When Tennessee (17-13, 9-6) welcomes Vanderbilt to Knoxville on Saturday afternoon it's safe to say that the Vols will be playing their biggest home game in at least two years and certainly the most important game of the so young it's still 'covered in peach fuzz' Cuonzo Martin-era.

Few could have predicted the Vols would reach the final game of the regular season with so much to play for. Not after starting 1-4 in league play. But here we are, and it seems more than fitting that the chance to make an emphatic case for themselves as an NCAA tournament worthy team comes against a bitter in-state rival.

As most know by now, a win over Vanderbilt (21-9, 10-5) would leave the Vols in a tie for second place in the league standings and nail down an opening round bye in next week's SEC tournament.

More importantly by far, a win would seem to go a long way towards enhancing Tennessee's chances at an NCAA invite.

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