Tipoff between the Vols and Ragin’ Cajuns is slated for 9:40 p.m. EDT at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida.
The contest is the 11th meeting between the two teams. Tennessee holds a 9-1 advantage in the all-time series.
Thursday will also mark the fourth postseason meeting between Tennessee and the Ragin’ Cajuns, and the third in the NCAA Tournament.
The Vols won in 1982, 61-57, in Indianapolis, Indiana. Tennessee was also victorious in the 1985 NIT at home, 73-72.
In 2000, the Vols won, 63-58, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in Birmingham, Alabama.
[gambcom-standard rankid=”3003″ ]
[gambcom-standard rankid=”3006″ ]
Under third-year head coach Jerry Green, Tennessee entered the game with a 24-6 record.
The Ragin’ Cajuns led, 29-26, at halftime. Tennessee had four players score 10-plus points in the contest.
Starting guard Tony Harris and reserve forward Ron Slay scored 15 points each. Harris totaled three assists and two steals, while Slay went 6-for-8 from the floor.
C.J. Black scored 14 points and was 10-for-10 from the free throw line. Vincent Yarbrough finished with 11 points and three rebounds.
[pickup_prop id=”32285″]