Lady Vols Cruise Past Southern Indiana, But SEC Concerns Still Loom
The Lady Vols wrapped up non-conference play with a commanding 89-44 win over Southern Indiana, but while the scoreboard showed dominance, Tennessee still has some kinks to iron out before the SEC gauntlet begins.
Coming off a rough 24-point loss to Louisville, this bounce-back win was a needed palate cleanser heading into the holiday break. But as head coach Kim Caldwell made clear, it wasn’t about the margin of victory - it was about how they played. And in her eyes, the Lady Vols are still a work in progress.
“We were hard on them,” Caldwell said. “We didn’t share the ball against Louisville.
I think we had 32 shots off zero or one passes - that’s not acceptable.” Against Southern Indiana, they cleaned that up with 19 assists, but Caldwell still wasn’t thrilled with the shot selection or execution.
“We still didn’t shoot it great,” she added. “So it’s a step in the right direction.”
With SEC play set to tip off at home on January 1 against Florida, Tennessee (8-3) has some momentum - but also some glaring issues that could be exposed quickly in conference play.
1. Turnovers Aren’t Turning Into Points
Caldwell’s system thrives on pressure defense and capitalizing in transition. The Lady Vols are forcing turnovers at a high clip, but they’re leaving far too many points on the table.
Against Louisville, they managed 26 points off 20 turnovers - not ideal, but manageable against a quality opponent. Against Southern Indiana, however, Tennessee forced 29 turnovers and cashed in for just 36 points. That’s a low return considering the level of competition.
And this isn’t a one-off. Against Stanford, they forced 30 turnovers but only turned that into 25 points. Against NC State and UCLA - two other elite teams - they forced just 10 and 12 turnovers, respectively, and struggled even more to convert those into offense.
Caldwell didn’t mince words. “I think we’re trying to get ours,” she said.
“We’re putting our heads down, trying to drive through five people instead of playing together and trusting that we’re going to get it back. And people don’t think they’re gonna get it back.”
That lack of trust and cohesion in transition is a red flag. In Caldwell’s up-tempo system, scoring off turnovers isn’t just a bonus - it’s essential. If Tennessee can’t clean that up, SEC teams will make them pay.
2. Talaysia Cooper Still Searching for Rhythm
Talaysia Cooper has been one of Tennessee’s most dynamic players this season, but the junior guard is clearly in a funk.
She posted just six points on 2-for-9 shooting against Southern Indiana, her second straight game in single digits. While she did contribute in other areas - seven rebounds, four assists, two steals in just 17 minutes - the scoring struggles are hard to ignore.
Even in the Louisville game, where she put up 14 points on 50% shooting, Cooper didn’t look like her usual self. She had four assists and three steals, but also turned the ball over six times and looked out of sync with the offense.
Caldwell pointed to decision-making as the primary issue. “She struggled tonight to see the right play, the right read on the ball screen,” she said - something the team had specifically prepared for.
The Lady Vols don’t just need Cooper to score - they need her to be a steadying force, especially when the offense gets bogged down. Her ability to attack off the dribble and create for others is a major part of what makes Tennessee dangerous. But right now, she’s pressing.
Caldwell believes the solution starts with mindset. “I think we have time to fix it if her head space is in the right place,” she said. “If she comes determined to fix it, she’ll fix it.”
What’s Next
Tennessee opens SEC play on New Year’s Day at home against Florida. It’s a fresh slate, but also a step up in competition - and the Lady Vols will need more than just effort to thrive in conference play.
The defense is creating chaos. The press is working. But unless Tennessee starts finishing those plays with points and gets Cooper back to her usual self, the road ahead could get bumpy.
There’s talent here. There’s potential. But the Lady Vols are still figuring out how to put it all together - and the clock is ticking.