The Official #5 Tennessee @ #13 LSU Game Thread, 12:00 PM ET, ESPN

[YankeeVol]

#5 Tennessee Volunteers: 24-2 (12-1 SEC)

@

#13 LSU Tigers: 21-5 (11-2 SEC)

GAME 27 | TENNESSEE at LSU - Feb. 23, 2019 | 12:02 p.m. ET | Pete Maravich Assembly Center (13,215)


Line: UT -2
O/U: 155

TV: ESPN
Radio: Vol Network
Satellite Radio: Sirius: 94, XM: 191
Online: WatchESPN.com

 

[YankeeVol]

THE SERIES

Tennessee leads the all-time series with LSU, 65-46, dating to 1933.

The Volunteers have a 26-25 edge when the series is played in Baton Rouge.

 

[YankeeVol]

A WIN WOULD...

Give the Vols nine wins away from home this season.

Give Tennessee its fifth all-time 25-win season.

Make this the eighth 25-win season of Rick Barnes' career as a head coach.

Give the Vols six wins in their last seven trips to LSU, dating to 2008.

 

[YankeeVol]

STORYLINES

This is the highest Tennessee has ever been ranked for a game against LSU. The Volunteers are 1-3 against LSU when both teams are ranked.

During his 32-year head coaching career, Rick Barnes has exactly 100 wins over ranked opponents.

The Vols have shot 50 percent or better 16 times this season and rank second in the country with a .507 field-goal percentage.

In SEC games, Tennessee averages a league-best 10.5 turnovers per game.

Bob Cousy Award candidate Jordan Bone is four assists shy of tying for fifth place on Tennessee's all-time list for assists in a season. He has a career-best 169 through 26 games (6.5 apg).

In SEC games, National Player of the Year candidate Grant Williams ranks among the league's top 10 in scoring, rebounding, field-goal percentage, free-throw percentage and blocks.

 

[YankeeVol]

ABOUT LSU

LSU (21-5, 11-2 SEC) has been the surprise team in the SEC this season. The Tigers' impressive play has allowed them to climbed to 13th in the country. Will Wade, who is one of the frontrunners for SEC Coach of the Year, is looking to lead his team to an NCAA Tournament berth in just his second season in Baton Rouge.

The Tigers have logged several key victories this year, including a statement win in Rupp Arena against then-No. 5 Kentucky, 73-71. LSU also owns wins over Auburn, Furman, Memphis, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, South Carolina and St. Mary's.

Tremont Waters (15.7 ppg, 5.9 apg, 3.0 spg) is the heart of the squad, pacing the team in scoring, assists and steals. The sophomore guard joined Jordan Bone as one of 10 finalists for the Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year Award. He is one of the top defenders in the league and is one of the best in the country at taking the ball away, ranking third nationally in steals per game.

Freshman Naz Reid (13.8 ppg, 6.9 rpg) has been a great addition to the Tigers, living up to his five-star rating. The 6-10 forward has gone for at least 27 points in three games this season and has four double-doubles. Reid also is a capable shooter from 3-point range.

Senior forward Kavell Bigby-Williams (7.8 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 2.0 bpg, .693 FG%) and junior guard Skylar Mays (13.2 ppg, 2.2 apg, 2.0 spg) are two other Tigers to keep an eye on.

The Tigers are good at creating extra possessions for themselves, ranking sixth in the nation in steals per game. Converting on those opportunities, LSU is second in the SEC in scoring at 82.7 ppg, trailing only Tennessee.

 

[YankeeVol]

LSU Game Notes

 

[UT_Dutchman]

Going into the woods at 8am and not leaving until 4. I hope I hear about a win when I get back to civilization.

Go Vols!

 

[cheftrapgod]

UT reeeeeally needs a win here. This is a big game to show the ESPN commentators we arent overrated

 

[ATC_VOL]

I’ll be driving most of the day tomorrow but listening on the radio. Go Vols!

 

[OrngeJuiceJones]

I’ll be driving most of the day tomorrow but listening on the radio. Go Vols!

I'll be drinking most of the day tomorrow, and yelling, upsetting my southwest VA neighborhood.. Go Vols

 

[tnvols72]

I hope they are well rested

 

[TennesseeFan07]

We will find out Tennessee's players resolve tomorrow. They cannot get pushed around.

 

[amaralfan1]

Yuck. A noon tipoff? Why are two Top 25 teams tipping off at noon on a Saturday?

 

[golfballs]

Yuck. A noon tipoff? Why are two Top 25 teams tipping off at noon on a Saturday?

I think it will benefit us

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

I think it will benefit us

Yes. No need for the team to sit around all day while the LSU fans get lubricated.

 

[OrngeJuiceJones]

Yuck. A noon tipoff? Why are two Top 25 teams tipping off at noon on a Saturday?

Yes 11am there gives no time for their fans to get too wild. I hope all business for our guys. Let's go.

 

[Tri-CitiesVol]

I'll be drinking most of the day tomorrow, and yelling, upsetting my southwest VA neighborhood.. Go Vols

What town?

 

[PulaskiVolFan]

UT reeeeeally needs a win here. This is a big game to show the ESPN commentators we arent overrated

Who cares what ESPN announcers think and why does it matter? Wins are all that matter this time of year, just ask Duke!

 

[PulaskiVolFan]

Going into the woods at 8am and not leaving until 4. I hope I hear about a win when I get back to civilization.

Go Vols!

If you're in middle Tn you had better be in a boat in the woods!

 

[UT_Dutchman]

If you're in middle Tn you had better be in a boat in the woods!

I don't doubt it, we are in the mountains outside of Robbinsville NC for a sawyer recertification. Happens every 3 years and it always rains.

 

[BowlBrother85]

72-65 Vols.

 

[SCVol2018]

noon tipoff benefits us! yes I agree, sitting around all day does not help anyone who competes. fans will just be getting out of bed too

 

[ttocswob]

We'll be on our way back home with a victory before most of the ragin' variety wakes up.

GBO!!!

 

[FlVols]

Let’s go Vols. Beat the Tigers. We need to win this game today and it’s good to see we’re favored on the road. #BeatLSU

 

[calban]

If you're in middle Tn you had better be in a boat in the woods!

Noah just passed by here in KY.