University of Tennessee Athletics
Lady Vols Set To Host Va. Tech In Jimmy V Women’s Classic
July 14, 2022 | Women's Basketball
ESPN Events has announced the match-ups for the 2022 Jimmy V Men's and Women's Classic Presented by Corona, and Tennessee women's basketball is slated to make its third all-time appearance in the event when it hosts Virginia Tech at Thompson-Boling Arena on Sunday, Dec. 4.
The battle between the Lady Vols and Hokies, ranked No. 4 and 11 respectively in ESPN's Way-Too-Early Top 25, will air on ESPN2, while the other women's contest will feature UConn at Notre Dame with ABC handling the telecast. Tip-off times will be announced later, and admission to the UT-VT tilt will be available as part of the Tennessee season ticket package (purchase now) or via single-game tickets that will go on sale later.
The men's doubleheader will take place at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, Dec. 6, featuring Duke vs. Iowa and Texas vs. Illinois. Those games will be carried by ESPN.
The Jimmy V Classic, named for legendary college basketball coach Jim Valvano, annually raises money and awareness for the V Foundation for Cancer Research. The men's classic began in 1995 and is in its 28th year – 19th at Madison Square Garden. The women's event debuted in 2002. Both events are part of ESPN's V Week initiative, which utilizes platforms to talk to sports fans about the importance of cancer research. To date, ESPN has helped raise more than $155 million dollars for the V Foundation. In 2021, V Week raised $13.35 million, surpassing the previous high of $8.8 million in 2019.
UT previously played in the Jimmy V Women's Classic in 2002 and 2004, falling to top-ranked Duke in a #1 vs. #2 match-up on Nov. 24, 2002, in Raleigh, N.C., 76-55, and then winning in Raleigh on Nov. 21, 2004, as the No.1-ranked team, 64-54, over unranked NC State. VT is making its debut in the Jimmy V Classic.
This will mark the fourth time Tennessee and Virginia Tech have met since 2015, including the second time during the Kellie Harper era. UT leads the all-time series with VT, 8-2, after winning in Blacksburg on Dec. 5 last season, 64-58.
The Lady Vols return 10 players, including four starters, from a squad that started 18-1 and finished 25-9 overall and 11-5 in the SEC (3rd) while advancing to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen despite season-ending injuries to three key contributors.
Leading the way for fourth-year head coach Kellie Harper are All-SEC/All-America Honorable Mention guard Jordan Horston and All-SEC/All-Defensive Team center Tamari Key. Additional regular contributors include returning starters in point guard Jordan Walker and wing Tess Darby, as well as two others with starting experience in 2022 SEC All-Freshman wing Sara Puckett and 2021 SEC All-Freshman forward Marta Suárez.
The Lady Vols also bring aboard four gifted transfers and a five-star freshman, including starters and previous all-league performers in forward Rickea Jackson (Mississippi State), power forward Jasmine Franklin (Missouri State) and point guard Jasmine Powell (Minnesota), as well as a pair of McDonald's All-Americans in sophomore transfer forward Jilllian Hollingshead (Georgia) and true freshman wing Justine Pissott.
The Hokies finished 23-10 overall and 13-5 in the ACC (t3rd) last season. Coach Kenny Brooks' squad returns four of its top five scorers, including 6-foot-6 WBCA All-America center Elizabeth Kitley (18.1 ppg., 9.8 rpg.), Georgia Amoore (11.2 ppg.) and Kayana Traylor (10.4 ppg.).
Virginia Tech was an NCAA Tournament team a year ago, but it fell to a talented Florida Gulf Coast squad in the first round, 84-81.
About the V Foundation for Cancer Research
The V Foundation for Cancer Research was founded in 1993 by ESPN and the late Jim Valvano, legendary North Carolina State University basketball coach and ESPN commentator. The V Foundation has funded more than $260 million in cancer research grants nationwide. Event proceeds benefit cancer research funded by the V Foundation. The Foundation awards game-changing grants through a competitive process strictly supervised by a Scientific Advisory Committee. For more information on the V Foundation, please visit v.org.
The battle between the Lady Vols and Hokies, ranked No. 4 and 11 respectively in ESPN's Way-Too-Early Top 25, will air on ESPN2, while the other women's contest will feature UConn at Notre Dame with ABC handling the telecast. Tip-off times will be announced later, and admission to the UT-VT tilt will be available as part of the Tennessee season ticket package (purchase now) or via single-game tickets that will go on sale later.
The men's doubleheader will take place at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, Dec. 6, featuring Duke vs. Iowa and Texas vs. Illinois. Those games will be carried by ESPN.
The Jimmy V Classic, named for legendary college basketball coach Jim Valvano, annually raises money and awareness for the V Foundation for Cancer Research. The men's classic began in 1995 and is in its 28th year – 19th at Madison Square Garden. The women's event debuted in 2002. Both events are part of ESPN's V Week initiative, which utilizes platforms to talk to sports fans about the importance of cancer research. To date, ESPN has helped raise more than $155 million dollars for the V Foundation. In 2021, V Week raised $13.35 million, surpassing the previous high of $8.8 million in 2019.
UT previously played in the Jimmy V Women's Classic in 2002 and 2004, falling to top-ranked Duke in a #1 vs. #2 match-up on Nov. 24, 2002, in Raleigh, N.C., 76-55, and then winning in Raleigh on Nov. 21, 2004, as the No.1-ranked team, 64-54, over unranked NC State. VT is making its debut in the Jimmy V Classic.
This will mark the fourth time Tennessee and Virginia Tech have met since 2015, including the second time during the Kellie Harper era. UT leads the all-time series with VT, 8-2, after winning in Blacksburg on Dec. 5 last season, 64-58.
The Lady Vols return 10 players, including four starters, from a squad that started 18-1 and finished 25-9 overall and 11-5 in the SEC (3rd) while advancing to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen despite season-ending injuries to three key contributors.
Leading the way for fourth-year head coach Kellie Harper are All-SEC/All-America Honorable Mention guard Jordan Horston and All-SEC/All-Defensive Team center Tamari Key. Additional regular contributors include returning starters in point guard Jordan Walker and wing Tess Darby, as well as two others with starting experience in 2022 SEC All-Freshman wing Sara Puckett and 2021 SEC All-Freshman forward Marta Suárez.
The Lady Vols also bring aboard four gifted transfers and a five-star freshman, including starters and previous all-league performers in forward Rickea Jackson (Mississippi State), power forward Jasmine Franklin (Missouri State) and point guard Jasmine Powell (Minnesota), as well as a pair of McDonald's All-Americans in sophomore transfer forward Jilllian Hollingshead (Georgia) and true freshman wing Justine Pissott.
The Hokies finished 23-10 overall and 13-5 in the ACC (t3rd) last season. Coach Kenny Brooks' squad returns four of its top five scorers, including 6-foot-6 WBCA All-America center Elizabeth Kitley (18.1 ppg., 9.8 rpg.), Georgia Amoore (11.2 ppg.) and Kayana Traylor (10.4 ppg.).
Virginia Tech was an NCAA Tournament team a year ago, but it fell to a talented Florida Gulf Coast squad in the first round, 84-81.
About the V Foundation for Cancer Research
The V Foundation for Cancer Research was founded in 1993 by ESPN and the late Jim Valvano, legendary North Carolina State University basketball coach and ESPN commentator. The V Foundation has funded more than $260 million in cancer research grants nationwide. Event proceeds benefit cancer research funded by the V Foundation. The Foundation awards game-changing grants through a competitive process strictly supervised by a Scientific Advisory Committee. For more information on the V Foundation, please visit v.org.
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