No. 17 Iowa Off to Brooklyn

Iowa heads to the big city having won 19 of its last 20 games. Only South Carolina can claim victory against the Hawkeyes, registering an 87-75 triumph in April's national championship.

After that contest, Iowa lost four starters, including national player of the year, Caitlin Clark. Head coach Lisa Bluder retired.

The Hawkeyes haven't flinched in tipping off the program's next chapter. Its 8-0 start is the best mark since a 13-0 beginning to the 2004-05 season.

They'll try to keep it going on Saturday night at the Women's Champions Classic in Brooklyn. Tennessee stands in their way.

These aren't the Pat Summit era Volunteers. They're unranked with their last Final Four happening in '08. They've been to just two of the last seven Sweet 16s.

Still, it's not a directional Illinois or Missouri opponent. Plus, the stage is big. Louisville and Connecticut meet in the second game of the nationally televised doubleheader.

Tennessee has tasted victory in his first six games. It's coming off a 79-77 win against visiting Florida State on Wednesday after relinquishing an 18-point lead.

The Seminoles were the first high-major opponent for the Vols. Iowa has defeated Virginia Tech, Kansas, Washington State and BYU.

The Omni Rankings like Tennessee. It's the 14th-rated team nationally, just three spots behind Iowa.

Through Thursday's games, the Vols were 28th in the NET Rankings. Iowa was two spots behind them.

UT fields a veteran roster with the top seven scorers all being third-year student-athletes or older. Four of them are seniors.

Redshirt sophomore Talaysia Cooper's 19.7 points per game lead the way. Ruby Whitehorn (11.7), Samara Spencer (11.2), Zee Spearman (10.8) and Jewel Spear (10.4) also are averaging double figures.

Tennessee has employed six different starting lineups in as many games. Eight players have started a game.

The Vols lead the nation in scoring at 95.0 points per contest. Conversely, they're 231st in scoring defense. Iowa is 51st in scoring offense and 88th in scoring defense.

The Hawkeyes, who last played on Nov. 29, are expecting the return of leading scorer Lucy Olsen. She missed the last two games with a knee laceration.

It's the fourth meeting between the schools, the last one being in 1992-93, an Iowa win in the Elite Eight. While there's much less at stake on Saturday, it's a good early-season litmus test for two unbeaten teams with big goals. A win helps build the postseason resume.

RealGM.com predicts a 75-74 Iowa victory. The Massey Ratings project the Hawkeyes to win, 79-74.

If you're a Hawkeye fan looking for information and conversation on the game, check out the game thread on Vols Nation.

IOWA GAME NOTES

TENNESSEE GAME NOTES