Texas vs Tennessee prediction: Preview, how to watch women’s basketball game

Two storied programs will meet Thursday night at Moody Center as the Texas women’s basketball team plays host to Tennessee.

Thursday’s matchup between Tennessee and Texas (7 p.m., ESPN) features the winningest and fifth-winningest programs in women’s college basketball. Tennessee holds a 26-16 lead in its all-time series with Texas, and this will be the 35th UT-UT matchup to feature two ranked teams.

Texas (18-2, 4-1) is currently ranked seventh in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll while Tennessee (15-3, 3-3) is listed 17th. An 89-51 win over then-No. 9 Maryland on Monday helped Texas improve to 4-2 against ranked teams this season. Meanwhile, Tennessee is 1-2 against its ranked foes.

Texas guard Rori Harmon is able to have an impact on the game even when her shot isn't falling. She was 1-for-7 from the field against Maryland but had game highs with three steals and seven assists. — Texas guard Rori Harmon is able to have an impact on the game even when her shot isn’t falling. She was 1-for-7 from the field against Maryland but had game highs with three steals and seven assists.

What channel is Texas vs Tennessee?

TV Channel: ESPN

Streaming: Fubo, Sling

Radio: 103.1 FM

WATCH TEXAS WOMEN’S HOOPS HERE

What time does Texas women’s basketball play?

Date: Jan. 23

Time: 7 p.m.

Location: Moody Center

WATCH THE LONGHORNS THIS SEASON WITH THIS DISCOUNTED RATE

SEC honors Booker for Maryland performance

On Thursday, Texas sophomore Madison Booker will be just three days removed from her best performance of the season. In Monday’s manhandling of Maryland at the Coretta Scott King Classic in Newark, N.J., Booker scored 28 points and even outscored the Terrapins by a 20-18 margin in the first half. Booker knocked down 13 of her 19 shots, and one of her three assists was a nifty alley-oop pass that teammate Aaliyah Moore laid into the basket.

For her efforts against Maryland, Booker was named the SEC player of the week Monday. Booker also had 22 points and six rebounds in last Thursday’s 74-57 win at Auburn.

This was the first time that a Longhorn earned the SEC’s player of the week award. Before this season tipped off, Booker was named the SEC’s preseason player of the year by both the media and conference coaches.

Harmon not focusing on future plans

On Thursday, Texas senior point guard Rori Harmon will play in the 100th game of her career. How many more times will she suit up for the Longhorns? Harmon doesn’t yet know.

Harmon missed much of last season with a knee injury, and the NCAA has since granted her a medical redshirt. Harmon, though, doesn’t have to return to Texas. She already has her degree and professional prospects since ESPN’s recently listed Harmon as a first-round pick in a mock draft for the 2025 WNBA draft.

Harmon hasn’t yet declared what her plans are, and she didn’t reveal much about her future during a media availability Wednesday. Right now, she’s focused on the Longhorns’ 2024-25 season.

“That’s a decision I’m going to make after the season,” Harmon said. “I would like to just enjoy being back and being able to play the game right now and be where my feet are at, because you never know what’s going to happen tomorrow, the next hour, the next minute.”

This season, Harmon is averaging 10.3 points and 6.1 assists per game. She recently moved into second place on UT’s all-time assists list.

Tennessee guard Talaysia Cooper (55) and Tennessee forward Zee Spearman (11) celebrate a play during a women's college basketball game against LSU at the Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tenn., on Jan. 9, 2025. — Tennessee guard Talaysia Cooper (55) and Tennessee forward Zee Spearman (11) celebrate a play during a women’s college basketball game against LSU at the Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tenn., on Jan. 9, 2025.

Tennessee has high-scoring guards, but will it have its coach?

Tennessee is led offensively by guard Talaysia Cooper, who is averaging 18.4 points per game after sitting out the 2023-24 season following a transfer from South Carolina. Texas native Jewel Spear has also recorded 20-point games in three of the Lady Vols’ conference matchups.

First-year coach Kim Caldwell may miss Thursday’s game, though. According to the Knoxville News Sentinel, Caldwell is due to give birth to her first child soon. School officials have not yet indicated if Caldwell will travel to Austin.