The University of Tennessee women’s basketball team was unable to live up to its preseason top-five ranking when roster instability played a part in an ever-shuffling lineup and a disappointing record against a tough schedule early.
Well, that was last year.
The Lady Volunteers opened 2023 with an 89-76 win against Alabama on Sunday in Knoxville, their second straight victory to start Southeastern Conference play and their third in a row overall. They also snapped a 10-game winning streak for the Crimson Tide.
Tennessee (10-6) has won eight of its past 10, with the only losses in that stretch 59-56 to Virginia Tech on Dec. 4 — the Hokies were ranked ninth at the time and are currently seventh — and 77-70 at No. 2 Stanford on Dec. 18.
Lady Vols coach Kellie Harper is pleased with the progress she has seen.