05-03-2025
Former Lady Vols coach Kellie Harper to provide analysis of SEC basketball tournament
There will be a familiar face on the "SEC Now" desk breaking down each game in the SEC women's basketball tournament in Greenville, South Carolina.
Former Lady Vols coach Kellie Harper, who has made regular appearances on "SEC Now" this season, will be part of the SEC Network's coverage of the conference tournament. She'll join analysts Nikki Fargas, another former Lady Vols star player, and Steffi Sorensen on "SEC Now" with hosts Dari Nowkhah and Alyssa Lang.
The SEC Network studio desk is set up inside the arena for the SEC tournament, and coaches and players are interviewed live on "SEC Now" to preview matchups and after games.
No. 9 seed Tennessee (21-8) will face No. 16 seed Texas A&M (10-18) in the first game of the tournament Wednesday (11 a.m. ET, SEC Network) at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.
Harper's last SEC tournament coaching the Lady Vols ended in the semifinal against South Carolina. Tennessee nearly upset the Gamecocks during their undefeated championship season, but 6-foot-7 center Kamilla Cardoso hit a buzzer-beater 3-pointer to win the game.
Harper, who was fired in April 2024 after five seasons, began making appearances on "SEC Now" in December. She first provided analysis on her alma mater after Tennessee set the NCAA Division I record for 3-pointers in a game.
The tournament studio coverage from Greenville begins at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, and on Friday it will start at 11:30 a.m. There will be additional semifinal coverage throughout the day on Saturday along with a special Championship Sunday postgame show starting at 8:30 p.m.
ALL-SEC AWARDS: USA TODAY Sports Network 2025 All-SEC women's basketball awards, coach and player of the year
The Lady Vols are playing on the first day of the SEC tournament after failing to secure a bye with a loss to Georgia.
The Lady Vols lost two straight games to end the regular season, falling to the No. 9 seed, which is Tennessee's lowest seed in the SEC tournament since it began in 1980. The previous low was a No. 8 seed in 2019.
Cora Hall covers University of Tennessee women's athletics. Email her at and follow her on X @corahalll. If you enjoy Cora's coverage, consider a digital subscription that allows you to access all of it.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Ex-Lady Vols coach Kellie Harper will join SEC Network for tournament
