No. 13 Tennessee women vs. No. 16 Kentucky 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 (12-2, 1-1 Southeastern Conference)
Projected starters: F Rennia Davis (6-2, 15.5); F Cheridene Green (6-3, 8.4); G Zaay Green (6-0, 9.7); G Meme Jackson (5-11, 13.9); G Evina Westbrook (6-0, 15.5).
Key reserves: F Mimi Collins (6-3, 5.2); G Jazmine Massengill (6-0, 3.8).
KENTUCKY (14-2, 1-1)
Projected starters: G Rhyne Howard (6-2, 17.4); G Maci Morris (6-0, 16.2); F KeKe McKinney (6-1, 5.3); G Taylor Murray (5-6, 13.1); F Tatyana Wyatt (6-2, 5.7).
Key reserves: G Blair Green (6-0, 6.3); G Jaida Roper (5-6, 8.7).
WILDCATS REPORT
Like Tennessee, the Wildcats are coming off a Sunday loss, having fallen 86-71 at South Carolina. One of their starters has ties to the Chattanooga area, while another has a tie to the Knoxville area. Howard - the Tennessee Gatorade Player of the Year in 2018 - prepped at Bradley Central, while McKinney played at Fulton and chose the Wildcats over the Lady Volunteers. Kentucky shooters have averaged a league-best 40 percent from 3-point range this season.
KEY MATCHUP
The Lady Vols have largely guarded against the 3 well this season. Their problems have come when their on-ball defense has struggled, leading to extra passes for wide-open 3-point looks. Kentucky will try to spread Tennessee out and look for gaps to penetrate, which makes it even more important to do better guarding initially. As for the Lady Vols' offense, the ball movement that led to their wins has to return; the ball didn't move much against Missouri on Sunday, when a lot of shots were forced.