The SEC Tournament lineup switch made by Kim Caldwell for Tennessee helped the Lady Vols avoid their worst week of the season.

When it comes to high-stakes tournament play, making the right decisions at the right time can be the difference between a team’s success and failure. For the University of Tennessee Lady Vols, their 2025 SEC Tournament campaign nearly took a disastrous turn until a crucial lineup switch by head coach Kim Caldwell gave them a much-needed spark. The Lady Vols had faced adversity throughout the regular season, and heading into the SEC Tournament, their hopes of making a deep run were on shaky ground. A string of underwhelming performances and some questionable losses had left the team in a vulnerable position, both mentally and strategically. However, Caldwell’s timely move to adjust the lineup not only avoided what could have been their worst week of the season but also served as a turning point for the Lady Vols as they prepared for March Madness.

The Lady Vols’ Struggles Before the SEC Tournament

As the Lady Vols entered the 2025 SEC Tournament, the team’s form was far from ideal. Despite a strong regular-season record, they had faced a series of disappointing losses, including a particularly frustrating defeat to a lower-tier SEC opponent. The issues were multifaceted—injuries, inconsistent performances from key players, and struggles with depth were all factors that had contributed to the team’s shaky play. The Lady Vols were losing their edge at a crucial time, and their confidence seemed to be eroding.

One of the primary concerns was the team’s offensive inconsistency. The Lady Vols had been known for their balanced scoring attack, with a roster full of talented players capable of contributing at any given time. However, in their recent outings, there had been a noticeable dip in their shooting efficiency, and key players weren’t performing to their usual standards. Guards and forwards who had previously been reliable scorers were now struggling with poor shooting percentages, leading to offensive stagnation at times when they needed to put together strong performances.

Meanwhile, the defense—which had been a hallmark of Caldwell’s coaching philosophy—was also underperforming. The Lady Vols had been getting caught on defense, allowing more fast-break points and second-chance opportunities than they had in the past. Teams were exploiting their weaknesses, and Tennessee’s inability to adjust defensively had allowed opponents to score with greater ease. When combined with their offensive struggles, the Lady Vols seemed on the verge of an early exit from the SEC Tournament.

If Tennessee wasn’t careful, the SEC Tournament could have been a nightmare scenario—one where their hopes of a top seeding in the NCAA Tournament and their championship aspirations took a significant hit. The stakes couldn’t have been higher, and Caldwell knew that a change was needed if the Lady Vols were going to avoid their worst week of the season.

Kim Caldwell’s Leadership and Decision-Making

Kim Caldwell, a veteran coach with a proven track record at Tennessee, had always been a steady hand at the helm. She understood the intricacies of managing a talented but occasionally unpredictable team. As the SEC Tournament loomed, Caldwell was faced with the challenge of motivating her players, shaking them out of their recent slump, and making the right tactical adjustments to ensure their success.

In her press conferences leading up to the SEC Tournament, Caldwell was candid about the challenges her team was facing but remained optimistic about their ability to turn things around. She emphasized the importance of leadership from her senior players, including key figures like Jordan Horston and Tamari Key, who had both been playing through injuries but still carried a heavy burden on the court. Caldwell also spoke about the need to address their defensive lapses and find a way to get back to their roots as one of the league’s toughest defensive teams.

What Caldwell also recognized, however, was that the team’s struggles weren’t simply about effort or determination—it was about strategy. Tennessee needed to make changes in how they were approaching the game. The old rotation and offensive sets weren’t working, and Caldwell understood that an adjustment was necessary to unlock the potential of her players.

The Lineup Switch: A Tactical Move That Changed the Game

Kim Caldwell’s lineup switch was not just a knee-jerk reaction to poor performances; it was a calculated decision designed to capitalize on the strengths of her roster while addressing the weaknesses that had surfaced in recent games. The switch was one of the most important coaching decisions of the Lady Vols’ season.

The change involved moving Tamari Key, the team’s star center and one of the top shot-blockers in the country, to the power forward position in certain offensive sets. This shift allowed Caldwell to take better advantage of Key’s ability to stretch the floor and add a dynamic element to the offense that had been missing in previous games. With Key now playing in a more versatile role, she was able to pull opposing defenders out of the paint, creating more driving lanes for guards like Jordan Horston and Rickea Jackson. This added spacing opened up scoring opportunities for the Lady Vols and allowed their offense to flow more freely.

Additionally, Caldwell made the decision to give freshman guard Mykia “Kiki” James more minutes in the backcourt. James, a highly touted recruit, had shown flashes of brilliance throughout the season, but Caldwell had been hesitant to rely too heavily on the young player during critical moments. However, with Tennessee struggling, the time had come for James to step up. Her ability to penetrate defenses and find open teammates provided the kind of spark the Lady Vols needed, especially in close games where the offense had bogged down.

Caldwell’s decision to adjust the lineup also involved tweaking the defensive schemes. Tennessee had been allowing too many open shots and struggled to get out in transition. To address this, Caldwell deployed a more aggressive trapping defense, particularly when defending the ball-handler in pick-and-roll situations. The Lady Vols’ defense was known for its disruptive nature, and Caldwell recognized that getting back to those principles would be essential if they were going to stifle opposing offenses and regain control of the game.

The Immediate Results: A Boost of Confidence

The impact of Caldwell’s lineup switch was almost immediate. In their first SEC Tournament game, the Lady Vols came out with a renewed sense of energy and focus. The changes on both ends of the court were apparent, and the team’s defensive intensity was noticeably better. Key’s ability to operate as a stretch forward created new opportunities for Tennessee’s offense, and her presence on the defensive end disrupted the opposing team’s rhythm. Meanwhile, Mykia James’ quickness and court vision added a new dimension to the backcourt, allowing Tennessee to attack with more precision.

Tennessee’s opponents in the first round of the SEC Tournament quickly learned that the Lady Vols were a different team than the one that had struggled in recent weeks. The offensive efficiency returned, and the defense locked in. By the time the final buzzer sounded, the Lady Vols had secured a dominant victory, much to the relief of Caldwell and the entire team. The switch had worked, and Tennessee was back on track.

More than just a win on the scoreboard, the result gave the Lady Vols a much-needed boost of confidence. They had been facing doubts—both internally and externally—about their ability to compete at the highest level. The lineup change helped reaffirm their belief in themselves and in their coach’s ability to adjust on the fly. The team wasn’t perfect, but they had found their footing again, just in time for the SEC Tournament’s next stages.

The Psychological Importance of the Switch

The psychological impact of Caldwell’s decision should not be underestimated. As much as it was a tactical move, the lineup change served as a signal to the players that Caldwell trusted them to overcome their struggles and rise to the occasion. For Tamari Key, who had been hampered by injuries, being asked to take on a different role in the offense was a sign of confidence from her coach. For Mykia James, the extra playing time was a clear indication that Caldwell was willing to let the freshman step up when the team needed it most. The entire team, from veterans to rookies, gained a renewed sense of ownership over their success.

The switch also allowed Tennessee to show resilience. The Lady Vols had faced adversity during the regular season, and the lineup change was a reminder that they could adjust and thrive under pressure. This mentality would prove invaluable in the coming rounds of the SEC Tournament and, eventually, in the NCAA Tournament.

Avoiding the Worst Week of the Season

Without the lineup adjustment, it is entirely possible that the Lady Vols could have been sent packing early from the SEC Tournament. Their previous struggles were real, and a loss at this stage could have exposed cracks in the team’s psyche that would have been hard to overcome. Caldwell’s move to alter the lineup prevented that from happening, steering the Lady Vols away from what could have been their worst week of the season.

Instead, the team emerged from the SEC Tournament with a revitalized sense of purpose and a deeper understanding of what they were capable of. The change allowed Tennessee to avoid what would have been a devastating blow to their tournament hopes, and it set the stage for a more promising postseason run.

A Critical Coaching Decision

Kim Caldwell’s lineup switch was a pivotal moment in the Lady Vols’ season. It addressed a series of issues that had been holding the team back, from offensive stagnation to defensive lapses, and helped propel Tennessee into the next phase of the SEC Tournament. More than just a tactical adjustment, the move helped restore confidence and belief in the Lady Vols’ ability to contend at the highest level.

In the end, Caldwell’s decision not only prevented the team from experiencing their worst week of the season but also set the foundation for their eventual success. As the Lady Vols prepared for the NCAA Tournament, the changes made in the SEC Tournament became a reminder that even in the toughest of times, a team’s ability to adapt and adjust can make all the difference.