Tennessee basketball fans, get ready for an electrifying atmosphere as the Vols gear up for an "Orange Out" against Alabama this Saturday night at Thompson-Boling Arena. This marks the second consecutive season Tennessee has rallied its fans with this vibrant display for the Alabama rivalry.
This "Orange Out" is the third and final fan promotion of the season for Tennessee, following the "Checker TBAaFCC" game against Auburn and the "Dark Mode" showdown with Oklahoma two weeks ago.
The Vols are aiming to sweep the season series against Alabama, having already triumphed in Tuscaloosa back in January. Nate Ament was the star of that game, pouring in 29 points to lead Tennessee to a 79-73 victory. Alabama had its own "White Out" when Tennessee visited Coleman Coliseum earlier in the season.
Tennessee's win in Tuscaloosa was their fifth consecutive victory over Alabama, a streak that stretches back to the 2022-23 season when the Vols stunned top-ranked Alabama in Knoxville. That momentum carried Tennessee to a regular-season sweep in 2023-24, securing the SEC Regular-Season Championship.
Both squads have been powerhouses in the SEC since their first clash this season. Tennessee has racked up eight wins in their last ten games since defeating Alabama, while the Crimson Tide have claimed victory in eight of their last nine games post-loss.
Heading into this matchup, Tennessee stands at 20-8 overall (10-5 in the SEC) and is projected as a five-seed in the NCAA Tournament. Meanwhile, Alabama boasts a 21-7 record (11-4 in the SEC) and is eyeing a four-seed. Both teams are eager to secure a top-four seed and the valuable double-bye in the SEC Tournament.
Currently, Tennessee is favored by 5.5 points over Alabama, with the over/under set at 162.5. KenPom's prediction leans towards a close 84-80 victory for the Vols.
Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. ET on Saturday night, with Karl Ravech and Jimmy Dykes bringing you the action on ESPN. Get ready for what promises to be an intense and thrilling SEC showdown!