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Lady Vols basketball’s season is set to begin on Tuesday with a top-10 clash against NC State. However, on Sunday morning, Tennessee head coach Kim Caldwell dismissed star guard Ruby Whitehorn from the team following ongoing legal issues.

On Sunday afternoon, Caldwell met with the media to give her thoughts on the dismissal of Whitehorn, the upcoming clash with NC State and more.

Tennessee begins the season as the No. 8 team in the country. It’s opener against the Wolfpack in Greensboro, a neutral-site game, is against the No. 9 team in the country.

The Lady Vols are entering year two under Caldwell after a successful first season. Tennessee went perfect in its out-of-conference play before finishing 24-10 (8-8 SEC). The two technically out-of-conference losses were to Vanderbilt in the SEC Tournament and Texas in the NCAA Tournament. This was in the Sweet 16, a return to the round for the first time since 2023.

Now, she brings in a loaded recruiting class, including five freshmen and three McDonald’s Americans. She also reeled in three top transfers, Janiah Barker, Jersey Wolfenbarger and Nya Robertson.

Tip-off vs. NC State is set for Tuesday at 4 p.m. on ESPN2.

More From RTI: Kim Caldwell Dismisses Lady Vols Basketball Guard Ruby Whitehorn from Team Days Before Opener

Here is what she said: