Talk about a contrast in styles. Alabama would like this game in the 90s points wise and Tennessee in the 50s. I am of the belief the home team usually dictates tempo in basketball. Then you add in Bama star Mark Sears perhaps not being 100 percent (on the injury report but will play) and having to play in that Tang-colored nightmare of a gym in Knoxville ... does Tang still exist? Honestly don't know. I'm more of a Fanta guy.

Tennessee has the number one defense is terms of efficiency in the country. The Crimson Tide have failed to score over 74 points in their last three meetings against them. This is also a contrast in styles and Tennessee has been able to take them out of their element with their defense and slow the pace down. The line continues to move in the Volunteers favor as well.

Tennessee swept the regular season series last year, but the Vols were sped up by Alabama in excess of their average tempo in both games, which finished with 162 and 155 points. Now Alabama's recent form has been even more high-scoring, in part because of a defense that's giving up a ton of points as well. The point totals from Alabama's last eight games have been 184, 179, 208, 179, 183, 166, 179 and 172. Tennessee has one of the best defenses in the country, but if Zakai Zeigler and Chaz Lanier are scoring at the clip they have been recently there will be enough possessions to take this over the total.