Keys to the game

Tennessee's scoring offense vs. Kansas' scoring defense. The Vols rank 8th in the nation in scoring offense, netting an average of 84.1 points per game. The Jayhawks, though, rank 66th in the nation in scoring defense, holding opponents to an average of 61.8 points per contest.

Kansas' scoring offense vs. Tennessee's scoring defense. Kansas scores an average of 79.9 points per game, and Tennessee gives up an average of 73.2 points per game.Their ranking? 26. Our ranking? 267th. Uh-oh. Expect the Jayhawks to score more than their average and Tennessee to score fewer than theirs. Both teams in the 80s? Kansas in the 80s and Tennessee in the 70s?

Apparent advantages

Kansas advantages. Scoring defense, scoring margin, FG% defense, FT%, blocks, steals, turnover margin.

Tennessee advantages. Scoring offense, three-point FGs, three-point FG defense, assists.

Pushes. FG%, rebound margin.

Kansas players to watch

Sophomore center Cole Aldrich. Aldrich leads the team in FG% (59.6%), FT% ( 87.2%), rebounds (10.5 per game), and blocks (2.6 per game). He's ranked nationally in each of those categories at 22, 33, 15, and 20, respectively.

Junior guard Sherron Collins. Collins leads the team in points (18 per game), assists (4.9 per game), and assist-to-turnover ratio (1.96).

KEY STATS COMPARISON
Category	Rank	Actual	Rank	Actual
Scoring Offense	8	84.1	26	79.9
Scoring Defense	267	73.2	66	61.8
Scoring Margin	60	10.9	17	18.1
Field-Goal Percentage	62	47.1	59	47.1
Field-Goal Percentage Defense	180	43.0	21	37.2
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game	128	6.7	170	6.2
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage	204	32.4	125	35.4
Three Pt FG Defense	144	0.329	246	0.359
Free-Throw Percentage	128	69.7	51	72.8
Rebound Margin	13	9.7	12	9.9
Assists Per Game	10	18.3	22	17.4
Assist Turnover Ratio	43	1.2	30	1.25
Blocked Shots Per Game	148	3.4	37	5.1
Steals Per Game	158	7.0	58	8.5
Turnovers Per Game	217	15.3	126	13.9
Turnover Margin	199	-0.6	78	2.5
Personal Fouls Per Game	303	21.4	227	19.7

PLAYERS TO WATCH
Category	Player	Rank	Actual	Player	Rank	Actual
Points PG	Tyler Smith	100	17.6	Sherron Collins	82	18.0
FG%				Cole Aldrich	22	59.6
3-Point FG PG
3-Point FG%
FT %				Cole Aldrich	33	87.2
Rebounds PG	Wayne Chism	97	7.9	Cole Aldrich	15	10.5
Assists PG	Bobby Maze	82	4.7	Sherron Collins	73	4.9
Blocks PG				Cole Aldrich	20	2.6
Steals PG
Assist-TO Ratio	Bobby Maze	26	2.76	Sherron Collins	91	1.96