KNOXVILLE - The incorrect index card was pulled from the stack and the wrong player was introduced, but Kyle Alexander was unfazed by the pregame mistake.
The Tennessee sophomore forward wasted no time showing as much.
After teammate Admiral Schofield was listed and introduced as a starter for Saturday's game against Kansas State at Thompson-Boling Arena, Alexander quickly made an impact and set the tone for the Volunteers to cruise to a 70-58 win in an SEC/Big 12 Challenge matchup.
"I thought I was starting," Alexander said after chipping in eight points, nine rebounds and two blocked shots in Tennessee's third consecutive win. "It turns out I was. I think it was just a miscommunication somewhere.
"I talked to one of the coaches the other night, and I just said it's great we're winning and I'm happy we're winning. It's just good to be able to make a contribution. I was really happy I was able to do that."
Alexander played just three minutes, all in the first half, in Tuesday's rousing 82-80 upset of fourth-ranked Kentucky, but he was everywhere in the opening minutes against Kansas State. He took a charge at the start of the game, then hit a jumper in the post before scoring on a putback and grabbing two offensive rebounds to set up Jordan Bowden's layup and a Tennessee a 10-3 lead four minutes into the game.
The Vols never trailed as they earned their third straight win and fourth time in five games.
"I'm really happy and proud of Kyle Alexander," Vols coach Rick Barnes said. "I thought he was just terrific to start the game. He was just going after rebounds. I thought he was terrific and I thought he was a guy that really set a great tone for us on both ends in terms of what he was trying to get done, and we won a game today against a really good basketball team."
Tennessee (12-9) was ahead by double digits less than seven minutes into the game and responded to a 7-0 spurt by the Wildcats (15-6) that cut the lead to 26-20 - the Vols' 13-2 run in the final four minutes of the first half gave them a 39-22 lead at halftime.
"I was kind of hoping they would have a letdown a little bit after the two wins, but obviously they didn't," Kansas State coach Bruce Weber said. "They took it to us right from the start. They play hard. They compete. Rick's done a nice job. It's something we take pride in, but that gives them a chance. There's no doubt about that.
"Their only loss in this stretch is to Mississippi, and they had that one for 30-some minutes, so they've made a nice run and taken nice steps. We knew as a staff it would be a hard game. I would have hoped we would have played a little better, but we didn't."
Freshman Grant Williams, who led the Vols with 17 points, scored Tennessee's first eight points of the second half to push the lead to 19, and the Vols weathered an early barrage of 3-pointers by the Wildcats and calmed any fears of a Kansas State comeback with sound defense - Kansas State shot less than 40 percent for the game - and timely baskets.
Tennessee never allowed the visitors closer than nine points in the second half.
"It gives us a little bit of momentum," Williams said. "It gives us a little bit of confidence going into Auburn, going into their gym (on Tuesday night). We have a road trip coming up, so we've just got to keep playing hard and playing our way."
Kansas State was picked to finish ninth in the Big 12, but the Wildcats entered the week on the cusp of being ranked in the Top 25 and in the potential field for the NCAA tournament, according to many projections.
Tennessee held hefty advantages in rebounding (43-29), points in the paint (34-20) and second-chance points (23-6).
"That's the whole thing about our team this year," Alexander said, "is that we know we're the most undersized team in the conference or maybe in the nation, so the fact that we're able to be plus-14 on a really good team, I think that says something about our fight and about what we can accomplish."
Alexander knew after watching most of the Kentucky win from the bench he wanted to make a greater impact than just cheering on his teammates.
"One thing we know about him," Barnes said, "he's going to do everything he can to be a great teammate and help his team win. He's going to be always be ready. He's like every player. Some days you have a little bit more than other days, but in terms of his focus and attitude, he's always going to be ready."
Contact Patrick Brown at pbrown@timesfreepress.com.