Time: 7 p.m.

TV: Fox Sports South

Location: Thompson-Boling Arena

KNOXVILLE- The Vols (6-3) reach the halfway point in a six-game homestand tonight and will be going for the program’s 300th win in Thompson-Boling Arena. They face the Western Carolina Catamounts (4-7) of the Southern Conference.

Vols point guard Trae Golden is Tennessee’s leading scorer (13.6 ppg) and reigning SEC Player of the Week. If the Catamounts are going to have any chance at a victory they need to contain Tennessee’s explosive floor leader.

Western Carolina may have a difficult time trying to contain Trae Golden tonight. Photo by Randy Sartin.

Tennessee will look to shut down sharp-shooting forward Tom Tankelewicz who scorched Georgetown for six 3-pointers and 24 points in a 81-68 loss. Tankelewicz is shooting 42.4% from 3-point range this season. The Vol defense is holding opponents to just 26.5% shooting from behind the arc this year, good for 13th nationally.

With the continued absence of Jeronne Maymon, the Vols are in desperate need of scoring. Junior forward Jordan McRae has provided a boost the last two games, averaging 14.5 ppg during the current homestand. McRae is shooting 50% from the field and 3-point line, and 100% from the FT line the last two games. If McRae can maintain this type of consistency moving forward, Tennessee will be very dangerous whether Maymon returns this year or next.