Tigers-Volunteers: A Battle for State, National Supremacy

50-2. This gaudy record, that the Memphis Tigers and Tennessee Volunteers men’s basketball teams combine to hold up to this point in the college basketball season, won’t last for long. Saturday night at 9:00pm ET on ESPN, these powerhouses will square off against each other. This time, it’s not just about state bragging rights; it’s about national bragging rights. This is the first time since 1998 that the nation’s top two teams from the state will play each other. The no. 2 ranked Tennessee Volunteers (24-2, 11-1 SEC) will travel to the FedEx Forum in Memphis bringing an 8-game win streak with them. Led by the guard tandem of Chris Lofton (15.5 ppg) and JaJuan Smith (14.4 ppg), the Vols will look to put away the Tigers early with their sharp shooting and penetration. Tyler Smith at 6’7” and Wayne Chism at 6’9” head up the undersized front court for Tennessee. The no. 1 ranked and undefeated Memphis Tigers (26-0, 12-0 ... [link]