Tennessee Basketball: Breaking Down the Vols Next 5 Games

The Tennessee Volunteers (8-7, 1-0 SEC) are facing quite possibly their toughest five-game stretch of the season. After head coach Cuonzo Martin's first signature win in a 67-56 upset over No. 19 Florida, the Volunteers look to ride their momentum into SEC play.

Tennessee was picked to finish second-to-last in the SEC before the season began, but an impressive showing in their conference opener has fans believing they could turn things around and contend for a NCAA Tournament appearance.

5-star prospect Jarnell Stokes signed on with the Vols last month and is eligible to play for the Vols in their first conference road test at No. 20 Mississippi State. While Martin's staff may not unleash the big man Thursday night in Starkville, he could be a role player off the bench for this tough stretch of games and potentially earn his way to a starting role later this season.

Sophomore point guard Trae Golden is atop the SEC with 5.4 assists per game and leads the team with 14.6 points per game. Junior forward Jeronne Maymon averages 11.2 points per contest and has shown flashes of greatness, but he's struggled at times to find space and scoring opportunities.

Three of the Vols' next five games are against ranked opponents, and barring a huge Vegas odds mix-up, they won't be favored in any of the five. Let's take a look at the upcoming schedule and some keys to victory.  

At No. 20 Mississippi State: Jan. 12

The Vols face their first conference road test Thursday night at 9 p.m. ET against No. 20 Mississippi State (13-3, 0-1 SEC) on ESPN2. 

Expectations are running high this season for the Bulldogs. They nearly knocked off the undefeated, fourth-ranked Baylor Bears on Dec. 28, and they boast the second-best overall record in the SEC. 

However, they looked less-than-impressive on defense in their conference opener at Arkansas, nearly letting the Razorbacks hit the century mark in a 98-88 loss. Mississippi State is led by guard Dee Bost and forward Arnett Moultrie, who average 16.2 points per game apiece. 

Keys to Victory: Guard penetration and scoring at will. Arkansas had two guards that combined for 48 points in their win against Mississippi State despite only making six three-pointers as a team. UT's Golden needs to be aggressive with the ball and shooting guards Cam Tatum and Jordan McRae will have to do the same if the Vols want to come out on top.

Vs. No. 2 Kentucky: Jan. 14

The Vols are back at home Saturday at noon ET (ESPN) against the second-ranked and freshman-led Kentucky Wildcats (15-1, 1-0 SEC).

Kentucky is one shot away from being undefeated, and they are incredibly balanced with six players (three freshman) averaging double-digit scoring per game. They play inside-out, as their 41.8 rebounds per game is fourth in the nation. 

In the John Calipari era, stud freshmen are the go-to guys, and this year is no different. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is averaging 13.6 points and 7.8 rebounds, and Anthony Davis averages a double-double. You thought beating Florida was big for the Vols? Taking down the Wildcats would be nothing short of monumental.

Keys to Victory: The Vols need to have their entire frontcourt play outstanding and avoid foul trouble, as well as have their guards stay in front of Kentucky's backcourt on defense. On the offensive side, avoid playing one-on-one and get their shooters open with dribble penetration. Big blue faithful may even outnumber the Big Orange in Thompson-Boling Arena on Saturday, so it may start to feel more like an away game if Tennessee lets their foe storm out of the gates early.

At Georgia: Jan. 18

The Vols will travel to Athens on Jan. 18 to face the Georgia Bulldogs at 8 p.m. ET.

Georgia (9-7, 0-2 SEC) is struggling this year after losing Trey Thompkins and Travis Leslie to the NBA, averaging dead-last in the conference in scoring. Their biggest spark has come from freshman guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who is averaging 14.2 points per contest.

Keys to Victory: Play Cuonzo's defense and find their stroke from three. Tennessee has more than a few players capable of getting hot from behind the arc in McRae, Tatum, McBee and Golden. The Bulldogs only average 53.5 points per game in the SEC, granted that's only two games, but UT will dominate if they can hold them to that level. 

Vs. No. 16 Connecticut: Jan. 21

This is not the type of season that the Vols want the defending national champions to come to Knoxville. 

The showdown on Jan. 21 at 4 p.m. ET on CBS will mark the fourth time that Tennessee has faced a ranked team on their home court. The Huskies are led by future-NBA star Jeremy Lamb, who averages a stellar 18.6 points per game. 

Connecticut (13-3) started off the year with 12 straight wins before dropping two straight to un-ranked foes Seton Hall and Rutgers. They had to rally at home Monday night against West Virginia to halt their two game skid. 

Keys to Victory: Play 40 hard minutes, and don't give them any breaks. The Vols aren't talented enough of a team to just go out and ball against this team, or any team on this list for that matter. They have to stay focused on what Martin is preaching, which will always be hard-working effort on both ends of the floor. That's what they did to defeat Florida. Every single Vol that steps on that floor will have to give it 110 percent, otherwise they will lose (and that may not even be enough).  

At Vanderbilt: Jan. 24

Tennessee travels to an always electric Memorial Gym on Jan. 24 to face the Vanderbilt Commodores (12-4, 2-0 SEC), who will likely be ranked by the time of this in-state showdown as they're on a six-game winning streak.

They are led by—who else—sharpshooter John Jenkins and the off-and-on Jeffrey Taylor, who average 19.9 points and 17 points, respectively. The Commodores began the season in the Top 10 before dropping games to mid-majors Cleveland State and Indiana State. Things are turning around in Music City, however, as they only play one ranked team in their next six games (wish the Vols were as lucky, huh?). 

Keys to Victory: Get the crowd out of the game early, shut down Jenkins and prove your dominance. Vanderbilt's home court is one of the most hostile in the conference, and everyone knows that school gets incredibly amped up when their big-brother Volunteers come to town.

One of Tennessee's shining moments in 2010-11 was sweeping Vandy, and whether or not Martin sports the stylish orange blazer that Bruce Pearl resurrected, he will want to continue Pearl's success against the in-state rival.

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