PREVIEW: Kentucky WBB and Tennessee duel for a potential double-bye in the SEC Tournament

Kentucky could have used a win against LSU — especially when you think about how Kentucky was up 36-20 in the first half too. A win would have practically secured a double-bye in the SEC Tournament (and probably a Top 16 seed in the NCAA Tournament, which would mean Kentucky would host in the first two rounds). However, a win over Tennessee could certainly help Kentucky get a double-bye as well.

Get to know the Lady Vols before the game with KSR’s game preview.

Bio Blast

With only one regular season home matchup remaining for the Wildcats, the stakes are higher than ever. Especially since both Kentucky and Tennessee are eyeing that double-bye in the SEC Tournament. While the Vols are currently eighth in SEC play, that doesn’t mean they’re actually the eighth worst team in the conference. In fact, the Vols probably deserve a spot above Oklahoma and Alabama, considering Tennessee defeated ‘Bama and only lost to the Sooners by one.

With that being said, Kentucky is surely going to have its hands full with that “gaudy orange.” Thank you to Sandra Bullock in The Blindside for that wonderful reference. Nonetheless, the Volunteers are coming to Memorial Coliseum ready to fight. So far in SEC play, Tennessee is 4-2 in away games, only dropping to LSU and Texas. The differential in both of those games totals to a combined nine points. Only nine points stood between Tennessee and two of the best teams in the country. Not to mention, on courts the Volunteers aren’t the most familiar with.

Kentucky and Tennessee have a rich rivalry history, and the Vols lead the all-time record, 61-16. In fact, the last time the ‘Cats beat Tennessee was in 2022. An 83-74 victory at the 2021-22 SEC Tournament in Nashville, TN. The last time Kentucky won at Memorial was in 2021, but in 2023, the Vols defeated Kentucky by 20 in Lexington. So, we’ll see if the ‘Cats can put a stop to Tennessee’s current four-game victory streak.

Projected Tennessee Starters

• #0 – G Jewel Spear
• #2 – G Ruby Whitehorn
• #7 – G Samara Spencer
• #11 – F Zee Spearman
• #55 – G Talaysia Cooper

Scouting Report

Kim Caldwell’s coaching style is one of the more unique ones you’ll see in college basketball. Throughout her career and now at Tennessee, she’s run a “platoon” system where she subs players in and out very periodically, allowing her team to be fresh and energized throughout the game. That helps a lot when you play an up-and-down, fast-paced tempo as well.

That tempo allows Tennessee to have the best offense in the country, scoring an average of 89.7 points per game. The Lady Vols take the third-most threes of any team (30.9 ATT/G), but no team makes more threes per game (10.5 3FG/G).

Tennessee is led by guard Talaysia Cooper, who puts up 17.0 points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 3.1 steals per game. Jewel Spear (40.9%) and Samara Spencer (39.7%) are the two main sharpshooters that could really make Kentucky pay if they’re left open on the perimeter. ACC transfers Ruby Whitehorn (12.5 PPG) and Zee Spearman (11.8 PPG) also average double figures in the scoring column.

Tennessee Lady Volunteers Roster

Projected Kentucky Starters

#3 – Georgia Amoore

5-FOOT-6 – GUARD – GRADUATE STUDENT

18.9 PPG – 7.0 APG – 2.1 RPG

#7 – Teonni Key

6-FOOT-4 – FORWARD – JUNIOR

11.5 PPG – 8.3 RPG – 1.7 BPG

#10 – Dazia Lawrence

5-FOOT-8 – GUARD – REDSHIRT SENIOR

12.8 PPG – 2.2 RPG – 2.1 APG

#13 – Clara Strack

6-FOOT-5 – CENTER – SOPHOMORE

14.7 PPG – 9.3 RPG – 2.7 APG

#32 – Amelia Hassett

6-FOOT-3 – FORWARD – JUNIOR

9.5 PPG – 8.1 RPG – 1.9 APG

Initial Availability Report

Starting this season in conference play, SEC teams are required to release an availability report, listing players and their injury statuses for their upcoming game.

Here is the initial report for Kentucky-Tennessee:

The final availability report will be available closer to game time.

**Note: Kentucky’s Dominika Paurová is not listed as “Out” because she is completely exempt from the season due to an ACL tear she suffered in the offseason. Jordan Obi, who also suffered a lower leg injury in the summer, may return to the hardwood this season, hence why her name appears on the availability report.**

How to Watch/Listen

Place	Tipoff	TV	Radio	Live Stats
Historic Memorial Coliseum (Lexington, KY)	7 p.m. ET	SEC Network (Sam Gore and Tamika Catchings)	630 WLAP, 790 WKRD (Darren Headrick)	StatBroadcast

Follow Along with KSR’s LIVE BLOG

Unable to watch the game? Don’t worry — we’ll be providing real-time updates throughout to keep you informed on the action. Follow along with KSR’s LIVE BLOG, which will get rolling on the website an hour before the game starts.

Join The Discussion on KSBoard

Want to interact with the KSR crew during tonight’s game? Consider joining the conversation on KSBoard, where we’ll be sharing live updates while also answering questions and providing real-time analysis (and probably complaining about the officiating).