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Tennessee looks for improved defensive play in NCAA opener

Mar 21, 2008 - 11:14 AM No. 15 American (21-11) vs. No. 2 Tennessee (29-4) 12:15 pm EDTBIRMINGHAM, Alabama Ticker) -- Tennessee captured its first Southeastern Conference regular-season title. But if thesecond-seeded Volunteers are going to make a deep run in theNCAA Tournament, their defense must improve.Tennessee (29-4) which won its first regular-season crown in 41years, faces No. 15 American, the Patriot League champion, in afirst-round contest in the East Region on Friday.The Volunteers went into the SEC tournament as the favorite buttheir defense was a no-show. Tennessee held off South Carolina,87-85, then lost to Arkansas, 92-91, in its two tournamentgames."We scored 91 points, we shot 55 percent, 46 percent fromthree," Volunteers coach Bruce Pearl said after the loss to theRazorbacks. "There was nothing wrong with our offense. Wecouldn't stop Arkansas."Tennessee's high-powered offense is led by senior guard ChrisLofton, who made 113 3-pointers and shot 39.8 percent from thearc during the season. Lofton scored 25 points against Arkansas,making 5-of-9 3-pointers.American (21-11) has a 3-point threat of its own in junior guardGarrison Carr, who ranks sixth nationally in 3-pointers pergame (4.1).Still, the Eagles do not figure to have the firepower to staywith the Volunteers. American is making its first NCAATournament appearance after defeating Colgate, 52-46, in thePatriot League championship game.The winner faces either No. 7 seed Butler or No. 10 SouthAlabama in the second round on Sunday.