KNOXVILLE - The Tennessee women's basketball team won its Southeastern Conference opener Thursday, beating Missouri 77-66 at Thompson-Boling Arena to improve to 11-2.
The 22nd-ranked Lady Volunteers return to competition Sunday at No. 13 Kentucky in a 4 p.m. game that will be televised by ESPN2. The Wildcats are also 11-2 but are coming off a loss in their SEC opener, 99-72 at No. 5 South Carolina on Thursday.
Here are three things to look for in the game:
1. Stopping Howard: There really is no magic formula for stopping Kentucky sophomore Rhyne Howard, the former Bradley Central star who has averaged 21.5 points and 5.5 rebounds this season. She has topped 25 points in six games this season, including her past three. South Carolina ran multiple defenders at the 6-foot-2 guard, and the Gamecocks were pleased with their defensive performance as Howard matched a season high with six turnovers, but she still scored 28 points and shot 4-for-8 from 3-point range. She's probably the best player the Lady Vols have had to face so far this season; it will be interesting to see their defensive game plan regarding Howard unfold.
Tennessee freshman Tamari Key shoots over Missouri's Amber Smith, left, and Hayley Frank during Thursday's game in Knoxville. Tennessee won 77-66. / AP photo by Saul Young2. Key in the key: Tennessee got a jolt from Tamari Key against Missouri, with the 6-5 freshman scoring a season-high 16 points on 8-for-11 shooting. The Tigers lack a true post presence, much like the Wildcats, whose tallest projected starter is Tatyana Wyatt at 6-2. Before the season, first-year Tennessee coach Kellie Harper described Key as a player "who has the chance to be terrific." Key's shot-blocking ability - she has averaged two blocks per game while also averaging 18.6 minutes - is natural. If she is able to blossom as a scorer and be an offensive option in games like this one, that's what will make her stand out.
Tennessee sophomore Jazmine Massengill drives between Missouri's Jordan Roundtree, left, and Jordan Chavis during Thursday's game in Knoxville. Massengill had a career-high 12 assists in the game. / AP photo by Saul Young3. Massengill settles in: If you judge players by their scoring ability alone, Tennessee sophomore Jazmine Massengill would be a bust by most standards with an average of just 6.5 points per game this season. The Chattanooga native and former Hamilton Heights standout has settled in as the team's primary point guard, though, and has become a key player in so many regards. In addition to averages of 5.0 rebounds and 4.9 assists, she has totaled 12 steals and 11 blocks and has turned the ball over just 19 times. She has been a steadying force, too, and against teams that like to use pressure defense, such as Kentucky (22.4 forced turnovers per game), her ability to handle the intensity will be important for a young team that needs all the calming presences it can get.
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @genehenley3 or at Facebook.com/VolsUpdate.