Kim Caldwell’s Lineup Change in SEC Tournament That Helped the Lady Vols Escape Their Worst Week of the Season

The Tennessee Lady Vols basketball team had been riding high for much of the season, but heading into the 2025 Southeastern Conference (SEC) Tournament, they found themselves struggling in the most critical part of the year. What should have been a season filled with potential and promise turned into a week of self-doubt and underperformance for a team that had once dominated the competition. In the midst of this turbulence, head coach Kim Caldwell made a bold lineup change that would ultimately help the Lady Vols bounce back and save their SEC Tournament hopes — and possibly their national championship aspirations.

The Struggles Leading Up to the SEC Tournament

To understand the significance of Caldwell’s decision, it’s essential to first look at where the team stood before the SEC Tournament began. Tennessee, a team that had started the season with high expectations, was on a rough patch. After a dominant start to the year, they encountered a slew of challenges toward the end of their regular season. They had lost two out of their last four games before heading to the SEC Tournament, including a crushing defeat at the hands of rivals South Carolina.

As the Lady Vols prepared to enter the SEC Tournament, their roster seemed disjointed. The team was not playing up to the level expected of them, and some of their key players were struggling to find their rhythm. Their defense, once a hallmark of their success, appeared vulnerable. On offense, they were having difficulty generating consistent scoring and finding cohesion as a unit.

Tennessee had once been a team known for its explosive play and strong defensive identity, but it seemed like that was slipping away with each game. Heading into the SEC Tournament, the Lady Vols were in desperate need of something to shift the momentum and give them back the competitive edge they had lost.

Kim Caldwell’s Decision

Kim Caldwell, in her second year as head coach, was no stranger to the pressures of leading a top-tier program like Tennessee. However, she was also acutely aware of the importance of flexibility and adaptability, especially when things weren’t going as planned. Caldwell made the courageous decision to shake up her lineup just before the SEC Tournament.

The decision was not one that was taken lightly. Caldwell had been using a starting five that had worked well earlier in the season, but with the team faltering, she felt that a change was necessary. The most notable change came in the form of moving junior guard Olivia Gray to the bench and inserting sophomore guard Mia James into the starting lineup. James, known for her speed and defensive prowess, had been coming off a strong stretch of games, and Caldwell believed that her energy and intensity could help give the Lady Vols the boost they desperately needed.

Gray, despite her talent, had been struggling to contribute in the way that the team needed. She had become less effective on offense, and her defensive lapses were becoming more noticeable. Caldwell felt that by moving her to the bench, it would allow her to regroup and find her rhythm without the pressure of starting. At the same time, it would also provide an opportunity for James to step up and showcase her abilities on a bigger stage.

Another change Caldwell made was shifting senior forward Emma Pierce into a more central role in the offense. Pierce, one of the team’s most experienced players, had been playing a bit of a secondary role in recent weeks. However, Caldwell believed that with her leadership and scoring ability, Pierce could serve as a stabilizing force for the Lady Vols.

Lastly, Caldwell made a tactical adjustment to the team’s defensive scheme. While Tennessee had been known for their aggressive full-court press earlier in the season, that style had been less effective in recent games. Caldwell decided to incorporate more zone defense, allowing her players to focus on positioning and using their size and length to their advantage. This adjustment would later prove to be one of the most important factors in the Lady Vols’ tournament success.

The Impact of the Lineup Change

When the SEC Tournament began, no one quite knew what to expect from Tennessee. They were facing the pressure of being underperforming, and their confidence was shaken. However, from the moment the game started, it was clear that Caldwell’s decision had breathed new life into the team.

Mia James, starting in place of Gray, made an immediate impact. She provided a spark on both ends of the floor, playing stifling defense that disrupted the opposition’s offensive flow and helping to ignite fast breaks. Her energy was contagious, and her aggressive play helped set the tone for the Lady Vols, who had previously struggled with defensive consistency.

Emma Pierce, moving into the central offensive role, also flourished. The senior forward’s scoring ability, combined with her leadership, gave the team the steadiness they had been lacking. Pierce became a focal point in the Lady Vols’ offensive sets, and her ability to score in multiple ways — from the post, mid-range, and even beyond the arc — provided the versatility that was key to Tennessee’s offensive resurgence.

Tennessee’s defensive scheme adjustments were also effective. By implementing a zone defense, Caldwell allowed her players to focus on team defense rather than relying solely on individual matchups. The Lady Vols’ size and athleticism made it difficult for opposing teams to get clean looks at the basket, and their increased communication in the zone allowed them to shut down high-scoring players who had previously torched them.

With these changes, Tennessee’s performance drastically improved. They were able to string together a series of dominant victories in the SEC Tournament, including a statement win over Auburn in the quarterfinals and a tough, hard-fought victory over Kentucky in the semifinals. The Lady Vols had regained their defensive tenacity, and their offense had become more fluid and efficient. They seemed more connected, more confident, and more focused than they had been in weeks.

The Final Push

The changes made by Caldwell came to a head in the SEC Championship game against South Carolina, a team that had handed Tennessee one of their worst losses of the season just days earlier. The Lady Vols had a chance at redemption, and they seized it.

Mia James was everywhere on the court, picking up steals, creating fast breaks, and playing lockdown defense. Pierce was as steady as ever, scoring at will and providing leadership when the pressure mounted. The entire team played with renewed vigor, and their defensive intensity disrupted South Carolina’s offensive flow.

By the final buzzer, Tennessee had not only won the SEC Tournament title but had done so in impressive fashion. The lineup changes and tactical adjustments made by Caldwell had worked to perfection. The Lady Vols had emerged from one of the worst weeks of their season stronger than ever, with their confidence restored and a renewed belief in their potential.

The Aftermath and Legacy of the Lineup Change

The SEC Tournament championship was a turning point for the Lady Vols. They entered the NCAA Tournament as one of the most dangerous teams in the country, riding high on momentum and confidence. The lineup change by Kim Caldwell had saved their season and perhaps even secured their chances at a national championship.

Beyond just the immediate results, Caldwell’s decision sent a message to the team and the entire program. It demonstrated that, even when things seem bleak, a coach’s ability to make bold decisions and instill trust in her players could lead to positive outcomes. Caldwell’s leadership in making those difficult changes proved that she had the ability to adapt and bring out the best in her players, regardless of the circumstances.

In the end, the Lady Vols’ victory in the SEC Tournament served as a reminder of the importance of growth, adaptability, and resilience. Kim Caldwell’s ability to make difficult decisions and stay calm under pressure was a defining moment in the program’s season, and it ultimately helped the Lady Vols bounce back from one of the worst weeks of their year to claim the SEC title and look ahead to the challenges of the NCAA Tournament with renewed optimism.