On Saturday, Tennessee will hit the road to Nashville to face in-state rival Vanderbilt.
While the Commodores got the best of the Vols inside Memorial Gymnasium last season, the series has been owned by Tennessee. The recent loss ultimately snapped an 11-game win streak dating back to before Jerry Stackhouse took over Vanderbilt.
Stackhouse wasn't afraid to give props to the Vols and dubbed the upcoming matchup one of the biggest of the season for his team. The Commodores enter the matchup 5-13 (0-5 SEC) and a win over a top-five opponent could get them back on track.
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With the added element of a rivalry game, this one has been circled on the calendar.
"I think it means a lot to everybody," said Stackhouse. "Everybody that's been a part of this program as far as rivalry week. Really good team. They're playing well. They've been good since we've been here. It's nothing new for us. It's one of our biggest games on the schedule. We've got them at home first this time. They're playing really well. We're still trying to figure out some things with ourselves but it's a great opportunity to play a great team and hopefully come out the way we did last year. Last year was a lot of fun to be able to finally get over the hump with that particular team."
Part of the challenge for Stackhouse and Vanderbilt will be slowing down red-hot Dalton Knecht. The Tennessee guard is coming off a 25-point night which feels quiet compared to recent performances.
In the last four matches, Knecht is averaging 32 points per match — all against SEC foes.
"I mean Dalton is a really good player," said Stackhouse. "He's shown that in his games, the numbers he's been able to put up. I think they're historic numbers in some instances. He's a guy we're going to have to worry about just his ability to shoot over people. I don't think he takes bad shots, he takes good shots, but he doesn't need a lot of room so its important for us to make sure we have someone with length on him and someone who really tries to be physical and make it tough on him."
There isn't just Knecht to worry about, though.
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Tennessee boasts a deep bench that features production from an elite big in Jonas Aidoo and veterans Santiago Vescovi and Josiah-Jordan James. Those three stood out to Stackhouse when recalling the Vols but others such as Zakai Zeigler, Jordan Gainey, Tobe Awaka and Jahmai Mashack also pose a threat.
"(Knecht is) definitely a good player but they've got other players we've got to worry about," said Stackhouse. "Aidoo, what he brings to the table. I think he's probably one of the most improved players in our league. Vescovi, seems like he's been here before I was here, know what I'm saying. He's been around a long time. They've got Josiah(-Jordan) James. Same thing. Guys that know how to play. Can't just focus on one guy, but we do know that (Knecht) is a focus of what they're trying to do on the offensive end."
Tip-off in this edition of the in-state battle is set for 6 p.m. ET on Saturday and will air on SEC Network. An upset for the Commodores would be the first time Tennessee surrendered back-to-back losses in the series since 2016.
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