Tennessee opens up play at the SEC Tournament in Nashville Wednesday afternoon against Ole Miss. The Rebels got past South Carolina to advance Wednesday night to face the Vols Thursday afternoon.
The Vols beat Ole Miss 63-59 to open SEC play back in the last week of December. The Rebels proceeded to go 3-15 in SEC play and the school fired coach Kermit Davis two weeks ago.
Tennessee enter the SEC Tournament winners of two of their last three games but are still adjusting to life with Zakai Zeigler on the sidelines.
Here is everything you need to know ahead of Tennessee’s first postseason game of the year.
More From RTI: Everything Zakai Zeigler Said About His Injury And Recovery Wednesday
How to Watch – No. 17 Tennessee (22-9, 11-7 SEC) vs Ole Miss (12-20, 3-15 SEC)
- Start Time: Approximately 3:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. CT
- Location: Bridgestone Arena
- TV: SEC Network. PxP: Karl Ravech, CC: Jimmy Dykes, Sideline: Marty Smith
- Online Streaming: Watch ESPN
- Radio (Knoxville): The Vol Network/The Vol Network App
Team Statistics (via ESPN)
What AC Gregg Polinsky Said About Preparing For Two Teams
On if it’s difficult to prepare for two teams at the same time:
“The obvious answer is yes, but I would also say no. I think at this point, we have older guys and our coaching staff, all the assistants, they do a great job our guys on the staff and then Coach taking what he sees and putting a plan together. But no, I don’t think so. I think we’re at a point where we understand that we don’t know who we’re going to play, but we have to be mentally prepared to do it.”
Betting Lines
- Spread: Tennessee – 11.5 (-110), Ole Miss +11.5 (-110)
- Total: Over/Under 128
- Spread: Tennessee -13 Ole Miss
- Total: Over/Under 129
Probable Starters (via UT Sports)
Stat Leaders
Tennessee:
- Points: Santiago Vescovi – 12.7 PPG, 40.2 FG%, 36.1 3PT%
- Rebounds: Jonas Aidoo – 5.0 RPG
- Assists: Santiago Vescovi – 3.0 APG, 1.6 TOPG, 32.8 MPG
Ole Miss:
- Points: Matthew Murrell — 14.9 PPG, 37.2 FG%, 31.1 3PT%
- Rebounds: Myles Burns — 6.1 RPG
- Assists: Matthew Murrell — 2.6 APG, 1.9 TOPG, 34.2 MPG
Last Five Games
Tennessee
Ole Miss
Prediction
Davis’ Ole Miss teams always played Tennessee close. Obviously he won’t be on the sideline Thursday but the Rebels still have his identity. That is a commitment to defense and ball pressure, two things that can give an inconsistent offensive team issues.
I think Tennessee will get the job done and advance to the SEC Tournament Quarterfinals on Friday. However, I think it’s closer than the oddsmakers think.
Tennessee 65, Ole Miss 60
