The on-air discussion about Lady Vols basketball rarely changed during nationally televised games this past season. It invariably centered around coach Kim Caldwell’s nonconventional system.
Since Caldwell often substituted five players at a time, television announcers would compare that to mass substitutions in hockey. Her substitution pattern, which reduced the playing time of her starters, often sparked debate.
Advertisement
Caldwell’s reliance on pressure defense and 3-point shooting weren’t as unorthodox as her frequent lineup changes. But both exceeded the norm, making for more talking points.
The same old discussion might have become tiresome if you watched the Lady Vols regularly. You still could have appreciated the publicity value, though.
Better to have broadcasters raving about how fast your team plays and shoots than rambling on and on about how deliberately you go about your basketball business. Think recruiting.
Women’s basketball has speeded up in recent years, and the talent level has increased dramatically. You’re also seeing teams succeed with different styles of play. The Connecticut-South Carolina national championship game was a good example of that.
Advertisement
UConn won in an 82-59 runaway. And it prevailed without overwhelming size. Sometimes, 6-foot-2 freshman star Sara Strong was the tallest UConn on the floor.
South Carolina has won national championships with classic post players like 6-4 A’Ja Wilson, 6-5 Aliyah Boston and 6-7 Kamilla Cardoso, but the Gamecocks’ most recent model didn’t have a starter taller than 6-3. Instead, coach Dawn Staley counted on post players like Chloe Kitts (6-2) and freshman Joyce Edwards (6-3) who could post up or play on the perimeter.
Caldwell is recruiting the same type players, and that already has paid off. Last year, she signed Miami transfer Zee Spearman, an athletic 6-4 player who can stay in sync with UT’s fast pace. She was a big factor in Tennessee advancing to the Sweet 16.
While Caldwell’s substitution strategy might be unmatched, UConn and South Carolina also generously dispersed playing minutes this season.
Advertisement
Ten different Huskies averaged double-figure minutes played. All-American Paige Bueckers averaged just short of 30 minutes per game. Their next two best players – Strong and Azzi Fudd – averaged 28.5 and 26.2 minutes, respectively.
Bueckers, Strong and Fudd ranked among the nation’s premier players, so UConn wasn’t lacking in star power. But it also had more quality depth than some of Auriemma’s recent teams that fell short of a championship.
Depth long has been a strength of Staley’s program. It was even more noticeable this season when non-starters Edwards and MiLaysia Fulwiley were the team’s top two scorers. South Carolina’s top nine players averaged between 18 and 25 minutes per game.
In fact, there wasn’t much difference between South Carolina’s and Tennessee’s average minutes played. Tennessee had 10 players average between 14.1 and 25.2 minutes.
Advertisement
It’s unlikely anyone will ever match Auriemma’s 12 national championships. Staley, who has won three national titles and been to the last five Final Fours, is also regarded as one of the game’s greatest coaches.
But all those championships and their coaches’ resumes aren’t UConn and South Carolina’s only attraction for recruits. They also prefer an up-tempo style of play that appeals to many of the most skilled recruits.
ADAMS: Why Kim Caldwell’s Lady Vols will make Final Four before Vols do
The same recruits could be drawn to Caldwell’s system, which might explain why she signed the nation’s second-ranked recruiting class for 2025. That system was sound enough for the Lady Vols to upset UConn at Food City Center this season.
Advertisement
When the Huskies cruised to another national championship, the biggest win of Caldwell’s first Tennessee season became even bigger.
John Adams is a senior columnist. He may be reached at 865-342-6284 or [email protected]. Follow him at: twitter.com/johnadamskns.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: How Lady Vols coach Kim Caldwell can use Final Four in recruiting
