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Lady Vols Forward Janiah Barker Misses Game Against Oklahoma
Tennessee coach Kim Caldwell addresses Barker's absence after loss to Sooners.
Published on Feb. 22, 2026
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The University of Tennessee women's basketball team was without senior forward Janiah Barker in their 100-93 loss to No. 9 Oklahoma on February 22. Lady Vols coach Kim Caldwell told ESPN that Barker "did not meet program expectations" and did not travel with the team to Norman. Caldwell addressed Barker's absence in the postgame press conference, saying "We'll fix it when we get back, she has a bright future and will be fine."
Why it matters
Barker has been a significant contributor for the Lady Vols this season, averaging 14.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.2 steals per game in SEC play. Her absence was felt on the defensive end and on the boards, as Tennessee was outrebounded 47-34 by Oklahoma.
The details
Barker did not travel with the Lady Vols to their game against No. 9 Oklahoma on February 22. Tennessee coach Kim Caldwell told ESPN that Barker "did not meet program expectations" and would not be playing. In the postgame press conference, Caldwell said "We'll fix it when we get back, she has a bright future and will be fine." The Lady Vols went on to lose the game 100-93.
- Barker missed the Lady Vols' game against No. 9 Oklahoma on February 22, 2026.
The players
Janiah Barker
A senior forward for the University of Tennessee Lady Vols basketball team.
Kim Caldwell
The head coach of the University of Tennessee Lady Vols basketball team.
What they’re saying
“We'll fix it when we get back, she has a bright future and will be fine.”
— Kim Caldwell, Head Coach, University of Tennessee Lady Vols (ESPN)
What’s next
The Lady Vols (16-10, 8-6 SEC) will play No. 7 LSU on the road on February 26.
The takeaway
Janiah Barker's absence was a significant loss for the Lady Vols, as her defense and rebounding were missed in the loss to Oklahoma. However, coach Kim Caldwell expressed confidence that the issue will be resolved, and that Barker has a bright future with the program.
