Kim Caldwell likes what Tennessee is building inside the Lady Vols locker room, but she’s not asking for good vibes alone. The Tennessee coach is looking for that growing chemistry to show up in the parts of the game that decide whether a team merely looks connected or actually plays like it.
At local media day, Caldwell painted an offseason picture centered on growth, buy-in and a roster learning to live up to Tennessee’s tradition. She also made it clear there is still work ahead before the season starts.
One of the biggest positives, in her eyes, has been the way the players have started forming real relationships away from the court. Caldwell said those connections have helped them communicate better, take coaching, and work through issues together once the ball is live.
She pointed to one late practice as a small but telling example. After photo and video duties, the players didn’t scatter. Instead, they went to a volleyball match together and built their own student section.
“They make it fun to be here. They make it fun to coach them,” Caldwell said.
That kind of togetherness matters for a group that is still learning each other’s tendencies. Caldwell’s point was simple: when trouble hits, a team with trust has something to lean on.
A big part of Tennessee’s on-court identity runs through the point guard position. In Caldwell’s system, those guards have to do a lot. They start the press, set the tone defensively, push the offense and keep everyone organized while processing feedback from coaches and teammates.
This offseason, the Lady Vols added another layer to that responsibility by letting the point guards run film sessions.
Caldwell said that is a new wrinkle for her program, and one designed to help those players become more comfortable leading a roster with so many newcomers.
“I’m going to give our point guards freedom to do that,” Caldwell said when discussing their role calling the offense.
That freedom, though, comes with expectations. It asks for poise, preparation and the ability to absorb pressure without losing command.
Caldwell said she’s pleased with the progress Tennessee has made in the press and in its offensive growth. But she didn’t sugarcoat the areas that still need cleaning up.
Finishing late in practice and games has been a problem, especially when fatigue starts to creep in. Caldwell said missed chances at the rim have shown up too often.
The Lady Vols also still need sharper halfcourt defense. Caldwell singled out positioning, help responsibilities and the need for better movement toward scoring threats. She made it clear that relying on one defender at a time won’t get it done.
Beyond the X’s and O’s, Tennessee is also working to make sure players understand the weight of the jersey they’re wearing. The program has built that education through book reports, learning sessions and conversations with former Lady Vols.
Caldwell wants her team to respect the program’s history while still carving out its own identity.
She sees a strong starting point. The next step is carrying that foundation into games, tightening rotations and turning lessons from practice into results that count.
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