KNOXVILLE — There’s a new coach with a team of new faces on one side.
Save for a star freshman, there are hardly any strangers on the other.
Even an odd late-morning tip time can’t change the reunion of two familiar foes when Tennessee hosts Florida today to open Southeastern Conference men’s basketball play, albeit with one familiar face absent.
“It’s always fun,” first-year Volunteers coach Cuonzo Martin said before Friday’s practice about starting league play. “Especially in a great league like this against a great opponent. I think, more importantly, guys get excited when you get into conference play.”
For the 13th-ranked Gators, it’s a chance for a fourth consecutive win against UT. After Florida went 2-8 against the Vols in the first five years of Bruce Pearl’s tenure, the Gators swept three meetings last season. Today will be the first meeting between Martin and Donovan as head coaches.