No. 5 Vanderbilt Travels to Knoxville to Close Out Historic Regular Season Against Tennessee
No. 5 Vanderbilt Hits I-40 East to Knoxville
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – This historical regular season for the No. 5 Vanderbilt Commodores women’s basketball (26-3) team wraps up in Knoxville, Tenn., against the unranked Tennessee Lady Vols (16-11). While Tennessee has dropped five straight and six of their last seven, they would love nothing more than to upset the Dores on Senior Day and head into the SEC Tournament with some new confidence.
I believe a fast start would be great for Vanderbilt. I know they are very good about making adjustments after slow starts, but I feel a fast run out of the gate is what they need in this environment. Tennessee is out to prove that they have not quit and needs a statement.
One way to handle that is to give them no life from the beginning. That means playing disciplined Vanderbilt basketball and taking advantage of whatever Tennessee gives them.
I tuned in for the Texas A&M and Tennessee game back on February 19, and the Aggies were able to shoot the three at a very high clip.
If Vanderbilt can get the movement needed and play inside out, I believe this could be a good opportunity for Justine Pissott to let it fly. Pissott can shoot it from the Tennessee River, and I believe she will have her opportunities for sure, as well as others.
With the National Player of the Year debates going on, mainly between two players, this is a good stage for Mikayla Blakes to just put on more steam. Blakes has been balling all season, but the month of February was a monster one, as she averaged 33.14 points per game. I honestly don’t believe anyone stops her now.
A nationally televised game on ESPN inside a place where Vanderbilt has only won one time in the history sets up another stage for Blakes to put on a great performance. Will she go for 30+ points for the 12th time this season?
Don’t forget about the freshman floor general, Aubrey Galvan. Galvan has rarely seemed bothered this season, and I believe her confidence is always high. Even in her first year, she is smart, has the IQ, and knows the moment that she is in. Galvan is the one that sets the scene and puts everything in motion.
If she keeps her usual flow and baller mentality without many mistakes, I look for this Vanderbilt offense to do what it needs to do. Aubrey ranks 18th in the country in assist to turnover ratio of 2.34. She also leads all freshmen nationally in assists per game (6.0), total assists (173), and steals (79).
Tennessee averages 77.4 points per game with four players averaging in double digits. Junior Talaysia Cooper averages 15.9 points per game. Senior Janiah Barker is putting in 13.9 points and a team-best 6.6 rebounds per game. Freshman Mia Pauldo (10.8 ppg) and senior Zee Spearman (10.1 ppg) round out the double-digit scorers.
They like to shoot the three, and if you have read any of my pieces or heard any of my questions to Coach Shea Ralph over the weeks, you know my concern is perimeter defense and the ability to not get caught in the wash. They average 9.6 made three-pointers a game and shoot them at 31 percent.
My big key, and will be more times than not, is to just get to the paint. That sets up everything well for Vanderbilt. Whether it is Mikayla’s drives, Sacha Washington’s touches, however they want to do it. Just pound the paint.
Tennessee doesn’t look to be very effective in defending the paint well. In their last game against LSU, the Tigers outscored them 50-30 in the paint, and over their last five games, Tennessee has allowed an average of 40.8 paint points per game. I really believe that falls right into Vanderbilt’s hands to have a good day offensively.
A win for the Commodores would lock up the No. 2 seed for the SEC Tournament and would give them their third straight victory over Tennessee. That would be a first for this series. Vanderbilt has made a lot of firsts and bests this season and would love to add another.
You can catch the game on ESPN at 2:00 PM ET/1:00 PM CT, with Tiffany Greene and Carolyn Peck on the call. Also, if you can’t get to a TV or prefer to listen, Jake Lyman is on the call locally on 94.9 The Fan and on the Vanderbilt Commodores app.
I will be onsite inside Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center. Catch the post-game recap and words from Head Coach Shea Ralph’s presser here and on X/Twitter @MaysSports.
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