Non-Lady Vol Basketball News 2024-25

[Terrells Bay88]

I has bothered me that Duke was ranked #9. I have nothing against Duke, and despite rumors that Lawson hasn't always done right by her alma mater, I will always wish Kara and ALL former Lady Vols well. I'm just not seeing what voters think is so special about Duke women's basketball this year to have put them, even temporarily, in the Top 10.

They'll likely drop a number of spots after this third loss, but they were (IMO) overranked to begin with.

Pro Duke/Kara supporters are saying that Duke beat twoTop 25 Oklahoma and Kansas St. teams and they went on the road to play Maryland, South Carolina, South Dakota St. and South Florida. They make comments like at least "At least they were went on the road to play these teams and didn't stay at home to play to feast cupcakes and run up scores on then like many other top teams and I can respect that".

 

[maple]

Maybe a #7 ranking would be more accurate.

Dang, can't believe I called it exactly.

 

[Vols2015]

I has bothered me that Duke was ranked #9. I have nothing against Duke, and despite rumors that Lawson hasn't always done right by her alma mater, I will always wish Kara and ALL former Lady Vols well. I'm just not seeing what voters think is so special about Duke women's basketball this year to have put them, even temporarily, in the Top 10.

They'll likely drop a number of spots after this third loss, but they were (IMO) overranked to begin with.

Exactly! Despite 3 losses, and one to a not so great, an unranked South Florida team, they still rank this week at #14.

 

[LVsinceJV]

Pro Duke/Kara supporters are saying that Duke beat twoTop 25 Oklahoma and Kansas St. teams and they went on the road to play Maryland, South Carolina, South Dakota St. and South Florida. They make comments like at least "At least they were went on the road to play these teams and didn't stay at home to play to feast cupcakes and run up scores on then like many other top teams and I can respect that".

Tbh our schedule is terrible, and I'm not surprised that alot people still feel like we haven't been tested yet. There will be plenty of folks cheering on any losses of ours once we get to SEC play. Part of that is not respecting our truly embarrassing schedule, and the other part is fear that our legacy is genuinely on the rise again. They'll be even more upset when we make a good run in the tournament this season.

 

[KnoxLikeUs]

Last season non-conference Florida State, Indiana, Oklahoma, Memphis, Ohio State, Middle Tennessee State, and Notre Dame (without Olivia Miles).

This season non-conference schedule Florida State, Iowa, Middle Tennessee State, Memphis, Richmond, and Connecticut.

Oklahoma was very similar to Richmond in terms of talent last season. Florida State is better this season when Latson is 100%.
Connecticut and Ohio State are equal. Indiana and Iowa are about the same.

It’s time to give up that myth that the schedule is weak.
Tennessee is just better this season.
#15 ranked team in the country at 11-0 with a talented roster that is under a new head coach.
GBO!

 

[Rooster1]

Last season non-conference Florida State, Indiana, Oklahoma, Memphis, Ohio State, Middle Tennessee State, and Notre Dame (without Olivia Miles).

This season non-conference schedule Florida State, Iowa, Middle Tennessee State, Memphis, Richmond, and Connecticut.

Oklahoma was very similar to Richmond in terms of talent last season. Florida State is better this season when Latson is 100%.
Connecticut and Ohio State are equal. Indiana and Iowa are about the same.

It’s time to give up that myth that the schedule is weak.
Tennessee is just better this season.
#15 ranked team in the country at 11-0 with a talented roster that is under a new head coach.
GBO!

You can spin the OOC schedule all you want. It's still weak, enough said on that. However, you are right about this LV team. They are way better than most know right now. I think they could be a top ten team.

 

[Mafiaboss]

Tbh our schedule is terrible, and I'm not surprised that alot people still feel like we haven't been tested yet. There will be plenty of folks cheering on any losses of ours once we get to SEC play. Part of that is not respecting our truly embarrassing schedule, and the other part is fear that our legacy is genuinely on the rise again. They'll be even more upset when we make a good run in the tournament this season.

If you listen to Kim, you’ll understand why our pre-SEC schedule is what it is. A brand new system. A brand new team. We needed and need time to learn it. If we had started the season with the gauntlet that Pat, Holly, and Kellie scheduled, we might be below .500. That might be demoralizing for a brand new team and an unforgiving fan base. I trust Kim to know what her teams need.

 

[KnoxLikeUs]

You can’t keep comparing the non-conference schedules which are clearly almost identical from the last two seasons and not acknowledge the teams.
This team is better than last season’s team and that is not a knock on that team or coaching staff. Some core players returned and have been added to a group of highly talented newcomers which is the difference.
Right now, #15 in the AP and #21 in NET rankings shows that the schedule is still solid.
This team wouldn’t be below .500 with that schedule from last season.
The team is still working and improving as several other teams are that we’ve faced and will face later in the season.

 

[newladyvolfan]

Parents paying for rankings.

Parents don’t pay for rankings lol

 

[LVsinceJV]

If you listen to Kim, you’ll understand why our pre-SEC schedule is what it is. A brand new system. A brand new team. We needed and need time to learn it. If we had started the season with the gauntlet that Pat, Holly, and Kellie scheduled, we might be below .500. That might be demoralizing for a brand new team and an unforgiving fan base. I trust Kim to know what her teams need.

Kim inherited this schedule, so I don't fault her or the staff. While I am glad that we don't have the non-conference gauntlet of the last couple of seasons, especially for a new coach, having records set against one of the worst D1 teams out there does put an asterisk on these accomplishments. If the experience gained against a couple of cupcakes helps build confidence for the team heading into the SEC, I ultimately support it. What's done is done either way. But I hope to never see teams ranked below 200 on our schedule ever again.

I can't wait to see how this team is next year with Kim's schedule, her new recruits, and experienced returnees able to jump right into action.

 

[KnoxLikeUs]

Pro Duke/Kara supporters are saying that Duke beat twoTop 25 Oklahoma and Kansas St. teams and they went on the road to play Maryland, South Carolina, South Dakota St. and South Florida. They make comments like at least "At least they were went on the road to play these teams and didn't stay at home to play to feast cupcakes and run up scores on then like many other top teams and I can respect that".

Truth is, there’s just bias in these polls early in the season.
And for all the talk about non-conference schedules and hyping matchups it’s impressive that Tennessee has closed the gap in the polls with teams like Duke due to their on-court play.
The LVs first big feat in a televised game was highlighted in getting out to a 20 point lead against FSU and having to fight to earn a tough win after FSU made a comeback.
Next they went to Brooklyn and played in front of 10,000 fans at Barclays Center and beat then Top-20 ranked Iowa in a primetime nationally televised showdown.
All teams Tennessee, Iowa, Connecticut, and Louisville had great support at the marquee event even though for Iowa at that location it was almost a home game. The LVFLs and fans in attendance had Barclays Center rocking! Then Tennessee beats Richmond in a 25 point blowout in the West Palm Beach Classic down in Florida a team that competed with Top 10 Texas losing by 11 points and the following day pushed Alabama losing by just 8 points.
Tennessee has played a non-conference schedule similar to last season non-conference schedule point blank which is how the current NET ranking has moved to #21.
And would’ve competed and won some big games in non-conference which they have at 11-0 playing the past non-conference schedule or the current one.
If there’s no gauntlet now there was no gauntlet then the major difference is Ws.

 

[Mafiaboss]

Kim inherited this schedule, so I don't fault her or the staff. While I am glad that we don't have the non-conference gauntlet of the last couple of seasons, especially for a new coach, having records set against one of the worst D1 teams out there does put an asterisk on these accomplishments. If the experience gained against a couple of cupcakes helps build confidence for the team heading into the SEC, I ultimately support it. What's done is done either way. But I hope to never see teams ranked below 200 on our schedule ever again.

I can't wait to see how this team is next year with Kim's schedule, her new recruits, and experienced returnees able to jump right into action.

No she didn’t. In an interview she said she left the schedule to the assistant coaches. For example, Harper et al. had a two-game series with Colorado scheduled, and under Caldwell, UT bought out the game.

Lady Vols basketball pays $50K to buy out second game of Colorado home-and-home series

Lady Vols basketball opted to pay $50,000 to buy out the second game on the road of a home and home series with Colorado.

www.knoxnews.com

 

[Mafiaboss]

You can’t keep comparing the non-conference schedules which are clearly almost identical from the last two seasons and not acknowledge the teams.
This team is better than last season’s team and that is not a knock on that team or coaching staff. Some core players returned and have been added to a group of highly talented newcomers which is the difference.
Right now, #15 in the AP and #21 in NET rankings shows that the schedule is still solid.
This team wouldn’t be below .500 with that schedule from last season.
The team is still working and improving as several other teams are that we’ve faced and will face later in the season.

Right. And the assistant coaches had some trouble filling out our non-conference schedule because they were late getting to it through no fault of their own.

 

[lvocd]

I can't wait to see how this team is next year with Kim's schedule, her new recruits, and experienced returnees able to jump right into action.

I'm kinda concerned about next year's schedule, actually. Not because I think Kim would want to underschedule, but because there may be hesitation among opposing top coaches to give Tennessee a spot on their schedules. There may be some folks not wanting to risk it.

 

[Mafiaboss]

You can’t keep comparing the non-conference schedules which are clearly almost identical from the last two seasons and not acknowledge the teams.
This team is better than last season’s team and that is not a knock on that team or coaching staff. Some core players returned and have been added to a group of highly talented newcomers which is the difference.
Right now, #15 in the AP and #21 in NET rankings shows that the schedule is still solid.
This team wouldn’t be below .500 with that schedule from last season.
The team is still working and improving as several other teams are that we’ve faced and will face later in the season.

In the 2023-2024 non-conference we lost to the USA Women’s National Team, Florida State, Indiana, Notre Dame, Ohio State, and MTSU. I’m not sure we would have beaten Notre Dame and Ohio State this early this season. MTSU, Indiana, and Florida State were much better teams last season.

 

[Mafiaboss]

Truth is, there’s just bias in these polls early in the season.
And for all the talk about non-conference schedules and hyping matchups it’s impressive that Tennessee has closed the gap in the polls with teams like Duke due to their on-court play.
The LVs first big feat in a televised game was highlighted in getting out to a 20 point lead against FSU and having to fight to earn a tough win after FSU made a comeback.
Next they went to Brooklyn and played in front of 10,000 fans at Barclays Center and beat then Top-20 ranked Iowa in a primetime nationally televised showdown.
All teams Tennessee, Iowa, Connecticut, and Louisville had great support at the marquee event even though for Iowa at that location it was almost a home game. The LVFLs and fans in attendance had Barclays Center rocking! Then Tennessee beats Richmond in a 25 point blowout in the West Palm Beach Classic down in Florida a team that competed with Top 10 Texas losing by 11 points and the following day pushed Alabama losing by just 8 points.
Tennessee has played a non-conference schedule similar to last season non-conference schedule point blank which is how the current NET ranking has moved to #21.
And would’ve competed and won some big games in non-conference which they have at 11-0 playing the past non-conference schedule or the current one.
If there’s no gauntlet now there was no gauntlet then the major difference is Ws.

Truth is, there’s just bias in these polls early in the season.
And for all the talk about non-conference schedules and hyping matchups it’s impressive that Tennessee has closed the gap in the polls with teams like Duke due to their on-court play.
The LVs first big feat in a televised game was highlighted in getting out to a 20 point lead against FSU and having to fight to earn a tough win after FSU made a comeback.
Next they went to Brooklyn and played in front of 10,000 fans at Barclays Center and beat then Top-20 ranked Iowa in a primetime nationally televised showdown.
All teams Tennessee, Iowa, Connecticut, and Louisville had great support at the marquee event even though for Iowa at that location it was almost a home game. The LVFLs and fans in attendance had Barclays Center rocking! Then Tennessee beats Richmond in a 25 point blowout in the West Palm Beach Classic down in Florida a team that competed with Top 10 Texas losing by 11 points and the following day pushed Alabama losing by just 8 points.
Tennessee has played a non-conference schedule similar to last season non-conference schedule point blank which is how the current NET ranking has moved to #21.
And would’ve competed and won some big games in non-conference which they have at 11-0 playing the past non-conference schedule or the current one.
If there’s no gauntlet now there was no gauntlet then the major difference is Ws.

Last season’s non-conference was much more challenging than this season’s.

 

[KnoxLikeUs]

In the 2023-2024 non-conference we lost to the USA Women’s National Team, Florida State, Indiana, Notre Dame, Ohio State, and MTSU. I’m not sure we would have beaten Notre Dame and Ohio State this early this season. MTSU, Indiana, and Florida State were much better teams last season.

USA Women’s National Team was an exhibition and it’s misleading to even list that game.
Indiana and Iowa are pretty equal competition. Florida State was not better last season let’s be honest. Middle Tennessee State wasn’t really good last season either just slightly better. Notre Dame was without Olivia Miles.
Connecticut on the 2024-2025 schedule and Ohio State on the 2023-2024 schedule is equal.
The difference is winning.

 

[LVsinceJV]

No she didn’t. In an interview she said she left the schedule to the assistant coaches. For example, Harper et al. had a two-game series with Colorado scheduled, and under Caldwell, UT bought out the game.

Lady Vols basketball pays $50K to buy out second game of Colorado home-and-home series

Lady Vols basketball opted to pay $50,000 to buy out the second game on the road of a home and home series with Colorado.

www.knoxnews.com

It's my understanding that only one or two of this season's OOC games were scheduled by the current staff.

 

[glv98]

You can’t keep comparing the non-conference schedules which are clearly almost identical from the last two seasons and not acknowledge the teams.

Not near "identical". Two yrs ago the non conf sched included 4 teams in the top 25, two of those in the top 10. Last yr the non conf included 5 teams in the top 25 and the US National Team. This yr inclued 2 teams at the bottom of the top 25. One of those 2 is already out of the top 25 and only received one vote this week. Plus this yr's cupcakes were much worse teams. This was the easiest schedule the LVs have had in years.

The last two yrs were crazy hard over schedules. We've been told several times this yr's sched was well underway when the coaching change happened, as these scheds are usually roughed in a couple of yrs before. What resulted this yr was a combo of what the last staff started, changes made by the current staff, and new rules restricting pre season travel which caused some contracts to be withdrawn.

Whatever the case, we all can agree the non conf sched won't look like this again. I totally agree we should never schedule teams under the 150-200 range and I'd be surprised if CKC would even consider doing so.

 

[glv98]

Notre Dame was without Olivia Miles.

You keep bringing this up. LVs were without Rickea Jackson. For every important non conf game except the first one.

This yr's team if fully healthy very well may have won some of those ranked games the LVs lost last yr without Rickea. But without their best player that's highly doubtful.

 

[LVsinceJV]

I'm kinda concerned about next year's schedule, actually. Not because I think Kim would want to underschedule, but because there may be hesitation among opposing top coaches to give Tennessee a spot on their schedules. There may be some folks not wanting to risk it.

Yeah I really hope we're able to get a mix of good-to-elite teams from multiple conferences. I know there's travel restrictions being imposed by the conferences these days which makes things even more difficult.

 

[KnoxLikeUs]

Not near "identical". Two yrs ago the non conf sched included 4 teams in the top 25, two of those in the top 10. Last yr the non conf included 5 teams in the top 25 and the US National Team. This yr inclued 2 teams at the bottom of the top 25. Plus this yr's cupcakes were much worse teams. This was the easiest schedule the LVs have had in years.

The last two yrs were crazy hard over schedules. We've been told several times this yr's sched was well underway when the coaching change happened, as these scheds are usually roughed in a couple of yrs before. What resulted this yr was a combo of what the last staff started, changes made by the current staff, and new rules restricting pre season travel which caused some contracts to be withdrawn.

Whatever the case, we all can agree the non conf sched won't look like this again. I totally agree we should never schedule teams under the 150-200 range and I'd be surprised if CKC would even consider doing so.

Your opinion. The last two schedules included three common opponents and three games (Oklahoma/Richmond, Ohio State/Connecticut & Indiana/Iowa) were the competition when these games will be played is equal.
You can make a big deal about playing Florida A&M or North Carolina Central all you want it doesn’t change much. #21 net ranking discredits all that extra politicking in the post.

 

[glv98]

Not sure why it's so important to over inflate this yr's non conf sched. It's not really a swipe at what the team has achieved to acknowledge the obvious fact that the sched has been much easier. It's not the sched either staff would have created, but it's turned out to be exactly what this new team needed.

I wish they'd had more true away games and wish they'd had more close games. But the margins they've run up and the apparent ease with which they can score 90-100 pts has been impressive regardless the competition.

Probably the most encouraging thing that's happened in the preseason has been when the LVs dogwalked Richmond who then only lost to Alabama by 8. IMO that's a really good sign for the possibility of finishing top 4-5 of the SEC.

 

[KnoxLikeUs]

Not sure why it's so important to over inflate this yr's non conf sched.

Probably the most encouraging thing that's happened in the preseason has been when the LVs dogwalked Richmond who then only lost to Alabama by 8. IMO that's a really good sign for the possibility of finishing top 4-5 of the SEC.

Not sure why you left out Richmond playing Texas (-11) closer than they did Tennessee (-25).
Nothing is being inflated. 11-0. #15 AP Ranking. #21 Net Ranking.

 

[Rooster1]

Your opinion. The last two schedules included three common opponents and three games (Oklahoma/Richmond, Ohio State/Connecticut & Indiana/Iowa) were the competition when these games will be played is equal.
You can make a big deal about playing Florida A&M or North Carolina Central all you want it doesn’t change much. #21 net ranking discredits all that extra politicking in the post.

You are trying too hard.