No. 10 Tennessee women versus Auburn at Auburn Arena in Auburn, Alabama
Time: 7 p.m. EST
Video/radio: SEC Network Plus/102.3 FM
Likely lineups (with heights and scoring averages in parentheses)
TENNESSEE (11-1, 0-0 Southeastern Conference)
Projected starters: G Rennia Davis (6-2, 14.8); F Cheridene Green (6-3, 8.1); G Zaay Green (6-0, 9.6); G Meme Jackson (5-11, 13.8); G Evina Westbrook (6-0, 16.2).
Key reserves: F Mimi Collins (6-3, 6.1); C Kasiyahna Kushkituah (6-4, 6.9).
AUBURN (12-1, 0-0)
Projected starters: G Daisa Alexander (5-8, 10.9); G Erin Howard (6-1, 3.1); G Janiah McKay (5-6, 14.9); G Crystal Primm (5-11, 11.6); F Unique Thompson (6-3, 13.2).
Key reserves: G Robyn Benton (5-9, 8.2); G Brooke Moore (5-7, 9.6).
TIGERS REPORT
Auburn has won nine straight games since a narrow loss to Iowa State in the Preseason Women’s NIT, and the Tigers are similar in style to Tennessee, with the teams statistically equal in most cases. And like the Lady Vols, the Tigers have succeeded despite having to deal with the loss of a key player, although Tennessee losing graduate transfer Lou Brown before the season pales in comparison to Auburn losing Emari Jones to a season-ending injury against Alabama State this past Saturday.
KEY MATCHUP
Teams that apply defensive pressure have given Tennessee trouble this season, while the Lady Vols have been able to handle teams that don’t. Auburn forces an average of more than 21 turnovers per game and will use its speed and length to do so, much like Tennessee. If the Lady Vols can’t handle that pressure, the Tigers will be able to turn those miscues into points in a way that East Tennessee State and Murray State – each forced Tennessee into 21 turnovers in recent meetings – weren’t able to.