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Streaking Tennessee plays first SEC road game at Vanderbilt

Jan 10, 2007 - 6:04 PM No. 20 Tennessee (13-2) at Vanderbilt (10-5) 8:00 pm EST

NASHVILLE, Tennessee (Ticker) -- Tennessee already has had success this season in Nashville and looks for another win in the "Music City" on Wednesday.

The 20th-ranked Volunteers open their Southeastern Conference road schedule with a trip across the state to take on Vanderbilt.

Tennessee (13-2, 1-0 SEC) has felt right at home in Nashville so far this campaign, winning two games in the NIT Preseason Tip-Off and then returning to post a 79-77 victory over Oklahoma State on December 18.

After its two wins in Nashville, the Volunteers went to New York for the semifinals of the NIT and lost to Butler and then dropped the consolation game to No. 1 North Carolina. Tennessee has not lost since its lost trip to Madison Square Garden, reeling off nine straight victories.

Despite his team's recent streak, Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl expects a tough test from the Commodores.

"They shoot the ball extremely well. They have four guys out there who can shoot the three-pointers," Pearl said. "They are second in the league in 3-point shots. That lets them play effectively inside, too. They have good balance, and they play well at home."

Junior forward Shan Foster leads Vanderbilt (10-5, 0-1) in scoring at 15.3 points per game and will need to come up big if the Commodores are to upset the Volunteers.

Tennessee swept the series last season and leads all-time, 104-65.