Looking for right scheme

"There is no definite scheme. I have not found a definite scheme,'' Pearl said. "Anything you do, they have a counter for it.

"You make it (tempo) fast, they can score in transition; and if you slow it down, they'll pound it inside. Florida is the toughest team to scheme and game plan.''

That's why a win over the No. 5 Gators in tonight's game at 9 at Thompson-Boling Arena would rank among Pearl's finest moments as UT's head coach.

As far as drama goes, the stage couldn't be much brighter. Tonight is the home finale for senior fan-favorite Dane Bradshaw, who Pearl is honoring by endowing a scholarship in his name.

Then there's the presence of ESPN, complete with celebrity personality Dick Vitale, who hasn't called a game in Knoxville in at least 15 years.

"The environment will be great,'' Pearl said. "Our students are already camped out for tickets, and Dick Vitale will be able to appreciate it in person. He has a perspective on the greatest basketball programs in the country like no other.''

Tennessee (20-9 overall, 8-6 SEC) and Florida (25-4, 12-2) have much to gain in tonight's game, even if both have secured NCAA tournament berths.

The Gators look to break out of a two-game skid and lock down a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament.

The Vols are playing to improve their SEC and NCAA tourney seeds while becoming the first UT team to go undefeated at home since the 1975-76 team was 13-0 at Stokely Athletic Center.

"I'm big on history,'' said Pearl, whose Vols are 15-0 at home this season and No. 11 in the RPI. "Each team tries to carve out its niche and create its identity. What is the identity of this team going to be? It's all going to depend on how we finish.''

But where to start against the Gators?

"We're going to have to play our best game of the year to beat them,'' Pearl said. "To play great, your best player has to play great.''

That would be Chris Lofton, who snapped out of his post-ankle injury slump with 31 points in Saturday's win at Arkansas.

"I woke up the morning after the Alabama game and it felt like a loss,'' said Lofton, who was 3-of-15 beyond the 3-point arc against the Tide. "If we play like that again, chances are slim we'll win. I realize it's my job to hit shots.''

At their best, the Vols get much of their offense in transition after forcing turnovers.

Pearl said that won't necessarily be the case against the Gators, who are led by speedy point guard Taurean Green, who leads Florida in scoring and assists.

"You think pressing and extending will bother them (Florida) much? I don't think it will,'' Pearl said. "In my estimation, it could make things worse for us.

"We're still going to play hard; we have to. We have too many weaknesses, too many holes. It's going to take team defense.''

And, just as in last year's upset wins over the Gators, it's going to take the sort of intangibles often provided by Bradshaw.

"I do need to be accountable for my shots,'' said Bradshaw, who's 7-of-55 (.127) shooting over the past 11 games. "For us to be our best and go as far as possible, I need to be a factor. I make one or two shots, I'm back on track.''

When the Vols' miss, Pearl's counting on freshman centers Wayne Chism, Duke Crews along with sophomore Ryan Childress to crash the boards.

"I've found my niche,'' said Childress, who has had seven rebounds in each of the past two outings. "I hustle, take charges, get loose rebounds and hit the open shot.

"Florida has great players, so we have to stick to our game plan and in certain situations help in the post, and we have to bring the energy for 40 minutes.''

Fluke?: Florida coach Billy Donovan, speaking at the SEC's preseason basketball media days, attributed UT's wins over the Gators last season to "fluke'' plays in the final moments.

"Moreso than any team we played against,'' Donovan said."We had two fluke plays coming down the stretch.''

Pearl disagreed.

"We had to do a lot of good things to be in the game at the end,'' Pearl said. "But I think we made those plays. Chris Lofton made the steal, and then Dane Bradshaw made the steal and the basket. I wouldn't call them fluke plays.''

Time Change: The Vols' game at Georgia on Saturday will be at 4 p.m. and will be televised by Lincoln Financial.

Orange Slices: UT and Florida are the SEC's top two scoring teams at 80.2 and 79.5 points per game. Each of the Vols' four freshmen is averaging at least 17 minutes per game. Pearl is 8-4 against ranked opponents at UT. Florida's 25 wins are a school record. Former Maryville standout Lee Humphrey has won 102 games with the Gators, tied for the most in school history.