Razorbacks host No. 5 Tennessee

FAYETTEVILLE – Tom Collen and the University of Arkansas women’s basketball team have another opportunity this week hosting No. 5 Tennessee Sunday at 1 p.m. in Bud Walton Arena.

The Razorbacks (16-4, 4-4 SEC) view each contest this year as a chance to show the world just how special the team is and there is no better stage then facing a national powerhouse such as Tennessee (20-2, 8-0 SEC).

"Tennessee is a great opponent," said junior Lyndsay Harris. "We know that but we feel good about the game. They do just about everything well and to beat a team like that, you have to be almost perfect. We know we will have to execute the little things well and we are looking forward to the opportunity."

Tennessee has dominated its opponents this year winning by an average of more than 25 points a game.

But the Razorbacks have had their share of big wins this year and are coming off a significant win at LSU Thursday. Arkansas has a pair of victories over top 12 teams and is playing good ball at this point in the season.

"We were excited to get that win at LSU," Collen said. "We had a pretty spirited practice today with a lot of emphasis on rebounding. We are ready to move on to the next challenge. Tennessee is another opponent for us to see how good we are as a basketball team."

The Lady Vols throw four double-digit scorers at Arkansas paced by Meighan Simmons with 15.5 points-per-game.

Arkansas counters with three double-figure scorers paced by junior C’eira Ricketts. Ricketts averages 13.9 ppg and is among the SEC’s leaders in being able to create off the dribble.

Sarah Watkins has done a good job avoiding the sophomore slump and is second on the team with 13.1 ppg. Watkins posted her second double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds at LSU Thursday.

Harris rounds out the triple scoring threat for Arkansas. The Hoover, Ala., native is a dangerous three-point threat and averages 12.9 ppg this year.

"Tennessee is a team that is loaded with talent," Collen said, "but if we put our five out there and they play as well as they are capable of, then we can play with them. We cannot go into the game with the mindset that they are so much better than we are. We want to divide the game into four-minute segments and play each of those with confidence."

The game is slated for a 1 p.m. tip to accommodate television. It is scheduled to air on the SEC Network. The first 1,000 fans in attendance receive a free women’s basketball t-shirt and students can sign up to win a Nintendo Wii given away at halftime.

Tickets are still available. Log on to ArkansasRazorbacks.com or purchase them at the door before the game.