Tennessee enters the 2026-27 women’s basketball season without a player on the SEC’s preseason All-SEC teams, and the Lady Vols were picked to land eighth in the league’s projected order of finish.
The conference’s preseason selections, released by the SEC and voted on by SEC and national media members, included 10 players split between the first and second teams. Tennessee didn’t land one of those spots, while Ole Miss did - and the Rebels’ list carries a familiar name for Lady Vols fans.
Talaysia Cooper, who transferred from Tennessee this offseason, was named to the Preseason All-SEC Second-Team. Another former UT player, Jaida Civil, is also on the Ole Miss roster after leaving Knoxville.
At the top of the league projection, South Carolina was picked first, followed by Texas, LSU, Vanderbilt, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Ole Miss and then Tennessee. Mississippi State, Alabama, Texas A&M, Florida, Georgia, Missouri, Auburn and Arkansas rounded out the preseason order.
Kim Caldwell is preparing for her third season at Tennessee, with the Lady Vols set to open Nov. 2 at home against Duquesne. Before that, they’ll hold an open exhibition on Oct. 27 against Florida A&M.
Caldwell said the identity she wants her team to show is built on effort and chemistry.
“I hope that people take away how hard they play and how well they play together,” Caldwell said. “And I think that that is really important.
We had a meeting yesterday talking about, hey, hard days are coming. We’ve loved life.
I’ve loved being around them. We laugh every single day when we see each other.
It’s been a very positive environment, but it’s going to get harder as we start playing games.
“So really talking about who you’re gonna be in those moments. And if the season started today, I think our fan base would love how hard we play and how well we play together.”
Vanderbilt’s Mikayla Blakes was named Preseason Player of the Year.
The media’s Preseason All-SEC First-Team featured Madison Booker of Texas, Blakes of Vanderbilt, Joyce Edwards of South Carolina, Clara Strack of Kentucky and Mikaylah Williams of LSU.
The second team included Aaliyah Chavez of Oklahoma, Tessa Johnson of South Carolina, MiLaysia Fulwiley of LSU, Chloe Kitts of South Carolina and Cooper of Ole Miss.
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Tennessee Faces One Huge QB Decision Before Alabama Arrives
Josh Heupel still has not said who will get the first snap at quarterback when Tennessee meets Alabama, and that uncertainty hangs over everything the Vols are doing this week. George MacIntyre helped sharpen the conversation with a steady first career start against Arkansas, showing the kind of composure and willingness to attack downfield that can matter in a big-game setting.
MacIntyre finished 18 of 29 for 247 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions, a line that reflected both the promise and the risk that come with leaning on a young passer. Faizon Brandon is still working back from injury and had been less effective in recent games, so Tennessee enters one of its biggest games without a clear answer at the sports most important position. [Read more 🡒]
Heupel Hinted At Two Big Tennessee Concerns Before Alabama
The build-up to Tennessees trip to Alabama has the feel of a measuring-stick game, and Josh Heupel knows it. With both teams sitting at 5-1 and the Volunteers headed in as the 14th-ranked team against No. 6 Alabama, the head coach spent his time with the media leaning into the standard issues that come with a rivalry of this size: preparation, execution and the need for individual players to be ready for every snap.
Heupel also touched on the matchup in a way that suggested Tennessee has already identified the places where this game could tilt, even before the teams take the field Saturday. For a Vols team trying to keep pace in the national picture, the stakes are obvious, but so is the challenge of handling an Alabama opponent that has not given many easy answers in this rivalry. [Read more 🡒]
Alabama May Be Missing The Weapon Tennessee Feared Most
Alabamas passing game may be heading into Saturdays matchup with Tennessee without its most productive target. Ryan Coleman-Williams is not expected to play because of head and leg injuries, and coach Kalen DeBoer said the receiver is also dealing with a knee issue as the Tide work through the week.
For a Tennessee defense already bracing for a major SEC test, the injury status matters because Coleman-Williams has been Alabamas leader in receptions, yards and touchdowns this season. DeBoer indicated the receiver is expected to be week-to-week after the Tennessee game, leaving the Vols to prepare for a version of Alabama that may look a little different than expected. [Read more 🡒]