The Coleman Coliseum was fully prepared for an electrifying matchup as the 20th and 21st-seeded teams currently in the NCAAW go head-to-head. On one end were the Tennessee Lady Volunteers, who were yet undefeated in the SouthEastern Conference under Kim Caldwell’s tutelage. On the other end were an Alabama Crimson Tide team that only lost two games so far in the entire 2025-26 NCAAW campaign.

The battle between the Tennessee Lady Volunteers and the Alabama Crimson Tide was a heated affair. However, Alabama guard Jessica Timmons was having a field day at the Coleman Coliseum to start the night, with 15 points in the first half alone. However, things quickly unraveled, with tensions rising high as the second half started.

During one fast transition in the third quarter, Timmons got tangled up with Tennessee’s Deniya Prawl and ended up on the ground. The whistle was blown immediately, but tempers continued to flare afterwards. The officials have since decided to give a double foul, with no technicals handed out to either player.

The tussle seemed to have an effect on Timmons, who later ended up with just 22 points in the match, despite the hot start to the game. Coach Kim Caldwell’s Tennessee went on a run in the second quarter and then again had an efficient fourth quarter to race to a 70-59 win over Alabama on the night.

Kim Caldwell had to make a lot of adjustments during the game. While an injury to Janiah Barker forced Caldwell’s hand, Mia Pauldo ran into early foul trouble and had to sit out for lengthy periods. But the Tennessee Lady Volunteers managed to register their first ranked win of their 2025-26 NCAAW campaign, and have started their tough five-game stretch on a positive note.

Kim Caldwell’s Tennessee will now be looking forward to the challenges that teams like Kentucky, Ole Miss, Ole Miss, and UConn are going to present as they maintain their undefeated record in the SouthEastern Conference Play matchups.

Janiah Barker’s potential injury can hurt her first round prospects in the 2026 WNBA Draft

Janiah Barker has been on quite a journey during her college basketball days. The forward started out at Texas A&M before transferring to the UCLA Bruins for the junior year. Despite being one of the best sixth players across the NCAAW, Janiah chose to switch again, deciding to join the Tennessee program while being recruited heavily by several top Women’s College Basketball teams.

Janiah has taken to the Tennessee program with ease, averaging 14.5 points per game while being able to rack up 6.6 rebounds on average. However, during Tennessee’s win over Alabama, Janiah hit the ground in pain after having been injured in or around the head and face. The senior forward walked off the court on her own. But the extent of the injury is yet to be publicly known.

While the 2026 WNBA Draft is still a fair distance away, the franchises have already begun shortlisting their targets for the draft. Many experts for the upcoming WNBA Draft had earlier earmarked Janiah Barker as a top-10 prospect. There are only 13 first picks available in the WNBA Draft, and a curtailed season for Janiah could hamper her first-round prospects.

Top Stories

NFL Makes Punishment Decision on Jordan Love Incident After Wild Card Loss to the Bears

Emotional Josh Allen Airs Refs’ Dirty Laundry as Bills’ Sean McDermott Erupts After Broncos Loss

CBS Makes Final Decision on Firing Tony Romo as Cowboys Legend Announces Health Struggles – Report

Sean Payton Confirms Bo Nix’s Season Is Over, Announces Immediate Update on Broncos QB’s Horrific Injury

Kyle Shanahan Doesn’t Hold Back to Blame Locker Room & Puts 49ers on Notice in Somb Message

Prayers Pour In After Former LSU Star Makes Tragic Family Announcement

It would hurt Tennessee’s chances as well, with Kim Caldwell again having to adjust. However, the Alabama win was evidence of the fact that Caldwell can get her team to adapt to the situation on the fly.

As players like Gabriel Jaquez, Cotie McMahon, Tonie Morgan, and more, who were projected below Janiah, continue to have solid campaigns, it could push the Tennessee forward into the second round.

Janiah needs to continue showing what she can do on the court and cannot afford injuries at this pivotal stage of the season.