Tennessee basketball returns to Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center on Tuesday night after a three week hiatus that saw the Vols face four big six teams and three top 15 teams.
The Vols are coming off three straight losses, falling to Purdue and Kansas in the Maui Invitational and North Carolina in Chapel Hill. Tennessee is looking to get back on track as they host George Mason on Tuesday night.
Here’s everything to know about the matchup.
More From RTI: Dalton Knecht Questionable Against George Mason
How to Watch – No. 17 Tennessee (4-3) vs. George Mason (7-1)
- Start Time: 6:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. CT
- Location: Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center
- TV: SEC Network+, ESPN+. PxP: Andy Brock. CC: Steve Hamer. Sideline: Sarah Detwiler
- Online Streaming: SEC Network+. ESPN+.
- Radio (Knoxville): The Vol Network/The Vol Network App
Betting Lines
Spread: Tennessee -15 George Mason
Totals: Over/under 136.5
Spread: Tennessee -15 George Mason
Total: Over/under 137
Probable Starters
Tennessee (via UT Game Notes)
George Mason (Starters from last game)
What Rick Barnes said about George Mason
On his memories coaching at George Mason
“I remember going there in 1980 and I was a part-time assistant at Davidson College. I got the call and the first thing I did, I got out the college Blue Book to look up where it was. I was surprised that it had 18,000 students, but I didn’t know until I got there that they only had like 500 living on campus. It was considered the fastest-growing university in the country at the time. I was the first full-time assistant coach they had ever hired in any sport there. (George Mason coach) Joe Harrington, who hired me and gave me the opportunity, was the first full-time head coach they ever had. He told me this and it was truly a great statement: He said, ‘You’re going to learn more in the time here because we’re going to have to build a program from the ground floor up.’ I go back (and) he was right and then I stayed five years and through that time being in D.C., I got to meet a lot of people. Back then, that was — and still is — a hotbed for recruiting. I met (former Duke coach) Mike Krzyzewski and ended up interviewing for a job with him. Bill Foster was at Clemson, interviewed for a job there. Wimp Sanderson, obviously went to work there (at Alabama) for a little bit, but being there was an area that opened up contacts that I don’t think I could imagine at the time. But in itself, watching the university grow to what it is today and it’s a special place to me. It always will be. Both my kids were born while we were living in Fairfax at Georgetown Hospital. Some dear friends. I have one of my former players here. I guess to answer your question: He’s 60 years old. So that tells you something.”
On what stands out about this George Mason team
“Again, I think they play really good. Really good offensive team. They change their defenses. They’re shooting I think the three maybe better than they thought they would. They’re shooting the ball really well, but I still think they’re more of an inside-out team. They know what they’re looking for and they’re gonna try to keep in balance as much as they can on the offensive end.”
Team Statistics (via Sports Reference)
Tennessee:
George Mason:
Stat Leaders
Tennessee:
Points: Dalton Knecht — 20.3 PPG, 50.5 FG%, 40.5 3PT%
Rebounds: Jonas Aidoo — 7 RPG, 5.3 DRPG, 1.7 ORPG
George Mason:
Points: Keyshawn Hall — 15.1 PPG, 46.2 FG%, 36.8 3PT%
Rebounds: Keyshawn Hall — 9.4 RPG, 8.3 DRPF, 1.1 ORPG
Assists: Ronald Polite III — 3.3 APG, 1.8 TOPG, 27.4 MPG
