Well a bad year has just gotten worse for the Lady Vols. Tennessee has fallen to NC State 76-61 in the NCAA tournament capping off what was supposed to be a big year for Tennessee. The Wolfpack will move on and play Michigan, and the Lady Vols will head back to Knoxville. Tennessee has now ended the year with eight straight losses. This is pathetic, and not the Tennessee way.
Tennessee’s March Madness run could determine Kim Caldwell’s future
With that said, Kim Caldwell needs to take a hard look in the mirror at the direction of this program. Last year, Tennessee made the sweet 16 and looked to be trending in a positive direction.
Now, the Lady Vols limped into The tournament and got dominated by a NC State team that the Lady Vols should've beat earlier in the year. With a 35-2 record in the first round in program history this is unacceptable. Losing before the second weekend shouldn't happen in Knoxville.
This needs to change next season for Tennessee
Danny White has defended Kim Caldwell publically, but this needs to improve. I'm not saying Caldwell needs to be fired, but this is not the standard that has been set at Tennessee. If next year is another mediocre season then Tennessee needs to have serious conversations about the future of the women's basketball program.
Furthermore, Talaysia Cooper was the only Vol to show up today in Ann Arbor. She added 24 points and six rebounds in the losing effort. Tennessee has a good recruiting class coming in, and with some
key portal transfers they aren't done just yet, but they are a long way from where they need to be.
Maybe we're spoiled as Tennessee fans, but winning is very fun and if the standard is to make it far in March then something needs to happen.