What a difference a few weeks can make.

When Tennessee visited Vanderbilt last month, they were ranked No. 16, riding a nine-game winning streak with notable wins over Memphis and Texas, and Chris Lofton was contending for Southeastern Conference Player of the Year honors.

That all changed quickly when Shan Foster scored on a game winning tip-in to give the Commodores a 82-81 victory. Since then, the Volunteers (16-8, 4-5 SEC) have gone 3-5.

Meanwhile, No. 23 Vanderbilt (16-7, 6-3 SEC) has won five of seven since stunning the Vols, and on Saturday, it looks to sweep the season series. With a week off since beating Georgia last weekend, expect the Commodores to be ready.

"I am excited about the large crowd we should have for Saturday's game against Vanderbilt at 1 p.m. (ET)," Bruce Pearl said. "Vanderbilt is a good team, and they have been off all week, and they will come in here prepared."

Replacing Lofton, who sat on the bench sidelined with an ankle injury for four games, in the SEC Player of the Year conversation was Commodore senior Derrick Byars.

Byars has played some inspiring basketball, scoring 20 or more points in five of Vandy's last eight games and leading the SEC in scoring at 19.1 points per game in league play.

It is no secret that Bruce Pearl's squad faced an uphill battle in Chris Lofton's (20.9 points per game) absence as it went 1-3.

Lofton returned on Tuesday and scored eight points in 21 minutes of action; his astronomical range completely transforms an opposing team's defensive strategy. How he plays may dictate the outcome.

"I will not be 100 percent Saturday, but I will be ready to go," Lofton said.

Tennessee's freshman guard Ramar Smith has elevated his play, averaging nearly 15 points per game over his last nine contests. Vandy point guards Alex Gordon and Jermaine Beal will have their hands full.

Ramar is not the only Smith who poses a problem, as JaJuan Smith averages nearly 16 points per game.

Offensively, Vanderbilt's Shan Foster will look to regain his shooting touch after failing to reach double figures in his last two games. He is likely to have a size advantage, as neither Lofton nor Smith is taller than 6 feet 2 inches.

Vanderbilt's play will not be a surprise this time around. No one thinks they are underrated anymore. And without any Memorial Magic this game could become dangerous.