Kim Caldwell came to Tennessee known for her up-tempo, high-powered offense, and it is clear that Lady Vols basketball players are thriving in the offense after the preseason exhibition and first game of the season.
She brought in transfers while keeping some players at home to build a roster that thrives in the type of basketball Caldwell wants to play on Rocky Top. We're only one game into the season, but it looks like the players are enjoying Caldwell's style of play early in the year.
Tennessee opened the regular season with a dominant 101-53 win over Samford. The Lady Vols scored 100+ in the season opener and in the exhibition game against Carson-Newman.
game one WON!!! pic.twitter.com/kmyDUg8z8B
— Lady Vols Basketball (@LadyVol_Hoops) November 6, 2024
The Lady Vols have five players finish the game with double-digits in the points column. Junior forward Lazaria Spearman led the Lady Vols in scoring with 25 points while shooting 10-for-12 from the field with six rebounds and two steals.
Sophomore guard Talaysia Cooper, who transferred from South Carolina, was electric on both ends of the court. She scored 19 points with five assists, four rebounds, three blocks, and six steals.
Jewel Spear, Samara Spencer, and Ruby Whitehorn also finished the night with double-digit points while also collecting several steals, rebounds, and blocks on the defensive end of the court.
These players, as well as players that have been on Rocky Top for a few years, seem to be thriving on both ends of the court in Caldwell's new style of basketball on The Hill.
Tennessee finished the night with 12 steals, which is another highlight of how Caldwell's style matches up against opposing offenses. Not only does her offense want to play fast-paced, the defense is restrictive, forcing turnovers and mistakes by opponents.
That has been evident in the first two on-court tests the Lady Vols have faced early into the season. Tennessee will host UT Martin on Thursday night for its second game of the season to cap off its first week of the 2024-2025 season.