Lady Vols basketball vs UConn in return of historic rivalry: prediction, scouting report

Posted by author February 5, 2025 Basketball

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Lady Vols basketball’s longstanding series with UConn is back after a one-year hiatus.

No. 19 Tennessee (16-5, 4-5 SEC) plays No. 6 UConn (21-2, 12-0 Big East) at Food City Center on Thursday (6:30 p.m. ET, ESPN). The historic rivals didn’t play last season because of scheduling conflicts, but the series is back in Lady Vols coach Kim Caldwell’s first season. UConn leads the series 17-9 and has won the past four meetings.

Here’s what you need to know about the matchup.

Paige Bueckers, Sarah Strong lead UConn

The Huskies are led by first-team All-American senior guard Paige Bueckers, one of the best players in the nation and likely the No. 1 pick in this year’s WNBA draft.

Bueckers averages 19 points, 4.2 assists, 4.2 rebounds and two steals. She’s shooting 54.4% from the field and 42.1% from 3-point range on 4.5 attempts per game. She can score any way she wants, especially off the dribble with her pull-up jumper.

Sarah Strong, in contention for national freshman of the year honors, is averaging 17 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 2.3 steals and 1.4 blocks. The 6-foot-2 forward shoots 58.5% from the field and 37.3% from 3-point range on 4.4 attempts.

UConn has depth and can handle pressure

There are typically seven or eight UConn players in the rotation against top teams. The only time coach Geno Auriemma went deeper into his bench was against Louisville, when 10 players were used for at least 12 minutes.

The Huskies have handled defensive pressure well with the exception of their November game against Ole Miss, when they had 18 turnovers (and still won 73-60). It was the only game this season UConn, which averages 10.5 turnovers, had more than 13.

On the flip side, the Huskies force 18.7 turnovers per game, 11.2 of them steals, to average 21.9 points off turnovers.

UConn has the depth and passing ability to break Tennessee’s press. The Lady Vols will have to guard UConn in the half court and hope they can wear it down enough to give themselves a chance.

Huskies are efficient, balanced on offense

UConn is an efficient offensive team, shooting 51.5% from the field and averaging 81.1 points per game. It is also a great passing team, assisting 67.3% of their field goals (21.7 assists per game).

The Huskies aren’t as dominant in the post as they have been in recent years, but Strong has shooters around her to open up space for her to work inside. Six players are shooting at least 34% from 3-point range on at least two attempts per game.

They average nine made 3-pointers per game and shoot 37.9% as a team. Ashlynn Shade and Azzi Fudd have the highest percentage (44.4% and 42.5%, respectively). Fudd is UConn’s third-highest scorer, averaging 11.3 points.

Tennessee can’t afford to have another slow start or to be stagnant offensively — it will be impossible to keep up with UConn’s offense. Falling into an early deficit won’t be easy to come back from.

Lady Vols vs UConn injury updates

Tennessee is without senior guard Kaiya Wynn, who’s out for the season with a torn Achilles tendon.
UConn is without Ayanna Patterson due to a season-ending injury. Caroline Ducharme, who hasn’t played in a game since November 2023, is out indefinitely.
UConn forward Aubrey Griffin returned to the court on Jan. 19. She suffered a torn ACL on Jan. 3, 2024.

How to watch Tennessee vs UConn: Time, TV channel, live stream

Lady Vols vs. UConn tips off at 6:30 p.m. ET on Thursday and will be on ESPN. The game can be streamed on the ESPN app when logged into a TV provider like Fubo, which offers a free trial to new subscribers.

Lady Vols vs UConn prediction

UConn 78, Tennessee 73: The Lady Vols have shown they can hang with the best teams in the country, but they haven’t proved they can win the big games. They’ll make it another thriller, but UConn will come out on top again.

Cora Hall covers University of Tennessee women’s athletics. Email her at cora.hall@knoxnews.com and follow her on Twitter @corahalll. If you enjoy Cora’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that allows you to access all of it.

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