Men's Basketball to Host No. 8 Tennessee on ESPN
1/18/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 18, 2010
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The University of Alabama men's basketball returns home to host No. 8/8 Tennessee in Coleman Coliseum before a national television audience on ESPN. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.
| Game 18 | Alabama (11-6, 1-2 SEC) vs. No. 8 Tennessee (14-2, 2-0 SEC) | |
| Date | Tuesday, January 19 | 6 p.m. CST |
| Location | Tuscaloosa, Ala. | Coleman Coliseum |
| Tickets | Buy Here |
| Television | ESPN | ESPN360.com |
| Radio | Crimson Tide Sports Network | Listen Online | Affiliates |
| Internet | ESPN360.com | |
| Promotions | |
| All-Time Series | Alabama leads 72-64 |
Alabama
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Tennessee
Roster | Schedule | Stats | News | Game Notes
The Volunteers travel to Tuscaloosa for their third game in six days after opening SEC play with a pair of wins at home last week while Alabama stands at 11-6 on the season and 1-2 in SEC games after falling at Arkansas, 71-59, on Saturday.
"I think Tennessee is extremely talented," said Alabama head coach Anthony Grant. "They have really come together as a team with the adversity that's hit their program. With the success they've had in their program, those guys take pride every time they step on the floor, in playing and competing. We've got to be able to come out and play with great energy and effort and understand what it takes to put yourself in a position to win."
The Tide is coming off its first back-to-back losses of the season including falling to Vanderbilt, 65-64, in its SEC home opener. The back-to-back losses snapped a four-game win streak and the Tide has won four of its last six outings.
Tennessee has earned a pair of wins in league play with a 81-55 drubbing of Auburn and a 71-69 overtime victory over Mississippi on Saturday. Prior to opening conference play, the Vols defeated No. 1 and previously unbeaten Kansas.
Mikhail Torrance leads Alabama in scoring with 15.9 points per game and nearly 20 in the last two games including a 23-point performance, his fourth of the season, against Vanderbilt. His scoring has come via 53.4 percent shooting along with 5.2 assists per game that have led to 12.8 points per game for his teammates.
JaMychal Green is second on the squad in scoring with 14.9 points to go along with his 7.1 rebounds per game. He hauled in 10 rebounds despite only playing 20 minutes against Vanderbilt due to foul trouble and had 13 points and eight boards at Arkansas.
Tennessee is led by Scotty Hopson's 13.3 points per game and while in the two league games, Wayne Chism has led the way with 19.0 points and 12.0 rebounds including a 26-point outing against Mississippi.
"You look at his (Chism's) ability to stretch the defense from the perimeter and then he's got great size and physicality inside as well, so it will be a great challenge for our front court to be able to match his intensity and effort," said Grant.
Tuesday's game is the first of three straight at home for the Tide. On Saturday, the squad will host long-time rival Mississippi State at 11 a.m.
