No. 3 Tennessee men vs. Memphis at FedEx Forum in Memphis
Time: Noon EST
TV & radio: ESPN2 & 102.3 FM
Likely lineups (with heights and scoring averages in parentheses):
TENNESSEE (7-1)
Projected starters: F Kyle Alexander (6-11, 9.5); G Jordan Bone (6-3, 12.0); G Jordan Bowden (6-5, 8.3); F Admiral Schofield (6-6, 17.9); F Grant Williams (6-7, 19.9).
Key reserves: G Yves Pons (6-6, 4.3); F John Fulkerson (6-9, 4.0).
MEMPHIS (5-4)
Projected starters: G Tyler Harris (5-9, 16.2); G Alex Lomax (5-10, 6.8); G Jeremiah Martin (6-3, 14.1); F Mike Parks Jr. (6-8, 6.3); G Raynere Thornton (6-6, 5.6).
Key reserves: G Kareem Brewton Jr. (6-2, 7.0); F Kyvon Davenport (6-8, 13.1).
TIGERS REPORT: New head coach Penny Hardaway has infused the type of energy in the Memphis program that has been lacking in recent seasons, and he’s done so with some players from the Memphis area. The Tigers are led by three seniors, but their best offensive player is a freshman – Harris, who has five 20-point games this season. The Tigers have made 76 percent of their shots from 2-point range, but they boast three games of at least 10 3-pointers made this season.
KEY MATCHUP: The Tigers’ lack of size means they’re going to play with speed. Transition defense has been a point of emphasis for the Volunteers in practice this week, with coach Rick Barnes harping on communication to avoid the sorts of breakdowns that lead to easy baskets. But equally important for the Vols will be getting out to a good start – one that could take a sellout crowd out of the game early – and preventing the game from being close down the stretch where that crowd could be a factor.