No. 15/13 Tennessee (19-6, 6-6 SEC) is gearing up for a crucial matchup as they close out a three-game home stand against No. 18/19 Alabama (21-5, 8-4 SEC) at Food City Center on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. ET. The game will be available on SECN+ and aired on Lady Vol Network radio stations, as well as audio-streamed on UTSports.com and SiriusXM Satellite Radio (Chs. 106 & 190).
The Lady Vols, currently tied for eighth in the SEC standings, face a significant opportunity to improve their seeding for the SEC Tournament as they take on Alabama, who is currently in fifth place. Tennessee’s recent form has been strong, with a big win over Ole Miss in their last outing, triumphing 80-71 in a wire-to-wire fashion, marking their fourth win in the last five games.
Leading the charge for the Lady Vols is redshirt sophomore guard Talaysia Cooper, who has been a standout player this season. Cooper, a member of multiple Player of the Year Watch Lists, is averaging 17.0 points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 3.2 steals per game, with an impressive 45 percent shooting from the field. Other key contributors for Tennessee include Jewel Spear, Ruby Whitehorn, Zee Spearman, and Samara Spencer, all averaging double figures in scoring.
On the other side, Alabama enters the game on a four-game winning streak after a dominant performance against Texas A&M, securing an 88-49 victory. The Crimson Tide’s leading scorers include Sarah Ashlee Barker, Zaay Green, Aaliyah Nye, and Essence Cody, providing a well-rounded offensive threat.
In terms of broadcast details, the game will be covered by Zack Nelson and LVFL Kamera Harris on SECN+, with additional viewing options on WatchESPN for ESPN package games. The game can also be heard on Lady Vol Network stations with Brian Rice providing play-by-play.
In preparation for the game, fans are encouraged to review parking, traffic flow, and entry alerts for the Food City Center. Shuttles will be available for fans, with detailed information provided on parking.utk.edu.
As the Lady Vols aim for their 48th 20-win season in program history, head coach Kim Caldwell and her team are focused on maintaining their offensive prowess and defensive tenacity. With high rankings in scoring offense, three-point shooting, offensive rebounds, turnovers forced, and steals, Tennessee is playing an aggressive and effective style of basketball this season.
With an eye on advancing in the NET rankings and securing key wins, the Lady Vols are determined to make their mark in the SEC as they face off against a tough opponent in Alabama. The rivalry between these two teams adds an extra layer of intensity to the matchup, with Tennessee holding a historical advantage in the series.
As both teams prepare to take the court, the stage is set for a thrilling showdown between two SEC powerhouses. With postseason implications on the line, the battle between No. 15/13 Tennessee and No. 18/19 Alabama promises to be an exciting and high-stakes affair.