Tennessee basketball is doing an “Orange Out” for the Vols’ matchup against Alabama on Saturday night at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center. It’s the second straight season that Tennessee has had an “Orange Out” for the rivalry matchup against Alabama.
It’s also the third and final promotion of the season for Tennessee. The Vols previously held a “Checker TBAaFCC” game for their matchup against Auburn and their “Dark Mode” game against Oklahoma two Saturdays ago.
Tennessee is looking to complete the season sweep of Alabama on Saturday. The Vols knocked off Alabama in Tuscaloosa in late January with Nate Ament scoring 29 points in a 79-73 victory. Alabama did a “White Out” when Tennessee was at Coleman Coliseum earlier this season.
The win in Tuscaloosa marked Tennessee’s fifth straight over Alabama dating back to the 2022-23 season when the Vols upset top-ranked Alabama in Knoxville. Tennessee swept the regular season series in 2023-24 to win the SEC Regular-Season Championship.
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Both Tennessee and Alabama have been two of the best teams in the SEC since the first meeting. The Vols have won eight of their last 10 games since the win in Tuscaloosa. Alabama has won eight of its last nine games since the loss.
Tennessee enters the matchup 20-8 (10-5 SEC) and projects as a five-seed in the NCAA Tournament. Alabama enters the matchup 21-7 (11-4 SEC) and projects as a four-seed in the NCAA Tournament. Both are looking to earn a top four seed and the subsequent double-bye in the SEC Tournament.
The Vols are currently 5.5-point favorites over Alabama according to the DKSportsbook. The over/under is set at 162.5. KenPom predicts Tennessee to earn an 84-80 victory over the Crimson Tide.
Tipoff between Tennessee and Alabama is at 6 p.m. ET on Saturday night. Karl Ravech and Jimmy Dykes are on the call for ESPN.
