Tennessee women vs. Vanderbilt at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville
Time: 7 p.m.
TV/radio: SEC Network/102.3 FM
Likely lineups (with heights and scoring averages in parentheses)
TENNESSEE (17-9, 6-7 Southeastern Conference)
Projected starters: F Rennia Davis (6-2, 14.8); F Cheridene Green (6-3, 8.5); G Zaay Green (6-0, 10.7); G Meme Jackson (5-11, 10.8); G Evina Westbrook (6-0, 15.8).
Key reserves: F Mimi Collins (6-3, 4.7); C Kasiyahna Kushkituah (6-4, 5.0).
VANDERBILT (6-21, 1-13)
Projected starters: G LeaLea Carter (5-11, 9.6); F Mariella Fasoula (6-5, 5.7); G Chelsie Hall (5-7, 9.4); F Autumn Newby (6-2, 7.9); G Cierra Walker (5-8, 10.5).
Key reserves: F Brinae Alexander (5-10, 9.5); G Kaleigh Clemons-Green (5-7, 4.3).
LADY VOLS REPORT
It’s senior night, and Tennessee will honor Jackson and Cheridene Green prior to the game. The team has finished no better than fourth in the SEC during the pair’s time in Knoxville, but Jackson has been a part of 84 wins overall, and Green – a fifth-year senior in her second season on court for the program – has been a part of 42. They’ll try to add to their personal totals as Tennessee hosts a foe that has never won in Knoxville, but more importantly they’ll try to add another win for the team, which is trying to keep its NCAA tournament hopes alive.
COMMODORES REPORT
Vanderbilt has dropped eight straight games, with seven of the losses coming by double digits. The Commodores’ most recent defeat was a 16-point loss at then-No. 6 Mississippi State on Sunday, a game in which Fasoula scored 29 points. She has been the team’s bright spot this season, leading the Commodores in scoring and rebounding (6.9 per game) while shooting 54 percent from the field. Clemons-Green, a Baylor School graduate, has averaged more than 25 minutes per game in her junior season.
KEY MATCHUP
Having Davis start well could be vital for Tennessee. She has averaged 19 points and 10.7 rebounds in the Lady Vols’ six SEC wins this season, but those numbers fall to 12.1 and 7.3 in the team’s losses. With only tonight’s game and Sunday’s visit to Ole Miss remaining in the regular season for Tennessee, it would be a good time to get her rolling heading into the SEC tournament – and any postseason play beyond that.