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No. 6 Tennessee's return starts with Pons vs. E. Kentucky

Sixth-ranked Tennessee took No. 2 Kansas to overtime in the Preseason NIT final last week before losing to the Jayhawks, but Volunteers coach Rick Barnes is not enamored with coming close.

He may make a lineup change after the 87-81 loss to Kansas at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

Barnes said he will likely start sophomore wing Yves Pons on Wednesday against Eastern Kentucky in what will be the 500th game played at Thomas-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tenn.

Barnes was not happy with his perimeter play against Kansas. He said Tennessee attempted too many 3-pointers (27, making only seven) and he did not like the Volunteers' lack of free throws (17, making 12), which signified to him a lack of aggressive play around the ball.