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February 8 Sheet

Georgia at Tennessee (+2) - Game 741-742 - 12:00pm Pacific
The Vols have been playing like an upper division SEC team but thus far have not received much attention. They have won three straight games and 8 of their last 12. Three of the four losses came down to the final minute and all four were vs ranked opponents: vs Kentucky by just 3, at Florida, vs Louisville by just 3, and at Georgia by 5 in OT. During this span they earned quality road wins at Auburn (only one of two teams to win at Auburn this year) and at Ole Miss (only one of two teams to win at Ole Miss this year).

Tennessee lost its top two leading scorers from last season but it appears to be a case of addition by subtraction. Senior forward Ron Slay has stepped up to be a real team leader and is making his final season count. He is averaging an SEC best 21.3ppg while grabbing 7.6 boards a game. He can score from both inside and outside, makes his teammates better (2.4 assists per game), and is a lock for SEC 1st team honors if not player of the year. A pair of sophomores, 6-10 Brandon Crump & 6-8 Elgrace Wilborn join Slay on an imposing frontline. These guys are big, physical, AND athletic all in one package. The Vols come into this game with an impressive +7.7 rebound margin and average 11.8 offensive rebounds per game.

In the backcourt true freshman point C.J. Watson (9.5ppg, 4.8rpg, 5.3apg) has proven to be a gamer. He is the true point guard the team lacked last season and his play has been instrumental to the teams success this year. Capable seniors Jon Higgins (9.6ppg) & Thaydeus Holden (6.7ppg) provide great experience & senior leadership in the backcourt.

I have a lot of respect for Georgia but they are not playing their best basketball right now. They have had to rely on uncanny 3-point shooting by Ezra Williams to survive recent close wins over Miss State by 4, Auburn by 6, and Tennessee by 5 in OT. All three of these were home games. Two games back they trailed throughout and lost at Vanderbilt, a mediocre opponent. They are now 1-2 in SEC road games with lone win coming at Arkansas. They are 3-6 in their last 9 SEC road games dating back to last season. If not for a 3-point desperation buzzer beater at Colorado they would be 1-6 in true road games overall this season. The Bulldogs ride in with the #1 RPI ranking so they do not have much to play for knowing they are almost a lock for the NCAA tournament and they could be looking ahead to game at Kentucky Tuesday night.

Tennessee meanwhile will be sky high for this game. The Vols came up just short at home vs top 5 ranked teams Kentucky & Louisville (both were three point losses) and they are hungry for a marquee home win. Both of those games were very winnable and no other team has beaten UT at home this season. Vols took Georgia to OT just two weeks ago so they will have both revenge motivation and confidence needed to get the job done today. Additionally, any coach will tell you it is always difficult to beat a good team twice.

Tennessee is coming off a blowout win over UMass in which they held the Minutemen to just 15 second half points. Vols are exhibiting great team chemistry with three senior leaders and a solid group of underclassmen. This team is peaking at the right time and a win here will go a long way in reaching the NCAA tournament. As of Thursday, huge Thompson-Boling Arena (24,535) was on pace for a sellout. Take the points but expect an outright victory.

Tennessee  2 UNITS

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