With their second transfer pickup in a week, the Tennessee Lady Vols are halfway there toward reaching the style of play new head coach Kim Caldwell wants to run on Rocky Top. The halfway part is the size and athleticism to be about to get out in transition and run the break.
Miami Hurricanes transfer forward Lazaria Spearman, who stands at 6’4″, committed to UT Wednesday. Spearman was a true freshman this past year and averaged six rebounds and just under six and a half points per game. Rocky Top announced her arrival with a video on Twitter.
Although Spearman’s numbers were relatively modest, she had a 17.6 total rebound percentage, which would have led the Tennessee Lady Vols this past year, and she played just under 19 minutes a game. As a result, she can be a much deadlier force with more touches.
What’s key is Spearman is ridiculously athletic, so she can help cause the chaos Caldwell wants to cause on the defensive side and generate a lot of points in transition. That’s the first part to Caldwell’s up-tempo style of play being successful.
The second part, however, still needs to be addressed. Caldwell needs more three-point shooters who can also run the break. Spearman and Syracuse Orange transfer Alyssa Latham are both athletic forwards, but neither can shoot the ball from outside.
Although players like Tess Darby remain in Knoxville, Caldwell needs at least two more players who can shoot well and are athletic. Otherwise, she will lead an up-tempo and athletic but out-of-control team next year, and that could win some games, but it would also generate problems.
If she and Danny White are to fulfill their promise and desire to win immediately, they still need to make some moves. The Tennessee Lady Vols can’t do much more than they did last year under Kellie Harper with the roster as is right now.
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They have to get at least two or three good shooting guards. Even if they have to offer a good NIL deal. Have to have good shooters to run and gun.