Friday night is an important one for a couple of SEC teams.

Tennessee has an important trip to the Carrier Dome in Syracuse. Jerry Green's team was blitzed by Virginia at the Jimmy V Classic.

	Tennessee's Tony Harris (14) fouls Virginia's Donald Hand (13) at the Jimmy V Classic on Tuesday. Harris and the Vols face Syracuse on Friday.

It is gut-check time for the Vols. If they are a legitimate top-10 team, they must come back with a strong statement. This is a game of pride, a game where Tennessee must suck it up.

When you look at a team from 1-10, the Vols' talent level is as good as anybody. Against Virginia, the team didn't have rhythm and never got into the flow. Green, who does a solid job, must regroup his squad.

Tennessee must be at an "A" level against an undefeated Orangemen team. A victory at Syracuse would go a long way in showing the Vols belong among the upper-echelon squads in America. It would restore confidence and show a sense of pride.

You know the fans at the Carrier Dome will be rocking and rolling, cheering on Jimmy Boeheim's surprising team.

For Tennessee to win, it must contain Preston Shumpert and his three-point shooting. It must neutralize Damone Brown on the baseline. The Vols also have to do a better job shooting the trifecta against Syracuse's 2-3 zone.

Is this a make-or-break game? Obviously not, since this is still December. It is a contest where Tennessee can make its case and get back on track. Green's team won't have an easy time, making this an interesting challenge.

The other SEC team needing a big-time win Friday is Kentucky. The Wildcats take on Indiana in Louisville.

This is pivotal for a few reasons. It is a rivalry game, which means there will be intensity galore. Any time a program with the status of Kentucky is sitting at 3-5, it is time to get it going.

Just look at the numbers. With a loss, the Wildcats would need three straight wins just to get back to .500. With a victory, Kentucky would be 4-5 with High Point up next, meaning a likely .500 record before the start of the new year.

Many Wildcat fans are getting nervous thinking long-term about the NCAAs. With every loss, it becomes tougher. Whenever you start off poorly, the pressure mounts and the schedule doesn't get easier once league play begins.

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With a loss, the Wildcats would need three straight wins just to get back to .500. ”

Kentucky faces SEC West teams just once and it has to travel to Arkansas, Alabama and Mississippi. Those three teams are solid, baby!

Then factor in two games against Tennessee and Florida. The road to the NCAA will not be an easy journey.

Friday's game will be a test. Indiana is a scrappy team, coming off a heartbreaking loss to Missouri.

Kentucky must make shots from the perimeter. Veterans Tayshaun Prince and Keith Bogans have to step up and play well. The Wildcats can't just rely on their solid defense.

Tubby Smith team wants to march on and bring some happiness for the holidays.

These are two key games, making Friday night special.