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Home > SECWB News & More! > Our Staff & Contributors > anOtter Perspective > La Tech vs. Tennessee Preview
La Tech vs. Tennessee Preview
by Kel Kyle, SECWB.com
Posted: November 26th, 2007 @ 10:36am
"Traditional Rivals" ... that's how tonight's matchup between the Lady Vols of UT and the La Tech Lady Techsters is being billed. With almost a 40 year span of games between the two teams, it certainly deserves that moniker.
In the 1970's La Tech led the series 1-2, in the 80's 4-11. Since then, it's been all orange. Tennessee leads the overall series 22-17. The last time these two teams met was just about a year ago (Nov. 28, 2006) in Ruston, LA. UT was ranked No. 4 at the time and defeated La Tech 71-50.
La Tech strolls into Thompson-Boling Arena at 2-1 defeating Memphis 82-77 as they claimed the Memphis Thanksgiving Classic championship title on Saturday. Head Coach, Chris Long's young team certainly has a challenge to overcome when facing the Lady Vols this evening. At 2-1 on the season, La Tech is averaging 83.3 points per game and shooting 47 percent from the field. From three-point land they are shooting 42 percent with five Lady Techsters averaging double figures. But make no mistake about it, Coach Long knows his team has it's hands full with the Lady Vols. "Tennessee is so talented,” Long said. “There is a reason they are ranked as the best team in the country right now. They’ve won all four of their games this year by an average margin of almost 20 points and that’s against some great competition in Oklahoma, Texas and West Virginia. It will be a huge challenge for our team. We’ve been able to score fairly well in all three of our games so far but Tennessee will pose a new challenge with their incredible height and athleticism. We need to take care of the ball and shoot it well."
As for Tennessee, what's there to say that you don't already know? Not much. Suffice it to say, tonight's matchup won't be much of one. With a seasoned and powerful lineup, not to mention great depth on the bench, UT is hardly in any danger of losing this game. Game time is 7:06 p.m. EST and will be broadcast on SportsSouth.
Probable Starters:
Lady Vols: Candace Parker, Angie Bjorklund, Nicky Anosike, Shannon Bobbitt and Alexis Hornbuckle.
Lady Techsters: JoKeirra Sneed, Shanavia Dowdell, Tiwanna Pringle, Whitney Jones and April Williams
Interesting Tidbit:
The Lady Vols won their first Final Four championship in 1987 against Leon Barmore's Lady Techsters 67-44.
Up Next:
The Lady Vols take on the North Carolina Tarheels at home, December 2.
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