COLUMBIA, S.C. - When it comes to SEC road trips, this is as good as it gets: great arena, not-so-great home team.

The biggest concern for No. 8 Tennessee on Saturday night at the Colonial Center: Catching what South Carolina was carrying.

The symptoms included lackadaisical defense, careless ball-handling and shoddy shooting.

South Carolina's problems were exacerbated by a Tennessee team that was intent on making up for last year's misadventure at the same venue.

It accomplished that and then some, leading by as many as 29 points in an 80-56 victory that should be its easiest conference road game of the season - or at least until it travels to Baton Rouge in early February.

UT's motivation dated back to last season when the Gamecocks knocked off the Vols 81-64 at the same arena.

"Last year when we came here, it was a pivotal point in our season," UT associate head coach Tony Jones said. "We hadn't won a road game, and South Carolina was one we thought we should get. They were in the (SEC East) basement.

"And they really handed it to us."

UT coaches didn't have to wait for the game to realize their team hadn't forgotten last year's debacle. Their players' intent was obvious before the game.

"They were more energetic than they have been all year," Jones said. "We were more business-like at Gonzaga and Xavier. This was a different type of intensity, a different type of focus.

"Players were going back and forth in pregame, screaming and hollering. They came out with enthusiasm and passion."

The enthusiasm was reflected in an 11-0 spurt to open the game and a 20-3 run in the first 5 1/2 minutes of the second half.

This wasn't all about motivation and enthusiasm. South Carolina doesn't have UT's size, quickness, depth or shooting ability.

Other than that, the Gamecocks were pretty much on equal footing with the Vols.

The same UT team that struggled for points inside against Ole Miss' big-time front line Wednesday, scored with ridiculous ease against South Carolina, particularly in the second half.

The Gamecocks defense seemed to part politely every time J.P. Prince drove to the basket.

He had 11 points and seven rebounds in only 22 minutes. UT guard JaJuan Smith had as many rebounds (eight) as anyone on South Carolina's team.

Point guard Jordan Howell scored an uncontested layup following an offensive rebound in the second half.

It was that easy.

Just about the time UT's lead hit 29, a couple of South Carolina cheerleaders held up placards instructing fans behind one goal to: "Wave Your Arms," and "Stand Up And Yell."

There were only about five takers. By then, group cheers had been replaced by individualism.

"Stop being bad," screamed one South Carolina fan.

"Fire Dave Odom," shouted another.

In fact, the atmosphere at the Colonial Center didn't seem much different from the one at Thompson-Boling Arena before coach Bruce Pearl arrived three years ago.

Like UT fans pre-Pearl, South Carolina fans are struggling to find something to get excited about.

Midway through the second half, most of them had given up the struggle.

When the Vols sent South Carolina fans home early, they also gave their own contingent of fans a greater presence.

One UT fan held up a sign that read: "Bruce Pearl is a genius."

No genius was required Saturday night. UT's talent and motivation were more than enough.

Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knews.com.