Feb 21, 2007, 15:50 GMT
Knoxville, TN - The 25th-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide and Tennessee Volunteers will do battle in an SEC contest tonight in Knoxville.
Alabama carried a two-game losing skid into Saturday's game against Kentucky, but the Tide recorded a thrilling 72-61 decision over the Wildcats. While Alabama is 19-7 overall and 6-6 in league play, the club is just 2-6 in true road games.
Tennessee carried a three-game win streak into Saturday's clash with South Carolina, but the result was a lopsided 81-64 loss to the Gamecocks. The Vols have won all 14 of their home games this season, so expect them to play with a wealth of confidence.
Alabama owns a 71-61 series lead over Tennessee, and tonight's game marks the only regular-season meeting between the teams.
Richard Hendrix has led Alabama in scoring in four consecutive outings, and he is averaging 15.0 ppg this season to pace the squad. Hendrix is also pulling down 8.9 rpg and remains the most underrated player in the SEC. Jermareo Davidson adds 14.5 ppg and 8.3 rpg to the mix, and Alonzo Gee is scoring 13.0 ppg. The fourth and final double-digit scorer in the lineup is Mykal Riley, as he is posting 12.2 ppg. The most disappointing player for the Tide has been point guard Ronald Steele, as he has failed to live up to his All-American billing. Steele is shooting just 38.5 percent from the floor, including 34 percent in league games, and he has been a non- factor in many of the club's tilts. That was not the case in the big win over Kentucky on Saturday, as Steele scored 15 points and dished out seven assists. Hendrix finished with 16 points and nine rebounds, and Riley added 12 points.
Not much went right for Tennessee in the loss to South Carolina on Saturday. The Vols connected on only 38.2 percent of their field goal attempts while allowing the Gamecocks to shoot 53.7 percent from the floor. Sure, Tennessee earned a 14-4 offensive rebounding advantage and a 16-10 edge in points from the foul line, but the overall effort was disappointing. Ramar Smith scored a team-high 15 points in defeat, and Chris Lofton tallied 13 points. Lofton is the best player for the Vols and one of the finest performers in the SEC. He is averaging 20.4 ppg on 44.3 percent shooting from three-point range and is knocking down 83.3 percent of his free throws. JaJuan Smith is netting 15.0 ppg, and Ramar Smith adds 10.4 ppg to the lineup.
© 2007 The Sports Network
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