Tennessee basketball is doing its annual “checker out” for Saturday night’s matchup against Texas A&M at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center, it announced Wednesday.
What used to be the “Checker TBA” game is now the “Checker” Food City Center game after the grocery store chain bought the naming rights to Tennessee’s basketball arena this offseason.
Tennessee last checkered its basketball arena last season when the 10th-ranked Vols knocked off No. 1 Alabama 68-59 for their biggest win of the regular season.
The Vols are looking to avenge their loss against Texas A&M in College Station earlier this month. Buzz Williams’ Aggies team took control of the game early and coasted past Tennessee earning a lopsided 85-69 victory.
More From RTI: Missouri Head Coach Dennis Gates Is High On This Tennessee Team
It was Tennessee’s most lopsided loss of the season but the Vols have responded the right way to it. Tennessee went on the road and dominated Arkansas last week before returning to Knoxville and knocking off Vanderbilt to complete the season sweep. The Vols won the two games by a total of 64 points.
Tennessee didn’t play nearly as well in Tuesday night’s win over Missouri but found a way to earn a 72-67 victory despite being far from its best.
Texas A&M went in the complete opposite direction after its big win over Tennessee. The Aggies enter Saturday’s rematch having lost three straight games including against the same Vanderbilt and Arkansas teams that Tennessee has dominated.
Tipoff between Tennessee and Texas A&M is at 8 p.m. ET at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center on Saturday night. ESPN is broadcasting the matchup.
