(Guru's note: As we worked through the night setting up the last of the coverage of the NCAA Mock Women's Toiurnament Sessions in Indianapolis, Rutgers women's basketball media contact Stacey Brann was likewise awake digging out special facts for the Rutgers-Tennessee, 2007 NCAA title game reunion showdown, Monday night in Knoxville.)
VERSUS TENNESSEE: Rutgers and Tennessee are meeting for the 17th time on the hardcourt . The Scarlet Knights trail in head-to-head meetings, 13-3. RU has never beaten UT either on the road or on a neutral court (0-12). The teams have met six times in NCAA Tournament play.
Tennessee has played spoiler for Rutgers each of the last three seasons. Last year, Rutgers national title hopes were halted by UT, 59-46 in the title game in Cleveland. The Lady Volunteers ended the Scarlet Knights 2005-06 campaign in the regional semifinals in Cleveland. The 2004-05 season concluded with a loss to UT in the Philadelphia Regional final.
OF NOTE: Monday’s meeting marks the highest the Scarlet Knights have ever been ranked when facing the Lady Vols. Previously, Rutgers was ranked No. 8 when taking on second-ranked Tennessee during the 1999-2000 season.
Tennessee has been ranked No. 3 or higher 12 of 16 times it has faced Rutgers. They have been ranked No. 1 on three occasions, including on Jan. 17, 1994 when an un-ranked RU team upset the Lady Vols, 87-77. The teams have each been ranked in 11 of the 16 meetings. Tennessee was last ranked No. 1 versus Rutgers on March 21, 1998. The Scarlet Knights were unranked at that time. UT was ranked No. 2 last facing RU - with a #25 showing - on Dec. 11, 2003. In 2004 (12-29) - Rutgers last win in the series - the Scarlet had a No. 24 AP ranking and UT was #8.
• •With Connecticut’s loss to Rutgers, Tennessee is expected to move to the No. 1 ranking in the Associated Press poll to be released on Monday, Feb. 11. If so, RU would face two No. 1 teams back-to-back. Most recently, Maryland faced two number one squads back-to-back in February of 2006- The Terrapins beat UNC (2/9/06) 98-95 in overtime and then feel to Duke on Feb. 13, 90-80. In 2005-06, No. 16 Texas played at #2/1 Tennessee on Dec. 1 and lost 102-61 and then played #1/1 Duke on Dec. 4 and fell, 84-70.
-- Mel
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