There’s been some ugly moments this season for Lady Vols basketball. Last Sunday, Tennessee went to Columbia and lost to South Carolina by a program record 43 points.
If there was a moment for the Lady Vols to fold and lose confidence, that was it. However, when the team returned to practice the following week, that wasn’t the case. Instead, the team rallied together.
After taking accountability for the loss to the Gamecocks, Tennessee revisited its preseason goals. Despite the head-scratching blowouts the team has taken this year, it affirmed that all the things it wants to accomplish are still on the table. To reach those goals, there’s a continued confidence in Kim Caldwell’s unique, up-tempo system.
“We came together as a team and with our coaches, as well, and we made sure we circled back on what our goals were from the beginning of the season,” freshman Deniya Prawl said on Thursday. “And we do all believe in our system, our program, that we can do it for sure. So just hearing it from everybody on our staff and on our team was really important for us and just be hungry again.”
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The response was a dominant win over Missouri. The Lady Vols took an early and demanding lead before winning by 45 points in Kellie Harper’s return to Knoxville.
While the Tigers are far worse than the likes of South Carolina, UConn, UCLA or Louisville, the four teams that have blown out Tennessee this season, it was an example of the positives Caldwell’s press and run-and-gun offense can provide.
The confidence of her team is something she noted throughout the week, as well. She never thought her team was lying when they told her they were confident heading into the game.
“I think, again, as I told you guys last time we met, it was, do you think you can do this? ‘Absolutely.’ That’s not the question,” Caldwell said. “It’s the how, it’s the why. It’s why do these things keep happening? Why do we keep having games like this? And we’re still trying to get to the root of that.”
Next, the Lady Vols will have another big challenge against a top-five opponent. On Sunday, Texas comes to town on the heels of a disappointing loss to Vanderbilt. Tip-off is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET and airs on ABC.
One Response
Tennessee women’s basketball coach, you had your chance, Kelli harper , was let go , what’s the difference between kelli and you!! How many chances are you gonna get!!