By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information Coordinator
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Entering the third contest in its four-game road swing, the Tennessee Tech men's basketball team travels just a couple of hours down I-40 for an in-state battle with Tennessee Friday evening.
Set for a 6 p.m. CT tip, fans can enjoy the contest against the Volunteers on Fox Sports Net with James Bates and Larry Conley on the call. Tech fans who can't make the trip or view the game on television can listen to all the action on 106.1 The Eagle with Roger Ealey providing the play-by-play.
The Golden Eagles and Volunteers will meet for the second straight year, the 23rd overall match-up in the series. Tennessee has a large advantage in the series, winning all but one of the 22 contests with Tech's victory coming back in 1996.
Some big moments have occurred in this series, with the largest crowd in Eblen Center history coming in the one contest in Cookeville. Over 10,000 fans packed the house as the Volunteers squeaked by Tech, 65-62.
Last season, the Golden Eagles looked primed for the upset, trailing by just one point at halftime, but a 20-3 run by the Volunteers to start the second half gave Tennessee all the room it needed to collect the victory.
This meeting marks the fourth of 11 contests against in-state competition for the Golden Eagles this season and the fourth different in-state opponent out of nine total. Four of the 11 contests take place on the road with this game marking the first.
Tennessee represents the second of two Southeastern Conference foes for the Golden Eagles this season. Tech fell to Alabama on Dec. 13, 65-53, in a contest that was much closer than the final score indicates.
The Volunteers are coming off an 83-72 loss at N.C. State Wednesday evening, ending their two-game win streak. UT is undefeated at in Thompson-Boling Arena this season, defeating Texas Southern, Kansas State and nationally-ranked Butler on its home court.
The Tech squad the contest after claiming a tight, two-point victory at North Florida Monday night. The win received national attention due to the Golden Eagles taking a 2-0 lead before the game's official tip. Torrance Rowe converted two free throws awarded due to a technical foul on the Ospreys for dunking in pregame warm-ups.
Tennessee Tech (6-4) at Tennessee (4-4)
Friday, Dec. 19, 2014
6:00 p.m. CT
Thompson-Boling Arena (21,678) – Knoxville, Tenn.
The Broadcasts
TV: Fox Sports Net South (James Bates & Larry Conley)
Radio: 106.1 The Eagle (Roger Ealey)
Webcast: None
SETTING THE STAGE
Josh Richardson leads the Vols in scoring, averaging 16.6 points per game on 48.1 percent shooting from the field. He ranks third in the SEC in scoring and averages 4.1 rebounds with a team-high 20 assists in eight games.
Also averaging double figures for Tennessee are Amani Moore at 11.1 points per game and Kevin Punter at 10.9 points per game. Each has recorded over 15 assists this season, as well as 11 steals. Moore leads the squad with 6.6 rebounds per game while Punter adds 3.1 boards per contest.
UT doesn't score a ton of points, averaging just over 66 points per game. But the Vols also boast a stingy defense, allowing just 68.9 points per game and averaging 7.9 steals per game. The squad forces 14.4 turnovers on its opponents.
Tech enters the game dropping 73.3 points per game and also boasts a very capable defense, holding its opponents to just under 66 points per game. The Golden Eagles also are forcing 16.2 turnovers per contest while averaging 7.4 steals and out-rebounding opponents by over five per game.
Big men Charles Jackson and Dwan Caldwell each average 13.6 points per game to lead the team, with Jackson ranking second in the OVC with 9.4 rebounds per game. The combination of Jackson and Caldwell has been nearly unstoppable this season for the Golden Eagles, with the duo dominating the paint in every game. The two have combined for 10 double-doubles in 10 games this season.
The two have been such a good team, they rank as the Ohio Valley Conference's top frontcourt duo in both scoring and rebounding, totaling 27.2 points and 14.9 boards per game together.
Josiah Moore and Torrance Rowe each average above nine points per game, with Moore adding 3.6 rebounds.
Photo by Rich Schmitt
