KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (Interstat) — A critical late-season Southeastern Conference showdown and a chance for redemption awaits Vanderbilt when it visits rival Tennessee on Saturday at Thompson-Boling Arena.

The Commodores (23-7), holding the superior overall record, look to avenge a 69-65 home loss to the Volunteers just over two weeks ago on Feb. 21. That game kicked off a stretch where Vanderbilt went 3-2, including an 89-86 overtime road win at Mississippi on Tuesday. Tennessee (21-8), coming off a dominant 78-59 victory at South Carolina, aims to complete the regular-season sweep and bolster its postseason résumé.

The spotlight will be on Vanderbilt guard Tyler Tanner, who is playing at an elite level. He poured in 34 points and dished 7 assists in 43 minutes in the overtime win at Ole Miss. In the last meeting with Tennessee, Tanner scored 16 points. Over his last eight games, he is averaging 24.9 points and 5.6 assists, including two performances of 37 or more points.

Tennessee will counter with its own hot hand in forward JP Estrella. He scored 22 points in 27 minutes against South Carolina and has provided efficient scoring punch, reaching double figures in five of his last six appearances where he saw significant minutes. His inside presence will be key against a Vanderbilt team that can score in bunches.

The Volunteers have won six of their last eight games, with the only setbacks being narrow losses to Alabama and Missouri. Their defense, which held Vanderbilt to 65 points in the first matchup, will be tested again by Tanner and a Commodores offense that has scored 80 or more points in eight of their last twelve games.

Saturday’s contest is the regular-season finale for both teams. With SEC tournament seeding and NCAA tournament positioning on the line, the in-state rivalry carries heightened significance. Tipoff is set for approximately 2 p.m. Eastern.