KNOXVILLE – February has been unkind to the men’s basketball teams at Tennessee and South Carolina.
The Volunteers and Gamecocks are a combined 5-8 this month, so perhaps it’s only fitting their rematch comes as the calendar’s switch to March nears.
For two teams trending the wrong way, desperation should permeate what ought to be an intense game hinging on toughness today in Columbia, where Tennessee will try to match the disposition of its hosts.
“I expect to see that from our team, too,” Tennessee coach Rick Barnes said before Friday’s practice. “I would expect it to be that kind of game. What (South Carolina coach Frank Martin) expects from his team, I’m expecting from our team.
“And I promise you and I’ve told our team what you just said, he’s telling them the same thing.”