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Tennessee basketball: Vols haven’t fared well against No.1 ranked teams in the past

By Billy Williford

LEXINGTON, KY - FEBRUARY 06: Admiral Schofield #5 of the Tennessee Volunteers celebrates during the 61-59 win against the Kentucky Wildcats in the game at Rupp Arena on February 6, 2018 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LEXINGTON, KY - FEBRUARY 06: Admiral Schofield #5 of the Tennessee Volunteers celebrates during the 61-59 win against the Kentucky Wildcats in the game at Rupp Arena on February 6, 2018 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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MEMPHIS, TN – FEBRUARY 23: Robert Dozier #2 of the Memphis Tigers jumps against Tyler Smith #1 of the Tennessee Volunteers at FedExForum on February 23, 2008, in Memphis, Tennessee. (Photo by Joe Murphy/Getty Images) /

Tennessee Volunteers (25-2) @ Memphis Tigers (26-1)

February 23, 2008 – Memphis, Tennessee

There haven’t been many matchups that included the top two teams in the nation, let alone both teams from the great state of Tennessee. Memphis was ranked No.1 in the nation, and the Vols were No.2.

This was a massive game on the state level but the national level as well. Memphis wanted to prove they were the best team in the nation and Tennessee was on the rise.

Tennessee great Chris Lofton was 0-for-4 from the three-point line which is something that was very unusual. In fact, there were only three other games where Lofton didn’t make a shot from beyond the arc. Lofton only scored seven points but was a huge distraction to allow other players like Tyler Smith to lead the way.

Smith scored a team-high 16 points on 6-of-11 shooting and made a jumper to put the Vols up one point that helped win the game.

Thanks to clutch free throws from Chirs Lofton the Vols won the game and reached the No.1 ranking for the first time in program history.

Next. How did Vols coaching candidates in 2017 fare in 2018?. dark

I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if Memphis vs. Tennessee becomes a marquee matchup in the coming years with what Penny Hardaway is going to accomplish in the West side of the state.

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