No. 11 Tennessee women vs. the University of Alabama at Birmingham at Junkanoo Jam at Gateway Christian Academy in Bimini, Bahamas
Time: 2 p.m.
Radio/online: 1150 AM/flohoops.com
Tennessee (4-0)
Projected starters: F Rennia Davis (6-2, 10.0); F Cheridene Green (6-3, 10.3); C Kasiyahna Kushkituah (6-4, 9.5); G Meme Jackson (5-11, 14.3); G Evina Westbrook (6-0, 11.3).
Key reserves: G/F Rae Burrell (6-1, 10.3); G Jazmine Massengill (6-0, 4.3).
UAB (4-0)
Projected starters: G Miyah Barnes (5-5, 12.0); F Rachael Childress (5-10, 15.5); G Deanna Kuzmanic (5-9, 12.0); F Katelynn Thomas (6-0, 13.8)F Angela Vendrell (6-2, 4.5).
Key reserves: F Imani Johnson (6-0, 7.5); G Trista Magee (6-1, 5.8).
Lady Vols report: The Lady Volunteers reached the championship game in the Junkanoo Division of this Thanksgiving weekend event by winning on Turkey Day, topping Clemson 78-66 on the strength of a 13-2 run in the final period. It was the toughest test yet this season for Tennessee, which has won by an average score of 86-48 so far. Defense has been a major asset, with the Lady Vols having averaged 16.5 steals per game; Jackson's average of 4.0 per game leads the team.
Blazers report: The University of Alabama at Birmingham topped Oklahoma 89-84 on Thursday, outscoring the Sooners in every quarter except the fourth and getting double-digits scoring performances from five players - starters Thomas (22 points), Childress (18), Barnes (15) and Kuzmanic (13) plus Magee (10), who led the team with nine rebounds as she contributed 18 minutes off the bench.
Key matchup: UAB, a Conference USA program, and the Lady Vols meet for just third time despite their relative proximity on the map. They haven't played since Tennessee topped UAB 77-42 on Dec. 1, 1995 at the Kona Classic in Hawaii. Don't expect the Blazers to roll over just because of the Lady Vols' status and tradition, though - they returned four starters from the team that set a school record for wins by going 27-7 last season. The key for UAB is to cause some disruptions early and create a bit of doubt; Tennessee just needs to continue its strong play and avoid creating hope for the Blazers.