With an undefeated record but all of their wins coming by 10 points or less, the Tennessee Lady Vols will face their toughest test yet Sunday. While still battling key injuries, UT will have to host the other UT team in a battle of top 25 Power Five programs.
The Texas Longhorns come into town ranked No. 12 in the AP Poll. They are also No. 21 in the Coaches Poll, but that hasn’t been updated since the season-opener. Already this year, they have a quality win, having upset the then-No. 3 ranked Stanford Cardinal on the road.
Meanwhile, Kellie Harper’s team comes in ranked No. 16 in the AP Poll. They are No. 12 in the Coaches Poll that hasn’t been updated yet, and they are coming off a win over the No. 23 ranked South Florida Bulls from last Monday. USF is their signature win so far. Here is all the information you need for the Tennessee Lady Vols’ matchup.
Broadcast info
- TV: ESPN
- Live stream: WatchESPN
- Radio: Lady Vol Network; Longhorn Radio Network
- Listen online: UTSports; TexasSports.com
Obviously, with both teams undefeated, this is a huge game. Texas, led by second-year head coach Vic Schaefer, comes in much more battle-tested with that win. Although they lost three of five starters, they have reloaded nicely, which Schaefer has a track record of doing, as UT fans know based on his tenure with the Mississippi State Bulldogs.
Rocky Top has been barely squeaking by in its wins. However, they have been injury-prone. Returning starter Marta Suárez went down for the year less than two weeks before the opener, Jordan Horston had to miss the opener, and Rae Burrell suffered a knee injury during that opener that has sidelined her indefinitely.
Because of all of that, UT struggled to put away the Southern Illinois Salukis in its first matchup, only winning by 10. Then, without Burrell but with Horston back, they had to travel to face the UCF Knights, and they won by eight. Three days later, they had an impressive fourth-quarter finish to beat USF by three.
Although they have been looking ugly, they have been winning and fighting through adversity. Defense has been their story, as no team has hit the 50-point mark against them this year, an incredible accomplishment. If they can win this game given everything they’re facing, it’ll be a monumental achievement for Harper and her kids.
After this game, the Tennessee Lady Vols will head to Las Vegas, Nev. for the Thanksgiving shootout. They will first face the Kansas Jayhawks next Friday before taking on the Oklahoma State Cowgirls Saturday. Texas, meanwhile, will next face the Cal State Northridge (CSUN) Matadors on Saturday.