The checkerboard is back in Knoxville.
One of college basketball’s most electric in-game traditions returns Saturday night as Tennessee fans prepare to “Checker the Food City Center” in orange and white when the Volunteers host Auburn in a pivotal SEC clash. If you’ve never seen it, it’s a sight to behold-section by section, fans coordinate their colors to transform the arena into a living, breathing checkerboard of school pride. It’s loud, it’s passionate, and it’s uniquely Tennessee.
Fans heading to the game are encouraged to check their assigned color online and show up dressed accordingly. For students, the job’s already done-UberEats is stepping in to provide orange and white t-shirts for those in the student section, making sure the Rocky Top Rowdies are ready to bring the noise.
But behind the pageantry and the checkerboard visuals lies a high-stakes matchup between two teams jockeying for position in the SEC standings. Tennessee enters the game at 14-6 overall and 4-3 in conference play, while Auburn sits just ahead at 14-7 and 5-3 in the SEC.
Tipoff is set for 8:30 p.m. ET, and the Vols are slight favorites heading into the night.
This one has a few extra storylines baked in, starting with Auburn head coach Steven Pearl’s return to Knoxville. Pearl, in his first year at the helm after taking over for his father, Bruce Pearl, is no stranger to the orange and white. He played four seasons for the Vols from 2007 to 2011, and while he’s not looking to make the night about himself, there’s no denying the emotional pull.
“I’ve been there before as an assistant, so I don’t think the emotions will be much different,” Pearl said. “I played five years there and gave all my blood, sweat and tears to that university… There’s so many things that happened at Tennessee that have shaped my life to what it is today, so I’m eternally grateful.”
Pearl’s Tigers have been trending upward, riding a four-game SEC win streak with victories over South Carolina, Ole Miss, Florida, and Texas. They’ve found their rhythm, and they’re playing with the kind of confidence that makes them a dangerous road opponent-especially in a hostile environment like the Food City Center.
Tennessee, though, has started to find its own groove. After a rocky 2-3 start in SEC play, the Vols have bounced back with back-to-back road wins over Alabama and Georgia-two tough places to steal victories. That momentum, combined with the energy of a checkered home crowd, could be the edge they need.
Vols head coach Rick Barnes had high praise for Pearl’s work at Auburn heading into the matchup.
“Well, I think, again, Steven has done a really good job,” Barnes said. “They continue to get better all year, which that’s what you’re looking for.
And they’re playing with confidence. He does a terrific job of getting his guys where he wants them to be.”
According to ESPN Analytics, Tennessee holds a 69.6% chance to win the game, but numbers only go so far in a matchup like this-especially with emotions running high and both teams fighting for SEC positioning. Expect a high-energy battle, with plenty of noise, plenty of orange and white, and a whole lot on the line.
The checkerboard is ready. Now it’s time to see which team can rise to the moment.