Lady Vols flash Sweet 16 potential in rout of USF to start March Madness | Adams
The Lady Vols did their part Friday to set up what could be the most entertaining matchup on the first weekend of the NCAA women’s basketball tournament.
Fifth-seeded Tennessee was at its high-scoring best in a 101-66 victory over 12th-seeded South Florida in a first-round game at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio.
In a best-case scenario for the Lady Vols, that will qualify as a warmup for what should be another up-tempo game in the second round against host and No. 4 seed Ohio State.
UT (23-9) demonstrated right away what coach Kim Caldwell basketball is all about by forcing 10 first-quarter turnovers, using 11 players by halftime, and hitting 10 of 21 3-point tries in building a 55-34 first-half lead. By then, they already had surpassed the SEC’s single-season record for 3-pointers (320).
USF (23-11), which used only six players in winning the American Athletic Conference tournament championship game, couldn’t match the pace or the substitutions.
You should consider the competition in evaluating Tennessee’s dominant performance.
South Florida basically fields an international team, which includes players from 11 foreign countries. The Bulls upended top-10 Duke early in the season, lost to defending national champion South Carolina by 16 and to Louisville by four.
They didn’t fare as well against a couple of other NCAA tournament teams, losing to TCU by 41 points and to UConn by 37 points. But they displayed more talent than 13th-seeded Montana State, which made the Buckeyes (26-6) seem quite beatable in taking an early lead Friday.
Ohio State responded to the shaky start by shifting into a gear the Bobcats didn’t have. Its 32-3 run dispelled any upset speculation and spelled out what Tennessee’s challenge will be in Sunday’s second round at the same venue.
Anyone who saw Ohio State rout the Lady Vols 78-58 on their home court last season knows what problems the Buckeyes can pose. But Caldwell’s first Tennessee team is far better equipped to deal with Ohio State’s strengths.
Why wouldn’t it be? Ohio State’s strengths are the same as the Lady Vols’.
Both teams are at their best when they’re hitting 3-pointers, pressing full-court and playing at an accelerated pace. You can expect a track meet of sorts Sunday in which protecting the basketball and defending the perimeter will be crucial.
While the Buckeyes will have the home-court advantage, Tennessee has been hardened by a much tougher schedule. A cushy nonconference schedule helped the Buckeyes to a 17-0 start. But in late-season games against the Big Ten’s best teams – UCLA and Southern Cal – they lost by 13 and 21 points, respectively.
Tennessee has played six games against top-10 teams, winning one and losing five − all by single-digit margins. But in its last game against a top-25 opponent, it lost to Kentucky by 24 points.
The Lady Vols’ opening NCAA tournament act didn’t revive recent memories of their struggles down the stretch when they lost three of their last four games. Instead, it reminded you of the team that upset No. 5 UConn and came so close to knocking off Oklahoma, LSU and Texas during the regular season.
A repeat performance Sunday could carry the Lady Vols past Ohio State and into the Sweet 16.
John Adams is a senior columnist. He may be reached at 865-342-6284 or john.adams@knoxnews.com. Follow him at: twitter.com/johnadamskns.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Lady Vols flash Sweet 16 potential in rout of USF to start March Madness
Topics
-
Who does Lady Vols basketball play next in 2025 NCAA Tournament? Second round bracket update
Lady Vols basketball beat South Florida to advance to the second round of March Madness. See who Tennessee will face for Sweet 16 berth.Yahoo Sports - 7h -
Lady Vols basketball sets program record for 3-pointers made in NCAA tournament game
The Lady Vols set a program record for 3-pointers in an NCAA tournament game when they hit 16 against South Florida to win first game of March Madness.Yahoo Sports - 8h -
Tennessee women's basketball March Madness predictions: Where Lady Vols could land in NCAA bracket
Where Kim Caldwell and Lady Vols basketball’s March Madness predictions stand on Selection Sunday, when the 2025 NCAA Tournament bracket is revealed.Yahoo Sports - 6d -
Lady Vols basketball’s March Madness opponent is South Florida to open NCAA Tournament
Lady Vols basketball versus South Florida in March Madness to open its 2025 NCAA Tournament bracket. Here is what to know about the first-round game.Yahoo Sports - 5d -
Lady Vols versus USF basketball TV channel, streaming in NCAA Tournament
Tennessee versus South Florida basketball TV channel, streaming in the NCAA Tournament first round on Friday.Yahoo Sports - 22h -
NCAA Tournament first-round matchups kick off March Madness. Breaking down each game
The first Thursday of the NCAA men's tournament features 16 matchups that make up half of the first round. A breakdown of every game.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
2025 Women's NCAA Tournament: 25 things to know ahead of March Madness, including Tennessee's historic streak
The Lady Vols are headed toward their 43rd consecutive NCAA Tournament appearanceCBS Sports - Mar. 14 -
USF women’s basketball March Madness predictions: Where Bulls could land in NCAA bracket
Where USF women’s basketball’s March Madness predictions stand on Selection Sunday, when the 2025 NCAA Tournament bracket will be revealed.Yahoo Sports - 5d -
Men's March Madness second round schedule: NCAA Tournament times, TV for Sunday
The final half of the men's NCAA Tournament second round schedule is set as the first weekend of March Madness wraps up.Yahoo Sports - 6h
More from Yahoo Sports
-
NFL analyst says Commanders' most improved team after free agency
Are the Commanders the most improved NFL team after two weeks of free agency? One analyst believes so.Yahoo Sports - 35m -
NFL analyst says Commanders' most improved team after free agency
Are the Commanders the most improved NFL team after two weeks of free agency? One analyst believes so.Yahoo Sports - 35m -
How many national championships does Geno Auriemma, UConn's legendary coach, have?
UConn and Geno Auriemma are a fixture in March, with a record number of national championships. But how many have they won?Yahoo Sports - 52m -
Groundbreaking but controversial - new IOC president Coventry
Kirsty Coventry will become the 10th International Olympic Committee president - but why is she both a groundbreaking and controversial choice?Yahoo Sports - 4h -
No March Madness here: No. 1 seed Florida rolls past Norfolk State 95-69 for 7th straight win
First-team All-American Walter Clayton Jr. scored 23 points and Florida defeated Norfolk State 95-69 on Friday, ensuring all four No. 1 seeds made it out of the first round of the NCAA Tournament ...Yahoo Sports - 10h
More in Sports
-
Men's March Madness Day 2 guide: Results, analysis, keys to second round
Whether you missed the action or simply want to relive it, here's a rundown of all 16 games from Friday.ESPN - 32m -
'Diversity' off MLB careers page after exec order
Major League Baseball has taken references to diversity off its careers page as it evaluates programs in light of an executive order.ESPN - 32m -
A&M's Williams addresses 'dangerous' online hate
Texas A&M guard Jace Carter says he has been the target of death threats and racial slurs on social media this season.ESPN - 32m -
Sources: Winston joining Giants for 2 years, $8M
Free-agent quarterback Jameis Winston announced Friday that he has agreed to sign with the New York Giants.ESPN - 32m -
Calipari, Pitino not close but share 'great' respect
Rick Pitino and John Calipari again will be in the spotlight when St. John's takes on Arkansas on Saturday. It's a relationship rooted in respect, even though the coaching greats acknowledge ...ESPN - 32m