Western Kentucky Preview

If you ever wanted to see an uptempo game, then this will be the game to watch. Western Kentucky comes into the Tennessee game playing 10 guys at double digit minutes this season. The Hilltoppers (8-2) love to play the uptempo game, just like the Vols. WKU is averaging just under 74 offensive possessions per game, while the Vols averages 77. The Hilltoppers were an overwhelming pick to win the Eastern division of the Sun Belt conference. They are led by 6’5” junior Courtney Lee. Lee leads the team in points (19.1), rebounds (5.1), and steals (1.6) per game. Lee averages almost 9 minutes more per game than any other Hilltopper and is shooting a staggering 53.9% from the field, which is extremely high for a perimeter player. The Hilltoppers haven’t really played an eye opening schedule thus far, with their two biggest games coming against Florida and Georgia. Compare that to Tennessee, who has played the number 3, 18, and 19^th ranked teams in the country thus far.

KEYS TO THE GAME:

This game will definitely end up being fast paced and up and down, as that is how both teams like to play. The key might be how each team is able to respond to the other’s style of play. Will the Vols be able to shut down the Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year in Courtney Lee? How will the Hilltoppers be able to contend with Chris Lofton? Pearl will more than likely put JaJuan Smith and Josh Tabb on Lee in an attempt to shut down the Hilltoppers best player. If Tabb and Smith are able to do the job, than the Vols might have a chance at a pull away victory. But it’s hard to shut down star players, as Memphis found out, and look for this to be a close one. The Vols will need to try to lock down the boards and gain a significant advantage their as well as trying to limit their turnovers. With such a high tempo game, their will be tons of opportunities for turnovers, and if the Vols are able to limit their’s and create scoring opportunities off of turnovers, than it couls be a long night for the Hilltoppers.

Projected Starting Lineups:

Western Kentucky

PG – 5’11” #3 Tyrone Brazelton
SG – 6’3” #5 Ty Rogers
SF – 6’5” #32 Courtney Lee
PF – 6’8” #33 Daniel Emerson
C – 6’9” #40 Jeremy Evans

Tennessee

PG – 6’3” #15 Jordan Howell
SG – 6’2” #5 Chris Lofton
SF – 6’2” #2 JaJuan Smith
PF – 6’4” #23 Dane Bradshaw
C – 6’7” #32 Duke Crews