The Lady Vols basketball team (12-0) looks to extend its unbeaten run as it starts SEC play on the road against Texas A&M (7-5) on Thursday night. While Tennessee is heavily favored, this matchup presents some challenges that the team must address.
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Key Factors for Tennessee
1. Rebounding Battle
Tennessee leads the nation in offensive rebounding, but recent performances have shown some vulnerabilities. The Lady Vols allowed 18 offensive rebounds to Winthrop, which could prove costly against a physical Texas A&M team. Maintaining dominance on the boards will be crucial.
2. Pace and Physicality
Texas A&M plays a slower, grind-it-out style (71.4 possessions per 40 minutes) compared to Tennessee’s up-tempo approach (82.2). The Aggies will try to slow the game down and force the Lady Vols to operate in the half court. Tennessee must stay disciplined, match A&M’s physicality, and avoid settling for low-percentage shots.
3. Forcing Turnovers
The Lady Vols thrive on their defensive press, creating havoc and turnovers to generate transition opportunities. This plays well against a Texas A&M team averaging 17.3 turnovers per game with a -2.7 turnover margin.
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Key Players to Watch
Tennessee:
The Lady Vols’ offense, led by Rickea Jackson and Jillian Hollingshead, should be enough to overpower the Aggies. Their ability to capitalize on second-chance points and force turnovers will be decisive.
Texas A&M:
Veteran guards Aicha Coulibaly and Sahara Jones are the Aggies’ primary scorers and can drive to the rim effectively. Lauren Ware (6-5) will play a key role in contesting Tennessee on the boards and defensively in the paint.
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Prediction
Tennessee 85, Texas A&M 68
While playing in College Station is always a challenge, Tennessee’s offensive firepower and ability to force turnovers should secure the win. The Lady Vols may face some resistance early due to A&M’s physicality and slower pace, but they should pull away in the second half.
With a turnover-prone Aggies team and the Lady Vols’ relentless full-court press, expect Tennessee to turn defensive stops into transition opportunities and stay perfect on the season.
