KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Florida women’s basketball is set to meet Tennessee for the second time this season, traveling to Knoxville, Tenn., for a Thursday evening matchup on SEC Network+.
Thursday’s game will tip at 6:30 p.m. ET with Michael Wottreng, Kamera Harris and Sarah Detwiler on the air. Kyle Crooks and Brittany Davis will handle radio responsibilities on 98.1FM/850AM.
THE SERIES
The Gators and Lady Vols meet for the 61st time on Thursday, with Tennessee holding a 55-5 advantage. The teams met earlier this season in Gainesville, with Tennessee taking a 77-67 victory to open SEC play.
EARLIER THIS SEASON
Thursday marks the second meeting of the season between the Gators and Lady Vols, as the squads met in the SEC opener on Dec. 29. Tennessee won a 77-67 battle in which the Gators forced 23 turnovers resulting in 11 steals. Alberte Rimdal tallied a career-best 21 points to lead UF while KK Deans added 15 and Nina Rickards finished with 11. The key difference in the game came from a 45-27 rebounding advantage for Tennessee, who was led by Rickea Jackson with 28 points and nine rebounds.
RAINING THREES
KK Deans and Alberte Rimdal have combined for 72 triples this season, the third-most by a duo in the SEC currently, trailing only Marnelle Barraud and Ryanne Allen of Vanderbilt (79) and Chrissy Carr and Samara Spencer of Arkansas (82). Deans is closing in on the top-15 for triples made in a single season at UF as she currently has made 45, needing 10 more to break into the record book. Rimdal is also looking at one of the best seasons for a sophomore, needing 49 total threes to mark the fifth-best output by a sophomore. She has currently knocked-down 27.
FROM LONG RANGE
KK Deans is one of the best three-point shooters in the nation this season, having connected on 45 which is the second-most in the SEC and 33rd-most in the NCAA. Her percentage remains high as well, shooting at a clip of 41.7%, good for fourth in the conference and 42nd in the country. She makes an average of 2.5 per game, third in the SEC.
TO THE LINE
Florida women’s basketball is elite when it comes to getting to the free throw line, knocking down 16.11 per game which is second in the SEC and 13th in the nation. They average 23.00 attempts per game, sitting at third in the conference and 11th nationally.
NET UPDATE
After falling to Kentucky on Jan. 15, Florida moved to 85th in the NET rankings, which is where they remain. All 14 SEC schools sit within the top 140, while South Carolina and LSU sit at first and second, respectively.
60: THE MAGIC NUMBER
Under the leadership of Kelly Rae Finley, Florida’s defense will always be a point of emphasis. Helping to prove that point, the Gators own a perfect 21-0 mark under Finely when holding opponents to 60 points or less.
– #GoGators –
