graphic courtesy of ESPN.com

I was going to give you guys some talking/reading points two hours before game time, but the great blog, Rocky Top Talk, beat me to it. Seriously, there’s nothing left for me to do.

Joel did it all for me. And, Joel? I don’t like linking you as much as I have been doing lately. You’re making us look bad over here, bro. You suck. (Just kidding. I’m kind of glad I can eat and get excited without worrying about all those links …) Also, RTT is having an open blog during the game. We’d do that here, but I’m watching the game over at my dad’s, and unless we want to go through the fun of dial-up Internet, I think our open blogs will be saved for another day.

Instead, I’ll be live-blogging the game and — hopefully — posting something afterward. I know that’s probably not as exciting, but there has been some humor in the past with these, and VolstotheWall is going to be over there, too. Funny kid, that VttW.

Personally, I’m stoked. If you care anything about basketball, you’ll be around to watch this one. After arguably the worst week of my life personally (don’t ask) it’s really been one of the few things I’ve had to look forward to, and I plan on escaping from the frustrations of things right now and just enjoying what should be a great, great game.

I’ve not been one iota nervous about this one because — and I could be completely stupid here — I simply think Tennessee is the better team. We absolutely worked them over last year, and two years ago, the last time we played in Memphis, we were severely out-manned, and it was a close game throughout.

Defensively and on the boards, Memphis is going to give Tennessee fits. There is no doubt. But Tyler Smith is a matchup nightmare for them — personally I think he’s as big a matchup nightmare for them as Chris Douglas-Roberts is for us. I do think that Chris Lofton is going to have a difficult time getting his shot off, and that’s going to really lead Tennessee to try to muck up the game and force Memphis into a lot of turnovers.

Here’s something else to look for in the game: Jordan Howell is normally a calming presence for UT from the point guard position, but I personally don’t think he matches up at all with Derrick Rose, therefore, I look for Ramar Smith — coming off his best game as a Vol — to play the bulk of the minutes. Defensively, Ramar can put the hammer down, and this is a very good thing for UT because he is physical enough to match up on the penetrating and uber-talented Rose.

But when it comes to offense, Ramar tends to try to prove himself a little too much when he’s matched up against marquee names. He did not do that earlier this year against Jeremy Pargo of Gonzaga and shut him down. He tried to do it against Ramel Bradley and was outplayed the entire game in a difficult loss at Rupp. He also tried to prove himself too much against Ohio State last year against Mike Conley Jr. in a battle of five-star freshmen. Conley ate his lunch both times.

I love Ramar. He’s tough, he’s physical, he’s excellent defensively and in penetrating, but he CANNOT take over a game on the offensive end. If he tries, the Vols will suffer. If he lets the game come to him, he can neutralize Rose and really make things easier on the Vols with contending with two perimeter scoring threats — CDR and Anderson — rather than three. UAB’s speed frustrated Rose, who shot only 2-of-13 from the floor in that game, and if you noticed (or watched) Memphis was very, very lucky to win that game.

Ramar is the X-factor for the Vols in this one. I said it yesterday. I’ll say it again today. Offensively, UT has to have a big night from Tyler Smith and JaJuan Smith, and the Vols HAVE to have Ramar play at his absolute best as a POINT GUARD, not as someone who feels he has to put the game on his shoulders.

Lofton will probably get his, but Memphis’ athleticism and quickness could give him fits. In which case, the other guards are going to have to pick it up.

Anyway, I know this post isn’t much, but I felt like I had to add my two cents as a primer. Hope everyone enjoys the game!!

By the way, here’s the Gameday feach on Tyler Smith. Great story