The Tennessee Lady Vols hoisted one national championship banner and raised expectations for another one Sunday afternoon at Thompson-Boling Arena.

The pregame celebration honored the 2006-07 national champions. The game was a testament to a team that's even more talented.

And why wouldn't it be? The Lady Vols have added a promising freshman class to a championship team that returned four starters.

Texas found the combination overwhelming.

Tennessee forced 30 turnovers, made 53.7 percent of its shots and dominated the game from the outset in a 92-67 victory. Duke basketball probably never looked better to first-year Texas coach Gail Goestenkors.

Her Duke teams more than held their own against the Lady Vols. They sabotaged Tennessee's bid for a fourth consecutive NCAA title in 1999, won five of nine meetings, and put on a clinic in routing the Lady Vols 75-53 two years ago.

"I wanted a new challenge," Goestenkors said of her job change. "This is a great opportunity and a great challenge."

The emphasis was on "challenge" Sunday. Texas played the game at the Lady Vols' fast pace but without their talent or depth.

The best thing Goestenkors had going for her was a timeout.

Tennessee would make a run, and she would call a timeout. Then, Tennessee would make another run, and she would call another timeout.

There were too many runs and not enough timeouts for a Texas team that has lost three of its 12 players to injury.

On the other side of a one-sided game, you could see the potential for one of coach Pat Summitt's most versatile teams. The Lady Vols balanced sharp shooting with a fierce defense, which had 18 steals and seven blocked shots.

The poster girl for Tennessee's versatility was Alexis Hornbuckle, who had 13 points, six assists, five rebounds, five steals and two blocks.

Amidst all the impressive stats, the assists stood out - not just from Hornbuckle but from an entire team that repeatedly found open teammates; then delivered quick, crisp passes that resulted in easy baskets. And it didn't seem to matter who was passing or catching.

Candace Parker scored Tennessee's first 11 points, including three consecutive layups on which teammates Nicky Anosike, Shannon Bobbitt and Hornbuckle each provided assists.

"I always think that passing is directly related to unselfish play," Summitt said. "I've had a lot of teams that had great passers but didn't always look to pass.

"This team really understands ball movement, player movement and getting all teammates involved. There were times when all five people touched the basketball. That only happened a couple of times in our previous games."

The Lady Vols were passing so well even the worst throws worked out for the best. One Hornbuckle pass for Parker sailed too high, hit the rim and bounced into the arms of Alex Fuller, who converted a layup.

It was that kind of game for the Lady Vols. And there should be more like it.

There's no dead weight on the Lady Vols bench. Once an opponent gets down, it won't have any pedestrian Tennessee players coming to its rescue in the final minutes of a lopsided game.

As freshman reserves Vicki Baugh and Sydney Smallbone improve, Tennessee's finishes should become even stronger. Freshman starter Angie Bjorklund already has filled a much-needed role as a perimeter shooter. She hit four of eight 3-point attempts and scored 16 points in 23 minutes against the Longhorns.

Texas' young players also were a factor. Freshman Kathleen Nash had 17 points and nine rebounds, and sophomores Brittainey Raven and Carla Cortijo combined for 30 points.

Summitt predicts Texas' talent will only get better under Goestenkors and former Lady Vols assistant coach Mickie DeMoss, who joined Texas' staff in the off-season.

"Mickie DeMoss is one of the best recruiters in the history of women's basketball," Summitt said. "That's going to be a tough combination, and obviously an effective one in recruiting."

But you didn't need the future tense to characterize Tennessee's recruiting success.

It was reflected in the banner hanging above the floor. And it was just as evident on the court.

Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knews.com.

© 2007, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.