Saul Young

Tennessee’s Alexis Hornbuckle, Candace Parker and Nicky Anosike, from left, arrive at a press conference before an NCAA tournament game with Purdue at West Lafayette, Ind.

Saul Young

From left, Alexis Hornbuckle, Candace Parker, Shannon Bobbitt, Alberta Auguste and Nicky Anosike huddle after a game against Florida on Feb. 28 at Thompson-Boling Arena.

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Nicky Anosike, Alexis Hornbuckle and Candace Parker put the coarse in discourse.

Oddly enough, it turned out to be a gift for gab for which the Tennessee women's basketball seniors, commonly known as "The Big Three", didn't receive enough credit.

There were reasons, such as the absence of capable translators. Parker described her relationship with Anosike as "special" but conceded that the sound track could be utterly confusing.

"We talk to each other in ways some people might not understand,'' Parker said. "That's just how we communicate."

Likewise, there's no way to quantify these exchanges. They don't add up like Parker's points, Anosike's rebounds or Hornbuckle's steals.

Unless, you attribute the two national championships they helped win for the Lady Vols to their ability to pound each other's eardrums.

Understand this: The bond between these three players was vital to UT's achievements the past two seasons. So if the dialogue wasn't always diplomatic in nature, well so be it. That just adds a little mystery to the magic this power trio was able to create.

"If you're a complete outsider and just listening to them for the first time," Lady Vols assistant coach Dean Lockwood said, "it would sometimes sound like anger, even derision versus a helpful exchange of information or give and take."

The decibel level of their dialogue gradually built during their first two seasons. It didn't approach full volume until their junior year, when they had a better understanding of each other and knew, as Hornbuckle said, "it's all out of love."

By then, Anosike had established herself as an initiator. The 6-foot-4 center yearned for a leadership role as early as her sophomore season. Why stand by and watch an older teammate struggle with the responsibilities. If something needed to be said, she was willing to say it.

"She is amazing,'' Parker said. "She's told me everything that I need to hear, not what I want to hear. I feel like that's the most important thing and that's why I respect her so much, and vice versa."

Hornbuckle evolved into a mediator. If the 5-11 guard wouldn't put her hand over Anosike's mouth, at least she could explain what was coming out. She began sizing up her role in earnest before last season, repeatedly emphasizing the constructive nature of criticism.

"That works wonders to be honest because when you know that your teammates are communicating with you and it's not how they're saying it but what they're saying and you can take it like that,'' Hornbuckle said. "Instead of saying, 'Why are you screaming at me?' and getting defensive now you're getting productivity out of it. Like 'Why didn't you get on the boards?' I'm thinking 'OK I need to rebound because they're seeing a weakness in my game.' "

Lest you think Parker was hopelessly caught in the crossfire, think again. Perhaps the 6-foot-5 forward, a two-time national player of the year, wasn't as naturally outspoken as she was gifted. But she definitely had a verbal presence.

"By no means was she any wallflower when the exchanges were going,'' Lockwood said. "She could give and take with the best of them."

These three could verbally spar with each other and come away unscathed. But what about their teammates? How were they interpreting the crackle of these exchanges? Is this really love talking?

Lockwood said the subject came up several times among the coaches. With the freshmen in mind, Anosike was advised by assistant coach Nikki Caldwell to cool it at the beginning of this season.

The subject ought to come up again as these players depart, leaving a huge leadership void in their wake. Just because their interaction worked for them, and ultimately for the team, doesn't mean it's a useful blueprint for everyone.

Better to emphasize the importance of relationships rather than the nature of them. One of the first things to be learned from the bond between Anosike, Hornbuckle and Parker is one of the best things. They took the time to get to know each other, creating a wellspring for the qualities necessary to flourish as teammates.

"You find a way to get along, you find a way to communicate,'' Lockwood said. "You must respect and trust each other and above all you must be loyal to each other."

Lockwood hopes that the "Big Three" made themselves perfectly clear on these values - to the point where there's no mystery to their magic.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.