Following Tennessee’s 82-77 loss to LSU on February 9, 2025, Lady Vols head coach Kim Caldwell was candid in her post-game remarks, acknowledging the team’s shortcomings and offering insight into the defeat.
Defensive Struggles Against Gilbert:
One of the primary focuses of Caldwell’s reaction was the team’s defensive lapses, especially in terms of stopping LSU’s guard Kailyn Gilbert. Caldwell admitted that Gilbert’s performance was a game-changer, and she expressed frustration over the team’s inability to adjust to her offensive game. “We just couldn’t stop her in the second half,” Caldwell said, referring to Gilbert’s 21 points scored in the final 20 minutes. “That’s the second time she’s killed us, and we didn’t do a good enough job recognizing where she was on the court.”
Rebounding Issues:
Another critical area Caldwell addressed was Tennessee’s struggles with rebounding, particularly against LSU’s physicality. “They’re bigger, they’re stronger, they’re tougher than us,” she said. “And tonight, they outmuscled us on the boards. We didn’t box out, and we didn’t fight for those second-chance opportunities.”
The Lady Vols were consistently beaten in this aspect throughout the game, which contributed significantly to LSU’s success in maintaining possession and scoring efficiently.
Fast-Break Defense:
Caldwell also pointed to fast-break defense as a weak point. She explained that LSU capitalized on Tennessee’s missed opportunities to score by pushing the ball up the floor quickly. “We gave them too many easy points in transition, and that’s something we have to clean up if we’re going to compete at this level,” Caldwell remarked.
Positives and Moving Forward:
Despite the loss, Caldwell praised her team’s effort, particularly the performances of Ruby Whitehorn and Jewel Spear. Whitehorn, who scored 21 points and surpassed 1,000 career points during the game, showed resilience and leadership. Caldwell noted that while the loss stung, the team showed character in trying to mount a comeback, especially when cutting LSU’s lead to just two points in the final minute.
Looking ahead, Caldwell emphasized that the Lady Vols would use the defeat as a learning experience. “We’re not where we need to be yet, but we’re going to keep working. This is a tough conference, and games like these are part of the process,” she said.