Tennessee women's basketball is built from scratch this season, with 15 new players, and the team says it is bonding on and off the court ahead of Monday's opener, according to a feature on the school's website.
Summer bonding
Freshman Gabby Minus said the teammates already in Knoxville welcomed her on her first day in mid-June, at an apartment pool. Over the summer the group swam at the quarry and tried new restaurants. Senior Rylie Theuerkauf said every Tuesday is "Taco Tuesday" after six-hour gym days.
A demanding coach
Coach Kim Caldwell told players before they committed that this year would be her most demanding. Junior Naomi White said Caldwell wants players "to be better, do better. Not even just [in] basketball, but as people too." Fifth-year Kaylene Smikle said, "learning to be uncomfortable together makes us stronger." Caldwell has set up weekly "life skills" classes on topics like healthy relationships and mental health.
The opener
"We're becoming a sisterhood," Theuerkauf said. Tennessee, with a record 44 straight NCAA Tournament appearances, hosts Duquesne on Monday at 6:30 p.m. Eastern at Food City Center, streaming on SECN+.
Sources: UTSports.com