| Tennessee (6-7) at Georgia (13-2)
Vols Travel to Athens for First SEC Road Test
 | | Jenis Grindstaff has recorded nine steals in the Vols last four games coming off the bench. | The Vols will get their first conference road test when they pay a visit to one of the hottest schools in the Southeastern Conference this weekend. Tennessee will meet Georgia in a game that will tipoff at 7 p.m. (EST) on Saturday, Jan. 12, at Stegeman Coliseum in Athens, Ga. Tennessee fell to 6-7 on the season and 1-1 in the Southeastern Conference after a 100-104 overtime loss to second-ranked Florida on Wednesday. Vincent Yarbrough led the Vols with 26 points while Ron Slay and Marcus Haislip each added 20 points. Tennessee opened SEC action with an 82-76 win over Ole Miss on Jan. 6. Georgia enters this weekend's game with a 13-2 overall record and a 2-0 mark in the SEC. The Bulldogs are coming off an 88-84 win at eighth-ranked Kentucky on Wednesday. Ezra Williams leads the Bulldogs with 17.6 points while Jarvis Hayes is contributing 17.0 points per game. Yarbrough, an All-America candidate, leads the Southeastern Conference with 19.5 points to go with his team-high 7.1 rebounds per game this season. Marcus Haislip is averaging 15.1 points while Ron Slay is adding 15.0 points per game. Jon Higgins is averaging 5.1 assists per game for the Vols. Looking At Georgia
Georgia is 13-3 on the season and 2-0 in the Southeastern Conference following an 88-84 win at Kentucky on Wednesday night. The Bulldogs are led by Ezra Williams who is averaging 17.6 points and 6.1 rebounds on the season. Jarvis Hayes is second on the team with 17.0 points.
* Georgia opened SEC action with a home win over Vanderbilt (82-69) and a road win against Kentucky (88-84).
* Georgia's win over Kentucky ended a 16-game losing streak to the Wildcats and was just the school's second win ever in Rupp Arena.
* The Bulldogs are shooting 74.0 percent from the free throw line to rank second in the SEC. It is the school's best percentage at the stripe since 1990. No one on the squad is shooting worse than 68 percent.
* Rashad Wright's assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.83 ranks second in the Southeastern Conference.
* Head coach Jim Harrick is 39-37 in his third season at Georgia and 442-219 in his 22nd year as a head coach.
* The Bulldogs lead the SEC in three-point field goal percentage defense. Opponents are only converting 27.6 percent of their three-point attempts against them. The Georgia Series
Saturday's meeting will be the 125th in the series with Tennessee holding a 76-48 advantage.
* Tennessee holds a 45-13 series lead when playing in Knoxville.
* Tennessee has won five of the last eight meetings between the two schools.
* Last year, Georgia swept the season series. The Bulldogs took a 77-75 double overtime win in Athens on Jan. 27 and then an 88-76 win in Knoxville on Feb. 21.
* In 1999-2000, the Vols swept the season series with the Bulldogs, taking a 110-83 victory in Knoxville and an 83-66 win at Athens.
* Tennessee is 27-30 all-time when the series is played in Athens | Team Statistical Comparisons | | Tennessee | | Georgia | | 75.4 | Points | 77.5 | | 71.4 | Opponent Points | 68.0 | | +4.0 | Scoring Margin | +9.5 | | 46.5 | Field Goal % | 45.7 | | 41.3 | Opponent Field Goal % | 41.7 | | 38.6 | Three-Point % | 33.0 | | 33.7 | Opponent Three-Point % | 27.6 | | 70.3 | Free Throw % | 74.0 | | 37.2 | Rebounds | 38.7 | | 36.1 | Opponent Rebounds | 35.0 | | +1.2 | Rebounding Margin | +3.7 | | 16.8 | Assists | 16.2 | | 16.7 | Turnovers | 15.8 | | 3.2 | Blocks | 4.7 | | 7.1 | Steals | 9.3 | | 6-7 | Record | 13-2 |
| Individual Statistical Leaders | | Tennessee | | Georgia | | Yarbrough, 19.5 | Points | Williams, 17.6 | | Yarbrough, 7.1 | Rebounds | Daniels, 7.6 | | Higgins, 5.1 | Assists | Wright, 4.5 | | Crump, 59.4 | Field Goal % | Jo. Hayes, 58.8 | | Yarbrough, 42.6 | Three-Point % | Williams, 41.8 | | Grindstaff, 88.9 | Free Throw % | Cole, 87.0 | | ? | Vols Have Three Players Score 20+ In Back-To Back Games
When three Vols scored 20 or more points in UT's game against Ole Miss on Sunday, Jan. 6, it was the first time since the 1993 season that it had happened. The next time out against Florida on Jan. 9, the Vols did it again. Three players recorded 20 or more points in the same game in back-to-back games.
* Against Ole Miss on Jan. 6, Vincent Yarbrough paced the Vols with 24 points while Marcus Haislip and Ron Slay each had 21 points.
* Against Florida on Jan. 9, Yarbrough once again led the Vols with 26 points while Marcus Haislip and Ron Slay each had 20 points.
* The Ole Miss game marked the first time since the 1993 season that three Vols had 20 or more points in the same game. The last time it happened was on Feb. 10, 1993 in UT's 107-111 loss at South Carolina. Allan Houston led UT with 29 points while Lang Wiseman had 26 and Corey Allen contributed 22 points. Looking Back At The Florida Game
Florida's Brett Nelson sank a deep three-pointer with 3.1 seconds left in regulation to tie the score and the Gators took over in the extra period for a 104-100 win over the Vols Wednesday night in Knoxville. Tennessee held a 94-91 lead with 10 seconds left in the game following a pair of Ron Slay free throws when Nelson sank the three-pointer. In the overtime period, the two teams traded baskets before Nelson hit another trey to give Florida a 99-96 lead. It was a lead that the Gators would not relinquish.
* The Vols converted only 60.5 percent (23-of-38) of their free throws, including just 28.6 percent (2-of-9) in the overtime period.
* Vincent Yarbrough led a trio of Vols scoring 20 or more points. Yarbrough had a game-high 26 points while Marcus Haislip and Ron Slay each had 20 points.
* Ron Slay had his first double-double of the season and the fourth of his career with 20 points and 11 rebounds. The junior scored 17 points and had eight rebounds in the second half and overtime.
* Brett Nelson had been just 2-for-10 from three-point range before making his big trey to tie the game.
* Udonis Haslem was held to just 11 points and four rebounds before fouling out of the game with 2:42 left in regulation.
* Florida was ranked No. 2 in the ESPN/USA Today poll and No. 3 by the Associated Press.
* Florida improved its school record winning streak to 12 games. Free Throws Lead UT Over Ole Miss
Tennessee capitalized on 31 of its 35 free throw opportunities in the Vols' win over Ole Miss on Sunday. Tennessee's 88.6 percent shooting from the line is its best performance of the season.
* UT was 21-of-22 (95.5 percent) from the free throw line in the second half.
* The Vols made 22 consecutive free throws at one point during the game.
* Tennessee's 88.6 percent shooting for the game was its best effort at the free throw line since making 12-of-13 (92.3 percent) of its free throws against South Carolina on March 10, 2000. Taking Better Care Of The Ball
Tennessee began the season averaging 17.8 turnovers through its first nine games of the season. Over their last four games, the Vols have cut their turnovers to just 14.0 per game. Included in that is a season-low nine turnovers against Wisconsin on Dec. 29. Buzzer Beaters
For Tennessee this season, the difference between being 6-7 on the year and 11-2 is a matter of 12 points and less than 10 seconds. Five of UT's seven losses this year have been decided by a combined total of 12 points.
* Louisville's Reece Gaines hit a three-pointer for the lead with 1.8 seconds left in the game to give the Cardinals a 73-72 win.
* West Virginia's Jonathan Hargett hit a three-pointer with 4.3 seconds remaining to give the Mountaineers a 74-72 victory.
* UT's Thaydeus Holden had a three-pointer that would have tied the game at the buzzer rim out against Wisconsin. The Badgers took a 65-62 win in Madison.
* Florida's Brett Nelson hit a long three-pointer with 3.1 seconds left in regulation to tie the game 94-94. The Gators went on to a 104-100 overtime win. Close Losses
Tennessee has struggled to win the close games this season. The Vols are 0-5 in games that are decided by five points or less on the year. Tennessee fell at Louisville on Dec. 20 by one point (72-73) and has two-point losses at Memphis (69-71 on Dec. 15) and to West Virginia (72-74 on Dec. 22). UT fell at Wisconsin by three points (62-65 on Dec. 29) and to third-ranked Florida by four points (100-104 in overtime on Jan. 9). Slay Becoming A Rebounding Force
Junior forward Ron Slay is establishing himself as a force in the paint for the Vols this season. The 6-foot-8 Nashville native is averaging 15.0 points and 6.7 rebounds for Tennessee this season.
* He has led or tied for the team lead in rebounding in each of the Vols' last five games.
* He tied a career-high with 11 rebounds against Florida.
* His 26 offensive rebounds rank second on the team. Only Vincent Yarbrough has more offensive boards with 29. Haislip Leading The Vols In Blocks
Marcus Haislip's presence has been felt since his return to the lineup against Memphis on Dec. 15. The junior, who missed Tennessee's first six games due to academics, is averaging 15.1 points, 6.9 rebounds and 2.4 blocks in the seven games since his return.
* Despite playing seven of the team's 13 games this season, Haislip leads the team in blocked shots with 17.
* He needs two blocked shots to pass Willie Burton (90 blocks from 1980-84) for 10th on Tennessee's career blocked shots list.
* Last year his 51 blocks led the team and ranked fifth on UT's single-season charts despite playing just 13.2 minutes per game.
* Haislip set career highs against Memphis for rebounds (8), field goals attempted (11) and minutes played (25). He tied his career best of three-pointers attempted (4) against the Tigers. Playing The Percentages
Tennessee has made 50 percent or better of its field goals in three games this season, including a 60 percent (27-of-45) effort against Marquette (11/21/01).
* In eight of UT's 13 games, the Vols have shot 45 percent or better.
* The Vols have made at least half of their three-pointers four times this year, including a 61.9 percent (13-of-21) outing against SMU. Troubles From Behind The Arc
After beginning the season by making 46.5 percent (53-of-114) of their three-point attempts through their first six games, the Vols have struggled from three-point range since then. Over their last seven games Tennessee has made just 30.7 percent (35-of-114) of its three-pointers. Yarbrough Climbing Scoring List
Vincent Yarbrough has led the Vols in scoring this season and continues his ascent up the Tennessee career scoring lists.
* He moved into 13th place on UT's career scoring lists with 1,431 career points. He needs two points to pass Ron Widby (1,432 points from 1965-67) for 12th on the career scoring list.
* He became just the 15th player in UT history to score 1,400 points when he reached the milestone against Ole Miss on Jan. 6.
* He entered his senior season 28th on the school's scoring list with 1,177 points.
* He leads the Vols with 254 points this year.
* His 19.5 points per game leads the Southeastern Conference. Yarbrough Breaks Steals Record
Senior forward Vincent Yarbrough became Tennessee's all-time steals leader when he tied a season-high with five steals against West Virginia on Dec. 22. Yarbrough, who now has 184 career pilfers, passed Fred Jenkins (177 steals from 1983-87) for first on the list. Yarbrough leads the Vols this season with 31 steals.
Individual Career Steals
1. 184 Vincent Yarbrough, 1999-present
2. 177 Fred Jenkins, 1983-87
3. 173 Tyrone Beaman, 1980-84
4. 154 Dale Ellis, 1979-83 Yarbrough Joins 700 Rebound Club
Vincent Yarbrough became the 13th player in Tennessee history to record 700 career rebounds when he reached that plateau against Wisconsin on Dec. 29. The senior forward currently ranks 10th on Tennessee's career rebounding list with 720 career caroms. This season he is averaging a team-best 7.1 boards per game.
* Yarbrough needs 29 rebounds to tie Don Johnson (749 from 1968-71) for ninth and 30 rebounds to tie Steve Hamer (750 from 1992-96) for eighth on UT's career rebounding list.
* He became just the seventh Vol to have 1,300 or more points and 700 or more rebounds. Holden Named SEC's "Best Junior College Import"
The Sporting News named Tennessee junior guard Thaydeus Holden the "Best Junior College Import" in the Southeastern Conference in its Jan. 7 issue. Holden, a transfer from Seward County (Kan.) Community College, is averaging 9.2 points on 40.4 percent (21-of-52) shooting from three-point range for the Vols this season. Versatile Vincent
In his fourth season at Tennessee, Vincent Yarbrough has proven that he can do most anything on the court for the Vols. Entering his senior campaign, Yarbrough has proven himself worthy of being a two-time Wooden Award candidate. Following are some of the 6-foot-7 forward's accomplishments:
* Holds the school record for career steals with 184.
* Has scored 1,431 career points to rank 13th all-time at Tennessee.
* Ranks eighth all-time with 117 career blocks.
* Ranks among the Top 10 at Tennessee in three-pointers made and attempted.
* Ranked among the Top 10 in 10 different categories against SEC teams in 2001.
* Has led the Vols in scoring, rebounding and steals in each of the previous two seasons.
* Has 241 career offensive rebounds to his credit, an average of 2.2 per game.
* Scored in double figures 73 times and has 16 career double figure rebounding efforts.
* Led Tennessee in scoring 33 times and rebounding 41 times in his career. Higgins Takes The Point
Junior Jon Higgins has moved from his natural shooting guard position to take over the point guard duties this season without missing a beat. Through his first 13 games this year, Higgins has 66 assists against just 25 turnovers. He is also averaging 7.1points and 4.5 rebounds per game. In Tennessee's game against Marquette in the first round of the Great Alaska Shootout the Shaker Heights, Ohio, native recorded a career-high nine assists. Three Join Vols As Walk-ons
Drew Clemmons, Micquan Ferguson and Fred Smithwick have joined the Vols following campus-wide walk-on tryouts this past fall.
* Clemmons, a 6-foot-2, 170-pound junior from Knoxville, played for Bearden High School where he led the Bulldogs to district championships each of his two seasons on the varsity squad. His senior season he earned all-region honors. Following his prep career he played two seasons at King College before transferring to Tennessee.
* Ferguson, a 5-foot-9, 195-pound senior from Nashville, previously played baseball at Austin Peay and baseball and basketball at Aquinas Junior College in Nashville. He averaged 15.1 points per game at Nashville's Stratford High School and 10.6 points at Aquinas.
* Smithwick, a 6-foot-7, 205-pound freshman from Memphis, averaged 8.4 points per game at the center/forward position for Christian Brothers High School. Homecourt Advantage
Thompson-Boling Arena has been one of the most difficult places for opponents to play over the last four seasons.
* Since the 1998 season, the Vols are 59-9 (.868) in Thompson-Boling Arena.
* Tennessee is 45-7 (.865) since the 1999 season at home. UT recorded a 14-1 record in 1999, a 15-1 mark in 2000 and 12-3 in 2001.
* The Vols are 26-8 against SEC teams at home over the last four seasons.
* UT's 38-game winning streak against non-conference games at home came to an end earlier this season with a 72-74 last second loss to West Virginia on Dec. 22.
* Last season Tennessee was 12-3 at home. Five Sign With Vols In Early Period
Buzz Peterson officially announced during the early signing period that five student-athletes have signed national letters of intent with Tennessee to join the Volunteer basketball team beginning with the 2002-03 season. Joining the Vols are Stanley Asumnu, C.J. Watson, John Winchester, Justin Albrecht and Justin "Boomer" Herndon.
* Asumnu, a 6-foot-4 wing from Hargrave (Va.) Military Academy, is rated as one of the Top 10 fifth-year prep school players this season. Last year he averaged 23 points and five assists while playing for Westbury Christian School in Houston, Texas.
* Watson, a 6-foot-2 guard from Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, Nev., who is a consensus Top 100 player, was the 2001 Nevada State Player of the Year after averaging 15 points, four assists and three steals per game.
* Winchester, a 6-foot-3 guard from Milford Academy in Milford, Conn., who is a consensus Top 75 player, Winchester averaged 20 points and six rebounds last season at Marist School in Bayonne, N.J.
* Albrecht, a 6-foot-6, 215-pound forward from Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs, Iowa, averaged 10 points, six rebounds and three assists as a freshman last season. A starter in every game last year, Albrecht led Iowa Western with 44 charges drawn.
* Herndon averaged 22.8 points, 13.3 rebounds and 7.7 blocks at Donelson Christian Academy in Nashville, Tenn., last year. The 7-foot, 240-pound center increased his scoring average from 12.4 points to 22.8 points per game between his sophomore and junior season.
* The Vols' recruiting class not only represents some of the best players from the state of Tennessee, it also reaches to some of the best talent around the nation. In all, five states are represented in UT's recruiting class.
* Tennessee's recruiting class is ranked among the Top 10 recruiting classes in the nation by several recruiting services. The Bob Gibbons All Star Report lists Buzz Peterson's first class as the No. 9 recruiting class in the nation. | 
