#15 Tennessee @ UCF

Who will WIN this matchup?

#15 Tennessee Lady Volunteers (1-0)

@ UCF Knights (1-0)

Current odds:

Tennessee Lady Volunteers: (-130)

UCF Knights: (+110)

• The line for this game is Tennessee by 1.5 points.

• No. 15/12 Tennessee (1-0) quickly turns its attention from Wednesday’s opener and faces game number two of the 2021-22 campaign on Friday. The Lady Vols meet UCF (1-0) in Orlando, playing at 6:02 p.m. ET at Addition Financial Arena.

• The game against the Knights marks the second of three tests in a six-day period for the Lady Vols, as they’ll return home for a top-25 match-up on Monday vs. No. 21/22 USF.

• Friday night’s affair also marks the first of three consecutive tilts vs. 2021 NCAA Tournament teams for the Big Orange. UCF, USF and Texas advanced to the first, second and Elite 8 rounds, respectively, of last year’s championship in the San Antonio area.

• UT overcame injuries to starters Jordan Horston and Rae Burrell, and foul trouble for fellow starter Tamari Key on Wednesday night in Knoxville to thwart an upset bid by Southern Illinois, 59-49.

• UCF, meanwhile, opened its year with a 68-39 home victory over Duquesne, outscoring the Dukes in the second half, 44-17.

• UCF stifled Duquesne in its 68-39 season opener on Nov. 9 in Addition Financial Arena. The Black and Gold defense came ready, forcing the Dukes in 23 turnovers. UCF had 14 steals, scoring 21 points off turnovers and 12 on the fast break.

• The Knights poured in 26 points in the fourth quarter while holding Duquesne to just 17 points in the third and fourth frames combined.

• Ahna Burney scored a career-best 16 points, making a career-high six field goals and a best four three-pointers. Diamond Battles hit four triples of her own, setting career high in the category while also shooting 66.7 percent from beyond the arc. Destiny Thomas made her starting lineup debut and was three points shy of the first double-double of her career. Alisha Lewis matched her career-best with eight assists.

• Tennessee makes the trip to Orlando with a 1-0 record after topping Southern Illinois, 59-49, Wednesday evening in Thompson-Boling Arena. The Lady Vols rode a late run to victory, outscoring the Salukis 17-2 in the last five minutes of play.

• Tennessee was led by Jordan Walker’s 14 points. Alexus Dye added 12 points to go along with 13 rebounds. Rae Burrell scored 12 points in the first half.

• The Lady Vols were selected to finish second in the SEC media preseason poll, and third in the coaches poll. Tennessee advanced to the second round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament.  Four Lady Vols have earned Southeastern Conference honors during their careers. Rae Burrell was named All-SEC Second Team in 2020-21, while Tamari Key was selected to the SEC All-Defensive Team and Marta Suárez was chosen for the SEC All-Freshman Team. Jordan Horston was picked for the SEC All-Freshman Team two seasons ago in 2019-20.