BabHorn
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Horns will be shooting for their fourth win in a row versus the Lady Volunteers. That would match the longest winning streaks for the Horns in this series: 12/1982 through 12/1985 and 02/2002 through 11/2004. Tennessee leads the overall series 23-15. Both teams are undefeated and ranked. #2/4 Texas is 7-0 and #11/13 Tennessee is 9-0. This is the second undefeated SEC team that Texas will face in consecutive games.
The Lady Vols’ best wins are over Wichita State (65-56), Marquette (101-99) and Oklahoma State (79-69). Texas’ best wins to date have come over LSU (75-66), Washington (92-68) and Georgia (81-53). Texas will be seeking their third win over an SEC team this season. Other than three games on neutral courts, Tennessee has not ventured from the friendly confines of Thompson-Boling Arena. Texas is going for their second straight road win, with both road games coming against SEC teams. Our seniors are looking to go undefeated against Tennessee.
TENNESSEE
The Lady Vols are led by four players in double digits, three starters and one reserve. Mercedes Russell (#21, 6-6 RS Sr. C) averages 17.4 ppg. Jaime Nared (#31, 6-2 Sr. G/F) is right on her heels at 17.0 ppg. Rennia Davis (#0, 6-2 Fr. G/F) is the third starter in double figures at 13.2 ppg. Off the bench, Anastasia Hayes (#1, 5-7 Fr. G) adds 12.6 ppg. Meme Jackson (#10, 5-11 Jr. G/F) and Evina Westbrook (#2, 6-0 Fr. G) are the other two starters and average 9.0 and 7.2 ppg, respectively. Six players have taken all but one of the treys attempted by the Lady Vols. The top four shooters from BTA are Nared (12-29; 41.4%), Jackson (14-34; 41.2%), Kortney Dunbar (#13, 6-2 Sr. F; 10-29; 34.5%) and Westbrook (8-24; 33.3%). The Horns have attempted 134 FTs. Hayes has gone to the FT line 74 times all by her lonesome. She is one of three Lady Vols that are making at least 70% of their FTs. Nared has the best FT% at 77.8% on 35 of 45 FT attempts. Davis has hit 18 of 24 (75.0%). Hayes is at 73.0% (54-74). Russell is making just a touch over 2/3s of her FTs (25-37).
Nared (8.9 rpg), Davis (8.3 rpg) and Russell (8.2 rpg) are the top rebounders for Tennessee. Cheridene Green (#15, 6-3 RS Jr. F) and Jackson add strong rebounding support with 5.6 and 4.1 rpg, respectively. Westbrook (5.2 apg) and Hayes (4.3 apg) are the leading distributors for the Lady Vols. Nared, Jackson and Hayes share top billing with 1.7 steals per game each. Davis has averages 1.1 spg. The top three shot blockers are Russell (1.2 bpg), Nared (1.1 bpg) and Green (0.8 bpg).
It’s a small squad, only ten deep and four are freshmen. Two of the frosh start. Eight of the ten have played in all nine games and average between 14.0 mpg (Green) and 30.1 mpg (Nared). Nared, Russell, Davis, Jackson and Westbrook have started all nine games. Hayes (5-7) and Jackson (5-11) are the only players on the roster under six feet.
TEXAS
Ariel and Brooke are tied for the scoring lead at 13.4 ppg. LaShann adds 11.9 ppg while Jatarie contributes 11.4 ppg. The top 3pt shooters for Texas are Brooke (15-34; 4.84%), Ariel (12-20; 60.0%) and Alecia (8-17; 47.1%). They average 2.1, 1.7 and 1.1 3pters per game, respectively. Jada and Audrey-Ann are also hitting 50% from BTA. LaShann has gotten to the FT line almost twice as much as any other Horn. She makes 76.7% (23-30), third best percentage on the team. Only Brooke (9-10; 90.0%) and Ariel (10-13; 76.9%) are better from the FT line. Jatarie, Jada and Audrey-Ann all get to the FT line at least two times a game while converting 60% to 62.5% of their attempts.
Audrey-Ann (5.9 rpg), Rellah (5.8 rpg) and Jatarie (5.3 rpg) are the leading rebounders. Ariel adds 4.7 rpg. Every player has at least one assist. Brooke (5.0 apg), Ariel (4.3 apg), Alecia (2.9 apg), LaShann (2.3 apg) and Chasity (1.7 apg) are the top distributors. Texas average one assist for every 1.8 made FG. Horns are not a big shot blocking team. Ariel has eight blocks to top the team while Audrey-Ann is second with five. Four players are averaging at least one steal per game: Ariel (2.6 spt), Brooke (2.3 spg), Audrey-Ann (1.4 spg) and Alecia (1.0 spg).
Brooke, Ariel, LaShann and Audrey-Ann have started all seven games to date. Jatarie has six starts, including the last game. Jordan has one start. Aside from those six, Alecia, Mide and Destiny have also played in all seven games. Khaléann has missed the last two games due to an ankle injury. Everyone is averaging double digit minutes when they play. Only Brooke and Ariel average over 20 minutes a game. The starters average between 18 and 26 minutes a game.
Starting lineups are based on the previous game. But it looks like the Horns and Lady Vols have found lineups that work for them.
Whoever is guarding Nared will need to shadow her out to the 3pt line. She is the Lady Vols top 3pt shooter. Whether that is one of our posts or one of our wings depends on where Nared lines up—in the post or on the wing. Guessing that Ariel is likely to get first crack at her if she is at the wing. Audrey-Ann will be tasked with guarding her if she starts off in the post. It wouldn’t surprise me to see Jada take a turn guarding her. Conversely, Nared will have to work on defense, regardless of whether she is facing Audrey-Ann, Ariel or Jada. This is likely to be the tallest backcourt our team faces. Other than when the 5-7 Hayes is in, Texas will give up 3-7 inches on the backcourt.
Tennessee will be pressed to match the Horns’ quickness and speed. Who is going to match up with Ariel or LaShann? Or follow Brooke through all the screens set for her? It would be something to see LaShann or Brooke matched up against Hayes, who is exceptionally quick and plays a lot like LaShann in her ability to get to the basket.
I am curious to see how our frontcourt does against that strong rebounding trio of Russell, Nared and Davis. That should be an extremely physical battle inside with no one backing down. Rellah vs Davis will also be a matchup to look forward to if that happens.
The other part of this game is who will be able to shut down, or at least, slow down the other team’s 3pt shooters? Both have multiple players shooting over 40% from BTA. Each has an exceptional penetrator and finisher in Texas’ LaShann and Tennessee’s Hayes.
The Lady Vols’ best wins are over Wichita State (65-56), Marquette (101-99) and Oklahoma State (79-69). Texas’ best wins to date have come over LSU (75-66), Washington (92-68) and Georgia (81-53). Texas will be seeking their third win over an SEC team this season. Other than three games on neutral courts, Tennessee has not ventured from the friendly confines of Thompson-Boling Arena. Texas is going for their second straight road win, with both road games coming against SEC teams. Our seniors are looking to go undefeated against Tennessee.
TENNESSEE
The Lady Vols are led by four players in double digits, three starters and one reserve. Mercedes Russell (#21, 6-6 RS Sr. C) averages 17.4 ppg. Jaime Nared (#31, 6-2 Sr. G/F) is right on her heels at 17.0 ppg. Rennia Davis (#0, 6-2 Fr. G/F) is the third starter in double figures at 13.2 ppg. Off the bench, Anastasia Hayes (#1, 5-7 Fr. G) adds 12.6 ppg. Meme Jackson (#10, 5-11 Jr. G/F) and Evina Westbrook (#2, 6-0 Fr. G) are the other two starters and average 9.0 and 7.2 ppg, respectively. Six players have taken all but one of the treys attempted by the Lady Vols. The top four shooters from BTA are Nared (12-29; 41.4%), Jackson (14-34; 41.2%), Kortney Dunbar (#13, 6-2 Sr. F; 10-29; 34.5%) and Westbrook (8-24; 33.3%). The Horns have attempted 134 FTs. Hayes has gone to the FT line 74 times all by her lonesome. She is one of three Lady Vols that are making at least 70% of their FTs. Nared has the best FT% at 77.8% on 35 of 45 FT attempts. Davis has hit 18 of 24 (75.0%). Hayes is at 73.0% (54-74). Russell is making just a touch over 2/3s of her FTs (25-37).
Nared (8.9 rpg), Davis (8.3 rpg) and Russell (8.2 rpg) are the top rebounders for Tennessee. Cheridene Green (#15, 6-3 RS Jr. F) and Jackson add strong rebounding support with 5.6 and 4.1 rpg, respectively. Westbrook (5.2 apg) and Hayes (4.3 apg) are the leading distributors for the Lady Vols. Nared, Jackson and Hayes share top billing with 1.7 steals per game each. Davis has averages 1.1 spg. The top three shot blockers are Russell (1.2 bpg), Nared (1.1 bpg) and Green (0.8 bpg).
It’s a small squad, only ten deep and four are freshmen. Two of the frosh start. Eight of the ten have played in all nine games and average between 14.0 mpg (Green) and 30.1 mpg (Nared). Nared, Russell, Davis, Jackson and Westbrook have started all nine games. Hayes (5-7) and Jackson (5-11) are the only players on the roster under six feet.
TEXAS
Ariel and Brooke are tied for the scoring lead at 13.4 ppg. LaShann adds 11.9 ppg while Jatarie contributes 11.4 ppg. The top 3pt shooters for Texas are Brooke (15-34; 4.84%), Ariel (12-20; 60.0%) and Alecia (8-17; 47.1%). They average 2.1, 1.7 and 1.1 3pters per game, respectively. Jada and Audrey-Ann are also hitting 50% from BTA. LaShann has gotten to the FT line almost twice as much as any other Horn. She makes 76.7% (23-30), third best percentage on the team. Only Brooke (9-10; 90.0%) and Ariel (10-13; 76.9%) are better from the FT line. Jatarie, Jada and Audrey-Ann all get to the FT line at least two times a game while converting 60% to 62.5% of their attempts.
Audrey-Ann (5.9 rpg), Rellah (5.8 rpg) and Jatarie (5.3 rpg) are the leading rebounders. Ariel adds 4.7 rpg. Every player has at least one assist. Brooke (5.0 apg), Ariel (4.3 apg), Alecia (2.9 apg), LaShann (2.3 apg) and Chasity (1.7 apg) are the top distributors. Texas average one assist for every 1.8 made FG. Horns are not a big shot blocking team. Ariel has eight blocks to top the team while Audrey-Ann is second with five. Four players are averaging at least one steal per game: Ariel (2.6 spt), Brooke (2.3 spg), Audrey-Ann (1.4 spg) and Alecia (1.0 spg).
Brooke, Ariel, LaShann and Audrey-Ann have started all seven games to date. Jatarie has six starts, including the last game. Jordan has one start. Aside from those six, Alecia, Mide and Destiny have also played in all seven games. Khaléann has missed the last two games due to an ankle injury. Everyone is averaging double digit minutes when they play. Only Brooke and Ariel average over 20 minutes a game. The starters average between 18 and 26 minutes a game.
Starting lineups are based on the previous game. But it looks like the Horns and Lady Vols have found lineups that work for them.
Whoever is guarding Nared will need to shadow her out to the 3pt line. She is the Lady Vols top 3pt shooter. Whether that is one of our posts or one of our wings depends on where Nared lines up—in the post or on the wing. Guessing that Ariel is likely to get first crack at her if she is at the wing. Audrey-Ann will be tasked with guarding her if she starts off in the post. It wouldn’t surprise me to see Jada take a turn guarding her. Conversely, Nared will have to work on defense, regardless of whether she is facing Audrey-Ann, Ariel or Jada. This is likely to be the tallest backcourt our team faces. Other than when the 5-7 Hayes is in, Texas will give up 3-7 inches on the backcourt.
Tennessee will be pressed to match the Horns’ quickness and speed. Who is going to match up with Ariel or LaShann? Or follow Brooke through all the screens set for her? It would be something to see LaShann or Brooke matched up against Hayes, who is exceptionally quick and plays a lot like LaShann in her ability to get to the basket.
I am curious to see how our frontcourt does against that strong rebounding trio of Russell, Nared and Davis. That should be an extremely physical battle inside with no one backing down. Rellah vs Davis will also be a matchup to look forward to if that happens.
The other part of this game is who will be able to shut down, or at least, slow down the other team’s 3pt shooters? Both have multiple players shooting over 40% from BTA. Each has an exceptional penetrator and finisher in Texas’ LaShann and Tennessee’s Hayes.
I really like stats, Bobcat, but, really, that is not all I look at. I don't think, at this time, that Tenn is as deep as we are, numbers wise or otherwise. But that difference is our individual opinions. So starts a good discussion. Sure, our rotation will tighten up, but, still, our bench is deeper than theirs even without our frosh. And I expect at least Rellah to get some minutes. Of course, that may just be homerism. I do try to be realistic about things, though.
