The Lady Vols come to Maples on Saturday afternoon at 1:30 for the 31st episode of what may be the longest non-conference series ever in women's basketball.
The score: Lady Vols 22, Cardinal 8.
The Cardinal will try very hard to extend its winning streak to three.
Tennessee Lady Vols
This is Holly Warlick's second season as head coach, and she's doing a fine job of continuing the Lady Vol tradition of excellence. The Lady Vols may not be quite the dominating presence they used to be, but they're getting awfully close.
They're picked to win the SEC and have both the talent and depth to be a strong contender to finish the season in Nashville .They're ranked 3/3 in the national polls, their RPI is 1, their schedule strength rank is 10, and their win-loss record is 10-0.
They've played just one ranked team (North Carolina 12/14), but five of their other opponents have received votes in the national polls
There are currently no superstars among the Lady Vols. It's a balanced team with ten players (the entire roster) who get an average of at least twelve minutes of playing time. Three of them average double-digit scores, they all average more than four points and two rebounds per game.
The Backcourt is very solid and athletic.
5'7" junior point guard
Ariel Massengale, the Lady Vols' only true point guard, is starting at that position for the third season. She's a good ball handler who averages 6.4 assists with 2.6 turnovers per game, for an assist-turnover ratio of 2.5. She's also the Lady Vols' most dependable scorer. She makes 40% of all her shots — more than half of them from beyond the arc — for an average of 12.4 points per game. On defense, she contributes 1.6 steals and 2.9 rebounds per game.
5'9" senior guard
Meighan Simmons is more patient and more into team play than in past seasons. She leads the Lady Vols in scoring (13.6 ppg), but is still a streaky shooter, especially from beyond the arc where she makes just 27% of her attempts. She sank eight 3-pointers in one game this season, but no more than two in each of the others. Her ball handling causes some eye-rolling moments — she turns the ball over more than any other Lady Vol (2.9 times per game).
5'9" redshirt freshman guard
Andraya Carter is back on the court after season-ending shoulder surgery a year ago. She's very comfortable running the point (3.2 apg with 1.2 turnovers) and is also an effective scorer (5.6 ppg, .47 FG%). She's got hustle and an upbeat attitude and sees herself primarily as a defensive igniter.
5'11" freshman guard
Jordan Reynolds is another promising young guard who can help out at the point. She contributes 4.2 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game.
The Frontcourt
has the potential to be as deep and talented as some of the best post crews in Tennessee history.
6'3" junior center
Isabelle Harrison battled injury issues her first two seasons that limited her playing time. "Having her healthy [this season] has done wonders for this team," Warlick said, "She is a natural leader who is good at motivating her teammates." She makes 56% of her shots and averages 11.3 points and 8.1 rebounds per game.
6'2" junior forward
Cierra Burdick is very dependable in the post and a grinder on defense. She averages 8.2 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game.
6'2" sophomore forward
Bashaara Graves, who was SEC freshman of the year last season, is set to rival Glory Johnson for impact as a power forward. She makes 52% of her shots and averages 11.8 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game.
6'6' freshmen center
Mercedes Russell, who is the highest ranked player to sign with Tennessee since Candace Parker in 2004, is already making her mark in the post. She makes 60% of her shots and averages 8.9 points, 5.4 rebounds and the team-high 1.4 blocks per game.
6'2" sophomore forward
Jasmine Jones averages 5.0 points and 4.6 rebounds per game
6'3" sophomore center
Nia Moore averages 4.8 points and 5.8 rebounds per game.
Here are Tennessee's statistics and roster.
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