Kim Caldwell discusses if Tennessee deserves to make NCAA Tournament
No. 6 seed Tennessee (16-13) was eliminated from the SEC Tournament on Thursday at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina.
No. 11 seed Alabama (23-9) defeated the Lady Vols, 76-64, in the second round.
Second-year head coach Kim Caldwell met with media and recapped Tennessee’s loss to the Crimson Tide.
“We had too many turnovers tonight,” Caldwell said. “I think we got outworked, outplayed, outcoached from the very start.”
The Lady Vols have lost seven consecutive games to conclude the regular season and SEC Tournament play. Selection Sunday for the NCAA Tournament is scheduled for March 15 at 8 p.m. EDT (ESPN).
Caldwell was asked if Tennessee deserves to make the NCAA Tournament.
“Yeah, I do,” Caldwell said. “I think we’ve played the hardest schedule in the country. I think the majority of that came in February, but we have significant wins and I think that we hope to get in and continue to try to be a different team.”
As the postseason picture continues to take shape, Kim Caldwell addressed the growing conversation around whether the Tennessee Volunteers women’s basketball have done enough to earn a spot in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. Caldwell, who has guided her team through a challenging season filled with both impressive wins and difficult losses, acknowledged that the decision ultimately rests with the selection committee but believes her team’s body of work deserves serious consideration.
Speaking to reporters after a recent matchup, Caldwell emphasized that the Volunteers have competed in one of the toughest conferences in the country and consistently faced high-level opponents throughout the year. She pointed out that navigating the grind of conference play requires resilience and growth, something she believes her players have demonstrated. According to Caldwell, the team’s ability to stay competitive against ranked opponents and continue improving late in the season reflects the character and potential of the group.
Caldwell also highlighted the effort and commitment shown by her players during practices and games, noting that their progress over the course of the season has been significant. While she acknowledged that some results may not have gone Tennessee’s way, she stressed that the team has remained focused on competing at a high level and representing the program with pride.
Ultimately, Caldwell said the team’s goal remains simple: keep playing hard and let the results speak for themselves. With the tournament selection approaching, Tennessee hopes its performances will convince the committee that it belongs among the teams competing for a national title.
