UCLA is back home to host No. 14 Tennessee

UCLA prepares for their fourth top 15 matchup in their first nine games of the season. As they are set to welcome the Tennessee Volunteers to Pauley Pavilion on Sunday. Tennessee who is 5-1 on the season have had a week off since their last game. They will face their toughest challenge of the year against UCLA who is 7-1. Tennessee opened the season against No. 9  North Carolina State and lost 80-77. They have since had an easy schedule that is about to tighten up.

UCLA has one blemish on their record this year. It is not one to be ashamed of. They went to Las Vegas and lost to Texas. Who might be the best team in the country after beating South Carolina as well the next day. They are playing tremendous basketball. But UCLA left that game knowing their biggest flaw was turning the ball over. They controlled most of the statistical categories but couldn’t overcome a whopping 20 turnovers. UCLA bounced back the next day with a dominating 89-59 win over Duke, doing so with Lauren Betts out with injury.

Betts is considered questionable for this game as well. Although her stats are down this year, she still remains UCLA‘s best player. She is going to be needed if this team wants to make a deep run into March. Her status will be revealed closer to game time. She would be a huge boost needed to try and control the paint and rebounding battle. Tennessee can rebound the ball well, as compared to other UCLA opponents where they had considerable edge on. The small lineup will not work in large chunks of time.

UCLA will need to neutralize Talaysia Cooper who is all over the floor averaging 16.2 points, 7.7 rebounds, 4 assists and 3.8 steals per game. While being able to play mistake free basketball. Tennessee is able to turn the ball over at the same rate Texas is. That is where UCLA really struggled. This will be a second opportunity for them to right their wrongs. In case they matchup with Texas again. Cooper creates a similar style to Madison Booker who is outstanding on defense. This should be a good game in Westwood as UCLA looks to move to 8-1.