Adams: Sub pattern isn't always about timing

UT's reserves outscored Vanderbilt's bench 41-4 as the Lady Vols overcame a 14-point Vanderbilt lead for a 79-65 victory Sunday afternoon.

A year ago, UT spotted Vanderbilt an 11-point lead before rallying to victory behind the scoring of guard Tasha Butts, who had a career-high 37 points.

UT simply outnumbered the Commodores this go-round. The minutes were as telling as the points.

Vanderbilt's five starters each played at least 34 minutes, and point guard Dee Davis went the full 40. Conversely, only one UT player was on the court for more than 29 minutes; eight different Lady Vols played 15 minutes or more.

UT's fans have as much trouble keeping up as the opponents. UT coach Pat Summitt subs players in and out at such a dizzying pace, young women wearing orange and a ponytail are cautioned against walking behind the bench. The coach might put you in.

But there's a method to the movement. Depth has become this team's greatest asset. Summitt's ability to use that depth has become another strength.

In the past 10 days, UT has beaten two nationally ranked teams, UConn and Vanderbilt. It beat UConn without a point from Shanna Zolman or Brittany Jackson; it beat Vanderbilt with Zolman coming off the bench to a score a game-high 20 points, and Jackson making four consecutive 3-pointers to help cut the Vanderbilt lead from 14 to six points.

Against UConn, Summitt relied heavily on an athletic three-guard offense that included freshmen Alexis Hornbuckle and Sa'de Wiley-Gatewood. Against Vanderbilt, she preferred perimeter shooters to quickness.

"Some coaches like to rotate players every four minutes," Summitt said. "I don't want to take the team out of rhythm just for the sake of giving someone rest if they really don't need it.

"Once I get into a game, while I know who I'm going to substitute for certain players, I don't know when."

It's more about playing than planning. Summitt was dissatisfied with senior point guard Loree Moore's lack of leadership in the first half, so she gave her a quick hook. After playing only nine minutes in the first half, Moore didn't return to the game until 10:34 was left.

"I wasn't going to put her back in," Summitt said.

But at the urging of assistant coaches, Summitt changed her mind. Moore was on the floor when the Lady Vols outscored Vanderbilt 20-6 in the last 8:19.

"I've got a great staff," Summitt said. "My staff (Holly Warlick, Nikki Caldwell and Dean Lockwood) is in my ear the entire basketball game.

"One thing I can do is gather a lot of information and make decisions. But I don't do it alone."

Sunday's victory wasn't all about substituting. In the case of center Tye'sha Fluker, the Lady Vols also benefited from standing pat.

Fluker, who had 14 points and nine rebounds, played a season-high 29 minutes.

"She got tired, and I wanted to keep her fresh," Summitt said. "But the way she was playing, I told her twice during timeouts, 'You just got to go. We need you on the floor.' "

Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284.