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Kamilla Cardoso buzzer-beater spoils Lady Vols near comeback in SEC Tournament semifinal

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Kamilla Cardoso buzzer-beater spoils Lady Vols near comeback in SEC Tournament semifinal


GREENVILLE, S.C. – The Lady Vols were 1.1 seconds from pulling off the stunner of the women’s college basketball season in the SEC Tournament on Saturday.

Tennessee star Rickea Jackson did everything she could – her offensive rebound and fadeaway jumper even gave the Lady Vols a two-point lead with 24 seconds left against undefeated and No. 1 South Carolina.

But Kamilla Cardoso spoiled a UT comeback for the ages. The SEC defensive player of the year, who had not made a 3-pointer in her career, beat the buzzer with a banked-in shot from deep as Tennessee fell 74-73 to South Carolina in an SEC Tournament semifinal at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

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Tennessee erased a 23-point deficit before the dramatic final shot.

Jackson was stunning in every aspect, from her scoring to her rebounding to her playmaking. She led the Lady Vols (19-12) with eight assists and nine rebounds in addition to her 22 points against South Carolina (31-0). Senior guard Jewel Spear was crucial in the win and added 21 points.

Tennessee didn’t crack South Carolina defense to start

It took more than seven minutes for Tennessee to score its first points against South Carolina. With 2:51 left in the first quarter, Jackson hit a 3-pointer to get the Lady Vols on the board. Spear followed it with one of her own for the only other points Tennessee scored in the first.

South Carolina was aggressive defensively to start, and the Lady Vols couldn’t get any quality looks inside. The officials let contact go, and the Gamecocks got Tennessee off balance from the tipoff. UT trailed 19-6 after the first quarter.

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Lady Vols use Rickea Jackson to rally vs. South Carolina

After scoring 29 points against South Carolina last Sunday, Jackson was a focal point for the defense. She couldn’t get to her spots and had to take mostly long jumpers.

In the second quarter, Tennessee started using Jackson as a facilitator with all the attention she drew from the defense. She had a team-high four assists by halftime, finding players cutting to the basket or posted up inside.

Tennessee matched South Carolina’s 17 points and outrebounded it 8-7 in the second to go into halftime trailing 36-23.

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Jackson fuels 25-point third quarter

Tennessee looked like a different team offensively in the second half. The Lady Vols outscored South Carolina 25-24 in the third, led by Jackson’s 12 points on 5-for-9 shooting.

A MOTHER’S TRAVELS: How Tamari Key’s mom supports both her daughters playing for Lady Vols and North Carolina

Jackson got in a groove immediately, hitting long jump shots and 3-pointers off the dribble. She was nearly unstoppable, as Tennessee came within seven points. Both teams shot just over 50% from the field, and the Lady Vols went 4-for-7 on 3-pointers in the quarter.

Tennessee also cleaned up its turnovers in the third. After nine turnovers in the first half, which led to 10 points for South Carolina, the Lady Vols only had two in the third and scored six points off turnovers.

Cora Hall covers University of Tennessee women’s athletics. Email her at cora.hall@knoxnews.com and follow her on Twitter @corahalll. If you enjoy Cora’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that allows you to access all of it.

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Tennessee Football DB Transfer Boo Carter Visits the Vols Rival

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Tennessee Football DB Transfer Boo Carter Visits the Vols Rival


The Tennessee Volunteers are looking to land many of the nation’s best players in the transfer portal to replace the players who have already announced they are transferring away from Tennessee. One of the players they lost very early on to the portal, and his plans of entering the portal is Boo Carter.

Carter is someone who has quickly made a name for himself, as he played for the Vols as a freshman. He also played for the Tennessee Vols this past season before suffering an injury that sidelined him for the rest of the season. Carter entered the portal and left an announcement on his X page for those interested. Here is what was said.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank The University of Tennessee Coaches, administrators and fans for a wonderful 2 years. Unfortunately my season has been cut short due to injury. I have decided to enter the transfer portal and I am excited about the opportunities going forward!-Boo Carter”

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Boo Carter Visits Vanderbilt

Tennessee defensive back Boo Carter (23) pulls on his jersey during Tennessee football preseason practice, in Knoxville, Tennessee, Aug. 6, 2025. | Angelina Alcantar/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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Now that the portal is here, he has started to hear from many teams, including a team many anticipated to be in the picture. The Vols DB heard from the Vanderbilt staff and is now reportedly visiting them. This is a school where many of his friends go currently, and a school that has been doing well, but it is no secret that this is one of the Vols’ biggest rivalries.

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He is undecided on a possible commitment somewhere, but the reports have started to indicate that the Commodores are a team to watch moving forward. This will be one to watch for the Vols, as there is a good chance they may see Carter next season.

“Dynamic athlete who quickly made an impact on defense and special teams as a true freshman … Earned the starting STAR position and shined while becoming a dangerous weapon as a punt returner as a true freshman in 2024 … Saw action as a slot receiver as well during 2025 spring practices … Early enrollee in January 2024 who participated in Citrus Bowl practices and spring practice before his true freshman season … Has compiled 63 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, three forced fumbles, three pass breakups and one interception on defense in his career … Dynamic punt returner who averages 16.0 yards per return in his career … Played in 21 career games and made five starts,” the Tennessee Vols athletics website stated.

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Tennessee Football Misses on Major Transfer Portal Target

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Tennessee Football Misses on Major Transfer Portal Target


The Tennessee Volunteers have been looking to land the best of the best when it comes to the transfer portal, and they have been targeting the best, but as of recently, all it has been is a bunch of swings and misses.

The Vols have missed yet again, as they have failed to land one of their top targets on their board when it comes to the college football transfer portal at a position that they currently need more than any. That position is the cornerback position, which is one that they need very badly.

The player that they failed to land in this go-around is Troy cornerback Jaquez White. White is one of the better players that the portal has seen at the position, as he was easily named as a top portal target for many. He was seriously looking at Tennessee, and the Vols were ready to bring him in, but instead, he has opted to commit to the Virginia Tech Hokies. The Hokies have done a decent job in the portal thus far, but their portal class has definitely improved following the addition of White.

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Whether this is a money thing or the Vols just couldn’t do enough convincing, the point is that they have missed on guys left and right recently. The vision isn’t clear, but fans are hopeful that it will be soon.

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Here is what White did in his 2025 season according to the Troy website.

Jaquez White’s 2025 Season

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Troy Trojans cornerback Jaquez White (8) tackles Clemson Tigers running back Adam Randall (8) Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025 during the NCAA football game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina. | Alex Martin/Greenville News / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

“Earned All-Sun Belt Second Team honors … Ranked third in the league (seventh nationally) with 14 total passes defended and fourth (15th nationally) with 11 pass break ups … Started 12 games and played in all 14 contests … Returned an interception 30 yards for a touchdown in Troy’s victory over Louisiana; added interceptions against Nicholls and in Sun Belt Championship Game at James Madison … Finished season with 67 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and a sack … Sack came in Troy’s win over South Alabama; added five tackles, a quarterback hurry and a pass break up in the game … Season-best seven tackles against Memphis … Broke up four passes in win at ULM and had a pair at Southern Miss … Troy’s top-rated defender per PFF with an 87.6 rating … Played 879 defensive snaps, second most on the team … Third-rated cornerback in the country (min. 700 snaps) per PFF and fourth-rated cover corner … Held opponents to a 54.5 reception percentage (36-of-66).”

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Tennessee football DL Josh Schell enters transfer portal

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Tennessee football DL Josh Schell enters transfer portal


Tennessee defensive lineman Josh Schell has entered the transfer portal, he announced on social media on Jan. 6.

Schell had a short stint at Tennessee after transferring from Grand Valley State in April. He played all 13 games and made one tackle in the 2025 season.

Schell played more than 100 snaps, mostly on special teams. He never cracked the rotation on the defensive line.

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Schell spent three seasons at Grand Valley State, including a redshirt year, and one season at Tennessee. He has one season of eligibility remaining.

The 6-foot-4, 265-pounder is from Camden, New Jersey. His best college season was 2024 at Grand Valley State, when he played 13 games and recorded 35 tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks, six pass breakups, three quarterback hurries, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

He was also a pitcher on the Grand Valley State baseball game in the 2023 season.

Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email adam.sparks@knoxnews.com. X, formerly known as Twitter@AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.

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