Vols will travel to Kentucky on Jan. 22 for a 9 p.m. tipoff that will be televised by ESPN. UT will be at Florida on March 5 for a 9 p.m. game on Lincoln Financial Sports.

Included in UT’s non-conference schedule:

A home game likely in December against Temple.

At Chattanooga on Dec. 4

In Nashville against Western Kentucky on Dec. 15 at the Sommet Center.

At Xavier on Dec. 22.

A trip to Seattle to play Gonzaga on Dec. 29.

At Memphis on Feb. 23.

UT is also one of four schools to host first-round games in the Legends Classic along with Texas, New Mexico State and West Virginia in the eight-team event.

First-round games will be played Nov. 14-18 with the four winners playing at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., on Nov. 23-24.

Possible opponents for the Vols include Florida Atlantic, Northern Arizona and Texas-Pan American.

© 2007, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.