Rickea Jackson: The Lady Vols basketball team is currently directing all attention towards the imminent NCAA Tournament.
The focus of the Lady Vols basketball team is currently on the approaching NCAA Tournament in Greenville, South Carolina. Despite facing disappointment in the conclusion of their SEC Tournament journey, the team is gearing up for new opportunities on the national stage.
With the NCAA Tournament’s first-round play scheduled for March 22, the Lady Vols (19-12) are making the most of an uncommon week-long break since December. This break serves as a valuable period for both physical and emotional recovery following the demanding conference tournament.
Tennessee head coach Kellie Harper mentioned, “I have not looked at the schedule yet. But we’ll get them some time off this week and get them ready to go.”
As the team readies itself for the NCAA Tournament, ESPN’s Charlie Creme projects them as a No. 7 seed with a potential destination in Los Angeles. According to Creme’s bracket forecast, the Lady Vols would face Marquette initially, followed by a matchup against JuJu Watkins and USC.
Despite the absence of home-court advantage, Tennessee is prepared for challenging contests to advance to the tournament’s second weekend for the third consecutive year. This time, they anticipate playing their first game on neutral ground and the second in front of an opposing crowd.
While the regular season saw the Lady Vols finish with a 5-5 record on the road, a signature road victory remained elusive. Nonetheless, the team finished the regular season with a positive record since the beginning of February, boasting a 7-5 record, including four losses against top-10 opponents, which instilled confidence in the team.
Despite occasional setbacks, the Lady Vols believe they are just one or two plays away from securing victories. Forward Rickea Jackson emphasized the importance of focusing on defense and noted the team’s growing chemistry and confidence as they approach the NCAA Tournament.
Although the SEC Tournament had a challenging conclusion, the Lady Vols are determined to carry the positive momentum from their efforts into the national tournament, aiming to make a significant impact regardless of their opponent.
