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Few men's basketball programs this side of Florida have enjoyed themselves more the past couple of years than Tennessee.

Even so, the Vols' historic to-do list is still longer than the been-there-done-that list.

The next, and therefore most pressing, item on the agenda is an outright SEC regular-season basketball title.

"It's all going to come down to Sunday,'' coach Bruce Peal said Thursday. "Sunday's the game.''

Sunday is Kentucky. Noon. Thompson-Boling Arena. The Vols can't clinch a regular-season title on Sunday but they can take a giant step toward doing so.

Tennessee is in the driver's seat, though not as comfortably as prior to a 72-69 loss at Vanderbilt on Tuesday. At 11-2, the Vols are one game ahead of Kentucky and Mississippi State at 10-3 with three games to play.

"With three games left, a lot of shake-up can happen yet,'' Mississippi State coach Rick Stansbury said.

That's why Sunday is so big. If the Vols win, Kentucky can't pass them in the standings over the final two games. A Mississippi State loss at Florida on Saturday would further tighten UT's lead.

Winning the regular-season title doesn't tangibly earn you a thing in the postseason phenomenon known as March Madness. But it's still a cherished prize.

Sharing a title is nothing to sneeze at, but winning one outright is better to Tennessee's thinking.

The Vols were part of a four-way tie in 2000. They haven't stuck their nose in front of the pack at the finish line since 1967.

"I don't want to share,'' said Pearl. "Do you want to share your toys? I don't want to share my toys.

"No way. We want to win it outright.''

In the 16 years since the conference expanded to 12 teams and adopted a 16-game schedule, only twice has the title been shared.

In 2001, Kentucky and Florida tied at 12-4. In 2000, four teams, including the Vols, finished 12-4.

The other 14 races produced an outright winner. Speaking to the league's balance, nine teams can claim a title in that span - all but UT, Georgia and Ole Miss.

"That would mean a lot to us,'' said senior Chris Lofton. "It hasn't happened in 41 years.

"We're all about trying to make history.''

Only four of the 14 outright regular-season winners also won the SEC tournament - another blank spot on UT's resume in the expansion era.

Six of them garnered a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament and five more a No. 2 seed.

Five of them went on to win the NCAA tournament. None lost in the first round of the tournament.

For now, however, all that matters is the next game, which is draped in irony.

UT began the season, uncharacteristically, in championship mode. This looked like the rare year when Kentucky would not be a factor.

Despite early losses to Gardner-Webb and San Diego and a 1-2 SEC start, the Wildcats have ground their way forward to perch just over Tennessee's shoulder.

"I knew,'' said Kentucky coach Billy Gillispie, "that if we got good health our team was going to improve greatly. But you never know how that equates to wins and losses.''

Now there are only three potential wins or losses left in the equation.

"We're not going to get - nor should we ask for - help from anybody,'' said Pearl. "We've just got to take care of our business.''

Keep the to-do list handy.

Student Aid: Pearl hopes the early tip-off won't defuse UT's home advantage.

"I almost want to send an e-mail out to all our students asking them to not go out Saturday night,'' Pearl said.

"To treat this just like our players. Go to bed early. I'd even give 'em a pregame meal the night before if they'd do that.

"Get here early and make this environment difficult. It was difficult at Rupp. Kentucky has won on the road and they are still Kentucky.''

HBO Visits: HBO's "Real Sports" show will feature UT's men in its March edition. A crew was on campus Thursday doing interviews.

Last Word: Gillispie on Tennessee's games with Memphis and Vanderbilt: "Man alive, they've had two unbelievable games. I don't know if I've ever seen a team play harder for 80 minutes.''

Mike Strange may be reached at 865-342-6276.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.