Is Sunday’s UConn-Tennessee game a must-win for Huskies?

No two programs are more important to the growth of college women’s basketball UConn Huskies and Tennessee Lady Vols. So when they renewed their rivalry three seasons ago after a 13-year hiatus, it meant a lot to the sport, and their non-conference meeting on Sunday will draw attention. national opinion regardless of the status of either team. That this particular meeting is a major control point for both teams at the end of the season only adds to the drama. The fact that neither team will arrive at Hartford in the position they think they will be also spiced up the plot.

Tennessee’s Ceiling is reportedly fighting for a spot in the top 16 seed pool, with the chance to host several NCAA tournament games. Instead, the Lady Vols are on the No. 1 seed list, having exceeded all expectations and are one of the best teams in the country despite losing their star. Rae Burrell in the first 12 games and more recently veteran guardian Keyen Green for the rest of the season.

Another No. 1 seed was supposed to be inconclusive for UConn, but injury and inconsistency have made that impossible. With losses to South Carolina, Georgia Tech, Louisville and Oregon already this season, a win at UConn on Sunday would be confidence, but the Huskies also need it for the NCAA seed.

Head-to-head in their last two encounters in the contest, UConn is guaranteed to be the No. 1 or No. 2 seed. Winning the last two games of the series against Lady Vols is just a small addition to the argument. UConn’s calendar, while a win in both would strengthen Tennessee’s profile. In 2020, Tennessee was a hit just to be in the NCAA tournament (this tournament was later canceled due to COVID-19). Last season, Lady Vols needed a late game, including a crushing defeat to South Carolina, to claim a 3rd seed.

The shoe is placed perpendicular to the other foot in 2022. Not only is the 10th Huskies the weaker team, but the game means more to them than the seventh Lady Vols.

How will this game impact Bracketology and the seeding of each team in our NCAA predictions?

Creme: The most eye-catching part of the NCAA tournament revealed the top 16 of the selection committee last week was UConn’s location in the Spokane Area. That’s not to say the Huskies, with their unusual struggles this season, don’t deserve to be kicked out of the cozy and more convenient Bridgeport area. It’s odd to see UConn haven’t played outside of a northeastern-based region – when there’s one – since 2005 (the Huskies played in Kansas City as the 3rd seed when Philadelphia was also a part). of the table).

UConn’s best chance of staying closer to home in the tournament lies in playing better against the 3rd seed, where it was highlighted in the reveal. That’s why, contrary to what nearly anyone predicted at the start of the season, Sunday’s game means more to UConn than Tennessee. Sure, Lady Vols are fighting for a #1 seed (this will be their first seed since 2014), but the difference is the opportunity that lies ahead. Even if the Lady Vols lose for the third time in a row, they still have games against Missouri, South Carolina and LSU in the regular season, plus an SEC tournament to bolster the record. A No. 1 seed remains in play despite Sunday’s result.

After Sunday, the Huskies have only one more regular season left to play against top 50 NET (DePaul on Feb. Without a win over Tennessee, and considering its non-participating losses, there’s not much room for UConn to move forward, even when wiping out the Big East’s remaining schedule. Beating Tennessee doesn’t guarantee the Huskies a 2nd seed or a Bridgeport area spot, but a loss means UConn won’t end up better than 3rd seed. The lower the seed, the more likely UConn is to finish. back to his backyard to compete in the lower area. High stakes in Hartford for Huskies.

Why UConn can win

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Christyn Williams sinks a 3-pointer. On the next ball possession, Creighton overturned the ball, and Williams regained the ball for another bucket.

Creme: Even in the short duration of this roller coaster ride of a season for UConn, the defense was solidly maintained. According to Her Hoop stats, the Huskies have the nation’s seventh-ranked defense and they’ll have to rely on that court’s finish to defeat Lady Vols. Tennessee’s biggest flaw is spinning over the ball. Lady Vols ranked 261st in the country with 17.6 turns per game. In last week’s stunning loss to Auburn, Tennessee made 22 replays, which the Tigers changed to 28 points. The Lady Vols had 18 more passes after Thursday’s loss to Florida. Some easy dunks, especially early in the game, will go a long way toward reducing Lady Vols’ length and starting an already inconsistent UConn offense in the field. case uninjured Paige Bueckers.

The Huskies will also have to shoot from the outside better than they have this season. At the start of the week, they hit 30.1% on 3 pointers (but hit 7 out of 17 games against Creighton on Wednesday). Christyn Williams has made 22 of 38 goalscoring attempts since returning from two COVID-19-related absences. She was UConn’s player of the day at last year’s meeting in Knoxville, and Williams will have to deliver again if the Huskies take their third straight win since the showdown resumes.

Why Tennessee can win

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Jordan Horston collects rocks and drains water to mark the victory for Lady Volunteers in extra time.

Voepel: It sounds cliché to say that the SEC is a tough tool. But when you see results like Auburn, whose 23-game undefeated streak and beat Tennessee last week, it’s just more proof. But Tennessee bounced back from there with an 86-83 win in extra time over Arkansas, which was a good boost to Lady Vols confidence after the disappointment of losing Green in the off-season.

But then Thursday’s 84-59 loss to Florida set Tennessee back again. While the credit will go to the Gators for how good of a season they’ve been, it’s been an offensive game for Lady Vols.

The Lady Vols have been tested a lot, and they know their strengths (rebound ability) and weaknesses (turns). This is a team with some moxies and having proven it, the Auburn and Florida team lost aside. The road win in Hartford has nothing to do with the race for the SEC title they are trying to stay in, but it has historical and national significance for the show.

And for a player like a subordinate guard Jordan Horston (16.2 Team High PPG and 9.7 RPG), here’s your chance to make a statement about how well she’s become the player Tennessee hoped for when recruiting her.

Predict the winner

Creme: Tennessee was the pick, although the fact that the game was in Hartford made me a little hesitant. Despite losing their last two-thirds, including Thursday’s big loss in Florida, the Lady Vols have been the better team all season and will prevail on Sunday. Tennessee is the most resilient team in the country. Typically, this is also a strong point for the Huskies, but they are not even the most resilient team in the Big East this season. UConn teams have struggled with size and length lately. Led by 6-foot-6 . hub Tamari Key (10.1 PPG, 8.4 RPG), Tennessee presents another one of the worst matches.

UConn’s Dorka Juhasz, the 6-5 average striker with 7.2 PPG and 6.6 RPG averages, has missed the last three games because of a leg injury, but is expected to return on Sunday. That will help, but it probably won’t be enough. If Lady Vols minimizes their revenue, their job on the board takes care of the rest.

Voepel: I agree with Charlie: Revenue is important. The Lady Vols must maximize their fortunes and try to make this their game, preventing UConn from easily switching points and causing the crowd to roar in support.

I really felt that Tennessee was the favorite before the game in Florida. But if Lady Vols play like they did on Thursday, they’ll be in trouble. I think the momentum into the game has now shifted to the Huskies.