Heading into the SEC Women’s Basketball Tournament, the Lady Vols basketball team is brimming with confidence. Tennessee is set to compete in Greenville, South Carolina, starting with a Thursday game against Kentucky.
Despite having previously defeated both Kentucky and Alabama earlier in the season, Lady Vols head coach Kellie Harper emphasizes the importance of learning from past encounters. Harper acknowledges the need to assess strengths and weaknesses, anticipate opponents’ adjustments, and stay one step ahead in preparation.
In their January clash with Kentucky, the Lady Vols faced early struggles, trailing by 17 in the second quarter. However, a resilient effort, including an 11-0 third-quarter run, led to a triumphant comeback with an 87-69 victory.
This season marks the first time since Harper’s inaugural season that the Lady Vols did not secure a double bye in the tournament. With a Thursday start, they would need to win four consecutive games to claim the conference title.
Coach Harper emphasizes the team’s focus on one game at a time, highlighting the necessity of winning Thursday’s match to advance further. A victory would set them up against Alabama, a team that secured a win during the regular season. The potential Saturday opponent is top-ranked South Carolina, a team the Lady Vols have faced twice, narrowly losing both times, with their recent road game being the closest challenge for the Gamecocks.
Despite facing formidable opponents in their recent outings, including matchups against ranked teams and those on the NCAA Tournament edge, the Lady Vols have shown resilience. Coach Harper expresses confidence in the team’s recent performances, particularly after competitive showings against South Carolina and LSU.
Rickea Jackson’s recognition on Tuesday as part of the All-SEC first team stands out, especially given the league’s abundance of talented players. Coach Harper commends Jackson’s exceptional performance, especially considering her recovery from an injury earlier in the non-conference schedule.
As the Lady Vols head to Greenville, their confidence is high, fueled by recent successes and individual player recognitions, setting the stage for an exciting and competitive SEC Women’s Basketball Tournament.
