Tennessee Lady Volunteers
SEC (27-5, 15-1)
Tennessee has been very resilient throughout the 2014-15 season. They have had ten players start at least three games this season and have lost post player Isabelle Harrison to a season ending knee injury. The Volunteers have rolled through a tough SEC minus a setback at South Carolina for their only regular season conference loss and should still be primed for a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.
Big Wins: 12/28 Oregon State (74-63), 1/29 at Kentucky (73-72), 2/15 Kentucky (72-58)
Bad Losses: 11/26 at Chattanooga (63-67), 11/30 at Texas (59-72), 1/19 at Notre Dame (77-88)
Coach: Holly Warlick
Why They Can Surprise:
The Volunteers are outstanding defensively and can make life very difficult for opposing teams on a nightly basis even without Isabelle Harrison. If this new smaller lineup can continue to keep the pressure up defensively in the NCAA Tournament then Tennessee will be just fine. The experience at point guard with Ariel Massengale and Cierra Burdick inside will also be key for the Volunteers as the leadership of Massengale and Burdick should be able to guide the younger players along when things get tough in the postseason. Another key factor that will allow Tennessee to get to a Final Four will be if they can dominate at the foul line by attacking the basket and taking care of business when shooting free throws. This will take the pressure off of the Volunteers as they are not the most dynamic three-point shooting team and don’t want to rely on that if they don’t have to.
Why They Can Disappoint:
The loss of Harrison could eventually take its toll as Tennessee gets deeper in the NCAA Tournament when they go up against teams with deep and talented frontlines. Junior Center Nia Moore will be a key player to watch and if she can give some valuable minutes off the bench that will help lessen the chances for the Volunteers to disappoint in the NCAA Tournament. Another potential reason for disappointment by Tennessee in the NCAA Tournament will be if they have an off night shooting. The Volunteers are not as proficient shooting the basketball as some of the other top seeded teams in this tournament.
Probable Starters:
Jordan Reynolds, Sophomore, Guard, 7.0 ppg, 2.3 apg
Andraya Carter, Redshirt Sophomore, Guard, 8.0 ppg, 2.2 apg
Ariel Massengale, Senior, Guard, 10.9 ppg, 2.5 apg
Basharra Graves, Junior, Forward, 10.1 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 2.1 apg
Cierra Burdick, Senior, Forward, 11.0 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 2,6 apg
Key Roleplayers:
Nia Moore, Junior, Center, 5.0 ppg, 3.1 rpg
Jamie Nared, Freshman, Guard/Forward, 5.1 ppg, 3.3 rpg
Alexa Middleton, Freshman, Guard, 4.0 ppg, 1.5 apg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 72.4 (42nd in nation, 4th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 55.3 (19, 4)
Field-Goal Percentage: 43.3 (49, 4)
Field-Goal Defense: 37.1 (49, 6)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 4.7 (209, 5)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 34.5 (67, 2)
Free-Throw Percentage: 75.2 (18, 1)
Rebound Margin: 7.8 (23, 2)
Assists Per Game: 15.2 (51, 2)
Turnovers Per Game: 14.2 (58, 2)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
2014 NCAA First Round win over Northwestern State
2014 NCAA Second Round win over St. John's
2014 NCAA Third Round loss to Maryland
2013 NCAA Round of 64 win over Oral Roberts
2013 NCAA Round of 32 win over Creighton
2013 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over Oklahoma
2013 NCAA Regional Final loss to Louisville
2012 NCAA Round of 64 win over Tennessee-Martin
2012 NCAA Round of 32 win over DePaul
2012 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over Kansas
2012 NCAA Regional Final loss to Baylor
2011 NCAA Round of 32 win over Marquette
2011 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over Ohio State
2011 NCAA Regional Final loss to Notre Dame
2011 NCAA Round of 64 win over Stetson
2010 NCAA Round of 64 win over Austin Peay
2010 NCAA Round of 32 win over Dayton
2010 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over Baylor
2009 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Ball State
2008 NCAA Round of 64 win over Oral Roberts
2008 NCAA Round of 32 win over Purdue
2008 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over Notre Dame
2008 NCAA Regional Final win over Texas A&M
2008 NCAA National Semifinal win over LSU
2008 NCAA National Final win over Stanford
2007 NCAA Round of 64 win over Drake
2007 NCAA Round of 32 win over Pittsburgh
2007 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over Marist
2007 NCAA Regional Final win over Mississippi
2007 NCAA National Semifinal win over North Carolina
2007 NCAA National Final win over Rutgers
*all team stats through 3/5
See All Women’s Basketball Postseason Capsules
