By Anna Reiffer
While the final score read 83-40, Tuesday night’s meeting between New Haven meant more than what appeared on the scoreboard.
For Tennessee head coach Kim Caldwell and Debbie Buff, the matchup is a reunion that’s been on the docket for years. The two previously coached against each other in the Mountain East Conference at the Division II level from 2016 to 2018, when Buff coached at Wheeling University and Caldwell coached at Glenville State.
Now at the Division I level, the two coaches’ meeting in Knoxville became an opportunity to connect while bringing their respective programs together in competition.
“It was good to see her,” Caldwell said. “I’m very happy for her, proud of her and I want nothing but success for her and her program going forward.”
For Buff, the opportunity to bring the Chargers to Tennessee has carried significance beyond the competition.
New Haven only began to make the transition to Division I in July 2025, and will not achieve full status until the 2028-2029 season.
While still adjusting to the demands of competing at a higher level, with a roster composed mainly of freshmen and sophomores, Buff and her players have embraced the challenge.
“My philosophy, even in high school [coaching], is to play the big, big dogs, and then you know what you’re going against,” Buff said.
Tuesday’s matchup against the Lady Vols gave the Chargers another opportunity to experience one of the most historic programs in college women’s basketball.
Even at a 43-point deficit, the Chargers showed stretches of competitiveness and persistence against a Tennessee team that came into the contest averaging over 100 points per game.
The Chargers struggled offensively throughout, making just one 3-point shot, but Buff stood behind her team.
“If we hit some of those shots, the shots went down,” Buff said. “Maybe [it would be] a little bit different final score.”
New Haven also worked to limit the Lady Vols’ transition opportunities, emphasizing getting back defensively rather than sending players to the offensive glass. Buff said she was pleased with the approach, although the Lady Vols’ size and athleticism created challenges on the hardwood.
The Lady Vols eventually found their rhythm, however, finishing with 53 rebounds, 13 steals and 29 points off turnovers.
True freshman Gabby Minus led the Lady Vols’ defensive effort with six steals, 13 points and eight rebounds.
The sixth-year forward Aaliyah Moore also came close to a double-double with 14 points and seven rebounds of her own.
Despite a comfortable victory in the end, Caldwell acknowledged that there is still an extensive amount of progress to be made with a program that was nonexistent a few months ago.
“It wasn’t a pretty game on our end,” Caldwell said. “I think right now, the more experience we get, the better.”
The Lady Vols experimented with different lineups early in the game, but settled into their typical rotation.
Caldwell also allowed the players to call many of their own plays, crafting intentional situations they will need to navigate when conference play arrives later.
But while the Lady Vols continue towards their goals, the Chargers’ coach has been navigating a different kind of challenge.
Three weeks before Tuesday’s game, Buff lost her mom, Kathy, and while the loss has followed her throughout the early part of the season, the support of her players has kept her going.
“This team is just really, I have to say they have my heart,” Buff said.
Buff went on to thank the Lady Vols and the city of Knoxville for their hospitality, lifting her up in one of the most difficult points of her life.
For Caldwell and Buff, the final buzzer marked the end of another game on opposite ends of the court. But the reunion also served as a reminder that the relationships built through basketball extend well beyond the court.
And sometimes, the result of a game has very little to do with a box score.