Lady Vols basketball is gaining a lot of momentum heading into Kim Caldwell’s second season with the program. As we count down to the 2025-26 season, ESPN released some early predictions.
To start, the publication revealed 10 teams that it feels like are true national title contenders. Tennessee made the cut.
“Kim Caldwell won the transfer portal with the additions of Janiah Barker, Nya Robertson and Jersey Wolfenbarger,” ESPN wrote. “Caldwell also got the nation’s second-best recruiting class (five top-100 players). And she has Talaysia Cooper, Zee Spearman and Ruby Whitehorn returning. The new era of Lady Vols basketball continues strong.”
The Lady Vols were joined by South Carolina, UConn, UCLA, Texas, LSU, Duke, Oklahoma, NC State and Maryland on the list.
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ESPN also went through and listed some ‘wild predictions.’ One of these was on how far Tennessee could go this upcoming season in the NCAA Tournament.
The publication settled on the bold take that UT would head back to the Final Four for the first time since Pat Summitt led the charge in a 2008 national title year with Candace Parker.
“Year 1 under new coach Caldwell resulted in a Sweet 16 berth for the Lady Vols,” ESPN wrote. “But Year 2 could be the real breakthrough season in Knoxville if Caldwell is able to successfully blend (Talaysia Cooper, Zee Spearman and Ruby Whitehorn) with transfers Janiah Barker, Jersey Wolfenbarge and Nya Robertson, plus ESPN’s second-ranked freshman class. — Philippou”
ESPN is also looking forward to two of Tennessee’s out-of-conference games. It listed the Lady Vols’ trip to play at UCLA on Nov. 30 as one of the top 10 non-conference games of the season.
“The teams recently agreed to a home-and-home series, starting at Pauley Pavilion this season,” ESPN wrote. “The Lady Vols have an 18-3 series edge over the Bruins, but UCLA has won the past two meetings in 2022 and 2019.”
Of course, Tennessee’s matchup with UConn, with a date yet to be decided, will also have all eyes. UT won the matchup a year ago in Knoxville, with this year’s game being played on the road.
“The Lady Vols beat the Huskies in February last season for the first time since 2007, winning 80-76 in Knoxville,” ESPN wrote. “The series was on hiatus between 2008 and 2019, but it was still a big win for Tennessee, which trails UConn 17-10 in the series. — Voepel”
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ESPN wants you to keep your eyes peeled for a Tennessee true freshman, as well. It listed Mia Pauldo, a five-star point guard, as one of the 10 freshmen to watch.
She joins her sister, Mya Pauldo, fellow McDonald’s All-Americans Deniya Prawl and Jaida Civil and in-state top-100 recruit Lauren Hurst as incoming freshmen.
“Pauldo is the catalyst of Tennessee’s second-ranked recruiting class that consists of five top-60 players and three McDonald’s All-Americans,” ESPN wrote. “Pauldo is a relentless point guard who brings constant ball pressure, attacks off the bounce and stretches defense with her deep range. Don’t let her 5-5 frame fool you — she’ll impact the floor and make her Lady Vols teammates better.”
Along with Pauldo, Barker is listed as one of the 10 best transfers in the cycle.
“After one season at UCLA following two at Texas A&M, Barker returns to the SEC ready to take on Caldwell’s up-and-down style,” ESPN wrote. “Barker will contribute key power and physicality to the Lady Vols’ frontcourt — and plenty of 3-pointers, too.”
2 Responses
Hurst is a baller! she is a complete, all around player, that can shoot the lights out!
Kim Caldwell is a breath of fresh air for the Lady Vols program.
Pat Summitt would applaud this hire!