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Basketball VFL Bobby Maze: UT fans should come out strong for UNC game

VFL Bobby Maze hopes fans will come out and support the basketball Vols Sunday at Thompson-Boling Arena.

The UT men's basketball team is preparing for its biggest home game in years as they get ready to take on North Carolina on Sunday.

"I expect everyone to be there," said Bobby Maze, who played for the Vols from 2008-2010.

Thompson-Boling Arena hasn't felt this lately - every seat filled for a game that Maze can't wait to see.

"I can't remember the last time a game has been sold out so early," Maze said. "I know a ton of boosters, a ton of guys flying from all over the country to get there and get into the building."

Vol For Life Bobby Maze played for the UT basketball team during their big win against Kansas in 2010.

The team has felt this kind of hype before, but it's been a while.

On Feb. 23, 2008, the No. 2 Volunteers beat John Calipari and No. 1-ranked Memphis.

Tyler Smith hit a turnaround jumper in the lane with 26.5 seconds to give Memphis its first loss.

It's the 2010 game against Kansas that stands out to Maze.

"I remember it like it was yesterday," Maze said. "You know any time you're playing against a school like a Kansas, or any school with that recent big history, it always brings out the best in the players, and you love it."

The game certainly brought out the best for walk-on Grainger County native Skylar McBee—his three-point shot kept the Vols ahead for good, 76-68.

"A three - a double clutch three, and the following season, coach gave him a full scholarship," Maze said.

Scholarships are part of the game Maze plays now. He runs B.Maze Elite, an AAU team in Knoxville that helps players get to college.

He hopes fans will channel that magical 2010 game on Sunday.

"I just expect all the students, I know school has just ended, and finals, but they gotta stay, and they gotta be at this game on Sunday, and we've got to support our Vols and yell and scream and bring home that victory," Maze said.

The game airs at 3 p.m. Sunday on ESPN.

Fans will checkerboard Thompson-Boling Arena for the first time ever.

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