Note: We’d like to apologize for the technical difficulties we’ve been having this week. We’re attempting to sort things out and hopefully, we’ll be up and running consistently this weekend.

Usually, we’d expect a battle of this magnitude to take place in North Carolina between UNC and Duke. Not this time. Tomorrow’s matchup between Tennessee and Memphis, the 38th regular season meeting between a #1 and #2, is even more significant because of the long-standing rivalry these two teams have had.

“These 1-2 matchups are usually reserved for Tobacco Road or some place in Indiana or Ohio,” Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl said Thursday.

“And the fact that it’s in Tennessee is something that I think all high school basketball players and high school coaches and different folks that love basketball in the state of Tennessee are certainly proud of.”

So who do I like? At home, it’s difficult to pick against Memphis, who haven’t lost at FedEx Forum in their last 47 games, the longest home winning streak in Division I hoops. Also, who will step it up for Tennessee against Memphis’ beasts inside? Joey Dorsey is probably big enough to start for Philip Fulmer’s offensive line.

It’s Memphis’ size and athleticism against Tennessee’s outside shooters. It’s Bruce Pearl’s orange blazer against John Calipari’s ego. The winner of this game can likely pencil in a #1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. on ESPN.