The University of Tennessee’s women’s basketball team has reached the Sweet 16 in the NCAA tournament, a milestone achieved under new coach Kim Caldwell. The No. 5 seed Lady Vols edged out No. 4 seed Ohio State 82-67 on the Buckeyes’ home court, propelling them into the second weekend of the tournament.
A transitional season saw Tennessee face challenges, including a shaky start and a furious second-half surge from Ohio State. However, Caldwell’s unorthodox system, which features 3-pointers, full-court defense, and a 10- or 11-player rotation, has paid off. The team is now 24-9 with the Sweet 16 still to come.
The Lady Vols’ resilience was evident throughout the season, including in their first-round 101-66 victory over South Florida. They also regained their footing after a third-quarter comeback by Ohio State, pulling away down the stretch and registering a win for Caldwell’s system.
Tennessee athletic director Danny White’s gamble on Coach Caldwell has paid off, with plenty of credit going to the young coach and her staff as well as the returning players. The team’s victory marks a celebration of accomplishments in what qualified as a transitional season, and it’s worth cheering on.
Source: https://eu.knoxnews.com/story/sports/columnists/university-of-tennessee/john-adams/2025/03/23/lady-vols-kim-caldwell-sweet-16-march-madness-ohio-state-texas/82501175007