The Kim Caldwell System

[volfan102455]

Ugh…

That was my reaction when looking at those as well. There are a lot of things that need to improve or we are toast.

And as much as I don't like this system, I dislike watching the LV's lose worse.

 

[volsagain]

Based on the stats at this point the Lady Vols are:

14th in Field Goal Percentage
16th in Free Throw Percentage
13th in 3 Point Field Goal Percentage

We do lead in 3 Point Field Goals made per game but that is more related to the fact that we shoot a lot of three-point shots.

Coupled with

15th in Field Goal Percentage Defense
15th in 3 Point Field Goal Percentage Defense

Looking at the stats, a lot of improvement is needed.

If these numbers stay the same uhhh we're not finishing with a winning record in the SEC . So we have to rely on the coaches to transform this team quickly. Going have to improve the rebounding and who's taking the 3s . And probably most important is the defense weather it full court or half court. The easy baskets after defeating the press inflates the field goal percentage but it still hard to make up for.

 

[VA_VOLFAN]

Based on the stats at this point the Lady Vols are:

14th in Field Goal Percentage
16th in Free Throw Percentage
13th in 3 Point Field Goal Percentage

We do lead in 3 Point Field Goals made per game but that is more related to the fact that we shoot a lot of three-point shots.

Coupled with

15th in Field Goal Percentage Defense
15th in 3 Point Field Goal Percentage Defense

Looking at the stats, a lot of improvement is needed.

Please tell me these are in the COUNTRY and NOT the SEC (crossed fingers but knows the answer)

 

[volfan102455]

Please tell me these are in the COUNTRY and NOT the SEC (crossed fingers but knows the answer)

Unfortunately, those are where the LVs stand at this point in comparison to all other SEC teams. Granted there have not been any actual SEC games played - the only saving grace would be if a lot of the other SEC teams have played very light schedules that have helped their stats.

I think we will know more based on how the next few games go.

 

[Volfan2012]

Unfortunately, those are where the LVs stand at this point in comparison to all other SEC teams. Granted there have not been any actual SEC games played - the only saving grace would be if a lot of the other SEC teams have played very light schedules that have helped their stats.

I think we will know more based on how the next few games go.

Were third in the league in SOS hopefully that means something. I think more than half of the SEC are over 200 and two teams are over 300.

 

[chuckiepoo]

Unfortunately, those are where the LVs stand at this point in comparison to all other SEC teams. Granted there have not been any actual SEC games played - the only saving grace would be if a lot of the other SEC teams have played very light schedules that have helped their stats.

I think we will know more based on how the next few games go.

…SOS of games played to date.

 

[lfvol]

Based on the stats at this point the Lady Vols are:

14th in Field Goal Percentage
16th in Free Throw Percentage
13th in 3 Point Field Goal Percentage

We do lead in 3 Point Field Goals made per game but that is more related to the fact that we shoot a lot of three-point shots.

Coupled with

15th in Field Goal Percentage Defense
15th in 3 Point Field Goal Percentage Defense

Looking at the stats, a lot of improvement is needed.

Those stats are terrible. The defensive statistics are evidence we give up too many layups once the press is broken and do not work hard to recover and find shooters once decent teams inevitably break the press. It is a lack of effort by some and fundamentals by several. It isn’t skill based. What they are doing to address either has so far not shown up.

 

[Orangeslide]

Let’s face it, no P4 teams play like us, there’s a reason why they don’t. When we play good teams, everyone sees why they don’t use the system. IMO we don’t gain an advantage with the sub patterns. Hope they prove me wrong, but I can see this season go south on us in conference play. I hope this coaching staff proves me wrong.

 

[LadyVol1908]

Based on the stats at this point the Lady Vols are:

14th in Field Goal Percentage
16th in Free Throw Percentage
13th in 3 Point Field Goal Percentage

We do lead in 3 Point Field Goals made per game but that is more related to the fact that we shoot a lot of three-point shots.

Coupled with

15th in Field Goal Percentage Defense
15th in 3 Point Field Goal Percentage Defense

Looking at the stats, a lot of improvement is needed.

*pretends to be shocked* I reallyyyyy hope this teams improves during SEC play, but I’m not confident at all in that happening! Those numbers are HORRIBLE!

 

[volfan102455]

View attachment 801043
…SOS of games played to date.

How do you get a negative SOS?

 

[chuckiepoo]

How do you get a negative SOS?

Some type of evaluation based on the mean or median? Not sure. That was from:

2025-26 Women's Southeastern Conference Season Summary | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com

2025-26 Women's Southeastern Conference Season Summary

www.sports-reference.com

 

[Volfan2012]

Some type of evaluation based on the mean or median? Not sure. That was from:

2025-26 Women's Southeastern Conference Season Summary | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com

2025-26 Women's Southeastern Conference Season Summary

www.sports-reference.com

Whatever system they are using I think it corresponds with the actual SOS.

Strength of Schedule (SOS) - Women's College Basketball | WarrenNolan.com

2026 Women's College Basketball Strength of Schedule (SOS) Updated in REAL-TIME for Every Team at the Completion of Every Game.

www.warrennolan.com

 

[chuckiepoo]

Whatever system they are using I think it corresponds with the actual SOS.

Strength of Schedule (SOS) - Women's College Basketball | WarrenNolan.com

2026 Women's College Basketball Strength of Schedule (SOS) Updated in REAL-TIME for Every Team at the Completion of Every Game.

www.warrennolan.com

Live hyperlinks:

Glossary | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com

Glossary of statistics used on Sports Reference College Basketball

www.sports-reference.com

 

[Tnphil]

Based on the stats at this point the Lady Vols are:

14th in Field Goal Percentage
16th in Free Throw Percentage
13th in 3 Point Field Goal Percentage

We do lead in 3 Point Field Goals made per game but that is more related to the fact that we shoot a lot of three-point shots.

Coupled with

15th in Field Goal Percentage Defense
15th in 3 Point Field Goal Percentage Defense

Looking at the stats, a lot of improvement is needed.

That's plum ugly.

 

[LadyVolsDiehard]

Based on the stats at this point the Lady Vols are:

14th in Field Goal Percentage
16th in Free Throw Percentage
13th in 3 Point Field Goal Percentage

We do lead in 3 Point Field Goals made per game but that is more related to the fact that we shoot a lot of three-point shots.

Coupled with

15th in Field Goal Percentage Defense
15th in 3 Point Field Goal Percentage Defense

Looking at the stats, a lot of improvement is needed.

These numbers compared to last season are dreadful. Horrid! Last season, we were top 8 in most categories besides FTs. No way we can play spoiler or the interloper to give ourselves a chance if we keep those ranks up. If neither end of the ball is working for us, we are SOL all season.

 

[chuckiepoo]

These numbers compared to last season are dreadful. Horrid! Last season, we were top 8 in most categories besides FTs. No way we can play spoiler or the interloper to give ourselves a chance if we keep those ranks up. If neither end of the ball is working for us, we are SOL all season.

Relax. We played a cupcake OOC schedule last year… with cream cheese frosting.

They’ll either “get it” or they won’t. My bet is they will.

 

[LadyVolsDiehard]

Relax. We played a cupcake OOC schedule last year… with cream cheese frosting.

They’ll either “get it” or they won’t. My bet is they will.

Hope you're right ...

I would love more than anything if the Lady Vols could turn this thing around but the vibes are just different this year but we'll see.

 

[Chippo]

No consistency subbing a bunch of players
Continually. As another poster said,,, makes no sense pulling a player who is hot. Another point is you can't find out if a certain group can gel together with massive
Substitutions. Her system to me doesn't
Really work in the SEC. Wish Caldwell the
Best but her stubbornness to change could
Be her downfall.

 

[sechamp2012]

View attachment 801043
…SOS of games played to date.

We played a toward top SOS & our 3 ranked games were on the road. Are we anywhere near where we need to be. No. Are we as bad as those number's. No. Need a reset & see how it goes. We did beat a Stanford team that’s 27th on road & they beat a top 25 team their next game. IMO it’s gloomy but not all gloom & doom. Young team with some talented Freshman & got hit with one of their leaders getting thrown off team days before the start. Got hardly no starters from last year that are high basketball IQ leaders. It will be if the chemistry finally comes together & the leader may end up being a Freshman after she entrenches herself.

 

[LadyVolsDiehard]

Young team with some talented Freshman & got hit with one of their leaders getting thrown off team days before the start. Got hardly no starters from last year that are high basketball IQ leaders. It will be if the chemistry finally comes together & the leader may end up being a Freshman after she entrenches herself.

Mia. She's been the only one as of late willing to step up and be the leader. I hate putting it on a Freshman to do it but if she's willing to take the challenge then let's roll with it.

 

[RetroVol]

So, I asked ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Grok to describe CKC's system, then asked them to review my analysis from the post that began this thread and point out strengths and areas for improvement. The three consistent areas for improvement were that the system is in service to specific goals, that Kim has evolved the system to emphasize paint touches as well as threes, and that conditioning to play in the system is a key component both physically, mentally, and from a team cohesion standpoint ("we went through hell together last summer; we can do this now").

From a goals standpoint, I think Claude may have put it best (pulling from a March, 2025 article in Yahoo Sports):

She frames everything in possession economics—her specific targets are 85+ field goal attempts, 20+ turnovers forced, 15+ steals, and 20+ offensive rebounds per game. Her pitch to Danny White was described as explaining the system through "science, math, and methodology."

Currently, the Lady Vols are averaging 71,2 shots, 23.4 turnovers forced, 13.5 steals, and 17.4 offensive rebounds., and obviously those stats are suspect due to the cupcakes that have helped the averages but won't be there from January on.

There is a thread on this forum about questions we'd like to see asked of the coaching staff. I'd like to here a question about whether these are still her goals.

 

[chuckiepoo]

So, I asked ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Grok to describe CKC's system, then asked them to review my analysis from the post that began this thread and point out strengths and areas for improvement. The three consistent areas for improvement were that the system is in service to specific goals, that Kim has evolved the system to emphasize paint touches as well as threes, and that conditioning to play in the system is a key component both physically, mentally, and from a team cohesion standpoint ("we went through hell together last summer; we can do this now").

From a goals standpoint, I think Claude may have put it best (pulling from a March, 2025 article in Yahoo Sports):



Currently, the Lady Vols are averaging 71,2 shots, 23.4 turnovers forced, 13.5 steals, and 17.4 offensive rebounds., and obviously those stats are suspect due to the cupcakes that have helped the averages but won't be there from January on.

There is a thread on this forum about questions we'd like to see asked of the coaching staff. I'd like to here a question about whether these are still her goals.

Very nice. I also am watching for signs of tweaks and modifications. The problem is judging the difference between tweaks and simply better execution. The lineup and minutes will be easy to judge

 

[Tenore]

Rick & Matt Insell disapprove of this thread

?

 

[madtownvol]

She frames everything in possession economics—her specific targets are 85+ field goal attempts, 20+ turnovers forced, 15+ steals, and 20+ offensive rebounds per game. Her pitch to Danny White was described as explaining the system through "science, math, and methodology."

Claude's summary is really interesting if, in fact, that was CKC's pitch to Danny White for getting the job. It sounds impressive until you think about the inverse, which is what other teams woulds say. "To beat the LVs, we need to minimize TOs, slow the game down, and control the glass." So, lo and behold, it comes down to which team executes better and since the LVs are so locked into a predictable system, it is easier for opposing teams to prepare for it. As we have seen, the system overwhelms teams that can't match up athletically but not so much against the better teams.

These possession economic goals also assume that the system is structurally sound so that the "math maths out." I still liken this system to a football team that blitzes on every down. Sure you will get some sacks but, against a good QB and offensive line, you are also going to give up a lot of big plays.

 

[chuckiepoo]

Claude's summary is really interesting if in fact that was CKC's pitch to Danny White for getting the job. It sounds impressive until you think about the inverse, which is what other teams woulds say. "To beat the LVs, we need to minimize TOs, slow the game down, and control the glass." So, lo and behold, it comes down to which team executes better and since the LVs are so locked into a predictable system, it is easier for opposing teams to prepare for it. As we have seen, the system overwhelms teams that can't match up athletically but not so much against the better teams.

These possession economic goals also assume that the system is structurally sound so that the "math maths out." I still liken this system to a football team that blitzes on every down. Sure you will get some sacks but, against a good QB and offensive line, you are also going to give up a lot of big plays.

Brilliant when it’s working, kind of deal. Agreed.