Tennessee<\/b> and Alabama<\/b> will meet in a sport on Saturday that can be as huge as an everyday season sport will be.
Each the Vols and Crimson Tide, storied rivals enter the primary day of March in line for one of many 4 No. 1 seeds within the NCAA Event and resumes that make compelling arguments for each. The outcome when the 2 groups play at Meals Metropolis Heart (4 p.m. ET, ESPN) might get rid of one from rivalry and maintain the opposite in play.
TALK ABOUT IT IN <\/i>THE ROCKY TOP FORUM<\/a><\/b>
Fifth-ranked Tennessee (23-5, 10-5 SEC)) has received every of the final three, two of which have been prime 15 match ups. The Vols toppled then-No. 1 Alabama in Knoxville in 2023 and beat the Crimson Tide twice final season.
However this one, located on each schedules simply two weeks earlier than choice Sunday, stands out as the most excessive profile as Tennessee places its nation-best protection up in opposition to among the finest offenses in school basketball in Alabama (23-5, 12-3).
That script is a well-known one and in every of the final three conferences, it was the Vols’ protection that received out. Will it play out once more with a possible 1-seed on the road?
Here is what you should know concerning the match up.
Who:<\/b> No. 6 Alabama (23-5, 12-3 SEC) at No. 5 Tennessee (23-5, 10-5)
When:<\/b> Saturday, March 1 | 4 p.m. ET
The place:<\/b> Meals Metropolis Heart | Knoxville
TV:<\/b> ESPN (Karl Ravech, play-by-play; Jimmy Dykes, analyst, Dick Vitale, analyst; Molly McGrath, reporter)
Radio: <\/b>Vol Network<\/a> (Bob Kesling, play-by-play; Bert Bertelkamp, analyst)
Sequence: <\/b>156th assembly all-time (Alabama leads, 82-73)
KenPom Projection: <\/b>Tennessee 79, Alabama 74
Zakai Zeigler<\/b>
Guard
13.6
Chaz Lanier<\/b>
Guard
17.8
Jahmai Mashack<\/b>
Guard
5.8
Igor Milicic Jr.<\/b>
Ahead
10.4
Felix Okpara<\/b>
Heart
7.7
Mark Sears<\/b>
Guard
19.0
Chris Youngblood<\/b>
Guard
10.6
Labaron Philon<\/b>
Guard
10.4
Grant Nelson<\/b>
Ahead
12.0
Clifford Omoruyi<\/b>
Heart
7.1
POINTS PER GAME<\/b>
Alabama 91.5
Tennessee 74.3
FIELD GOAL PERCENTAGE<\/b>
Alabama 48.5%
Tennessee 45.2%
THREE-POINT PERCENTAGE <\/b>
Alabama 35.0%
Tennessee 34.4%
MORE FROM VOLREPORT: Expert Opinion: Alabama reporter previews massive game with Tennessee<\/a><\/b>
ASSISTS <\/b>
Alabama 17.0
Tennessee 15.5
REBOUNDS <\/b>
Alabama 43.7
Tennessee 37.8
BLOCKS <\/b>
Tennessee 5.2
Alabama 4.6
— The harm report was clear for Tennessee lower than 24 hours earlier than tip-off. Heart Felix Okpara<\/b> had been listed as \u201cquestionable\u201d after which \u201cpossible\u201d as a result of a left knee harm in every of the earlier two video games, however performed in each, handing over a giant efficiency with 15 factors and 7 rebounds vs. LSU<\/b>.
— Alabama guard Mark Sears<\/b> was \u201cpossible\u201d on the preliminary harm report. Sears leads the Crimson Tide and is ranked second within the league in scoring with 19.0 factors per sport. He’s averaging 28.6 factors in his final three video games after scoring 35 in opposition to Missouri<\/b> and 30 vs. Kentucky<\/b>. Sears scored 22 in opposition to Tennessee final season.
MORE FROM VOLREPORT: How Tennessee basketball dominated LSU in the paint, kept 1-seed hopes alive<\/a><\/b>
— Tennessee leads the nation in adjusted defensive effectivity, in response to KenPom. The Vols are limiting opponents to only 87.5 factors per 100 possessions. Alabama in the meantime ranks third in offensive effectivity, averaging 127.7 factors per 100 offensive possessions.
— One of many 4 No. 1 seeds within the NCAA Event is in play for each Tennessee and Alabama, and Saturday\u2019s outcome might decide which group will get it. ESPN has the Vols as a 2-seed and the No. 5 general seed within the East Area. The outlet has the Crimson Tide presently projected as a 1-seed and the No. 3 general.
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Within the Girl Vols' loss at Kentucky, Tennessee coach Kim Caldwell noticed one thing in her group for the primary time.
Transcript of Girl Vols head coach Kim Caldwell assembly with the media after shedding to Kentucky.
Video of Girl Vols coach Kim Caldwell and level guard Samara Spencer assembly with the media after shedding to Kentucky.
The Girl Vols are blown out for the primary time underneath Kim Caldwell in loss to Kentucky.
The Girl Vols are assembly Kentucky in Lexington for a sport with severe seeding implications.
Within the Girl Vols' loss at Kentucky, Tennessee coach Kim Caldwell noticed one thing in her group for the primary time.
Transcript of Girl Vols head coach Kim Caldwell assembly with the media after shedding to Kentucky.
Video of Girl Vols coach Kim Caldwell and level guard Samara Spencer assembly with the media after shedding to Kentucky.<\/p>\n