Texas at Tenn-a quick preview

Tenn (5-0) is ranked 4/5 in the AP & ESPN Coaches polls while Texas comes in at 8/8 in both. Tenn has won four close games after blowing out Central Arkansas 102-47. Penn State (74-66), Syracuse (57-55), UT-Chattanooga (59-57) and Albany (63-55) have provided close game experience for the Lady Vols as they integrate 6-6 RS Soph. C Mercedes Russell and 6-1 Transfer G Diamond DeShields into their lineup. The Lady Vols will be seeking to reestablish their dominance in the series after losing in Austin last season 72-59 that broke a five game winning streak vs the Horns that had them with a 23-12 edge entering last year’s game.

Texas is off to another torrid start at 4-0. They are beginning a four game stretch that includes Tenn, Miss. State, ULAR and Stanford in the next two weeks that can help establish them solidly in the top ten.

After using only six players in the first game, Tenn has used between 10 & 11 players in the rotation in the last four games. DeShields, slowed by a slow recovery from shin splints and patellar tendinitis, has yet to start this season although she is playing 22 mpg and leads in FGs attempted and in assists. Jamie Nared has not played as she suffered a hand injury before the season. Nia Moore, 6-3 Sr. C, the second tallest player on the roster, did not play against Albany. Te’a Cooper, a 5-8 Fr. PG, has started all five games. She is second on the team with 15 assists but is prone to TOs, with a team leading19 TOs. She and DeShields are the primary 3pt shooters although neither is lighting up so far: Cooper (6-22; 27.3%) and DeShields (4-19; 21.1%). Kortney Dunbar is their best 3pt shooter at 40.0% (6-15). She is the only one over 30% from BTA. Bashaara Graves (10.3 rpg) and Russell (8.6 rpg) combine for almost half of the 41.4 rpg that Tenn grabs. Graves (14.8 ppg), Russell (14.4 ppg) and Cooper (11.4 ppg) are the top scorers for Tenn.

Texas is led in scoring by Imani (13.3 ppg), Brooke (12.5 ppg) and Bri (11.5 ppg) with LaShann (9.3 ppg) and Celina (9.0 ppg) close to making it five Horns in double figure scoring. Brooke (8-19; 42.1%) and Celina (6-13; 46.2%) are the leading 3pt shooters for the Horns. Empress tops the team in assists with 15 while Brooke and Celina are second with 13 apiece.

Texas will challenge Tenn’s inside game with Imani, Kelsey, Sara and Jordan while Tenn will counter primarily with Russell and Graves. Jasmine Jones, 6-2 RS Jr. F, provides depth. Moore may also be available. Tenn’s guards, especially Andraya Carter (5-9 RS Jr. G), Cooper and DeShields will try to push the Horns into TOs with their quick hands and anticipation to create TOs and steals. However, Tenn is averaging 18 TOs a game compared to Texas’ 13.8. Brooke, Imani and LaShann lead the Horns in steals. Imani’s ability to deflect or steal the ball without fouling will be key as Tenn has shown a tendency to try to get the ball inside regardless of pressure. This could allow Texas to step in and strip the ball or intercept the pass.

Tenn depends on a basic 9 player rotation with five playing between 26 and 32 mpg: Graves, Russell, Cooper, Jordan Reynolds (5-11 G) and Carter.

Brooke (27.8 mpg), Celina (26.0 mpg) and Imani (21.0 mpg) are the Horns spending the most time on the court for the Horns who have 10 players averaging double digit mpg with an 11th, Brady closing in on double digits with a current 9.8 mpg as she recovers from injury.

Game time is at 1:30 PM and will be televised on ESPN.

 

Thanks for the reminder @BabHorn, I put something on the home page about this. Big road game for the Horns...

 

With Tenn's penchant for going inside and their trouble hitting the 3pter, I wonder if we will go to a zone? Their play so far reminds me of our team second half of last season when we were having problems with our 3pt shooting and teams packed the paint, usually in a zone, to take away Imani and Kelsey.

 

I also think that Tennessee might use a zone against Texas. This team still doesn't shoot the ball well from the perimeter. And if you remember the last time they played on the road there, Tennessee basically won that game because Holly went to a zone.

 

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This game is going to be about turnovers on both sides and who can capitalize. Neither team is a good perimeter team. Guards playing under control will crucial along with post play. Both squads are pretty equal and searching for an identity. Should be a fun for measuring where both teams are.

 

that may be true but we are better than them to date from the perimeter, guessing you are talking about 3pt shooting.

 

just a few minutes to tipoff!

 

love my new TV, better pic than my old 1080.

 

Bri has to make those layups.

 

we are getting inside, just not finishing.

 

got to slow down a tad, missed three very makeable layups.

 

Defensive battle so far...

 

They're playing too fast, Brooke needs to slow down. You don't have to shoot the ball that fast.

 

They settled down, but the guards need to help Imani rebound. Also, they need to finish shots around the rim better and make their free throws.

 

Celina can't go back into her shell offensively. She needs to provide scoring as she has in the previous four games.

 

you know, I really like knowing that we got a scorer like LaShann on the team.

 

we are getting beat to the loose balls. Gotta react faster.

 

about time they called Tenn for reaching in.

 

Texas should be up by at least 5 with some of the easy shots they have missed. They need to slow down.

 

Texas at 29% and Tenn at 31%, not exactly lighting it up. We are 4-8 from the FT line, pending what Empress does.

 

A lot of that is also shot selection.

 

the refs let DeShields get away with more contact getting a rebound from Bri earlier.

 

Great game so far. Two really good teams. Go Horns!

 

Love me some Brooke!!!!!

 

let's if Jordan can use as her breakout game.

 

I've seen both play better but we are pretty much evenly matched. Just wanting our girls to make better shot selections. LaShann is looking great!

 

shooting is still horrid but now up to 36.7% while we are holding Tenn to 29.4%. Other than that, we are playing well. Need to step up the rebounding, though as Tenn is leading there.

 

Texas needs better shot selection, tighten up the free throw line and this is a blow out.

 

Texas could be a top 5 team easily and quite scary one everyone is back, healthy and in their proper roles. The potential for tremendous growth is there.