Junior college twosome a Final Four hit

TAMPA, Fla. - Tennessee's Shannon Bobbitt and Alberta Auguste are one victory away from a perfect 2-for-2 college career: two seasons, two national championships.

They haven't just helped UT win one national title and play for another. They also have changed coach Pat Summitt's theory on junior college recruiting.

The old theory could be summed up in a question: "Why recruit two-year players when you basically have your pick of the top high school players in the country?"

But two years ago, the Lady Vols needed help - fast. And high schools couldn't provide it.

Enter Bobbitt and Auguste.

UT might have won six national championships without junior college transfers, but it couldn't have won a seventh. And it wouldn't be playing for an eighth tonight against Stanford.

"If you look what Shannon and Alberta brought to our team (against LSU on Sunday night), without those two, we don't win," Summitt said. "I just go back to my staff and thank them for bringing those two in."

Auguste made five of nine field-goal attempts and scored 10 points in the 47-46 Final Four semifinal victory. Bobbitt was 4-for-7 from the field and scored 11. The rest of the Lady Vols combined to make only 12 of 53 shots.

Scoring doesn't account for their full value. Bobbitt has been UT's starting point guard for the last two years. Auguste has played her way into the starting lineup mainly because of her stout defense.

But this isn't the first time she and Bobbitt have had a scoring impact at the Final Four.

In last year's national championship victory over Rutgers, they combined for 23 points. Bobbitt made four of eight 3-point tries and scored 13 points. Auguste came off the bench to hit three of five shots and went 4-for-4 at the foul line.

Auguste has a simple plan for her championship game encore.

"I just plan on bringing the same intensity I've been bringing," she said. "Just come out ready to play, and bring that scoring as well as my defense."

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

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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