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The Tennessee men's basketball team returns to the mainland tonight for a contest with the College of Charleston at Thompson-Boling Arena. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.

The ninth-ranked Vols are back from the Paradise Jam in the U.S. Virgin Islands where UT came within a point of the tournament title, losing 73-72 to No. 6 Purdue.

Tennessee (4-1) is seeking it's first win against the Cougars (1-2). The teams only previous meeting came during the 1996 National Invitational Tournament, a 55-49 Charleston win. That was one of just three victories the Cougars have over Southeastern Conference opponents in 15 tries.

Charleston is coached by former Georgia Tech head man Bobby Cremins, who led the Cougars to a 27-9 record last season. Junior guard Andrew Goudelock leads the team in scoring with 20 points per game. Charleston also boasts Bearden graduate Tony White Jr., the son of former Vols All-America selection Tony White. The elder White is UT's third all-time leading scorer, posting 2,219 career points from 1984-87. White Jr., who also participates in Knoxville's Pilot Rocky Top League during the summer, is averaging 7.7 points and 3 rebounds per game while running the point for the Cougars this season.

White Jr. will face a stiff defense tonight in his hometown. Tennessee is allowing just 59 points per game. The Vols put up 50 points off 35 East Carolina turnovers in their Paradise Jam opener last week. UT coach Bruce Pearl, who is 30-2 in nonconference games at Thompson-Boling Arena, will look to force some similar pressure against a Cougars squad that turned the ball over just four times in a 77-71 loss to East Tennessee State on Wednesday night, the fewest turnovers Charleston has had in a game in nearly 10 years. The Vols will look to that defensive pressure to extend a two-game unbeaten streak in Knoxville.