Tennessee women vs. No. 6 Mississippi State at Humphrey Coliseum in Starkville, Mississippi
Time: 2 p.m.
TV/radio: ESPN/102.3 FM
Likely lineups (with heights and scoring averages in parentheses)
TENNESSEE (15-7, 4-5 Southeastern Conference)
Projected starters: F Rennia Davis (6-2, 14.0); F Cheridene Green (6-3, 8.4); G Zaay Green (6-0, 10.2); C Kasiyahna Kushkituah (6-4, 5.7); G Evina Westbrook (6-0, 16.0).
Key reserves: F Mimi Collins (6-3, 4.9); G Meme Jackson (5-11, 12.0).
MISSISSIPPI STATE (21-1, 9-0)
Projected starters: G Jordan Danberry (5-8, 13.0); G Andra Espinoza-Hunter (5-11, 7.0); G Jazzmun Holmes (5-8, 7.9); F Anriel Howard (5-11, 15.5); C Teaira McCowan (6-7, 16.9).
Key reserves: F Jessika Carter (6-5, 4.7); G Bre'Amber Scott (5-11, 6.3).
BULLDOGS REPORT
Mississippi State ranks second in the nation in scoring at 88.2 points per game. The offense has been led by the 6-foot-7 McCowan, but she's flanked with quality shooters and playmakers who can put points on the board when called upon. The Bulldogs have won 11 straight games, but their production has dipped a little bit lately as they failed to score 70 points in each of their past two games, at LSU and at Alabama. Part of that could be attributed to the absence of 6-1 sophomore forward Chloe Bibby, who was lost for the season after she tore an ACL in the Bulldogs' game against South Carolina on Jan. 17.
KEY MATCHUP
With only seven regular-season games remaining for the youthful Lady Volunteers, their opportunities for quality wins are few and far between. But Tennessee, which has played well in its past five games and has won three straight, has a chance today to earn a statement win on the road against a top-10 team. Slowing down McCowan is one piece of the puzzle, but can the Lady Vols defend and take care of the ball well enough to put together the rest of it?