Tide hosts No. 8 Vols tonight

TUSCALOOSA | The University of Tennessee men's basketball team didn't need to look any stronger than it did in its just-concluded homestand — but the Alabama Crimson Tide will be facing a bolstered version of the Volunteers (14-2, 2-0 SEC) when it hosts No. 8 UT at Coleman Coliseum tonight.

The game will tip off at 6 p.m. and will be nationally televised on ESPN.

Two players — guards Melvin Goins and Cameron Tatum — will rejoin the UT team for tonight's game after a four-game suspension related to misdemeanor gun, drug and alcohol charges stemming from a New Year's Day arrest. One other player remains suspended and 2009 All-SEC forward Tyler Smith was dismissed from the UT team.

Despite the absence of four players, UT has won six straight games including two SEC wins and a victory over previously No. 1 Kansas.

“I am really impressed with their team overall from what they've done throughout the year but specifically the last four games,” Alabama coach Anthony Grant said. “Anytime as a team, as a family, when adversity hits you, you're always interested to see how your guys respond. You have to be really impressed with the job that their coaching staff has done and their players have done.”

Grant is more concerned with improving the play of his own team. The Crimson Tide, 11-6 overall, dipped to 1-2 in the SEC with a lackluster 71-59 loss at Arkansas on Saturday.

“We did not meet the challenge the way we needed to meet the challenge collectively and individually,” Grant said.

Alabama guard Senario Hillman was ejected from the game for a flagrant foul but will be available for tonight's contest.

“I think Senario is regretful for what he did in the heat of the moment,” Grant said. “I think his emotions got the best of him, but I think from my experience with him, it was an out-of-character thing for him. Certainly he understands the ramifications of that, not only for him, but for our team.

Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl said he would welcome back Goins and Tatum but would not comment specifically on their roles during Monday's SEC coaches' teleconference.

“I think those guys are going to be terrific, supportive,” Pearl said. “They're proud of their friends and their teammates, and they'll work and they'll get ready and they'll stay ready.

“The rotations won't change right away, but it will be great to have them there.”

Scotty Hopson is UT's leading scorer on the season at 13,3 points per game, but senior center Wayne Chism has averaged 19 points and 12 rebounds per game in UT's two SEC wins. Senior Mikhail Torrance leads Alabama with 15.9 ppg.