No. 5 Vanderbilt Faces Tennessee in Regular Season Finale

Commodores look to extend winning streak against rival Lady Vols on the road

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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No. 5 Vanderbilt women's basketball team will travel to Knoxville to take on Tennessee in the regular season finale. The Commodores, led by star player Mikayla Blakes, are looking to extend their winning streak against a struggling Lady Vols squad that has dropped its last five games. Tennessee is known for its up-tempo, high-volume three-point shooting, while Vanderbilt will try to control the tempo and protect the ball to neutralize the home team's pressure defense.

Why it matters

This rivalry matchup between two SEC powerhouses carries major postseason implications, as Vanderbilt looks to solidify its position as one of the top teams in the country heading into March. Tennessee, meanwhile, is hoping to snap its recent skid and regain momentum before the conference tournament.

The details

Vanderbilt is led by Mikayla Blakes, the best player in the country, who will look to control the pace of the game. Aubrey Galvan will also be key in protecting the ball against Tennessee's pressure. On the other side, the Lady Vols rely on the dynamic play of Talaysia Cooper, Jewel Spear, and Zee Spearman to create chaos and knock down three-pointers. Vanderbilt will need to contest shots on the perimeter without overhelping, while also crashing the boards to limit second-chance opportunities.

  • The game will take place on March 1, 2026 at 1:00 PM CST.
  • Vanderbilt and Tennessee last met on January 15, 2026, with the Commodores winning 82-75.

The players

Mikayla Blakes

Vanderbilt's star player and one of the best in the country, averaging 26.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 3.0 steals per game.

Talaysia Cooper

Tennessee's dynamic guard who leads the team in scoring, rebounding, assists, and steals.

Justine Pissott

Vanderbilt senior forward who began her career at Tennessee before transferring, and is one of the best three-point shooters in the country.

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What’s next

The winner of this game will have momentum heading into the SEC Tournament, while the loser will look to regroup and make a deep postseason run.

The takeaway

This highly anticipated matchup between two top-25 teams in the SEC will showcase the best of women's college basketball, with Vanderbilt's star power and Tennessee's home-court advantage creating an electric atmosphere. The outcome could have major implications for both teams' NCAA Tournament seeding and positioning.