Next up: Tennessee

The photo's got nothing to do with the upcoming game, but it's one of my favorite memories of the Stanford/Tennessee series – Ros leaving Shannon Bobbitt in the dust on her way to scoring nine points in overtime two years ago.

But to move on to the present ...

The Lady Vols are proving that last season was an aberration, not a trend. The seven freshmen have matured and bought into Pat Summit's work ethic and commitment to excellence.

They were picked to finish second in the SEC (behind LSU). They've made an impressive start. They are undefeated (9-0) in a tough non-conference schedule that included games against three ranked teams – Baylor, Virginia and Texas. They're ranked #3/#3. Their RPI is 2 and their strength of schedule is 5.

How do they match up against the Cardinal?

At the Point

Tennessee's starting point guard and their "do everything" player is 6'2" sophomore guard/forward Shekinna Stricklen. She is their leading scorer (16.0 points per game) and their second-best rebounder (7.4 per game). She gets fouled a lot and makes 92% of her free throws. She has the most assists (4.2 per game) and a good assist-to-turnover ratio (2.0).

Coming off the bench to run the point are 5'2" sophomore guard Briana Bass (0.9 ppg, 1.7 ato), 5'11" freshman guard Kamiko Williams (2.6 ppg, 0.7 ato) and 5/10" junior guard Sydney Smallbone (3.1 ppg, 1.0 ato). Reserve forward 6'1" sophomore Alicia Manning (4.3 ppg, 1.7 ato) sometimes runs the point.

Stanford's starting point guard and "whatever-it-takes" player, Jeanette, averages 12.3 points and 4.4 rebounds a game. She has the most assists (4.4 per game) and a good assist-to-turnover ratio (1.9). She makes 100% of her free throws, but doesn't get fouled very often.

Sharing point guard duties with Jeanette are JJ (9.5 ppg, 2.2 ato) and Lindy (2.0 ppg, 0.4 ato).

As a team, Tennessee's assist-to-turnover ratio is 1.0. Stanford's is 1.2.

On the Perimeter

Tennessee's starting shooting guard 6'0" junior Angie Bjorklund is their best three-point shooter. She makes 3.1 per game at a rate of 43.8 %. The only other Lady Vol who makes at least one three-pointer a game is starter 6'1" freshman guard Taber Spani (1.1 per game at 37.0%).

On the perimeter for Stanford, Kayla leads the way with 2.5 three-pointers per game at a rate of 45.5%, Jeanette adds 2.3 at 42.9%, and JJ adds #2.4 at 38.8%.

As a team, Tennessee averages 5.9 three-pointers a game. Stanford averages 7.9.

In the Paint

Tennessee's "big" is 6'6" sophomore center Kelley Cain, who averages 8.9 points and 7.4 rebounds per game. She is joined in the paint by starter 6'3" sophomore forward Glory Johnson, who is Tennessee's best rebounder (8.0 rebounds) and third-best scorer (13.2 points ) and reserve 6'3" sophomore forward Alyssia Brewer (7.4 points and 4.6 rebounds).

In the paint for Stanford, Jayne averages 13.5 points and 9.3 rebounds per game. Nneka adds 19.9 points and 8.6 rebounds. Kayla adds 8.0 points inside the arc and 9.3 rebounds.

As a team, Tennessee averages 45.2 rebounds a game – 16.2 of them offensive. Stanford averages 46.4 rebounds – 17.6 offensive.

After their game against Texas, Pat Summit said, "We have size and skill in the post. When our posts get doubled, they're able to kick the ball out." So far this season, Tennessee post players have made 19 assists (2.1 per game). Jayne, Nneka and Kayla have made 54 assists (6.8 per game).

Here are Tennessee's 2009-10 statistics and their roster.