Game: Tennessee (14-2, 2-0 SEC) @ Alabama (11-6, 1-2) Place: Coleman Coliseum
Time: 6 p.m.
Television: ESPN
Probable Starters:
UT
G-Bobby Maze 6'3", 195 Sr. Suitland Md. 8.8 ppg, 2.8 rbg, 3.4 apg
G-Scotty Hopson 6'7" 200, Soph. Hopkinsville, Ky. 13.3, 3.7, 1.4
G-J.P. Prince 6'7" 205, Sr. Memphis, Tenn. 7.3, 2.8, 3.4
F-Renaldo Woolridge 6'8" 2o8, Soph. Sherman Oaks, Calif. 4.7, 3.4, 0.4
C-Wayne Chism 6'9" 246, Sr. Jackson, Tenn. 12.2, 6.4, 0.8
Alabama
G-Anthony Brock 5'9" 165, Sr. Little Rock, Ark. 6.1, 1.9, 2.1
G-Senario Hillman 6'1" 192, Jr. Irwinton, Ga. 8.5, 3.2, 2.5
G-Mikhail Torrance 6'5" 210, Sr. Eight Mile, Al. 15.9, 3.6, 5.2
F-JaMychal Green 6'9" 220, Soph. Montgomery, Al. 14.9, 7.1, 1.4
F-Justin Knox 6'9" 240, Jr. Tuscaloosa, Al. 6.2, 3.6, 0.6
Analysis:
Tennessee is red hot particularly after the incident involving leading scorer Tyler Smith, who was kicked off the team and dismissed from school after a marijuana and gun possession charge. Brian Williams is also indefinitely suspended, but Cameron Tatum, a key player for the Vols, is back on the team.
Wayne Chism has led the charge for the Vols. He poured in 26 points and pulled down 12 boards against Ole Miss on Sat., a 71-69 UT win against a quality opponent. UT also defeated Auburn, 81-55 last Thurs., and, before that, defeated then No.1 Kansas 76-68 with six scholarship players available. All three victories were at home. They also have qualities wins over Memphis at Memphis and Charlotte at home, and what would be considered a quality loss in a tournament against Purdue, 73-72, in the finals of the Paradise Jam.
So this team is for real. Scotty Hopson, Bobby Maze and J.P. Prince are all quality players along with Chism, and UT will press, press, press under Bruce Pearl. They may not as much now due to lack of depth, but they will always put intense defensive pressure on their opponent. 'Bama needs to take care of the basketball.
For Alabama, Mikhail Torrance and JaMychal Green need to step up tonight on both ends of the floor. Torrance had 23 against Vandy last Wed. and 15 against Ark. in a game that turned on a technical and expulsion from the game of Senario Hillman.
Hillman needs to step up for the Tide tonight and create things on the drive and on the fast break. Tony Mitchell, a 6'6" 185 freshman, has shown signs of greatness. He needs to produce also. Justin Knox could be critical on defense against Chism and with rebounding.
Alabama will have to play an exceptional game against the Vols tonight to get the victory. If Torrance can get it going and Green and HIllman take care of their scoring and, especially, 'Bama can defend Chism, a beast, and the rest of the UT arsenal, they have a chance. Should be fun.