Lady Vols basketball is back in action on Thursday following its brutal 43-point loss to South Carolina on the road. This time, it’s a home game against Missouri, coached by former Tennessee player and head coach Kellie Harper.
Here’s what you need to know before the game.
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How to Watch — No. 22 Lady Vols (15-6, 7-2 SEC) vs. Missouri (16-10, 4-7 SEC)
- Start Time: 6:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. CT
- Location: Food City Center (Knoxville, Tenn.)
- Watch: SECN+ | PxP: Andy Brock, Analyst: Kamera Harris, Reporter: Sarah Detwiler
- Online Streaming: Watch ESPN
- Radio (Knoxville): The Vol Network/The Vol Network App
- Vol Network radio crew: PxP: Brian Rice, Studio Host: Jay Lifford
Betting Odds
BetMGM: Lady Vols -18.5
ESPN Matchup Predictor
Lady Vols: 94.9%
Missouri: 5.1%
What Kim Caldwell Said
On what stands out about Missouri
“They are excellent offensively. They’re incredibly efficient. They shoot the three really well. Best shooting team in the SEC. We have to guard. We have to guard together. We have to make multiple efforts. We can’t take a play off, really be locked in on the defensive end, or they’re going to be a team that can put a 9-0, 12-0 run on you quickly, and it can all be from the three-point line.”
On Kellie Harper’s return, if they’ve met
“We met at SEC (Tournament) last year. This was the first time we met.”
Last Five Games
Lady Vols:
- at South Carolina, 93-50 L
- at Georgia, 82-77 W (OT)
- at UConn, 96-66 L
- vs. Mississippi State, 77-62 L
- vs. Kentucky, 60-58 W
Missouri:
- vs. Georgia, 85-66 L
- at Arkansas, 87-82 W
- at Mississippi State, 88-80 W
- vs. Texas A&M, 81-70 W
- vs. Ole Miss, 82-61 L
Where They Land In Rankings
Lady Vols:
AP Poll – No. 22
Coaches Poll – No. 22
Bart Torvik – No. 16
Missouri:
AP Poll – N/a
Coaches Poll – N/a
Bart Torvik – No. 66
Stat Leaders
Lady Vols:
- Points: Talaysia Cooper – 14.6
- Rebounds: Zee Spearman – 6.9
- Assists: Talaysia Cooper – 4.0
Missouri:
- Points: Grace Slaughter – 19.1
- Rebounds: Grace Slaughter – 7.2
- Assists: Shannon Dowell – 2.3
Prediction
This could prove to be one of the most important games of the season for the Lady Vols. After losing by a staggering 43 points to South Carolina and Kim Caldwell calling out the team in the postgame press conference, the response will be very telling.
Will Tennessee fold and struggle against a Missouri team that has plenty of its own issues? Or will the Lady Vols go out and play upset, focused and determined, leading to a potential blowout?
I think somewhere in the middle, but leaning toward a strong showing for Tennessee is the most likely. However, with Mia Pauldo ruled out for the game, Talaysia Cooper will have to play well, and Nya Robertson can’t fall into the trap of being inefficient with turnovers.
UT will also need to stay disciplined in the press. When it isn’t able to force a turnover, leaving shooters open on the other end as it tries to get back to a half-court defense could be detrimental.
Lady Vols 84, Missouri 72
