Tennessee's homecourt win streak is gone, the Vols are clinging perilously to a top-25 ranking (No. 24), and the odds-on midseason favorites for SEC player of the year are wearing blue tonight.
What's left for UT is defending the SEC men's basketball championship the Vols won last season, and it starts with a near must-win game tonight.
"They (Kentucky) are the benchmark,'' UT coach Bruce Pearl said, "and we are all compared based on our success or failure against the Wildcats.''
Thompson-Boling Arena is sold out for tonight's 9 o'clock tip (12-4, 1-0 SEC) and a national ESPN audience will be looking in to see which Tennessee (10-4, 1-0) team shows up.
Will it be the one that convincingly beat Big East heavies Georgetown and Marquette? Or the one that came apart in losses at unranked Kansas and Temple?
The one that trailed lowly Georgia by double-digits? Or the one that came back and won that same game Saturday by nine?
Within the framework of this early-season battle for SEC supremacy are underlying individual matchups worthy of a Las Vegas undercard:
In the heavyweight ranks, it's 6-foot-9, 235-pound Kentucky standout Patrick Patterson versus UT's Wayne Chism (6-9, 242).
While Patterson is unanimously regarded as the best center in the league, Chism couldn't crack the SEC's second team at media days.
"It will be Wayne versus Patrick Patterson,'' Pearl said. "We'll go at him, and he'll go at us.''
Vols' captain Tyler Smith (6-7, 215) was the preseason SEC player of the year, but Wildcats' forward Perry Stevenson (6-9, 207) got the best of Smith last season.
The cumulative numbers from last year's UT-UK games reads like this: Smith 8-of-23 shooting, 11 rebounds, 20 points; Stevenson 10-of-15 shooting, 20 rebounds, 27 points.
"Perry Stevenson has been a Vol killer,'' Pearl said. "He's a guy who leads them in blocked shots and changes the game with his defense.''
Finally, Pearl hopes the final challenge for UT within this border state war resembles a tag-team cage match, with Vols switching out and teaming up to stop Jodie Meeks, the SEC's leading scorer at 24.2 points per game.
Alas, the coaching matchup has an underlying storyline, too: UT assistant Steve Forbes, who handled the scouting report for this game, left Kentucky coach Billy Gillispie at Texas A&M to join the Vols, and when Gillisipie got Kentucky job, Forbes elected to stay at UT.
A couple of the Vols' players said no to Gillisipie as well: Bobby Maze said before the season he was very close to signing with the Wildcats, and Kentucky wasn't even the second choice of Blue Grass native and McDonald's All-American Scotty Hopson.
"There will be a whole different kind of excitement in here,'' Smith said, "because this is Kentucky.''
Batting .500: Kentucky has more wins against Pearl at UT (3) than any team and is one of three SEC teams with a .500 win percentage (3-3) against the Vols over the past three seasons. Arkansas (2-2) and LSU (2-2) are the other two.
Benchmark: The Vols' bench has outscored opponents in 12 of 13 games, however Georgia's bench had 29 points to UT's 11 in the last outing.
The line: UT has opened as a 7 1/2-point favorite, with the over/under (total points) at 149.
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Comments » 130
BigMix writes:
"Thompson-Boling Arena is sold out for tonight's 9 o'clock tip (12-4, 1-0 SEC) and a national ESPN audience will be looking in to see which Tennessee (10-4, 1-0) team shows up."
My gut feeling is that Tennessee will not show up tonight.
ncvol writes:
Let's get tough and play with a lot of heart and Tennessee Pride...Go Vols!
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
and BigMixMoron has quite a big gut
gnm53108 writes:
Cant argue but hope that you're wrong.
WeLoveTennesseeVols writes:
You are number one, maybe the crowd will help also.
jimvols13 writes:
Man, the UK game is a great grudge match. I went to the game up in Lexington last year and got endless grief from fans in blue as we left the arena, "long drive back to rocky top!" etc. etc. I hope we take it to them, I'm sure Hopson and Maze are going to be ready to show UK what they are missing. The big test will be down inside with Patterson, he took the game over last year. Anyway, I like our chances with a sold out night game, the crowd will be rowdy once Chism waves his arms, I love how the crowd responds to his pleas for noise (although we ought to already be that loud). Anyway our team is so schizo as far as execution my theory is that the shear moment and 21,000 fans in orange will raise our boys up to the occasion. Go Vols, skin the Cats!
blitzshoot writes:
Time to step up and play hard defense and run with it.
blitzshoot writes:
This KY team is not Georgia. If they jump on UT early, it's going to be a long night. It seems like the team
does not start until midway through the first half.
redstickvol writes:
"Thompson-Boling Arena is sold out for tonight's 9 o'clock tip (12-4, 1-0 SEC)
Evidently Tonight's 9 O'clock Tip has an overall record of 12-4 and an SEC record of 1-0. Did I miss the expansion to 13 teams in the SEC. If so, I am very disappointed that the Big 11 didn't get the added team. It seems only fair that the Big 11 expand to 12 teams making it easier to have a conference championship game, and therefore more equitable. Oh well. Looking forward to tonight's game anyway. Hopefully the opposing team is only good for the first few seconds of the first half. Go Vols!
richvol writes:
Stevenson and Patterson just wore us out last year...we were fortunate to win at home but it wasn't even close in Lexington.
The defense that we have displayed so far this year doesn't give me much confidence that we will win this game...even at home.
I hope I'm wrong but Lofton and JaJuan lived for this game so somebody has to really step up to have a chance. Go Vols!
dirtdobber1 writes:
This could be tough one tonight for fans, with all the history and rivalry between the two schools. I look for this one to go down to the wire:
UT 92
UK 50
Tatum hits a 3 as time expires for the free chix sandwich!
UT_LAW_2011 writes:
Time to slay the cats. LET'S GO UT!!!!!!
UT_LAW_2011 writes:
Lets skin some cats. GO VOLS!!!
KENVOL writes:
I just don't see us winning this one. We are just playing like phooey. I hate to say it but we are really bad. I hope and pray that we can pull it together but I don't see it. But make me wrong and win this one. GOOOOOOOOOOOOO Vols.
dirtdobber1 writes:
Kenvol u can book this one. Vols rock and roll tonight! Orange Jack is back! F Joe B. Hall and UK!
Waldorf writes:
Wow, if the UK of the past 4 or 5 years is the benchmark, then that's a pretty low standard to meet. No wonder we don't get past the Sweet 16.
We need to set higher benchmarks than the current UK program.
dirtdobber1 writes:
Hey Scratch...lets get one thing straight here! I dont smoke! I dont even like second hand smoke! However, I will start drinking about 2 o'clock today.
Ironcity writes:
If I was forced to bet I would take the 71/2 and UK. That said, if the team gets it going it could be a blow out.
sayhitomaggie writes:
I'm hoping the fact that BEFORE the Georgia game the Vols dropped two in a row and how they don't want that to happen again. This is the first home SEC game and to a sold out crowd they really don't need to dissappoint otherwise, fans will probably lose faith for the rest for the season. I hope they realize that and will go out there and destroy Kentucky (or go into 3 OT eventually resulting in a win.) Hopefully they grin and bare it and actually play some defense tonight.
Either way, it'd be nice to start off the new home win streak with a bang.
b_neas writes:
lets just hope it comes down to coaching.....Pearl and staff are far superior to Uk's.......I have watched UK play 3 or 4 times this year and have yet to understand what they are trying to do offensively......they still do not go to patterson enough inside and meeks continues to shoot ill advised shots........they play like a young confused team yet their best players are veterans......BillyG is the most overpaid coach in the country hands down
volfan1985 writes:
GO VOLS!!!!
Vinny writes:
Go Cats!!!
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Well, it is good to have high aspirations, but I would settle right now for us to top the CURRENT UK team in TONIGHT's game, especially since we are only 3-3 under Pearl against the less-than-stellar teams (by UK standards) of the last three years. BTW, hard to believe we are 7+-point favorites based on our last two games. Hope we live up to it. GO BASKETVOLS!!! SKIN THE 'CATS!!!
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Here's my crazy dream for tonight's game: Scotty Hopson channels his inner Chris Lofton and goes off for about 25, hopefully WITHOUT giving up 25 or more on the defensive end. Another part of my crazy dream is that we hold Meeks under 30 while Tyler goes for 30 after fouling out Stevenson in the first half. All in a big Vol win, of course. Wow, I must have eaten something last night that didn't agree with me to have dreams like that, huh(;-P)! GO BASKETVOLS!!! SKIN THE 'CATS!!!
givehim6 writes:
Wow, what's up with Big Orange b ball men and lady's on the bubble? Were in the SEC schedule now guys time to shine! 2009 needs to be THE YEAR for UT sports bball & football. Let's get it started. GO VOL!
fogbonnet1#234703 writes:
Why do we always get stuck with the 9PM start times whenever it's an important home game? I guarantee there won't be nearly as much enthusiasm as there would be for a 7PM start. I also guarantee that KY will get a 7PM start when we have to go up there. I (and several other fans I have spoken to) don't even plan to watch the game. In this economy, it's better to be productive on your job the next day, than go to the game, get home after midnight and fall asleep the next at work, only to wake up in the middle of the unemployment line!
fogbonnet1#234703 writes:
I'm sorry, I am so ashamed. I have shamed my fellow orangies. I don't deserve to associate with decent people. Take me, flog me....beat me severely!!!
bfrank78 writes:
This will be a tough outing for you vols tonight. Kentucky wants this win and is upset minded. I think Hopson and PJ will play well tonight, and you guys will pull of another close on.
In the meantime if you guys want to watch some real talent tonight my TIGERS will be taking on Tulsa in a very tough road game at 7:30 et on ESPN2.
BTW, GO GATORS 2009 NC Champs!!!
fogbonnet1#234703 writes:
...and another thing...If UT ever plays another Sunday night football game, I will personally send a sleep deprivationist to Mike Hamilton's humble abode and force him to watch the UT-UCLA game over and over again until he repents of the sin of worshipping the false ESPN god.
shoalcreekvol writes:
"Thompson-Boling Arena is sold out for tonight's 9 o'clock tip (12-4, 1-0 SEC)"
Wow, KNS, thanks for sharing that. I had no idea tonight's 9:00 tip was having such a good season.
FYI I think tonight Chism will have a chipsm on his shouldersm against Patterson. He always steps up against the heavyweights.
Oh yeah, and take the "under". For entertainment purposes only.
Vinny writes:
Its sold out now. I just called and got a lower level single. I'll be wearing Blue.
b_neas writes:
I guess that is why BillyG has the same track record of winning everywhere he goes. NOT!! Keep hanging your hat on two games last year, last i checked it was a split 1-1. And UT had less talent than UK and still split with them, so what does that say? Who cares how close you were to winning in Knox, coaches are measured on wins and winning % and Pearl demolishes BillyG in that category, there is no argueing that. Now time for you to bring up the same old same old "get past the sweet 16 stuff". Regardless of tonights outcome Pearl and staff are a better staff than BillyG and his.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
We play 9PM games because the SEC has a CONTRACT with ESPN which pays us BIG bucks. I don't think Hamilton will buck the rest of the SEC on this, no matter what he or you think personally. Besides, a 9PM start puts us in prime time in three-fourths of the country. That is what building a NATIONAL identity for UT is all about. I also endorse the idea of an afternoon nap; heck, you could even postpone dinner a couple of hours. That's what a REAL Vol fan would do(;-P)!
volfan1985 writes:
I know one thing. I'm tired of all of the hype about freakin Patrick Patterson!! i hope Chism OWNS him!!!!
Waldorf writes:
Hey moron, the only Sunday night game UT has ever played was in 2004 against UNLV. I recall the next day was Labor Day.
bfrank78 writes:
Hey brownie, thanks for the award, but I wasn't being funny. Tulsa has one seven of thier last eight and its a hostile environment. Whenever a team has at least a couple of potential NBA players there's reason for concern.
Now like I said the game will be on at 7:30 if you want to see some real talent.
overatedvols writes:
Attention fans. Special bonus this evening. The University of Memphis Tigers will take on Tulsa in what promises to be a real battle. Tulsa winner of 7 of their last 8 and with a 7 ft. center that will most definitely be a first round draft pick. Tulsa needs the win badly and everybody wants to knock the 44 straight conf. win Tigers from their perch.
Will this be the night. Many think it will be. This game is on espn2 at 6:30 cst. Tulsa is a good team and after watching Ga. the other day I'm sure i'd be knocking anybody elses conference.
Vol fans, why not get yourself in a good mood by watching a real college team play some basketball over on espn2. Watching yet another home loss for the lowly vols to a Kentucky team that is slowly returning to it's old self will most definitely ruin your mood. The better option is to watch the Tigers battle and then turn off the tv and spare yourself the disappointment of yet another nationally televised humiliating loss.
bfrank78 writes:
NBA insider, whatever!!! Half those idots don't even know what there talking about.
trollhunter writes:
ATTENTION:
The user that goes by the name or Brownsvillevol IS NO LONGER A FAN OF THIS PROGRAM BUT A FAKE FAN!!! HE IS A CLOSET TIGER FAN. HE HAS BETRAYED THIS NATION IN GREAT LENGTHS. ANYTHING HE SAYS ABOUT THIS PROGRAM, IN PRAISE OR CRITICISM, SHOULD BE QUESTIONED GREATLY.
Remember, nobody in the nation sleeps with the ENEMY!
bfrank78 writes:
I think the vols are ranked in one poll.
trollhunter writes:
Attention fans:
Troll killing on display before matchup with Tiggers.
The troll leader will be part of a huge effigy on top of the HILL two hours before the game starts after my boys hunt this idiot down and drag him away from his home. From there, he will meet the judge face-to-face where he will deliver the preliminary verdict of execution.
bfrank78 writes:
He's also the best snitcher in all of college basketball.
trollhunter writes:
Why don't you ask that yourself since you are a fan of theirs. I know you are rooting for your team to beat Tulsa.
trollhunter writes:
Yeah, because I'm exposing you like a Dateline NBC report.
overatedvols writes:
Some reporter who was apparently in Kentuckys locker room yesterday and overheard some trash talk. It's out on the internet today. I'll just go ahead and post it. It's pretty ridiculous.
Wildcat guard (unnamed) - I've watched the vols all season and they ain't about nothin. They play like my momma play.
Wildcat forward - We're basketball royalty and they're basketball toiletry.
Wildcat ball boy - Heck we'd beat them if I started.
Wildcat coach - Guys if we beat this team it's probably not going to do much for our RPI and it won't do anything toward helping us get in the tournament but if you lose to this bunch you better know nobody will have any respect for us the rest of this season.
During practice a life sized pic of Bruce Pearl sweating profusely with a puddle of water around him was placed over on the side of the gym so that players could get used to what they will be seeing tonight.
I think they really should outlaw reporters from allowing this type of info. out to the general public. Somebody needs to complain to the ncaa.
bfrank78 writes:
Get'em hunter!!!
fogbonnet1#234703 writes:
Oh for shame...I have shamed myself once again in the presence of my fellow daisy-worshippers. I should have said "Sunday OR MONDAY night games." I deserve to be flogged...I SHOULD be flogged!
By the way, I couldn't care less what the rest of the country thinks about the Vols. I'm not an SEC fan. I'm not a football or basketball fan -- I'm a TENNESSEE FAN. I don't care if Florida or Alabama ever wins another out-of-conference game. In fact, I hope they lose every game they ever play -- to ANYBODY! If ESPN wants to show a UT game, they should show it when it's originally scheduled. And college football games are supposed to be played on SATURDAYS! Big money is killing college football. I hope every town that hosts one of the "Peon Bowls" goes bankrupt and dries up and blows away, mired in a drought of football apathy!
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Non-defensive game plan won't work tonight.
Should be a barn-burner.
b_neas writes:
Please back your opinion with FACTS. Unlike you i can back mine. And i am referring to the opinion of BillyG being a better coach.
just_a_vol writes:
The last time I checked catscratch Kentucky was the program put on probation for money in envelopes to their players. I guess that was a "snitch" who got you guys into trouble. Kentucky is a great basketball program but you guys are about like bammers in that you live completely in the past. UT is a program on the rise. We haven't caught Kentucky in past tradition yet but we are trying. So why don't you step off of your arrogant high horse and make more factual posts rather than making personal attacks and petty posts about headbands.
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