Lady Vols basketball may be without its leader in points, assists and steals for its matchup against Arkansas on Sunday afternoon. On the availability report, Talaysia Cooper showed up just hours before tip-off with the Razorbacks as a ‘game-time decision’. She was not listed on Saturday night.
Cooper is averaging 14.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 3.4 steals and 0.5 blocks per game heading into Sunday. She is considered a potential first-round WNBA draft pick, and her play to start the SEC slate has helped boost her stock.
However, heading into the recent game against Mississippi State, UT head coach Kim Caldwell challenged her. She said she had more in her and would like to see her get to the rim on a more consistent basis.
“Yeah, she still has more in her – and I’m going to go ahead and challenge her publicly,” Caldwell said. “She still has more in her. She can get to the rim more. She did a better job vs. Florida, but she can get to the rim whenever she wants on one or two people, and she needs to start doing that because we don’t have time to waste.”
More From RTI: No. 20 Lady Vols Basketball vs. Arkansas: How to Watch, Prediction, More
Cooper responded with a strong game. In Tennessee’s 90-80 win at Mississippi State, she produced 14 points, six rebounds, five assists, three steals and a block.
Now, the Lady Vols will face Arkansas at 2 p.m. ET in the ‘We Back Pat’ game. The Razorbacks are off to a brutal start to the conference schedule, but Tennessee being without Cooper would certainly be a significant blow.
The Lady Vols will also be without Kaniya Boyd for a second-straight game as she fights to get back on the floor.
