Tennessee will have another relaxing week outside of basketball, competing in only six total events this week. This will be the first week without any “T-Credit” opportunities since August, as the university announced it will not be awarding credits over winter break.
Here’s a look at the upcoming week.
Dec. 13: Swimming and diving at Kentucky
Swimming and diving will kick off the week for athletics. Not only will they be in action in Lexington, but 14 swimmers will be competing in Budapest, Hungary, in the Short Course World Championships from Dec. 10-15.
The most notable is Jordan Crooks, who won the 2022 title in Australia and competed in the 2024 Olympics. Gui Caribe and Lamar Taylor will be with Crooks, and all three are in the top 15 in the NCAA for their 50 free minutes. Five Lady Vols will also compete, which will be a test of Tennessee’s depth in its meet with Kentucky.
Diving will also have a championship of its own, competing in the USA Diving Winter National Championships in Indiana. Five divers will participate, leaving Tennessee with young talent for the rematch against the Wildcats.
The Vols and the Wildcats met last month in the Tennessee Invitational, but this time around Tennessee will be strapped for veteran swimmers, leaving the inexperienced group with much to prove.
Dec. 14: Women’s basketball vs. North Carolina Central
The No. 19 Lady Vols (7-0) will host the North Carolina Central Eagles (0-10) on Saturday afternoon. Tennessee is rolling under Kim Caldwell so far, as this 7-0 start is its best since a 9-0 start in 2021. The Lady Vols are also back in the AP Poll for the first time since November of 2023 after defeating Florida State and Iowa.
The Eagles have been slaughtered by teams such as Clemson, FSU, UNC, and LSU, losing by an average of 71 points a game. The Lady Vols will have their work cut out for them as they look forward to the rest of the season.
This will be the first meeting between these two teams.
Dec. 14: Men’s basketball at Illinois
The No. 1 Vols (9-0) head to Champaign to face the Illini (7-2). Illinois dropped out of the Top 25 after an overtime loss to Northwestern last week. Tennessee will need to fight hard against a solid opponent now that it has a target on its back with the No. 1 ranking.
Illinois couldn’t keep up with No. 7 Alabama earlier this season but was able to take down Arkansas, which was ranked No. 19 at the time. This will be the Tennessee and Illinois’ fifth meeting, with the Vols taking four of the games and the only matchup at Illinois.
Dec. 17: Men’s basketball vs. Western Carolina
The Vols will have a quick turnaround, facing the Catamounts (3-5) in Knoxville. Western Carolina couldn’t put up a fight against FSU or Marquette, leaving them a heavy underdog in this game. The Vols will have a light game before a near weeklong break when they face Middle Tennessee State on Dec. 23.
The Vols are 7-1 against the Catamounts, with the only loss coming in 1993 at home. Western Carolina has put up multiple fights over the years, but the Vols are mostly victorious.
Dec. 18: Diving at Auburn Diving Invitational
Diving will head to the Auburn Invitational after facing Kentucky. Many divers will be returning from the USA Diving Winter National Championships, so Tennessee may be left with a young core for this meet.
Dec. 18: Women’s basketball at Memphis
The Lady Vols will finish out the week by traveling west to face Memphis (2-6). The Tigers are on a five-game losing streak heading into this game but have both of their wins at home. The Lady Vols have only played one game away, which was against Iowa in New York last week, so this will be their first real chance on the road.
Memphis has been disappointing this season but also hasn’t been able to get anything going against its in-state opponent. Tennessee is 27-1 against the Tigers, winning the last 20 games. Memphis came close last year, falling short by 10 points, but this is a new era for the Lady Vols.
