The Tennessee Lady Vols basketball team is embracing spring practice on April 5, 2025, under second-year head coach Kim Caldwell, whose fast-paced vision propelled the program to a 23-11 record and an NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 berth in 2024-25. After falling 74-66 to USC on March 28, Tennessee is using this off-season to refine its identity, integrate new talent, and chase a deeper postseason run—one that could signal a return to the Lady Vols’ storied elite.
Caldwell’s debut season was a revelation. Inherited from Kellie Harper, the roster adapted to her up-tempo, press-heavy style, averaging 78.2 points per game—up from 71.8 in 2023-24. Guard Jewel Spear led with 16.4 points, while forward Sara Puckett’s 12.8 points and 6.1 rebounds anchored the frontcourt. The defense, a Caldwell hallmark from her Marshall days, forced 18.2 turnovers per game, ranking top-20 nationally. A 10-8 SEC record and wins over LSU and South Carolina showcased potential, but the USC loss—where Tennessee shot 38.1% and faltered late—revealed areas to polish.
Spring 2025 is about evolution. Spear, now a senior, returns as the offensive fulcrum, but her 3-point shooting (34.7%) must climb to stretch defenses. Drills since March 15 focus on her off-ball movement, leveraging screens to create open looks—a tweak inspired by USC’s containment. Puckett, a junior, is bulking her 6-foot-2 frame to dominate the paint, where Tennessee was outscored 40-28 in the Sweet 16. Sophomore point guard Talaysia Cooper, who averaged 8.2 assists, is honing her pull-up jumper to complement her passing.
The portal is active. With Rickea Jackson now in the WNBA, Tennessee lacks a go-to post presence. The Lady Vols are pursuing Iowa State’s Audi Crooks, a 6-foot-3 sophomore who averaged 19.1 points and 7.8 rebounds in 2024-25. Her size and soft touch could transform Tennessee’s interior game; a visit is scheduled for April 7. Guard depth is another target, with Louisville’s Jayda Curry—a 14.2-point scorer—considering Knoxville after entering the portal on April 2.
Recruiting bolsters the roster. The 2025 class, ranked No. 15 by ESPN, features four-star guard Kiyah Harris (No. 42 nationally), whose speed fits Caldwell’s system. Forward Amiya Jenkins, a 6-foot-1 athlete, adds versatility. Both enrolled early, participating in spring workouts to grasp the press defense that flustered SEC foes last season.
The Sweet 16 exit drives Caldwell’s agenda. Tennessee led USC 52-50 after three quarters but crumbled under a 24-14 fourth-quarter barrage, as turnovers (17) and missed shots (5-for-15) piled up. “We’ve got to finish,” Caldwell said postgame. Spring scrimmages, including an April 5 tune-up against MTSU, test late-game execution—crucial for an SEC slate featuring South Carolina, LSU, and new member Oklahoma.
The Lady Vols are clearly a program in ascent. Caldwell’s system has revived Tennessee’s swagger, but a 17th SEC title and a Final Four—last reached in 2008—demand more. With Spear’s scoring, Puckett’s growth, and potential portal hauls, the pieces are aligning. Spring sets the tone for a reloaded roster to chase history.
