Tennessee basketball goes back on the road for an in-state rivalry matchup against Vanderbilt. The Commodores and Vols have both looked elite at points throughout the season. Tennessee is 16-1 while Vanderbilt is 14-3.
This will serve as another tough road test for the Vols as the SEC continues to provide a stout schedule from top to bottom. All SEC teams have a winning record so far this season, and all but five teams have at least a .500 record in conference play.
Vanderbilt and Tennessee are both among the teams with at least a .500 conference record and an overall winning record. Both teams' offenses are capable of taking off in any game, making them a threat in the SEC this year.
They both shoot the ball really well, create turnovers on the defensive end, and play a unique style of basketball. This creates a flurry of matchup problems for each program, and it could lead to an exciting game on Saturday.
Tennessee is 5.5-point favorites heading into the rivalry road matchup. Memorial Gymansium has always been a difficult venue and Vegas believes this game will likely remain close. The over/under is set at 140.5 points, so Vegas is also expecting a high scoring total by both teams.
A Challenging New Look
Tennessee has struggled against opponents who are large. Florida and Georgia both fit that mold, and Tennessee struggled against both. One resulted in a 30-point loss on the road, and the other, Tennessee pulled away late at home.
Vanderbilt will bring a new look that Tennessee doesn't have a ton of experience with conference play. The Commodores bring a smaller, more athletic roster, which presents a new look and challenge for the Vols.
Barnes commented on Vanderbilt's roster and how its team could present a different challenge than other teams that have pushed Tennessee to its limits.
"They're quick, fast, aggressive, and gonna battle," Barnes said, previewing the game. "I mean, there's a lot of different ways to play this game. What we were talking about earlier is that they know how they wanna play; they know what they need to do. They'll have a game plan. We'll have to have our game plan. And it gets down to you having to execute it."
It will be important for Tennessee to build some offensive momentum early in this game, which they haven't done well in recent games. Chaz Lanier will also have to find his footing early and get back to being one of the best shooters in the country.
Tennessee and Vanderbilt are scheduled to tip off at 3:30 PM ET on Saturday on the SEC Network. It will be another in-state battle that has seen upsets and thrilling matchups in recent years.