If anyone's interested in the travails of working with AI's on these, ask. Otherwise, from Gemini (with some editing);
Listen up, Lady Vol faithful! If you’ve got a strut in your step this week, you’ve earned it. After grinding out that 60-58 win over #11 Kentucky, Kim Caldwell has this team standing alone as the only undefeated team in SEC play.
But don't sleep on the Bulldogs. They might be 2-4 in the conference, but they are fresh off a "giant-killer" upset of #7 Kentucky and they'd love nothing more than to ruin our perfect streak in our own house.
The Bulldogs' "Big Three"
The Veteran Impact
Talaysia Cooper Coop's gotta Coop, be it scoring, rebounding, or the magic hands that sizzled the Cats. Zee Spearman (SR, Forward): Our defensive "eraser." She leads the team in rebounds (6.9 RPG) and blocks, recently earning a spot on the Wooden Award Watch List. Her double-double against Louisville (18 pts, 12 rebs) showed she can carry the load when the freshmen are finding their footing. Janiah Barker (SR, Forward): Though she missed the Kentucky game, her veteran leadership is the heartbeat of the frontcourt. She’s the team’s most versatile scorer, and her return for the Mississippi State game is the biggest question mark on the board. Nya Robertson (SR, Guard): The "X-factor" -- when she goes off, it's something.
The Kids Have the Keys: Freshman Takeover
The freshmen aren't just "contributing"—they’re hijacking the bus. While Janiah Barker was sidelined, the trio of Mia Pauldo, Deniya Prawl, and Jaida Civil accounted for 38 of the team's 60 points to bury #11 Kentucky. Pauldo has officially earned "Closer" status, hunting down 19 fourth-quarter points over her last two games. While Mia gets more buckets and sticks the defense, Civil (9 boards) and Prawl (4 steals) are both ramping up. "Freshman wall"? —they’re currently running right through it.
Keys to the Game
SCOUTING REPORT: No. 15 Lady Vols (6-0) vs. Mississippi State (2-4)
Matchup: Thursday, Jan 29, 2026 | Food City Center, Knoxville | 6:30 PM ET
Matchup: Thursday, Jan 29, 2026 | Food City Center, Knoxville | 6:30 PM ET
Listen up, Lady Vol faithful! If you’ve got a strut in your step this week, you’ve earned it. After grinding out that 60-58 win over #11 Kentucky, Kim Caldwell has this team standing alone as the only undefeated team in SEC play.
But don't sleep on the Bulldogs. They might be 2-4 in the conference, but they are fresh off a "giant-killer" upset of #7 Kentucky and they'd love nothing more than to ruin our perfect streak in our own house.
The Bulldogs' "Big Three"
- Favour Nwaedozi (JR, Forward): The double-double machine. She leads State with 13.0 PPG and 10.6 RPG. In their upset over Kentucky, she snagged 21 rebounds. We have to box her out or she will live on the offensive glass.
- Madison Francis (FR, Forward): The reigning National Freshman of the Week. She’s averaging 12.9 PPG and leads the SEC in blocks (3.3 BPG). She’s a 6'2" defensive nightmare.
- Destiney McPhaul (SR, Guard): The veteran floor general. She averages 11.3 PPG and is the steady hand that keeps their offense from spiraling when the press gets hot.
The Veteran Impact
Talaysia Cooper Coop's gotta Coop, be it scoring, rebounding, or the magic hands that sizzled the Cats. Zee Spearman (SR, Forward): Our defensive "eraser." She leads the team in rebounds (6.9 RPG) and blocks, recently earning a spot on the Wooden Award Watch List. Her double-double against Louisville (18 pts, 12 rebs) showed she can carry the load when the freshmen are finding their footing. Janiah Barker (SR, Forward): Though she missed the Kentucky game, her veteran leadership is the heartbeat of the frontcourt. She’s the team’s most versatile scorer, and her return for the Mississippi State game is the biggest question mark on the board. Nya Robertson (SR, Guard): The "X-factor" -- when she goes off, it's something.
The Kids Have the Keys: Freshman Takeover
The freshmen aren't just "contributing"—they’re hijacking the bus. While Janiah Barker was sidelined, the trio of Mia Pauldo, Deniya Prawl, and Jaida Civil accounted for 38 of the team's 60 points to bury #11 Kentucky. Pauldo has officially earned "Closer" status, hunting down 19 fourth-quarter points over her last two games. While Mia gets more buckets and sticks the defense, Civil (9 boards) and Prawl (4 steals) are both ramping up. "Freshman wall"? —they’re currently running right through it.
Keys to the Game
- Defend The Paint: Spearman, Barker (hopefully), and Latham have to stay out of foul trouble and keep Nwaedozi and Richardson in check inside.
[*]The "Splash Sisters" (Freshman Edition): Mia Pauldo is playing like the best freshman in the country right now. If she and Talaysia Cooper can push the tempo and find their rhythm from deep (where we average 9.7 makes per game), State won't be able to keep up.
[*]Force the Turnover: Caldwell’s system thrives on chaos. State has struggled with ball security against elite pressure. If we force 20+ turnovers, we move to 7-0 comfortably.
The Verdict: Tennessee is faster and deeper. As long as we don't let Richardson or Nwaedozi turn this into a slow-paced half-court grind, the Lady Vols should protect the home court.
GO LADY VOLS!
GO LADY VOLS!
