No. 10 Tennessee women vs. Murray State at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville
Time: 7 p.m.
Video/radio: SEC Network Plus/102.3 FM
TENNESSEE (9-1)
Projected starters: G Rennia Davis (6-2, 13.8); F Cheridene Green (6-3, 8.3); G Zaay Green (6-0, 9.6); G Meme Jackson (5-11, 14.5); G Evina Westbrook (6-0, 16.4).
Key reserves: F Mimi Collins (6-3, 5.8); C Kasiyahna Kushkituah (6-4, 7.6).
MURRAY STATE (4-6)
Projected starters: F Evelyn Adebayo (6-0, 17.8) G Janika Griffith-Wallace (5-9, 8.8); F Cekeya Mack (6-0, 5.8); G Lex Mayes (5-7, 7.8); G Macey Turley (5-6, 12.0).
Key reserves: G Alexis Burpo (5-10, 5.2); F Brianna Crane (6-0, 7.0).
LADY VOLS REPORT
After its first loss of the season, 95-85 to Stanford on Dec. 18, Tennessee got back in the win column in resounding fashion last Friday, crushing visiting East Tennessee State 80-61. The mostly young Lady Vols have been led by senior Jackson, who has averaged 24.3 points in the past three games, and Westbrook, who has averaged 8.3 assists in the same span.
RACERS REPORT
After a 3-1 start, Murray State has lost five of its past six games. The Racers are working to replace four graduated seniors who combined to average 56.8 points per game last season. Adebayo, a transfer from Gardner-Webb, has replaced some of that by averaging a double-double this season (10.3 rebounds per game), while freshman guards Mayes and Turley lead the team in 3-pointers and assists, respectively.
KEY MATCHUP
The Racers have defended well this season and have turned to Adebayo to do most of the rebounding. They even defended well early in their last game, against Kentucky, only to let the Wildcats ultimately shoot better than 50 percent from the field and make 10 3-pointers. Tennessee’s attacking style should lead to open looks inside early, and with Jackson’s recent hot hand from 3-point range (she has made 41 percent of her shots behind the arc the past three games), she should be able to take advantage of some looks on the perimeter.