Tennessee women’s basketball coach Kim Caldwell seemed uninterested in the handshake following Tuesday’s 94-81 loss to Ole Miss in Oxford, Mississippi.
After the final buzzer sounded, Caldwell shook hands with Mississippi State head coach Yolette McPhee-McQueen after the game. The Tennessee coach didn’t slow down when she walked up to McPhee-McQueen, who stopped to shake his hand. Caldwell appeared to walk past the Mississippi State coach, barely aware of McPhee-McQueen’s presence as he left the field.
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McPhee-McQueen appeared to smile after the move, hugging a Tennessee assistant coach before continuing to line up. After the game, McPhee-McQueen said she wasn’t bothered by Caldwell’s behavior.
“I think she’s probably really ready to go,” McPhee-McQueen said.
“Because I love Kim. Sometimes, I never take things like this personally because emotionally – we’re competitive. She’s at Tennessee and there’s a lot of history behind that place.”
The Vols had few answers against Mississippi, which had a double-digit lead by halftime. Forward Cotie McMahon had 39 points, 10 rebounds and five assists as the Rebels kept scoring. In the third quarter, the lead expanded to 26 points. Tennessee gave up 42 points in the paint and got into foul trouble for its eighth loss of the season and fifth in the past seven games.
