New players

[lvocd]

We have the horses this year, schedule the best.

Yep, we have the horses, but we have to keep in mind that with so many new players it may take a while before they all click. I hope not, but I won't be overly concerned if in those first few games they look a little not-ready-for-primetime. We'll see!

 

[Rickster]

Yep, we have the horses, but we have to keep in mind that with so many new players it may take a while before they all click. I hope not, but I won't be overly concerned if in those first few games they look a little not-ready-for-primetime. We'll see!

Got to break them in first and the first few games will help confidence as they learn what they must do.

 

[BruisedOrange]

I'm guessing their first stop on Day One would be meeting with the Strength & Conditioning coach and the Nutritionist.

 

[37620VOL]

Got to break them in first and the first few games will help confidence as they learn what they must do.

100% -- we need to let them build confidence in the system. It would be very helpful to start 10-0 or 9-1.

 

[Volfan2012]

The 5 freshmen and Coach Caldwell.

Look like Hurst is not 6'3" in height. Prawl was listed as 6'1" in high school may be a little taller than that but looks same height as Hurst.

 

[Volfan2012]

I guess we could do a little better than a 12 Net ranking and 16 sos but I'm ok with those numbers cause the SEC is tough and playing some easier teams helps teams from having to overly play their top players to many minutes. What is most important to me is finishing in the top four of the SEC and getting the first two NCAA games at home. We have to do all that next season. Then your playing on a neutral court to get to the elite 8.

 

[LadyVol1908]

Build confidence? All of the incoming freshmen and transfer players need confidence playing full court basketball? It’s not like this is a complex system to learn, if anything the pace of play, only for the freshmen, should be an issue!

We have a strong returning group, and all 2 of the 3 transfers come from winning programs….sure, put a couple of cupcake games on the schedule, but this is a prime time program and this year, we have DOGS, this should be the year where we have a tough OOC schedule.

 

[KnoxLikeUs]

People do continue to grow at their age even though I seriously doubt it matters if they are 6’2 or 6’3.
Doubt either is 6’1 from those pictures.
Both are tall (Hurst, Prawl).
Civil has good size for a guard.

 

[Rickster]

Build confidence? All of the incoming freshmen and transfer players need confidence playing full court basketball? It’s not like this is a complex system to learn, if anything the pace of play, only for the freshmen, should be an issue!

We have a strong returning group, and all 2 of the 3 transfers come from winning programs….sure, put a couple of cupcake games on the schedule, but this is a prime time program and this year, we have DOGS, this should be the year where we have a tough OOC schedule.

They have not played the style or competition level in high school so yes, getting acclimated and comfortable/experienced will lead to the confidence needed to beat good teams. It is a more complex system than some believe!! Next year will be the year for the tough OOC if they can talk those really good teams into scheduling us.

 

[Volfan2012]

I may be over expecting, but I see this team as top five in the country in talent. Sure we have a tough SEC road schedule. I think we can still get 12 to 14 SEC wins. I think the sweet sixteen this season is the minimal. I can see us elite 8 final four and even winning the title. We have explosive talent this season all the way through the lineup some are young, but they should be locked in and ready by the time the NCAA tourney rolls around. No reason to lose very many that inside game and perimeter game is stacked with elite players. We should be ready to play to the level of any team in the country.

 

[Volfan2012]

People do continue to grow at their age even though I seriously doubt it matters if they are 6’2 or 6’3.
Doubt either is 6’1 from those pictures.
Both are tall (Hurst, Prawl).
Civil has good size for a guard.

Prawl looks more like a player that can play the 3-4 position than Hurst she looks more like a two guard. I think they are both 6'2" and Prawl looks like she has gotten bigger and stronger since the last time I saw her. Hurst needs some weight training.

 

[KnoxLikeUs]

If people really were trying to be objective, they wouldn’t automatically assume that the freshmen & transfers would require this extensive grace period without seeing them play a single game at Tennessee. I’m not saying it will be a perfect transition. However, every single team in the country is having to put together a new team and fit pieces to their roster heading into the 2025-2026 season.
The non-conference schedule last season for the Lady Vols ended up with one of the highest NCAA net and Top 15 AP rankings.
Not sure what’s the point in discussing the schedule.
Amongst the previous freshman classes across the country for the last three or four years we’ve watched recruits making the transition to WCBB. Rest assured the 2025 freshman class at Tennessee is more than built for the college game. We have players in this class that have been on teams that competed for and won multiple State Championships/Nat’l Championships against players from the 2022,2023,2024, and 2025 classes.
Why is that so hard to accept?
Just let the coaching staff cook.

 

[Volfan2012]

We have the horses this year, schedule the best.

Looks like they are all there Texas, Sc, UConn, Oklahoma, Louisville, and LSU are most of the projected top teams next season.

 

[Volfan2012]

If people really were trying to be objective, they wouldn’t automatically assume that the freshmen & transfers would require this extensive grace period without seeing them play a single game at Tennessee. I’m not saying it will be a perfect transition. However, every single team in the country is having to put together a new team and fit pieces to their roster heading into the 2025-2026 season.
The non-conference schedule last season for the Lady Vols ended up with one of the highest NCAA net and a Top 15 AP rankings.
Not sure what’s the point in discussing the schedule.
Amongst the previous freshman classes across the country for the last three or four years we’ve watched recruits making the transition to WCBB. Rest assured the 2025 freshman class at Tennessee is more than built for the college game. We have players in this class that have been on teams that competed for and won multiple State Championships/Nat’l Championships against players from the 2022,2023,2024, and 2025.
Why is that so hard to accept?
Just let the coaching staff cook.

Same as last season to me a lot of new players that year and none had played in the system and it turned out quite well. Much more talented this season they going to be ready no matter who we play we can win.

 

[KnoxLikeUs]

Hurst and Prawl are probably both closer to 6’3. Last season, in the photos with this past season team Hurst looked taller than any player other than Hollingshead (6’5). Spearman wasn’t in the photo but obviously she’s taller at (6’4). Puckett was listed at 6’2. Hurst last summer was the same height as Puckett. I believe both Hurst and Prawl are going to be taller than Puckett.

Prawl looks more like a player that can play the 3-4 position than Hurst she looks more like a two guard. I think they are both 6'2" and Prawl looks like she has gotten bigger and stronger since the last time I saw her. Hurst needs some weight training.

 

[Rickster]

If people really were trying to be objective, they wouldn’t automatically assume that the freshmen & transfers would require this extensive grace period without seeing them play a single game at Tennessee.......

Why is that so hard to accept?

I am one of the most conservative and objective posters around. You on the other hand don't appear to be much more than an automated reply system that says the same thing over and over. I don't see many people wanting to engage with you.....not an enjoyable experience I expect.

 

[KnoxLikeUs]

I’m willing to bet that anything I post has more substance than the empty rhetoric you project from thread to thread.
Just because you aren’t making substantive comments and providing quality dialogue doesn’t make you relevant enough to attempt to diminish someone else presenting factual information.
And trust me, you don’t have to ever make believe another statement towards me about engagement. Just say you don’t have an argument to make but got caught up in your feelings.
Now I’m back to talking basketball.
GBO solid.

I am one of the most conservative and objective posters around. You on the other hand don't appear to be much more than an automated reply system that says the same thing over and over. I don't see many people wanting to engage with you.....not an enjoyable experience I expect.

 

[Rickster]

I’m willing to bet that anything I post has more substance than the empty rhetoric you project from thread to thread.
Just because you aren’t substantive comments and providing quality dialogue doesn’t make you relevant enough to attempt to diminish factual information.
Now I’m back to talking basketball.
GBO solid.

Empty rhetoric? Give me an example please. You can be a loud mouth braggart if you want but don't expect anyone to engage with you if you keep acting like a 10 year old.

 

[KnoxLikeUs]

Many people simply ignore the fact that several first year players in CKC system had their best overall collegiate season ever in Tennessee. Players that had been starters in major college conferences.
All playing less minutes. Samara Spencer improved her assist per game average and her shooting percentages improved. Lazaria Spearman had a career season. Ruby Whitehorn improved by becoming more efficient on both ends of the court while playing less minutes.
Talaysia Cooper and Kaniya Boyd both sat out a full season prior to CKC first season on Rocky Top. In their first season back on the court with Boyd coming from HS and Cooper having to adjust from her third coaching staff in two years each player excelled by having outstanding seasons in the SEC. Cooper earned All-SEC and SEC Defensive honors.
These accomplishments have to be acknowledged. We know every year is different across the board for all teams.
Let’s see what the Lady Vols achieve in 2025-2026.
GBO solid !

Same as last season to me a lot of new players that year and none had played in the system and it turned out quite well. Much more talented this season they going to be ready no matter who we play we can win.

 

[Rickster]

Many people simply ignore the fact that several first year players in CKC system had their best overall collegiate season ever in Tennessee. Players that had been starters in major college conferences.
All playing less minutes. Samara Spencer improved her assist per game average and her shooting percentages improved. Lazaria Spearman had a career season. Ruby Whitehorn improved by becoming more efficient on both ends of the court while playing less minutes.
Talaysia Cooper and Kaniya Boyd both sat out a full season. They returned with Boyd coming from HS and Cooper having to adjust from her third coaching staff in two years to have outstanding seasons in the SEC. Cooper earned All-SEC and SEC Defensive honors.
These accomplishments have to be acknowledged. We know every year is different across the board for all teams.
Let’s see what the Lady Vols achieve in 2025-2026.
GBO solid !

Your wrong to keep thinking people don't know what's going on and are simply ignoring what you are repeatedly spouting. Practically all posters watched the team last year. EVERYONE saw what happened. Your version of the truth is just one of many.

 

[Rickster]

Having said "Got to break them in first and the first few games will help confidence as they learn what they must do," I don't think Kim has the luxury of introducing them slowly to her system so they have to hit the ground running.

 

[KnoxLikeUs]

I agree. Early projections from atleast one major sports outlet ESPN has Tennessee ranked #7 in their preseason poll. That’s the reality version.
Now as we stated before there are many factors that will impact this season for every single basketball team in the country.
CKC and Lazo along with the entire coaching staff was not only elite in recruiting but strategical. The players they had last season that graduated, all which were productive can be used as a model/blueprint to the incoming talent. Coach Caldwell has always said her players last year built the foundation and she will always be thankful for that group. That set a standard again that had briefly left Rocky Top. This year’s team will be built through practicing, film study, skill training, the weight-room and highly effective coaching. I’m about to enjoy the ride on Rocky Top.

I may be over expecting, but I see this team as top five in the country in talent. Sure we have a tough SEC road schedule. I think we can still get 12 to 14 SEC wins. I think the sweet sixteen this season is
the minimal. I can see us elite 8 final four and even winning the title. We have explosive talent this season all the way through the lineup some are young, but they should be locked in and ready by the time the NCAA tourney rolls around. No reason to lose very many that inside game and perimeter game is stacked with elite players. We should be ready to play to the level of any team in the country.

 

[GameTime]

Easy guys, the season is months away yet.....

 

[volsagain]

Having said "Got to break them in first and the first few games will help confidence as they learn what they must do," I don't think Kim has the luxury of introducing them slowly to her system so they have to hit the ground running.

So many people have unrealistic expectations cast to teams rather than wait and see how things mature. Same thing happened to the baseball team. And look what happened to TA&M baseball team ranked no.1 and never made the tournament.i have high hopes but let's see how all the pieces work and come together.

 

[LadyVol1908]

They have not played the style or competition level in high school so yes, getting acclimated and comfortable/experienced will lead to the confidence needed to beat good teams. It is a more complex system than some believe!! Next year will be the year for the tough OOC if they can talk those really good teams into scheduling us.

I’m sorry, I’m just not buying it. I appreciate the conversation though. Pressing, shooting 3s and one on one play isn’t a complex concept in basketball. I have a feeling Kim is going to have a tough OOC schedule this year, and as a fan, I hope so.