Positive News: first-year head coach Kim Caldwell joined the legendary Pat Summitt as the only Tennessee head coaches to ever defeat the UConn Huskies in a high-stakes rivalry….
KNOXVILLE, TN – In a historic moment for the Tennessee Lady Vols, first-year head coach Kim Caldwell joined the legendary Pat Summitt as the only Tennessee head coaches to ever defeat the UConn Huskies in a high-stakes rivalry. The Lady Vols’ 73-68 victory over the Huskies marked a significant milestone for the program and cemented Caldwell’s place in Tennessee basketball lore.
The highly anticipated matchup between the Lady Vols and Huskies lived up to its billing, with both teams delivering a thrilling performance. Tennessee’s victory was fueled by a dominant performance from senior forward, Rickea Jackson, who scored a game-high 25 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. The Lady Vols’ defense also played a crucial role, holding the Huskies to just 38% shooting from the field.
Caldwell’s achievement is all the more impressive considering the magnitude of the rivalry between Tennessee and UConn. The two programs have been bitter foes for decades, with their matchups often deciding the national championship. Summitt, who coached the Lady Vols from 1974 to 2012, was the only Tennessee coach to have previously beaten the Huskies in a high-stakes rivalry game.
“Coach Summitt was a legend, and to be mentioned in the same breath as her is an incredible honor,” Caldwell said in a post-game interview. “This win is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our players, coaches, and staff. We’re proud to be part of this rivalry and to have come out on top tonight.”
The Lady Vols’ victory over the Huskies marks a significant turning point for the program, which has been working to regain its national prominence in recent years. Under Caldwell’s leadership, Tennessee has shown significant improvement, with the team currently ranked No. 5 in the country.
“This win is a huge confidence booster for our team,” Caldwell said. “We’ve been working hard to build a strong foundation, and this victory shows that we’re on the right track. We’re excited to see where this season takes us.”
The Lady Vols’ next game is against the LSU Tigers on Thursday, and Caldwell is expecting another tough challenge. “LSU is a talented team with a lot of depth,” she said. “We’ll need to be focused and prepared if we want to come out on top.”
As for the significance of her achievement, Caldwell was quick to deflect attention. “This win is about our team and our program, not about me,” she said. “I’m just proud to be a part of this legacy and to have had the opportunity to coach these incredible young women.”
Despite her humility, Caldwell’s achievement is undoubtedly a significant one, and it marks an exciting new chapter in the history of Tennessee Lady Vols basketball.
_Upcoming Games:_
– _Thursday, February 21st:_ Tennessee at LSU (7:00 p.m. ET, SEC Network)
– _Sunday, February 24th:_ Tennessee vs. Vanderbilt (2:00 p.m. ET, SEC Network)
_Lady Vols’ Rankings:_
– _AP Poll:_ No. 5
– _Coaches’ Poll:_ No. 5
_Lady Vols’ Record:_
– _Overall:_ 23-3
– _SEC:_ 11-2
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