Friendship, need, brings Gonzaga and Tennessee together for Battle in Seattle

SEATTLE – Newly hired Tennessee coach Rick Barnes needed a game. Gonzaga coach Mark Few needed an opponent for the Battle in Seattle.

“He called as soon as he got the job,” Few said. “I think he really wanted to start up a neutral-neutral (two-game series). We’ve always had a great thing with Texas and we’ve been good buddies. It seemed like a natural thing to do.”

For both coaches.

“We scrimmaged them every year when I was in Texas for the past 10 years so we know each other and we know his program and he knows us,” Barnes said. “Once I got the job the one thing that we wanted to do right off the bat was get the schedule at a level where we wanted. He was the first person I called.”

That call resulted in the 13th annual Battle in Seattle pitting Tennessee (5-4) against Gonzaga (7-3) at 8 p.m. Saturday at KeyArena, and the Zags returning the favor next season in Nashville. Gonzaga has won four straight Battles and is 8-4 overall.

“We’ve had some unbelievable atmospheres (in Seattle), games, some memorable moments,” Few said. “Tennessee is a big-name opponent. Obviously, with Rick coaching them, they’re going to get that thing rolling. Hopefully, we’ll take another step and play well.”

The game is part of a crowded pre-Christmas schedule for the Zags, leaving little prep time for their West Coast Conference opener against visiting Pepperdine on Monday and Loyola Marymount on Wednesday.

Tennessee arrived in Seattle on Thursday, one day after an 81-62 home win over Florida Atlantic. Senior guard Kevin Punter Jr. led the Vols with 24 points. He’s scored at least 19 points in all but one game. He’s a 52 percent shooter and averages two made 3-pointers per game and eight free-throw attempts per game.

The Vols’ top five scorers stand 6-foot-5 or shorter, including 6-5, 240-pound freshman Admiral Schofield. They’ll often put four guards on the floor along with 6-7 Derek Reese or 6-9, 215-pound Kyle Alexander, which presents an interesting matchup at both ends for GU forwards Kyle Wiltjer and Domantas Sabonis.

Barnes indicated he’ll play five guards together when 6-4 Robert Hubbs, who averages 15.3 points, returns from a Dec. 1 knee surgery. Barnes doesn’t expect Hubbs to return against Gonzaga. The Zags are expected to be without center Przemek Karnowski (back) for the sixth straight game.

“They have some guys that can really score it,” Few said. “I expect them to be physical, aggressive and very athletic, and most of Rick’s teams really defend the ball.”