No. 3 Tennessee men vs. Alabama at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville
Time: 2 p.m.
TV/radio: ESPN2/102.3 FM
Likely lineups (with heights and scoring averages in parentheses)
TENNESSEE (15-1, 4-0 Southeastern Conference)
Projected starters: F Kyle Alexander (6-11, 10.2); G Jordan Bone (6-3, 13.4); G Yves Pons (6-6, 3.8); G Admiral Schofield (6-6, 17.7); F Grant Williams (6-7, 18.8).
Key reserves: G Jordan Bowden (6-5, 10.7); G Lamonte Turner (6-2, 11.1).
ALABAMA (11-5, 2-2)
Projected starters: F Donta Hall (6-9, 11.1); G Dazon Ingram (6-5, 7.9); G Herbert Jones (6-7, 7.1); G Kira Lewis Jr. (6-3, 14.4); F Tevin Mack (6-6, 9.3).
Key reserves: G John Petty (6-5, 10.9); F Galin Smith (6-9, 3.7).
CRIMSON TIDE REPORT
Alabama has started Southeastern Conference play in solid fashion, sandwiching its two league losses - 88-79 at LSU and 81-80 to Texas A&M - with a 77-75 win against then-No. 13 Kentucky on Jan. 5 and a 70-60 victory at Missouri this past Wednesday. Hall has been a dominant force inside, while Lewis has been the team's best perimeter option. The Tide's depth is strong outside thanks in part to Petty, who is second on the team in scoring, rebounding and minutes per game.
KEY MATCHUP
The Tide dominated the interior in last season's meeting with Tennessee, which is something Vols coach Rick Barnes assuredly stressed to the Volunteers' big men - namely Alexander and Williams - the past couple of days. The Vols have thrived in games like this one, and combined with the fact Barnes was unhappy about his team's defense in Tuesday's win against Arkansas, plus how poorly Tennessee played against - and how badly it was beaten by - Alabama last season, one would surmise the Tide will get the Vols' best effort today.