GAME NOTES: Expect plenty of intensity tonight in Knoxville, as the seventh- ranked Tennessee Volunteers welcome the Florida Gators to town for an SEC showdown. Florida is eager to get back to action after dropping an 80-61 decision to Arkansas on Saturday. That loss halted a three-game winning streak for the Gators, who are 18-4 overall and 5-2 in league play. Considering that all five starters had to be replaced from the back-to-back national champions of 2006 and 2007, the success this season is impressive. As for Tennessee, it carries an 11-0 home record into this matchup with the Gators. The Vols improved to 19-2 overall and 6-1 in conference action with a 76-71 triumph over Mississippi State on the road Saturday, the third consecutive victory for the team. Tennessee owns a 64-48 series advantage over Florida, and the teams split a pair of meetings last season.

Although just a freshman, Florida's Nick Calathes has proven himself to be one of the most talented and versatile players in the SEC. In addition to his 15.8 ppg, Calathes is pulling down 5.0 rpg to go along with 134 assists. His 34 steals also lead the team. Marreese Speights is the top performer in the frontcourt, as he is contributing 14.0 ppg and 7.7 rpg. The third and final double-digit scorer for Billy Donovan's club is Walter Hodge with 10.3 ppg. Florida is generating 80.2 ppg while limiting the opposition to 64.5 ppg. Surprisingly, the Gators were held to 33.3 percent shooting from the floor by Arkansas on Saturday, including a 4-of-25 effort from three-point range. Hodge tallied 13 points in the setback, while Speights and Calathes both scored 12 points. Defensively, Florida permitted Arkansas to shoot 54.2 percent from the field.

Fans of Tennessee watched Chris Lofton struggle mightily through the first half of the season and wondered if he would ever play like the elite guard that he proved to be last year. Fortunately, Lofton has hit his stride, scoring at least 20 points in each of the last four outings. Against Mississippi State in Saturday's road game, Lofton netted 20 points on 6-of-12 shooting from the floor. JaJuan Smith pitched in 15 points for the Vols, who earned a 42-32 rebounding advantage in the contest and forced 16 turnovers. Lofton is averaging 15.2 ppg this season, and he is steadily improving his field goal percentage. JaJuan Smith is close behind in scoring with 14.4 ppg, and Tyler Smith adds 13.0 ppg and 6.1 rpg. The Vols are racking up 84.5 ppg while limiting the opposition to 69.4 ppg. It is certainly worthy of mention that they have forced 423 turnovers in 21 games.

Give a narrow edge to the home team tonight, especially since Lofton has officially snapped out of his slump. The Vols have yet to lose in Knoxville and will keep the streak alive this evening.