3 pm - Lincoln Financial Sports
Stephen C. O'Connell Center, Gainesville, FL
The Vols (15-7, 3-4), who will more than likely be Lofton-Less, head into Gainesville today to take on the #1 ranked Gators (20-2, 7-0) -- a team in which they beat twice last regular season.
Tennessee is coming into today's game having lost 5 of 7, although they are coming off of a big win over UGA without their best player in Lofton. Today they will try to gain a huge win over the nation's top-ranked team on the road, which will be nowhere near an easy task. The Gators should be riding an emotional high today following a second half thumping of Vandy on Wednesday -- combined with the fact they are playing a team who swept the regular season contest last year.
Tennessee is a scrappy team who can score a lot of points (81/game) by shooting the three (9.3/game) and forcing turnovers (19.3 forced/game). Even without Lofton the Gators should be aware of this team's abilities -- however I think that the absence of the Vols best player will make this game a little more in doubt for our visitors today. It will take a great effort from Tennessee today to pull out the upset in the O-Dome.
That being said, I have nothing but respect for Vols coach Bruce Pearl. I'm 100% positive we won't see his team just give in and let the Gators win today. Our boys will have to come out ready to play.