Lady Vols Face Mississippi State in Anticipated WBB Showdown
No. 20/22 Tennessee Lady Vols (10-3, 2-0 SEC) are set to face Mississippi State Bulldogs (14-2, 1-1 SEC) in a highly anticipated Southeastern Conference (SEC) matchup. The game will take place at Humphrey Coliseum in Starkville on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. CT (7:30 p.m. ET). Fans can follow the action on SECN+, Lady Vol Radio Network, and SiriusXM Satellite Radio (Channel 384).
Current Performance
Tennessee arrives on a three-game winning streak and has won five of its last six matches. Their most recent victory came against Auburn, where they triumphed 73-56. Kim Caldwell’s team shares first place in the SEC standings with five other teams, all boasting 2-0 records.
Conversely, Mississippi State recently had their impressive 10-game winning streak halted by No. 8/9 Oklahoma, suffering a 95-47 defeat on the road. This upcoming game marks the 50th meeting between these two programs, with Tennessee holding a dominant 41-8 lead in their overall matchup history since 1986.
Broadcaster Information
Will Kollmeyer will provide play-by-play commentary, with Brittany Lange offering analysis during the SECN+ coverage. Additionally, fans can listen to the Lady Vol Network, featuring Brian Rice on play-by-play and Jay Lifford as the studio host. A live audio stream is also available through UTSports.com.
Recent Game Highlights
In their last contest against Auburn, Talaysia Cooper and Janiah Barker led Tennessee’s scoring efforts, contributing 18 and 17 points, respectively. Cooper also added four assists and four steals, while Barker secured eight rebounds. Freshman guards Mia and Mya Pauldo played pivotal roles as well, scoring nine and eight points.
Key Player Statistics
- Talaysia Cooper: 14.9 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 4.2 apg, 23 three-pointers
- Janiah Barker: 14.4 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 15 three-pointers
- Nya Robertson: 10.2 ppg, 30 three-pointers
- Mya Pauldo: 9.8 ppg, 34 assists
Tennessee exhibits an offensive prowess, with an average scoring margin of +20.5 points against opponents. Known for their shooting, they rank eighth nationally with 9.9 three-pointers per game and have displayed improved performance in SEC play, hitting 44.4% from beyond the arc.
Mississippi State Overview
Mississippi State is characterized by a well-rounded lineup featuring several key players such as Favour Nwaedozi (13.6 ppg, 10.6 rpg) and Madison Francis (12.4 ppg, 7.1 rpg). The Bulldogs boast an impressive home record of 11-0 this season.
Coaching Background
Sam Purcell, in his fourth season at Mississippi State, has compiled a strong record of 81-37 overall. His leadership has steered the Bulldogs to two NCAA tournament appearances.
Upcoming Matches
Following the contest against Mississippi State, Tennessee will return home to face Arkansas (11-6, 0-2 SEC) on Sunday. This will mark their only home game during a challenging four-game stretch.
