The #15/13 Tennessee Lady Vols basketball team is set to take on the Florida Gators on Thursday night at Thompson-Boling Arena.
The Lady Vols, who are looking to bounce back from a tough loss to Georgia on Sunday, will be seeking their 10th win in Southeastern Conference play.
Tennessee (18-5, 9-3 SEC) has been one of the top teams in the SEC all season, thanks in large part to the strong play of senior forward Jordan Horston. Horston, who is averaging 16.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game, has been a dominant force in the paint and has helped the Lady Vols establish themselves as one of the top rebounding teams in the country.
Florida (16-7, 5-5 SEC), meanwhile, has been a bit of a surprise team in the SEC this season. The Gators, who were picked to finish 10th in the league in the preseason, have been led by the strong play of senior guard Lavender Briggs. Briggs, who is averaging 15.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, has been a key contributor to the Gators’ success and will be a major factor in Thursday’s game.
The Lady Vols and Gators have a long history of competition, with Tennessee holding a 54-14 advantage in the all-time series. However, Florida has won two of the last three meetings between the two teams, including a 77-67 victory in Gainesville last season.
“We know that Florida is a talented team, and we’ll need to be at our best to come out on top,” said Tennessee head coach Kellie Harper. “We’ve been working hard in practice to prepare for this game, and we’re excited to get out there and compete.”
Thursday’s game is set to tip off at 6:00 PM ET and will be broadcast on SEC Network. The Lady Vols will be looking to bounce back from a tough loss to Georgia on Sunday, while the Gators will be seeking their third straight win in the series.
In addition to Horston, the Lady Vols will also be counting on the strong play of junior guard Jordan Walker, who is averaging 14.5 points and 4.5 assists per game. Walker, who has been one of the top point guards in the SEC all season, will be matched up against Briggs in what promises to be a thrilling individual matchup.
The Lady Vols will also be looking to establish their dominance in the paint, where they have a significant size advantage over the Gators. Tennessee’s frontcourt, which features Horston, senior forward Keyen Green, and junior forward Tamari Key, has been one of the strongest in the SEC all season, and will be a major factor in Thursday’s game.
Overall, Thursday’s matchup between the Lady Vols and Gators promises to be an exciting and competitive game. Both teams have a lot to play for, and will be giving it their all in an effort to come out on top.
“We’re excited to get out there and compete against a talented Florida team,” said Harper. “It’s going to be a tough game, but we’re confident in our abilities and are looking forward to the challenge.”
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