The Lady Vols are persevering in the hopes of moving up the SEC rankings in the last month.
As the 2025 SEC women’s basketball season heads into its final stretch, the Tennessee Lady Volunteers (Lady Vols) are in a critical position to make a push toward improving their standings in the league. With only a few weeks left in the regular season, the Lady Vols face a challenge: how to move up the SEC rankings, especially in a conference that’s stacked with talent at every position.
In the past few years, Tennessee, historically one of the most successful programs in women’s college basketball, has had to deal with the ebbs and flows of rebuilding under head coach Kellie Harper. The Lady Vols’ rich history, built on championships and elite-level success, sets a high bar, and expectations for this program are always sky-high. Yet, even amid the program’s ups and downs, Tennessee has demonstrated perseverance, particularly in the face of adversity, which has set the stage for what could be an exciting finish to the 2025 season.
In this article, we’ll look at how the Lady Vols are positioning themselves to climb the SEC standings in the last month of the season. We’ll analyze the key factors contributing to their success, the challenges they face, and the teams that could impede their progress. Additionally, we’ll explore the role of individual players, coaching strategy, and the overall outlook for Tennessee’s postseason aspirations.
Tennessee’s Current Standing in the SEC
As the Lady Vols look toward the final month of the regular season, they are currently fighting for positioning within the SEC standings, which has proven to be one of the most competitive conferences in the country. With schools like South Carolina, LSU, Mississippi State, and Alabama performing at an elite level, every win is crucial for teams like Tennessee that are vying for better positioning.
At the start of the season, Tennessee had high hopes to compete for one of the top spots in the conference, but a combination of key losses and inconsistent performances against some of the conference’s best teams has kept them in the middle of the standings. While their record may not be reflective of a top-tier SEC contender, the Lady Vols have consistently shown resilience, fighting back from tough defeats and using those setbacks as fuel to keep pushing forward.
With South Carolina and LSU at the top of the standings, Tennessee has had to navigate through the middle-of-the-pack teams like Kentucky, Mississippi State, and Alabama, which are also vying for high seeds in the NCAA tournament. As the season progresses, the Lady Vols are now in a position where every game matters more than ever. For a program like Tennessee, which has made 18 NCAA Tournament appearances and holds 8 SEC Tournament Championships, the stakes could not be higher as the final month unfolds.
Key Factors Contributing to Tennessee’s Success
- Offensive and Defensive Balance
One of the key reasons for Tennessee’s resilience throughout the 2025 season has been the team’s ability to find balance on both ends of the court. Under Kellie Harper’s guidance, the Lady Vols have focused on creating a cohesive offensive strategy while maintaining a disciplined, hard-nosed defensive approach.
Tennessee has showcased an ability to score in a variety of ways. Whether it’s from three-point shooting, post-ups, or fast-break opportunities, the Lady Vols have developed an offense that doesn’t rely on one player or style of play. Players like Jacy Sheldon and Jordan Horston have led the charge, providing both scoring and playmaking ability to an offense that ranks among the top in the SEC.
On the other side of the ball, Tennessee’s defense has also been a key component of their success. They’ve excelled at pressuring opposing offenses, forcing turnovers, and controlling the tempo of games. Against teams like South Carolina, who rely on strong post play, and LSU, known for their high-scoring offense, Tennessee’s ability to execute defensively could be the difference-maker in whether they can secure the wins needed to move up in the rankings.
- Coaching Strategy and Leadership
Kellie Harper has proven to be one of the most respected young coaches in women’s college basketball. Taking over the program in 2019, Harper inherited the weight of the Lady Vols’ prestigious history and worked to shape the team into a more modern, high-powered unit. Throughout this season, Harper’s strategic decisions, especially in close games, have been pivotal in keeping the team competitive within the league.
One of Harper’s major successes this season has been in her ability to maximize her roster’s depth. The Lady Vols have rotated players in and out of the lineup, ensuring fresh legs and opportunities for all members of the squad. This kind of depth is crucial as Tennessee heads into the final month, as they will need to rely on a full team effort to overcome some of the powerhouse programs in the SEC.
Harper’s emphasis on team defense, her ability to adapt to opponents, and her in-game coaching adjustments have all played an important role in Tennessee’s ability to weather the storms of tough losses. For example, in tight games where the Lady Vols have struggled offensively, Harper’s defensive gameplans have been able to keep Tennessee competitive and give them the chance to stay in games until the very end.
- The Return of Key Players
While Tennessee has been consistent this season, their push to the upper echelons of the SEC rankings is largely dependent on the return of some key players from injury or underperformance earlier in the season. Players like Jordan Horston, a former SEC Player of the Year, have had an up-and-down season, but she has shown flashes of her elite ability.
Horston’s leadership on both ends of the floor is invaluable for Tennessee as they look to make their final push. Her ability to attack the basket, create opportunities for teammates, and lock down on defense will be key in closing out tight SEC games. Additionally, the Lady Vols are getting increased contributions from Tamari Key, one of the nation’s most talented shot-blockers and a presence in the paint. Her ability to alter shots and secure rebounds gives Tennessee an advantage, especially when they’re facing teams that thrive in the post.
Jacy Sheldon has been another breakout performer for the Lady Vols this season. Sheldon’s ability to space the floor and knock down three-pointers has provided Tennessee with a scoring option from the perimeter, which has allowed them to stretch opposing defenses and create space for their post players. She has been consistent, and with the season winding down, her role will only become more crucial.
The combination of returning stars and young players stepping up could be exactly what Tennessee needs to make a jump in the SEC rankings. The Lady Vols’ roster is capable of competing with the best, and the return to form of these key players will be critical as they navigate through the final month of the season.
Challenges That Lie Ahead
While Tennessee has a solid foundation, there are challenges ahead that could hinder their climb up the SEC standings. The SEC remains one of the most competitive conferences in college basketball, and teams like South Carolina and LSU are not only the class of the league, but also programs with deep talent pools and championship aspirations. Tennessee will face these teams in high-stakes games that could ultimately determine their position heading into postseason play.
The Lady Vols also face the challenge of depth. While Tennessee has had a strong core of players this season, any injury or underperformance could derail their momentum. The key for Tennessee will be staying healthy and making sure that players are performing at their highest level when it matters most.
Additionally, playing on the road in the SEC is always a tough test. The atmosphere in places like Coleman Coliseum at Alabama or Mizzou Arena at Missouri can be intimidating, and securing wins in these hostile environments will require focused, disciplined play from the Lady Vols. Road games could end up being the deciding factor in whether Tennessee finishes in the top half of the SEC or just below the middle tier.
Looking Ahead: Tennessee’s Path to Success
The road to moving up in the SEC rankings is clear: Tennessee needs to win key games and maintain their defensive intensity. If they can win out the remainder of their home games and grab a few road wins, they could position themselves in a favorable spot for the SEC Tournament and the NCAA Tournament.
For Tennessee to improve their standing, they’ll need to overcome top-ranked teams in the SEC and prove that they can compete at the highest level of the league. Their path may not be easy, but the Lady Vols have shown resilience and the capability to succeed when it matters most. Whether it’s through strong performances from key players, sound coaching, or a collective team effort, Tennessee has the tools they need to finish the season strong.
As the final month approaches, the Lady Vols’ perseverance and drive to prove themselves could make all the difference. With their eyes set on a higher seed in the NCAA Tournament and their sights fixed on climbing the SEC rankings, Tennessee is prepared to fight until the very end. The final stretch of the 2025 season will be one to watch, as the Lady Vols aim to once again solidify themselves as one of the elite programs in women’s basketball.
