KNOXVILLE, TN – February 06, 2025 – Guard Talaysia Cooper and LVFL Jordan Horston during the game between the UConn Huskies and the Tennessee Lady Volunteers at Food City Center in Knoxville, TN. Photo By Kate Luffman/Tennessee Athletics

As people around the world open presents and celebrate Christmas today, Lady Vols basketball is preparing to begin its SEC schedule. Next up is a game against Florida at home on New Year’s Day.

Tennessee currently sits at 8-3 on the season and has slipped toward the back portion of the AP Poll top 25. However, with the conference slate just beginning, everything it wants to accomplish is still in front of it.

Here are three things on Lady Vols basketball’s Christmas wish list.

More From RTI: Four Lady Vols Basketball Legends on List of Eligible Candidates to Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame
Another Signature Win Over UConn, Texas or South Carolina

Per usual, the Lady Vols’ schedule is absolutely loaded. Tennessee has already played or will play each of the top-five teams in the current AP Poll. A year ago, Tennessee came so close to pulling off multiple big upsets and finally got over the hump by downing UConn at home, who would go on to win the national title.

If the Lady Vols can snag a win over one of the top three in the Huskies, Texas or South Carolina, it could go a long way. Not only would it be another signature win for Kim Caldwell and give the team some momentum in an important stretch of the year, but it would be a big deal in boosting its NCAA Tournament resume.

The game against UConn is scheduled for Feb. 1 on the road. The Lady Vols get the Longhorns at home on Feb. 15. The Gamecocks are sandwiched between those two games, scheduled for Feb. 8 on the road.

Talaysia Cooper Plays Like an All-American

Talaysia Cooper has the ability to be one of the best players in the country. This season, she’s already shown off that potential. Look at the pivotal win at Stanford, for example. In that game, she completely took over with 19 points, six assists, two rebounds and a jaw-dropping 10 steals.

At other times, like the previous two games against Louisville and Southern Indiana, she can get a bit lost in the fold. If she can find a way to consistently play like the All-American caliber player she can be, the Lady Vols are going to be really, really good.

Caldwell isn’t necessarily concerned that Cooper’s recent stretch will carry into SEC play, either. She just said Cooper needs to be in the right space mentally.

“I think we have time to fix it if her headspace is in the right,” Caldwell said after the Southern Indiana game. “She comes determined to fix it, she’ll fix it.”

Oliviyah Edwards Pans Out

The Lady Vols hold the signing of potentially the best player in the 2026 class. Oliviyah Edwards, ranked the No. 2 prospect in the class on ESPN, can already dunk and possesses the traits of a budding superstar.

While Edwards won’t be with the team until next season, the hype is already beginning. If she can live up to this hype, Tennessee will have a difference maker right away, and someone that could develop into the best player in the sport by the time her college career is over.

“Oliviyah will come in and make an impact on both ends of the court,” Caldwell said after she signed. “Her versatility and play-making ability will set her apart. She is a high character person, and we couldn’t be happier for her to join our program.”