In the midst of a two-game losing streak, Tennessee is set for its third straight game against a top 15 opponent and fourth straight against a top 25 opponent Saturday. This time, the Vols will be looking for a rematch against a team that blew them out earlier in the year.
UT, ranked No. 8 in both polls, welcomes the Florida Gators to town. Rick Barnes’ team, which is 17-4 and 4-4 in the SEC, lost its first home game of the year on Tuesday, falling 78-73 to the Kentucky Wildcats, who are No. 12 in both polls.
Florida, meanwhile, ranked No. 5 in the AP Poll and No. 6 in the Coaches Poll, heads into this game with a 19-2 record and 5-2 SEC record. Todd Golden’s team is on a three-game winning streak.Here is all the information you need for Saturday afternoon’s matchup.
Florida Gators at Tennessee Volunteers
When: Saturday, Feb. 1 at Noon ET
Where: Thompson-Boling Arena; Knoxville, Tenn.
TV: ESPN
Live stream: WatchESPN
Radio: Vol Network (Click here for affiliates); Florida Radio Network (Click here for affiliates)
Listen online: UTSports; FloridaGators.com
Tennessee and Florida first met three and a half weeks ago in Gainesville. The Gators dominated the Vols 73-43. It was Tennessee’s first loss of the season, as they were ranked No. 1 at the time. Florida had suffered its first loss the Saturday before to Kentucky.
Before the Vols lost to Kentucky on Tuesday, they fell last Saturday to the No. 1 ranked Auburn Tigers 53-51 after Zakai Zeigler missed a potential game-winning three. Despite their strong start, UT still hasn’t beaten a top 10 team on the year, so this is a huge opportunity for them.
Florida, meanwhile, just dominated the Georgia Bulldogs 89-59. Before that, they handled the South Carolina Gamecocks and Texas Longhorns. However, this is their first game against a top 25 team since they fell at home to the Missouri Tigers 83-82.
After this game, the gauntlet continues for the Vols, as they have to host that same Mizzou team Wednesday. Florida, meanwhile, begins its own run of games against top 25 opponents, as they will host the Vanderbilt Commodores Tuesday. This is the first of four straight games for them against ranked teams.
