Tennessee's Bruce Pearl enters into his third season as head coach of the men's basketball program with his eyes wide open.

Expectations? You bet.

Opportunity? Like never before.

But first things first, No. 7-ranked UT must get by tradition-rich Temple in tonight's season-opener at sold-out Thompson-Boling Arena (TV: FSN, 7:30 p.m.).

The Vols have won 16 consecutive home games, but Pearl takes nothing for granted.

"This is the Temple Owls and coach Fran Dunphy, who took Penn to nine NCAA tournaments," Pearl said. "Temple has had our attention since they've been on the schedule, so seeing Kentucky get upset doesn't change anything for us.

"Temple is not Gardner-Webb, which was picked ninth in the Atlantic Sun (and upset Kentucky at Rupp Arena on Wednesday night)."

UT point guard Ramar Smith said seeing the Wildcats fall serves as a reminder that anything can happen.

"Yeah, with Kentucky losing like that, it's crazy," Smith said. "Who would have thought they would lose?"

UT senior Chris Lofton made it clear how serious he and his teammates must take tonight's game.

"If we don't come out ready to play,'' Lofton said, "we're going to leave this building with our feelings hurt."

Pearl has spent more than a week preparing the Vols specifically for this game with the Owls, who return the two leading scorers in the Atlantic 10.

"Temple is a team we'd rather see later in the season because they are multi-dimensional; they can play man, zone and change things up with their lineup," Pearl said. "So, why play Temple in our opener? Because it's a team rich in tradition, it's a perennial NCAA tournament team, a member of the Big Five (Philadelphia schools), and our fans deserve to see them.

"I appreciate Temple coming in here to expose our fans to the type of basketball they play in Philly."

Pearl said this type of opener has been at the top of his wish list since he became a head coach.

"Growing up in Boston, just having the opportunity to play against them is special," Pearl said.

UT senior Jordan Howell said the players knew about Temple even before Pearl weighed in about the threat tonight's game poses.

"We knew, and coach made sure he told us more about their program," Howell said. "Temple is one of those teams that can knock off any powerhouse."

The Owls are strong and experienced in the backcourt with 6-foot-5 Mark Tyndale and 6-5 Dionte Christmas, who finished 1-2 in the Atlantic 10 in scoring last season.

Center Lavoy Allen, a 6-9 freshman, was picked by Lindy's preseason magazine as the best new rebounder in the Atlantic 10 and the No. 13 center prospect in the past recruiting class.

Pearl said Thursday he had yet to choose the starting center for the Vols. It will be a game-day decision between freshman Brian Williams and incumbent Wayne Chism.

Sophomore center Duke Crews was limited in Thursday's practice, and Pearl said Crews is doubtful for tonight's game. Crews suffered an ankle injury Oct. 30.

Prince Surgery: Sophomore wing J.P. Prince underwent an arthroscopic procedure on his left shoulder Thursday at UT Medical Center, according to UT basketball trainer Chad Newman.

Prince, a transfer from Arizona, is expected to be sidelined 4-6 weeks. Prince is not eligible to play until the Vols meet Western Kentucky in Nashville on Dec. 15.

Sellouts: Tickets for the Vols' home games are dwindling, according to UT senior associate athletic director John Currie.

He said the Vols have sold out home games with Florida, Kentucky, Ohio State, Temple, Georgia and South Carolina.

Orange Slices: UT has been listed as a 17-point favorite over the Owls by Las Vegas oddsmakers. … Temple is 87-24 all-time in season openers but 1-5 in its past six. … UT has won eight consecutive season openers and has a 15-game win streak in home openers.

© 2007, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.