Tennessee pummeled Carson-Newman in a preseason exhibition game by a score of 135-49 on Thursday evening in Knoxville in the first game under new Lady Vols head coach Kim Caldwell.
A new era has begun on Rocky Top as Caldwell’s high-powered offense and pestering defense was on full display in the Food City Center.
The Lady Vols shot better than 51% on 94 shots with 19 three-pointers on the night. Perhaps more impressive, though, was Tennessee’s relentlessness in other aspects of the game. The Lady Vols tallied 47 rebounds, 50 fast break points, 26 second-chance points, and 30 steals. Tennessee also forced Carson-Newman into 43 turnovers on the night.
For more on Tennessee’s massive win on Thursday, click here.
Social media was fired up during and after the game on Thursday. Fans loved the way the players continued to fight despite being up by a significant amount in an exhibition game while another pointed out a genuine interaction from Caldwell off-the-court.
Moore from RTI: Lady Vols Erupt For 135 Points In Kim Caldwell’s First Exhibition Win With Tennessee
Check out some of the top reactions from social media after the Lady Vols dropped 135 points in an exhibition win on Thursday in Knoxville:
all treats, no tricks 🎃 pic.twitter.com/FqFKJlvgsM
— Lady Vols Basketball (@LadyVol_Hoops) November 1, 2024
Kim Caldwell is the coach that the Lady Vols needed. She’s changed the culture and has the team looking sharp 🍊
— Theo Vol (@KingTheoVol) November 1, 2024
I don’t care if it’s against Carson-Newman or Isadore Newman…beating your opponent by 80+ points and there’s still 3 minutes to go in the game is absolutely a statement by Kim Caldwell and the Lady Vols. They’re comin’…
— Bob Baskerville (@TheHoundBB) November 1, 2024
135 points on 94 shots.
30 steals.
50 fast break points.
Exciting basketball in Knoxville.https://t.co/l0UdZupte4
— Ric Butler (@Ric_Butler) November 1, 2024
Hey I know this is an exhibition against Carson-Newman, but this isn’t the final score; it’s the score at the end of the 3rd quarter https://t.co/9jCN5gjhri
— Nathanael Rutherford (@Mr_Rutherford) November 1, 2024
The rest of the country needs to look out, Lady Vol Basketball is BACK🔥 pic.twitter.com/GiaHpbwn05
— Logan🍊 (@LoganTheVol) November 1, 2024
Final:
Carson Newman 49
Tennessee 135Only watched the 2nd half and obviously an overmatched opponent. But, the Lady Vols were intense, up-tempo, aggressive… body language was so different from the last few years. They were fearless and having fun! I can’t wait to see more.
— Christopher Gabriel (@CGProgram) November 1, 2024
Here’s my ad for the 2024-25 Lady Vols: if you loved the first Bruce Pearl team at Tennessee you’re gonna love this one too
— Will Warren (@statsbywill) October 31, 2024
Lady Vols Exhibition Thoughts:
– We are a Top 10-15 team.
– Fast-paced/intense play style is gonna cause tons of issues for opponents
– Most depth we’ve had in years
– We have 6-7 players with All-SEC potential
– Best group of guards we’ve had since Pat.— Logan🍊 (@LoganTheVol) November 1, 2024
Classic Baby Club Sealing by the Lady Vols tonight at TBA
— Russell Smith (@Russell___Smith) October 31, 2024
I told y’all NO BRAKES!!!!! 🏁
it’s Lambo season babay 🔥💨💨#LadyVols pic.twitter.com/CqBvyd8XwN— CoachQueenKimmie (@CoachQueenKim) November 1, 2024
I don’t care who the opponent is, it’s hard to score 135 points in 40 minutes of basketball at the collegiate level. #LadyVols
— Jim MacArthur (@coachmacarthur) November 1, 2024
I don’t recall the last time #LadyVols scored over 100 points in a game..and there’s still another quarter + to play. 😳🤯😳🤯😳🤯😳🤯😳🤯 pic.twitter.com/Rh9Qk0MBS8
— Audrey Caylor~TRUST NO ONE 🍊🐝 (@C6E_MUSIC) October 31, 2024
Kim Caldwell shook the hand of everyone at the broadcaster table. Small gestures of kindness matter. Great things ahead for Lady Vols Basketball
— Deanna Cooper-Nichols (@DeannaBrookeC) October 31, 2024
I’m putting it on my personal bucket list to do everything I can to help the Lady Vols sell out. Yes sell out Thompson Boling Arena for at least 1 game this year. For reference Nebraska got 92k for a womens volleyball match
— ً (@ClasslessVol) November 1, 2024
Ruby Whitehorn led the #LadyVols in scoring with 29 points tonight.
5 other players scored in double figures, including Jewel Spear (17), Zee Spearman (17), Talaysia Cooper (16), Sara Puckett (14), and Kaniya Boyd (14).
— Emilie Rae Cochrane (@EmCochranetv) November 1, 2024
I just turned the Lady Vols on. Dear God above. Are we back?
— Grand Admiral Vol🍊 (@GrandAdmiralVol) October 31, 2024
The Lady Vols put up 135 points. That’s the tweet.
I know that it is Carson Newman but still.
— Brandi Zabo (@BrandiJoZabo) November 1, 2024
The Kim Caldwell Lady Vols debut was really fun!! 6 different players in double figures, constant pace, pressure, and urgency. Excited to see what she does in year 1
— Sam Beard (@_beard11) November 1, 2024
Lady Vols look like they’re having fun playing basketball.
I, too, am having fun.
— Tenmanjonez (@tenmanjonez) October 31, 2024
If Kim Caldwell’s Food City Center debut was a test, she aced it.
Tennessee overwhelms Carson-Newman 135-49 in exhibition action.
What a night for the #LadyVols 🤩 pic.twitter.com/6W8OSxiGKm
— WVLT Sports (@WVLTSports) November 1, 2024
Talaysia Cooper is quickly becoming for Kim Caldwell what Zakai Zeigler is for Rick Barnes: an absolute pest in the best way possible.
— Jake Nichols (@jnichols_2121) October 31, 2024
Kim Caldwell did warn us to expect a faster pace and more points, but holy cow … https://t.co/6Pw9ZMGTnG
— Brett Edgerton (@EditorEdge) November 1, 2024
Yea it’s official Kim Caldwell’s teams do not miss shots
— ً (@ClasslessVol) October 31, 2024
More from RTI: Lady Vols Erupt For 135 Points In Kim Caldwell’s First Exhibition Win With Tennessee
Replies to Lady Vols’ final score post on X:
“Vols are back”
“This game was an absolute JOY to watch. Conditioned players. Pace of the game. Swapping entire lineups of players regularly. Playing EVERY.SINGLE.PLAYER for the entire game (except injured players). Proactive, engaged coaching. It hits differently. It feels like WINNING.”
“WAY TO GO LADYVOLS”
“Coach Kim is Her. #GBO”
“My gosh… 135 points????? So much for a big learning curve for the team this year – that is unbelievable!?”
“Full court pressure, steals, fighting for rebounds, and hustling after loose balls up 80+ points in the 4th during an exhibition. You love to see it!!!”
“Idc what anyone says, Exhibition game or not, this is a DIFFERENT team with a different mindset! They will continue to get better and better which scary! Hope all these ladies stay healthy and keep their foot on the gas!!!”
“A Lady Vols product we can be proud of. Love it and excited to watch it with my 7 year old as she loves it too!”
