Just last week, Tennessee legend Karen Weekly praised Kim Caldwell saying, “I think she’s amazing,” “I love her confidence. I love her brevity.” It seemed like the first-year head coach was the perfect fit to lead the Lady Volunteers, especially after the NCAA Tournament committee dropped their second in-season reveal with them sitting pretty at the 12th seed. But fast forward one week. It feels like everything is falling apart for the Lady Vols. So what really went down?

It all started with a crushing 82-58 loss to 15th-seeded Kentucky, but things took an even uglier turn for Caldwell’s Lady Vols when they shockingly fell to unranked Georgia Tech, 69-7,2 who, according to journalist Alexa Philippou, were given a 1.7% chance of winning by ESPN analytics. Kim Caldwell will be determined.

With this loss, the Vols’ shot at securing a top-16 hosting seed is hanging by a thread, and Andy Froemel broke the devastating news to the Lady Vols fans on X saying, ” The Lady Vols suffered a back breaking loss at home to Georgia. Their chances of getting to host March Madness are all but gone.”

But as the saying goes… when it rains, it pours. Now, Kim Caldwell faces a major injury concern heading into the Big Dance as well. Let’s dive into that, as things just keep going from bad to worse for the 36-year-old.

Kim Caldwell loses Talaysia Cooper to injury

The best player of the Lady Vols basketball team, Talaysia Cooper had to be carried off in the second quarter by the staff and players against Georgia Tech. Cooper came down hard on a Georgia player’s foot, and the moment she hit the floor, a loud yell echoed through the arena. The redshirt sophomore guard immediately clutched her right ankle, staying down for what felt like an eternity before she was carried off.

This is the worst possible way Caldwell could have imagined ending the regular season. Cooper is a key player for the Vols. She has contributed on both ends of the court, averaging 17.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game this season. Her injury will undoubtedly leave a big void if she isn’t able to return soon.

Caldwell couldn’t provide any injury update for her star either. “I don’t know anything more than you know,” Caldwell said. “I know she rolled her ankle and I haven’t seen her since.”

It remains to be seen when Cooper will make her return, but one thing is certain. Kim Caldwell will be determined to end this ongoing struggle. However, the task just got that much harder. It will be a huge challenge for the Lady Vols to take on any team in the Big Dance without the services of their best player.