Two key non-conference games look to be on Kim Caldwell’s debut Tennessee basketball schedule, one officially confirmed earlier in the month and another reported on Monday afternoon.
On June 12, Tennessee announced that the Lady Vols will host Florida State in Knoxville on December 4, 2024. It will be a chance for Tennessee’s new staff and roster to avenge a loss from last season when the Seminoles defeated the Lady Vols by a score of 92-91 on a game-winning three on December 9. The Lady Vols still hold the all-time series lead over the Seminoles, 2-1.
Tennessee brought in four players through the transfer portal in Caldwell’s first offseason with three of the four coming from ACC programs. While none of the three played for Florida State last season, all three did play against the Seminoles and will be able to combine their previous knowledge with the information that’s already in the building from last season. Former Clemson guard Ruby Whitehorn tallied 18 points and 14 rebounds in a March loss to FSU with the Tigers.
On potentially a more fascinating note, though, a report from Jason Munz of the Memphis Commercial Appeal on Monday afternoon states that Memphis will host Caldwell’s Lady Volunteers in the FedEx Forum on Dec. 18.
BREAKING: @MemphisWBB will host @LadyVol_Hoops on Dec. 18 at FedExForum
— Jason Munz (@munzly) June 17, 2024
More from RTI: Player Profiles for the Tennessee Lady Vols’ Transfer Additions
Tennessee played Florida State and Memphis in back-to-back games last season, separated by four days. After Tennessee’s heartbreaking loss to the Seminoles, the Lady Vols returned home for a gutsy 84-74 win over Memphis in Knoxville’s Food City Center.
Tennessee’s Sara Puckett led all scorers with 24 points in 39 minutes followed by Jewel Spear with 19 points. Both players will be back with the Lady Vols in 2024 as two key retentions for Kim Caldwell and her staff.
As Munz wrote in his report, the information came from a spokesperson in the Tigers’ athletic department on Monday.
Tennessee has not officially announced the game date at the time of this publication.
Tennessee has done a good job of building Caldwell’s debut roster with four solid pickups out of the transfer portal: Clemson guard Ruby Whitehorn, Syracuse forward Alyssa Latham, Miami forward Lazaria Spearman, and Arkansas guard Samara Spencer. Fans in Knoxville are excited for a new brand of up-tempo, high-scoring, fast-paced basketball under Caldwell’s leadership.
A full player profile breakdown on all four Tennessee newcomers can be found here.
