Tonight, the No. 7 Tennessee Volunteers will look to avenge Saturday’s loss

to Vanderbilt as the No. 16 Kentucky Wildcats invade Knoxville.

The scenario is somewhat the same as last season with Tennessee and

Kentucky tied, along with Florida, atop the SEC East Division.

Although both teams have three conference games remaining after tonight,

the division championship could be decided in Knoxville for the second

consecutive season.

The Vols (21-4, 9-3 SEC) are coming off a poor team performance against

Vanderbilt on Saturday where they were upset 85-72. The loss, combined with

an earlier loss to the Wildcats in Lexington, could be enough to inspire a

victory at Thompson-Boling Arena.

“I don’t think I’ll have to say a whole lot to get our kids inspired,”

Tennessee head coach Jerry Green said. “The thing we are concentrating on,

more than rankings or records, is playing good and being consistent.”

On Feb. 1, Kentucky controlled the Vols 81-68 in Lexington. Freshman Keith

Bogans led the way with 25 points as the ‘Cats beat the Vols at their own

game, going 10-for-21 from three-point land.

Tonight, the Wildcats bring their 19-7, 9-3 SEC record to town looking to

dethrone the Volunteers of the SEC East Championship. After losing two

consecutive games, the ‘Cats are back on track with wins over Alabama and

Georgia last week.

“We’re just going to concentrate on their main scorers,” Green said.

“Magloire, Prince and Bogans will be big. Along with their other

guys.”

Kentucky is led by their big man, Jamal Magloire. The senior from Toronto,

Canada, averages 13.1 points and is a strong presence in the paint with his

6-10, 260-pound frame. Although the Vols shut Magloire down in their last

meeting, he will be a key player for Kentucky.

Sophomore Tayshaun Prince will also be a huge scoring threat, averaging

12.9 points. The 6-9 swingman from Compton, Calif., is listed on their

roster as a guard but will spread his action at three or four

positions.

One thing that Kentucky is loaded with is guards. They run with a

three-guard lineup that has the ability to shoot from anywhere on the

court.

Keith Bogans will be a huge threat for the Wildcats. The 6-5 freshman

averages 11.4 points and can knock down the three with ease. Although this

is his first year of college basketball, Bogans is not afraid to step up

and lead the team.

At the two position will be Desmond Allison.

Allison, like Bogans, is a 6-5 guard who can hit the three. Allison shoots

31 percent from behind the arc.

Running the Wildcats’ offense is junior Saul Smith. Smith recently switched

to the point guard position but is still relied upon by coach and father

Tubby Smith to continue shooting. He is shooting 31 percent from long

range.

Kentucky will only play about eight players. However, the people who do

play will score and contribute.

“Kentucky is such a well-rounded team that everyone could be their leader,”

Green said. “You don’t know who’s going to step up and that’s good for a

coach.”

On the other side, Tennessee’s depth got a little slimmer Monday as junior

forward Del Baker broke his foot in practice. He is being evaluated and

will probably have a cast until April. Baker had been seeing quality time

on the floor, helping when and where he could.

If the Vols can fall back into playing team basketball, Kentucky could have

their hands full. Especially if the game is up-tempo and the Vols can

run.

However, if Tennessee falls into the one-on-one approach they found at

Vanderbilt, it could be a long night for the Vols.

“The big key for us is playing good,” Green said. “We’ve got to get back to

the basics on offense and defense. We can’t be a one-on-one team like we

often lapse back into.”

With the conference lead on the line and a border rival at hand, tonight

could be the final test for the Volunteers to see if they have the team

that will lead them into late March.