After what felt like a long bye week, the Tennessee basketball team will look to get back on track, taking on a very talented Alabama team on Saturday night. The Vols have been up and down over the past few weeks and will be looking to find some consistency moving forward.
It won't come easy, though, as the Crimson Tide is 13-5 on the year and is building on a two-game winning streak. In typical Nate Oats fashion, Alabama is also the number-one offensive team in the NCAA, so Tennessee will have its hands full all 40 minutes.
Let's hop into some bold predictions for the big showdown on Saturday evenning.
1. Aden Holloway and Ja'Kobi Gillespie combine for 50 points
We have arguably the two best point guards in the SEC facing off, and it could go nuclear. This game is already expected to be a high-scoring affair, and I think it could be carried by the point guards on both teams.
Holloway averages 17.7 a night, and Gillespie averages 18.8, so in theory, we need to find another 14 points between the two, which they are both capable of. This game should be a high-paced matchup with both guards pushing the ball down the floor in transition.
In a face paced game, its a possibility that the two star guards put on a show Saturday night.
2. Nate Ament stays hot
One of the most refreshing developments for Tennessee fans has been the emergence of Nate Ament. Rick Barnes has challenged him all season to play with more aggression, and Ament has clearly responded to that challenge. He's been taking the ball to the basket more assertively and confidently, finishing through contact.
Over the last three games against three good teams (Florida, Texas A&M, Kentucky), Ament has averaged 19 points a night and has been a go-to guy for Barnes. His buckets have come efficiently and in different ways, too.
The Star freshman will continue the hot streak.
3. Alabama snaps the losing streak versus Tennessee
I hate to say it, but this feels like a tough game for Rick Barnes to win. Alabama's home crowd will be rocking and the Vols have struggled on the road in big SEC games. I expect Tennessee to come out firing after the long break, but over the course of 40 minutes, the road environment and Alabama's firepower will be too much.
Tennessee's four game winning streak versus Nate Oats comes to an end in a close loss.