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Tennessee faces Siena in Old Spice Classic

Nov 27, 2008 - 9:55 AM No. 12 Tennessee (3-0) at Siena (2-0) 12:00 p.m. EST

ORLANDO, Florida (Ticker) -- Following three contests against in-state foes, 12th-ranked Tennessee begins play in the Old Spice Classic when it takes on Siena Thursday.

The Volunteers have cruised to a perfect start, winning by an average margin of 25.3 points per game. Their last contest was the closest of the three as they led Middle Tennessee State by just four at halftime before winning, 76-66.

Tyler Smith recorded his first double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds while Tennessee shot 55 percent (26-of-47) from the field.

Smith and the Volunteers dominated the glass, outrebounding the Blue Raiders, 35-20. But they turned the ball over 16 times, forced only nine turnovers and dished just nine assists.

The preseason pick to repeat as champion in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, Siena has defeated a pair of defending conference champions in Boise State and Cornell to open the campaign. The Saints are off to their first 2-0 start since 2003-04 when they began the season 3-0 before losing 10 straight.

MAAC Preseason Player of the Year Kenny Hasbrouck is averaging 21 points and 5.5 rebounds in the first two contests while Ryan Rossiter has nine points and nine rebounds per game.

The winner will advance to the face the winner of the Wichita State-Georgetown matchup in the semifinals on Friday.