By: Brandon Bryant
The #3 Tennessee Volunteers Men's Basketball team is set to take on the Memphis Tigers on December 15 at 11:00 am in Memphis. Tennessee is coming off of their biggest game of the year, in which the Volunteers were able to knock off #1 Gonzaga 76 to 73. The Tigers are also coming off a big win against UAB, 94 to 76.
Can the Vols keep their momentum heading into this big in-state match-up? The last time these two teams met, the Tigers were able to knock off the Vols in Knoxville 85 to 80; back during the 2012 season. The Tigers have beaten the Vols 5 out of the last 9 times they have squared off against each other, dating back to 2006. While the Tigers are 5 and 4 on the season, they are undefeated at home with 4 wins. The Vols have started out 7 and 1 with their only loss coming in overtime to the #1 Kansas Jayhawks.
This will be a tough test for the Vols coming off of an emotional win against Gonzaga. The Vols need Jordan Bone and Kyle Alexander to bounce back after only combining for 7 points in the win against Gonzaga. Admiral Schofield continues being a dominant force for the Vols as he put his teammates on his back and knocked down 30 points in his last contest. The Admiral hit the game-winning 3 point shot with 34 seconds left to seal the game.
Jordan Bowden also had one of his better games of the year. The Vols will need that same type of play from him in Memphis. Grant Williams was in foul trouble and was kept out of the final three minutes of his last contest after netting 16 points. The Vols will need Williams and his play making ability to finish out the contest against Memphis.
With the FedEx Forum gymnasium already being sold out, the fans can expect a big game from both sides of the court.