Lady Vols basketball was in action just one time this past week, but it was enough to garner some attention. After Tennessee’s 112-40 win over Winthrop in Knoxville, point guard Mia Pauldo was named Co-SEC Freshman of the Week. Pauldo shares the award with Oklahoma’s Aaliyah Chavez.
Pauldo recorded the first double-double of her career, posting 18 points, 10 assists, three rebounds, four steals and no turnovers. She played 22 minutes, pacing the team in scoring at the half. She also committed just one foul.
“I just think she’s playing with more confidence,” Lady Vols head coach Kim Caldwell said after the game. “And with freshmen, the more games they get under their belt, the stronger and stronger they’re going to look down the stretch. And she’s a great player and when she’s on, our team looks better.”
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Next, the Lady Vols will head north to Brooklyn for a clash with Louisville. Tip-off is scheduled for 11 a.m. ET and will air on FOX. It is a part of the Shark Beauty Women’s Champions Classic, in which Tennessee defeated Iowa in a season ago. After UT’s game, the Hawkeyes and UConn will square off in the same building.
Then, the Lady Vols face Southern Indiana on Dec. 22 in Knoxville to round out the pre-SEC slate. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET and will air on SECN+.
Tennessee is also now the No. 17 team in the country in the AP Poll. This is a one-spot move after UT hopped North Carolina and USC, but were jumped by Louisville, which is the Lady Vols’ next opponent on the schedule.
