After Learning from Its Mistakes in the Loss to Oklahoma, Lady Vols Basketball Gets Ready for LSU

The Tennessee Lady Vols, one of the most storied programs in NCAA women’s basketball history, have faced their fair share of ups and downs during their journey in the 2024-25 season. After an early-season loss to Oklahoma, the Lady Vols have been reflecting on the mistakes made during that game. As they prepare for their next challenge against LSU, the team is determined to come back stronger, more focused, and better equipped to handle the high expectations placed on them.

This article will take a closer look at the Lady Vols’ performance against Oklahoma, what went wrong, and how they are refocusing their efforts in preparation for their game against LSU.

A Tough Loss to Oklahoma

The Lady Vols’ game against Oklahoma was a significant test early in the season. While both teams were highly ranked, Oklahoma managed to edge Tennessee out in a hard-fought battle. The 77-68 loss was one that left a sour taste in the mouths of the Lady Vols and their fans, but it also served as a critical learning experience for the team. Coach Kellie Harper and her staff immediately began analyzing the film, focusing on areas where the team could improve and preparing for the lessons that would shape their season moving forward.

One of the key issues for the Lady Vols in the Oklahoma game was their offensive execution, especially during the final stretches of the game. While Tennessee showed strong flashes of offense early on, they struggled to maintain consistent production throughout the contest. The Lady Vols were particularly ineffective at hitting outside shots, which allowed Oklahoma to pack the paint and defend their interior players more effectively. The result was that Tennessee became predictable and unable to generate the kind of offense needed to come back from a late deficit.

Another area that hurt Tennessee against Oklahoma was their defensive rotations. Oklahoma is known for its fast-paced, high-scoring offense, but the Lady Vols’ defense appeared out of sync at times. Missed assignments, lack of communication, and failure to contest key shots allowed Oklahoma to build momentum when Tennessee needed stops the most. The result was a difficult fourth quarter where the Lady Vols couldn’t stop Oklahoma from pushing their lead to double digits.

Despite the mistakes, there were moments of brilliance. The Lady Vols’ stars like Jordan Horston and Sara Puckett played hard and demonstrated their skills, but they couldn’t overcome the collective struggles of the team. In the aftermath of the game, Coach Harper and her players knew that they needed to take a hard look at their weaknesses, correct them, and use this loss as fuel for the remainder of the season.

Turning the Page: The Focus on Improvement

The Lady Vols’ ability to learn from their mistakes and improve moving forward will be crucial as they look toward their next challenge: LSU. In the days following the loss to Oklahoma, Coach Harper and her staff immediately began working on specific areas of focus to help the team bounce back. Whether it was fine-tuning offensive plays, emphasizing defensive discipline, or getting better at staying poised under pressure, the coaching staff worked hard to make sure that the lessons from the Oklahoma game were absorbed by every player.

1. Offensive Execution: Finding Consistency

One of the key takeaways from the Oklahoma loss was the need for more consistent offense, particularly in the second half. The Lady Vols were able to move the ball effectively early in the game, finding open shots and creating opportunities for their star players. However, as the game progressed, the offense became stagnant, with the Lady Vols struggling to find good looks and finishing plays. Coach Harper emphasized the importance of balancing aggression with patience. Tennessee will need to learn how to stay composed during challenging stretches, move the ball effectively, and execute their offensive sets without rushing.

One of the main goals in practice was to get the team to trust each other on offense. Tennessee has a lot of talent on the roster, and if they can work together and move the ball effectively, they can create more opportunities for themselves and their teammates. Getting their shooters, such as Rekha D’Souza and Sara Puckett, into better positions to knock down outside shots will be a key focus as well.

2. Defensive Adjustments: Communication and Effort

Tennessee’s defense was another area that needed significant improvement after the Oklahoma loss. Against a fast-paced team like Oklahoma, it is crucial that the Lady Vols communicate well on defense and are ready to react quickly to changes in the offense. A lot of Tennessee’s struggles came from breakdowns in defensive assignments, especially when Oklahoma moved the ball quickly or utilized screens to create mismatches.

To address these issues, Coach Harper worked on improving Tennessee’s defensive rotations, making sure that each player knew exactly where they needed to be and when. Additionally, Harper emphasized the importance of staying disciplined and not getting caught ball-watching or losing focus during critical moments. The team also focused on their ability to guard the perimeter, as Oklahoma’s three-point shooting ability was a significant factor in their victory. Being able to contest shots while keeping the paint protected will be crucial as they face teams like LSU, who rely on their perimeter game.

3. Poise Under Pressure

In high-stakes games, staying calm under pressure is one of the most important skills a team can possess. The Lady Vols struggled in the fourth quarter against Oklahoma, and much of it stemmed from a lack of composure. The team became frustrated when their shots weren’t falling, and the defense seemed to lose its sharpness. Coach Harper emphasized the need for poise and mental toughness, especially in the critical moments of the game. The ability to stay focused on executing the game plan rather than getting caught up in the emotions of the moment will be essential as they face LSU and other high-caliber teams in the coming weeks.

Preparing for LSU: A New Challenge

As the Lady Vols prepare to face LSU, they understand that a new set of challenges awaits them. LSU, under head coach Kim Mulkey, is a team that has rapidly become a dominant force in women’s college basketball. With a blend of veteran leadership and star talent, LSU is known for its suffocating defense and efficient offense. The Lady Vols will need to be at their best if they want to secure a victory in Baton Rouge.

1. Limiting LSU’s Star Players

LSU boasts a roster with several high-impact players, most notably Angel Reese, one of the top players in the country. Reese, a versatile forward, can dominate both inside and outside, and her ability to score in a variety of ways makes her a matchup nightmare for opposing teams. Tennessee’s defense will need to be focused on limiting her impact on the game. Whether it’s through double-teaming or making sure that Reese is constantly challenged on her shots, the Lady Vols must have a game plan in place to slow her down.

Additionally, LSU’s guards, including the talented Flau’jae Johnson, will be a significant challenge for Tennessee’s defense. Johnson, who is a strong scorer and a tough defender, will test the Lady Vols’ ability to guard on the perimeter. Tennessee will need to be disciplined in their defensive assignments, making sure to contest shots and prevent easy drives to the basket.

2. Emphasizing Transition Defense

LSU is a team that thrives in transition, and the Lady Vols will need to make sure that they get back on defense quickly to prevent easy fast-break points. Oklahoma exposed some of Tennessee’s defensive vulnerabilities in transition, and LSU will certainly look to exploit similar weaknesses. Coach Harper has stressed the importance of communication and effort in transition defense, ensuring that Tennessee gets back to set up their defense quickly and denies LSU easy baskets.

3. Handling LSU’s Intensity

Playing in Baton Rouge is always a challenging task, and LSU’s home crowd can create an intimidating atmosphere. The Lady Vols will need to keep their composure and not let the noise or intensity of the environment affect their performance. In games like this, it is crucial to stay focused on the game plan and execute each possession with precision.