Tennessee won an ugly defensive struggle the last time they took on South Carolina this season, but the Gamecocks have been a different team since these two programs last met.
The Vols (14-10, 6-5 SEC) will take on South Carolina (15-9, 7-4) over in Columbia on early Saturday evening, marking the second time the two teams have played this season. The last time Tennessee and South Carolina faced-off, UT escaped with a 56-55 victory in Knoxville in a game that saw both teams struggle to shoot the ball. Thanks to a drawn charge by John Fulkerson in the closing seconds, UT was able to close out the win.
Since then, South Carolina has gone on a tear.
The Gamecocks have won seven of their last nine games — including wins over Kentucky at home and against Arkansas on the road — and have averaged 77 points a game on offense in that stretch. South Carolina has gone from 8-7 overall and 0-2 in SEC play after their loss to Tennessee to 15-9 overall and 7-4 in conference play.
Tennessee, meanwhile, has struggled with consistency, going 4-5 in that same span and averaging less than 70 points a game on offense.
Although South Carolina has been hot as of late, they tend to always struggle with Tennessee. The Vols own a 47-27 all-time record against SC, and UT has won five-straight games against the Gamecocks. Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes is also 9-7 all-time against South Carolina head coach Frank Martin.
Freshman guard Josiah-Jordan James is still questionable for the Vols for Saturday’s contest. James has missed Tennessee’s last four games after re-aggravating a hip/groin injury from the preseason.
Take a look at everything you need to know for today’s match-up. If you can’t make it to the game, here’s how you can watch or listen to tonight’s Tennessee vs. South Carolina game.
Tip-Off: 6:00 Eastern, February 15th, Colonial Life Arena (Columbia, SC)
TV: SEC Network (Mike Morgan and Pat Bradley)
Streaming Online: ESPN.com/watch or the ESPN app
Radio: Vol Network
Line: South Carolina (-4)
