GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Hosting its second-straight AP Top 25 opponent, the University of Florida women's basketball team (11-6, 2-2) battles No. 24 Tennessee (13-3, 3-1) Thursday evening in a conference clash at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center. Tipoff is slated for 6 p.m. ET as the Gators and Lady Vols meet on the hardwood for the 57
th time.
| Date: |
Thursday, Jan. 16 |
| Time: |
6 p.m. ET |
| Matchup: |
Florida (11-6, 2-2) vs. No. 24 Tennessee (13-3, 3-1) |
| Location: |
Gainesville, Fla. | Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell |
| TV: |
SECNetwork+ with Kyle Crooks & Brittany Davis |
| Live Stats: |
Here |
| Radio: |
WRUF ESPN 98.1 FM/850 AM with Tom Collett and Kelly Davis |
| Game Notes: |
Florida | Tennessee |
| Promotions: |
Buy One, Get One Free Tickets
Krispy Kreme donuts for the first 100 fans
Phone wallets courtesy of UF Health (while supplies last)
Newk's Eatery prize table
Kristina Moore Player Day |
| Tickets: |
Here |
After posting consecutive wins over Vanderbilt and Auburn, the Gators were tripped up this past Sunday by the visiting Kentucky Wildcats. Florida remained within striking distance for the first three quarters of play thanks to its concerted effort on defense, but the talented Kentucky offense, led by prolific scorer Rhyne Howard, pulled away in the fourth. Defensively, the Gators were excellent limiting then No. 14 Kentucky to 65 points and 31.4 percent shooting, but their offense couldn't quite break through. Kiki Smith scored a team-high 16 points while
Ariel Johnson, continuing her strong play at home this season, registered 10.
Competing in the nation's premier women's basketball conference, day in and day out Florida faces fierce competition but the Gators are in the midst of a particularly challenging four-game stretch against teams currently ranked in the AP Top 25 (No. 14 Kentucky, No. 24 Tennessee, No. 12 Texas A&M and No. 23 Arkansas).
If Arkansas remains ranked when the teams meet on Jan. 26, it will be the first time Florida has gone up against four top 25 teams in a row since February of 2018 (No. 15 Missouri, No. 2 Mississippi St., No. 7 South Carolina, No. 17 Texas A&M).
The play of Florida's top two scorers, Smith and freshman
Lavender Briggs, has helped the Gators build their best record through 17 games since the 2015-16 season.
UF is one of four SEC teams with two players ranked in the top 14 in league in scoring as Smith (13.9) and Briggs (13.8) continue to lead the way. Smith (35.4) and Briggs (35.2) also pace the conference in minutes per game.
Smith, in her second year with the Gators, has increased her scoring average by 94 percent from the 2018-19 season. The Maryland native has scored 15 or more points in all four of the Gators' SEC tilts and has registered 10 or more points in 14 of UF's 17 games. Briggs, who has the highest points per game average by any Gator rookie through her first 16 games since Merlakia Jones in 1992, is the SEC's highest scoring freshmen through two weeks of play. The Utah native saw her double-figure scoring streak come to an end against Kentucky. Briggs scored 10 or more points in 14 straight games - UF's longest streak since the 2000-01 season when future WNBA talent Vanessa Hayden scored in double figures in 21-straight games.
At 2-2 in league play, the Gators are one of nine SEC teams .500 or better through the first two weeks. For reference, Florida didn't win its second conference game last season until Feb. 7.
Thursday marks the 57
th meeting between the Gators and Lady Vols. Tennessee holds a 52-4 record in the series which dates back to 1980. After Florida posted an upset at Thompson Boling Arena in January of 2016, the Lady Vols have claimed the last three matchups. UF is in search of its first victory in Gainesville in the series since Feb. 8, 2009.
No. 24 Tennessee enters the matchup as winners of five of its last six games and is off to a 3-1 start in SEC action. The Lady Vols, 13-3 overall, have posted wins over Missouri, Ole Miss and Georgia and dropped an 80-76 decision at Kentucky on Jan. 5. Jacksonville native Rennia Davis leads Tennessee in scoring (17.4) and rebounding per game (8.5) and has compiled seven double-doubles this season. At 10.7 per game freshman Jordan Horston also averages double figures and leads the team in assists. Appearing in all 16 games off the bench, sophomore Rae Burrell rounds out the Lady Vols' trio of double-figure scorers at 10.4 per game.
Conceding just 54.7 points per contest, the Lady Vols are tied with Kentucky for the fewest points allowed in the SEC and are limiting opponents to just .308 shooting, the best mark in the conference. Tennessee ranks top 20 nationally in blocked shots, rebounds per game, and assists, pacing the league in the latter two categories. The Lady Vols possess a +16.2 rebounding margin on the year.
Kellie Harper, a former Tennessee guard from 1995-99, is in her first season at the helm in Knoxville. Harper, just the third coach in program history, spent the previous six seasons leading Missouri State. Harper guided the Bears to postseason appearances in five of her six seasons including the team's run to the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2018-19.
Tennessee is the only team to make the NCAA Tournament every year since it began in 1982.
Following Thursday's contest, Florida will travel to No. 12 Texas A&M Sunday, Jan. 19.
NOTABLES
- Through 17 games a season ago, Florida was 5-12. Through the same segment this season the Gators are 11-6 and off to their best start since the 2015-16 campaign.
- Florida has been tough to beat at home this season; it has already surpassed last season's win total at Exactech Arena with seven.
- UF's four all-time wins against Tennessee are its fewest against any SEC team that it has played at least 30 times (Missouri and Texas A&M joined conference in 2012).
- Florida ranks second in the conference in games played by freshmen (63) and games started (24).
- Coach Newbauer spent four seasons (2013-17) coaching in the state of Tennessee as he led the Belmont Bruins to a 79-50 record including back-to-back NCAA appearances in his final two seasons in Nashville. Newbauer never faced the Lady Vols during his tenure in the Music City.
- The Gators have held 12 of their 17 opponents below their scoring average.
- Tennessee will be the sixth team Florida faces off with that qualified for last season's NCAA Tournament.
- In nine games played at home Ariel Johnson is averaging 11.0 points per game and has knocked down 16 three-pointers. On the road her average dips to 3.6; nine of her 10 double-figure scoring games have come at home.
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