MTSU women’s basketball has accomplished quite a bit during head coach Rick Insell’s tenure: 482 career wins, 10 conference tournaments champions and 12 NCAA tournament appearances.
The Lady Raiders have struggled throughout Insell’s time at the helm when it comes to facing the University of Tennessee Lady Volunteers. The two teams have played all over the state of Tennessee. From Memphis, Tennessee to Johnson City, Tennessee, the Lady Vols are 11-1 all-time against Middle Tennessee.
With the two teams set to match up in just the third week of the season and fifth game for both teams, The Daily Beacon’s Tyler Edmands gave insight into this year’s edition of the Lady Vols.
The opposing coach: Kim Caldwell
Caldwell was hired as the fourth head coach of the Lady Vols in April 2024, the year after UT lost to Middle Tennessee for the first-time ever.
Caldwell was known for winning at the Division II level with Glenville State and had one year of experience at Marshall University before going to Rocky Top. The Lady Vols finished Caldwell’s first season with a Sweet 16 appearance.
Caldwell’s system of subbing every two minutes, with all five players coming out at times, a full press on every possession, has cost them some this season, Edmands said.
“It really speaks to the depth of the team that anybody can go in there and go play,” Edmands said. “As a coach, you might not want your star player to be on the bench for a decent part of the game … she’s fine going out there and running an almost entirely freshman and sophomore lineup.”
In UT’s last game against Belmont University, Caldwell subbed the entire floor six different times, primarily in the first half of the game.
Players to watch
Guard – Ruby Whitehorn
The first player to watch is actually one who won’t step on the floor for Tennessee when it faces off against the Lady Raiders.
Whitehorn was set to be the go-to leader for the Lady Vols as a senior and one of three returning starters. Caldwell dismissed Whitehorn from the program after the guard was arrested for the second time in the calendar year.
“We have standards in this program and it’s a sad situation, it’s a difficult decision,” Caldwell said after Whitehorn’s dismissal. “I feel bad for this current team that we have and time will tell if it’s the right choice for this team, but I have no doubt that it’s the right choice for the team four, five years from now.”
Guard – Talaysia Cooper
Cooper, in her second playing season at UT after a redshirt year, has become a bigger leader for the Lady Vols. Cooper led the team in points last season with 16.6 per game while shooting .447 and finishing second in rebounds for the team.
“They really don’t have a vocal leader to keep everyone together,” Edmands said. “They’ve got Talaysia Cooper who in my experience talking to her is more of a quiet and relaxed person.”
Cooper has been the backbone of the entire program with experience in the Caldwell system, and her ability to teach the other players has been crucial so far, Edmands said.
In the opening game against North Carolina State, Cooper led the Lady Vols with 23 points and played 31 minutes. Against Belmont, when UT struggled to run offense in the second quarter, Cooper scored all seven points for the period.
“If the game comes down to the line or if you need someone to make a play, it’s going to be Cooper,” Edmands said.
Guard – Jaida Civil
As one of five freshmen for the Lady Vols, Civil has come in and contributed immediately to this year’s team. So far, Civil has averaged 17 minutes a game, while shooting 61.9% and 60% from behind the arc.
“One of the most interesting plays on the roster so far this year is freshman guard, Jaida Civil,” Edmands said. “She’s going to grow into a bigger role as the season goes on…She’s really been a spark plug when Tennessee needs it.”
Where to watch
Thursday night’s in-state showdown will be broadcast on ESPN+ with a 6:30 p.m. CDT tipoff. An audio play-by-play broadcast will be available on WGNS Radio.
Picks
Willie Phaler, Lead sports reporter
UT 72, MTSU 57
Jacob Burgess, Co-sports editor
UT 71, MTSU 62
Brett Walker, Co-sports editor
UT 76, MTSU 61
Tyler Edmands, The Daily Beacon
UT 74, MTSU 63
To contact the sports editor, email [email protected].
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