North Carolina couldn't beat Tennessee on Sunday night. But it at least showed how the Lady Vols could be beaten.
That's progress for any team trying to prevent the No. 1-ranked Lady Vols from repeating as national champions.
The fourth-ranked Tar Heels outrebounded UT 57-39 and scored repeatedly inside against the Lady Vols in an 83-79 loss at Thompson-Boling Arena.
North Carolina accomplished something else. It reminded everyone how valuable UT senior center Nicky Anosike is.
Anosike often gets lost in the statistics. She's fifth on the team in scoring, third in rebounding and third in assists.
You usually have to see the game, not just the stats, to appreciate her presence. And when she drew her fourth personal foul early in the second half, UT lost its best and most versatile defender.
Fans were reminded of that midway through the second half when Anosike returned to the floor with the Lady Vols holding a 62-61 lead. On North Carolina's next possession, Anosike stole the ball from Erlana Larkins.
One UT steal led to another. And the next thing you know, the Lady Vols were up 74-62.
"We call her the X factor," North Carolina coach Sylvia Hatchell said. "She's really good at finding the open player. She's someone who makes their team better. She makes them a little more complete.
"It really helps when she's not out there. I don't think she gets the credit she deserves."
Hatchell is prejudiced when it comes to Anosike. She was on the losing side of Anosike's best game. In last year's Final Four semifinals, Anosike had 14 points, seven rebounds, five steals and four blocks in UT's 56-50 victory over North Carolina.
Anosike is most valuable in the toughest games, against the best teams. That's why UT coach Pat Summitt found her center's foul problems so unsettling when assessing her team's post play.
"The biggest concern is Nicky Anosike getting in foul trouble too much," Summitt said. "That's the first thing we address - not to get in foul trouble early, because she's the one player who has the size and the presence. She has the ability to defend a lot of positions and board well.
"She has to be disciplined to keep herself on the floor."
Anosike's value increased Sunday night when UT announced that freshman center Kelley Cain would undergo season-ending knee surgery.
"When Kelley came in, it was clearly evident to all of us that she could be a difference maker in the post game," Summitt said. "She has great hands, a soft shooting touch, good up and down the floor.
"It's a big loss for us. Unfortunately, no one knows how big a loss, except for the coaches who watched her play so much and saw her in practice."
Cain would have provided needed depth behind both Anosike and star forward Candace Parker. Without her, the development of freshman post player Vicki Baugh becomes more important.
"Vicki Baugh has got to get better," Summitt said. "I wasn't as comfortable to play Vicki (against the Tar Heels)."
Baugh played only four minutes against North Carolina. Fortunately for UT, veteran post player Alex Fuller continued to provide a spark off the bench. She had nine points in 16 minutes.
But one of the most significant stats in UT's narrow victory was 20 minutes played by Anosike.
Against a team as good as North Carolina, half a game from Anosike won't always be enough.
Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knews.com.
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Comments » 13
volcam writes:
I could not agree more! To me, Anosike was the MVP of the '07 Women's NCAA Final Four. Had it not been for Anosike's fantastic performance all game long versus North Carolina, UT would not have made it to the finals. And then tonight once again Anosike came up with stops when the team desperately needed a defensive stand. She is the heart and soul of this great '07-'08 Lady Vols team!
msdyb writes:
This was the first time I have been able to watch our Lady Vols play this year, other than a selected few highlights of games. I realize that the bottom line is that we won the game but I am a little bit concerned that I did not see the "killer instinct" from our team that has been evident in teams of the past. We had the opportunities to put Carolina away several times but didn't. We let them slip back into the game. I also realize that we played an exceptional team but WE are an "extremely exceptional" team in our own right. Several of our big time players seemed to get brain freeze in the last several minutes of the game, which isn’t consistent with a Pat Summitt, coached team. On the other hand, Nicky's play in the last several moments of the game saddled with four fouls was exceptional. If we are going to repeat as NC we are going to have to get that "killer instinct" back, unlock our brains from freezing up at crucial times of the game and get on the boards offensively and defensively a lot more that we did. Overall, a great win for the Lady Vols that helps solidify our top ranking. We better get ready for the SEC grind as there are several teams looking real good - LSU and Georgia - to name a couple, that will pose a challenge to the Lady Vols.
On another note, the two announcers from ESPN, Mowins and the ex-Florida coach Peck, were so biased in their game presentation it made me sick to my stomach. But what do you expect from ESPN anyway. They have always been that way in regards to our Lady Vols. If it weren't for Kara Lawson it would be more evident than it already is. Next thing you know they will have Taurasi and Lobo announcing the game with "Beano" Geno doing the on court interviews.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
You are so right, msdyb! It was downright embarrassing how many times NC players got rebounds in between two or three Lady Vols. It was as if they SAW the ball come down but couldn't make themselves stretch out to get it! Pat must be pulling her hair out trying to figure out how to get the gals to GO AFTER REBOUNDS! If we don't get this fixed, somebody, likely LSU or GA, is GOING to hurt our feelings REALLY badly. Thank God for Nikki Anosike! Too bad she can't put a little of her steel in the spines of some of her teammates.
MrBamSeydu writes:
She may be a good rebounder and a fairly good defender, but Anosike is SO clumsy with the ball and offensively she is horrid. She misses wide open layups and short jumpers constantly. Everytime she gets the ball I cringe.
sgtvols writes:
Nicky was the difference, hope Pat gave her the game ball.
fortandrews writes:
Come on yemmusdarb where did you learn how to play BB that is if you did. Nicky saved the LADIES Sunday. Maybe you can buy a book on BB and then you may have a better understanding about playing BB. Your comment SUCKS!!
threehundredbowler writes:
fortandrews.yemmusdarb is exactly right.Maybe you are the one that needs to learn the game of basketball.Also why does his comment suck?Maybe it is your comment that needs to be reviewed.You do not need to name call and say someone's comment sucks just because you do not agree with them.Learn some manners.You evidently don't much about the game of basketball nor the game of life.Wouldn't it be much easier to simply say you disagree and give your reasons for doing so?.
betz writes:
I love what Nicki contributes but she does miss a lot of layups.
ODA751 writes:
Finally! Nicky gets some love. I love the way she plays. She has been one of my favorite players since she became a Lady Vol. She is all heart, all the time. Go Lady Vols.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
True, Nikki misses a few more close-in shots than I would like, but many of the other Lady Vols aren't much better at them. Prior to this year, Alexis Hornbuckle visibly flinched every time she drove to the basket and encountered any kind of resistance. She just HAD to do some kind of dipsy-do move with too much spin on the ball instead of just powering through straight to the board, and there are no stronger players, pound for pound, in women's BB. In playground ball, that is called a "self-check"; she led the team in those for a couple of years. Candace Parker also has too much lateral movement on the ball; that's why so many of her shots slide across the rim. In Nikki's defense, she has been much more effective on offense this year, even making big free throws on several occasions, though I too cringe when she puts the ball on the floor. This team has loads of talent, but they still have lots of room for improvement, as I am sure Pat keeps telling them every day!
fortandrews writes:
Dear seven_ pin: You do not need a response - I feel I need to CLEAR the air:
How about All City in my high school and Captain of my BB team.
Eight years of Semi-pro BB
Seven years as an offical in my state, both high school and college.
Sorry I do not know anything about BB. I did not want to up set up. Maybe YOU need to get a LIFE.
threehundredbowler writes:
I have a life.You are nothing but a blow hard.
Anosike55Fan writes:
As you can see by my name, I LOVE Nicky. Yes she misses a LOT of shots, and it's something she really needs to get together. Her defense on smaller players is AMAZING, she has quick hands and although she looks slow she isn't. Her rebounding has improved in the last few games, she'd average more boards if the dumb Refs would let her defend like she knows how and STOP calling these petty fouls on her, the same fouls that other players get away with.
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