Making shots and making stops are separate undertakings that share a common women’s basketball denominator. Both are crucial to the outcome of a game.
It’s essential that Tennessee strike a better balance between the two playing traits against Old Dominion on Thursday night in Norfolk, Va.
Sophomore guard Angie Bjorklund described the rearrangement as some heavy detail work.
“I really think the major thing is staying in it mentally,’’ she said. “We have to take it one play at time, especially on defense. If we don’t hit a shot, we need to go back and get a (defensive) stop.”
Bjorklund made her assessment in the aftermath of Sunday’s 73-59 loss at Texas — a performance that went totally awry after a promising start.
The outcome dropped No. 11 Tennessee (7-2) out of the top 10 of the weekly Associated Press poll for the first time since March 3, 1997.
An air of vulnerability will accompany the Lady Vols into the Constant Center, where Old Dominion (5-2) has won 29 consecutive games. ODU is tied with Hartford for the nation’s longest active home winning streak. The last visiting team to beat the Lady Monarchs was UT on Dec. 22, 2006.
“I look at this game as being very telling,’’ Lady Vols assistant coach Dean Lockwood said.
After Sunday, the Lady Vols need some answers about themselves. They trailed by seven points four times in the first half against Texas and still rallied for a 31-all tie at halftime. They scored the first basket after the break but then were outscored 42-26.
Two days later, Bjorklund still was shaking her head.
“It was weird,’’ she said. “It’s a snowball effect.”
The most damaging development was UT shooting 28.6 percent from the floor (8 for 28) after Glory Johnson’s layup to start the second half. As the misses mounted, UT coach Pat Summitt said the basketball became a “hot potato” in players’ hands. In reviewing the game video, she couldn’t recall seeing one shot fake. The shot selection adversely impacted rebounding as well.
“It’s difficult to rebound out of those (situations) because you don’t know when the ball is going up,’’ Summitt said.
The ripple effect on defense was bewilderment. On at least one possession, some players were playing zone while others were in a man alignment. Lockwood said the coaches jokingly refer to the hybrid formation as a “moan”, which also describes their reaction to it.
“I thought we dwelled on if we made a mistake or whatever,’’ Bjorklund said. “Or if coach gets into us, especially the younger players who aren’t used to it. You kind of start taking it a little personal.”
The offensive woes underscored the absence of Tennessee’s departed veterans, particularly All-American Candace Parker. In tough games, she was a scoring security blanket who would ward off apprehension.
In both of Tennessee’s losses, the opposition had that advantage. Summitt alluded to the difference in lauding Texas guard Brittainey Raven, who scored a game-high 21 points on Sunday.
“She’s such a confident player,’’ Summitt said. “Very, very impressed with what she brings. When you have a player like that, everyone can relax a little more.”
Raven’s effect on her team recalled Virginia’s Monica Wright, who scored 35 points and literally willing the Cavaliers to an 83-82 upset of Tennessee on Nov. 17.
UT has candidates for this role. Bjorklund and Johnson both are capable scorers. Against Texas, both were shackled with foul trouble.
Center Kelley Cain’s 6-foot-6 stature affords her high-percentage shots. But she’s still overcoming the effects of reconstructive knee surgery last year as well as colliding with a practice player earlier this month.
In the meantime, UT is convening a group approach. Bjorklund endorses the strategy but believes there’s still an individual accountability that must play out.
“I think as a player,’’ she said, “what I’ve learned is yeah other people can try to get you going. But you have to take it upon yourself to say: Alright I made a mistake. I need to move on to the next play.”
Notebook: Summitt said Wednesday that guard Cait McMahan will not play tonight. The redshirt sophomore point guard's surgically repaired right knee has been acting up and she is sidelined indefinitely.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Tennessee defeats Georgia 3-2 in…
Memorable moments in Pat Summitt's…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 30
cainclifton23 writes:
1st
stevefrommemphis writes:
Pat Summitt is grossly overpaid.
ncvol writes:
I think the Lady Vols will be OK. If anyone can have them ready, Pat can.
Overpaid.....You have got to be kidding me! She is simply the best and deserves and earns her pay.
Don't start that on this site. Go Vols!
mississippi writes:
GO BIG ORANGE!!!!!!!!!!!!
YankeeVol writes:
These kids - and I do mean kids - will work themselves out to be a monster team eventually.
Talk about grossly overpaid - the coaching salaries for any football coach, even the sorriest performers, make me sick.
98reax writes:
stevefromemphis, you are grossly gross. Who do you think you are to log in here with your vociferous castigation against the best coach in the country? Go away, you officious troll.
DroopyDrawers writes:
U R the MAN! Tell it like it is!
volball7222 writes:
LOL! What do you call Geno at UraConn? He is an overpaid cry baby....
volball7222 writes:
Geno? Is that you?
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
guys, it really is simple. Pat's system is tough, and the LV's aren't there yet.
Angie is dead-on right (redundant): you have to value EVERY play. Offense, defense, you have to be doing the right things.
I'm not all that concerned, except for this: the fans and the players may get TOO down with these tough losses. Hell, the team isn't ready yet. No way, no how.
As fans, do what you want, but damned if I'm fussing this season. If you are lucky enough to get to games, I'd ask that you REALLY try to pick them up when they need it, when they are serewing up. They'll pay you back, turst me.
YankeeVol writes:
You are totally right, mparker. Glad to see that you've stabilized.
tvol71 writes:
As I recall, one year I think the Lady Vols lost 10 games during the season before winning the National Championship. While I am not saying this team will win the Championship, as they are very young and there are some very experienced teams out there, but I believe Pat will have a very competitive team by the end of the season. If one of these young players steps up to lead the team, they will be back getting Championships soon.
orangesox writes:
Good post mparker. I agree with you 110%. This team is too young to compete for a NC and maybe even an SEC crown, but I have no doubt they'll get better as the year progresses.
xvolx writes:
right now, they can't handle the pressure. some big footsteps to follow. they may mature fast or they may not. time will tell.
WeLoveTennesseeVols writes:
what do you do for a living? Maybe you are grossly underpaid? but then will you be happy if we all go back to the rice fields? And nobody has anything? Or are you the kind who has nothing and wants no body else to have anything either? How about all of the above? Memphis used to be in Egypt! Are yo u going back there with your buddy Obama? Have a nice trip, but i left there long ago, there's nothing there! Plus our troops have given their lives so that capitalism and a better way of life should be here instead of suffering 24 7. Count your blessings, Coach Summitt is a great person and gives more than we all combined will probably. Instead of berating her, we ought to copy her. Until we become more successful ourselves.
ladyvolfaithful62 writes:
Teams may beat the Baby Vols this year, but they better watch out for the Lady Vols for the next few years. At this point, I feel they are still trying to gel and find their place, but next year will be different. If we don't get Championship #9 in '09, I think we will in 2010. Of course, there is still a lot of b-ball yet to be played this year. I am very anxious to see how they handle Stanford on Sunday, especialy since Stanford lost to Duke last night. I think Coach Summit is the best and I like her work ethic. Go Lady Vols. Your fans are behind you!
rockytopron writes:
Apparently so are you.
marinevol writes:
???
Did you just regain computer privileges at the half-way house?
98reax writes:
Spoiled fans, I hope this Lady Vols site does not turn into the pathetic mess we saw during the gridiron demise. So many think there are no improvements on which to comment if the ladies are not victorious in every game.
I don't wish ill to anyone, but I'm curious to know how some of you doubters would fair working under Pat's charge. It would do us all well to be more patient and understanding of these Baby Vols and their rigorous lifestyle as a pupil of the most esteemed coach in the nation.
GR82BAVOL writes:
WOW...I am shocked!
All one has to do is look at steve's username to know he was purposely trying to "stir the pot", and boy was he ever successful.
Don't pay any attention to goofballs like him...
...and WeloveTennesseVols, do you have to inject politics into every one of your posts?
GEEZ!
Anyway, yes, just like the men, they're a young team and it's going to take some time for them to gel. The poster who typed that we had lost 10 games one year and still won it all is correct.
Pat'll have them playing at the height of their potential come Tourney time.
In the meantime, try to overlook the nut-cases that come on here for the sole purpose of making your collective blood boil. You'll live longer!
SomeGuy writes:
Alright, pay attention Pat critics. Shut the heck up and watch a master at work as she turns this incredibly inexperienced team into yet another powerhouse. It won't happen overnight but it will happen. And she will earn every penny she's paid in the process. Count on it.
maxvolfan#217855 writes:
My prediction....
SEC Champions and Elite 8.
sgtvols writes:
coming off back to back national champs/ they lose 2 games agianst ranked teams and "fire summitt" where were you when fulmer went 10 years without a sec or a bcs?
Ralph_Crampton writes:
It could be that this season has caught Pat sort of napping...with the Volunteers reputation...we should not have to rebuild...just reload...talent-wise Vols must look forward to always next year also.
fortandrews writes:
Angie hit the nail on the head. These "kids" have to grow up and in a hurry. Don't give me this " they get their feelings hurt when Pat gets on them".. They are in college now and not the "big guy on campus", just one of the team. They are getting a taste of the REAL world of BB. Suck it up ladies and pay attention to the best coach you will ever have in your life. There are plent of other players who would give the right arm to play for Pat. She will get the job done. Again thank you Pat for the job you are doing in these trying times you have been there before and you came out better than when you went in. Time is on your side.
mississippi writes:
We need to be patient.These girls will put us back on top.Everyone join me in praising our baby vols even if we lose.mparker is right as usual.We have much more class than Ucoon & their fans will ever have.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
They ARE reloaded! There are LOTS of programs out there that would LOVE to have this team's record and performance against the country's best. Besides, two years ago, Pat could have reasonably expected to have Candace as a fifth-year senior and McMahon and Kelly Cain as experienced second-year players. It doesn't help this year's team that Vicky Baugh isn't back up to full speed from her knee surgery. CPS doesn't get caught off-guard, but she is no more able to see the future than any other all-world, all-time coaching legend!
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
wish to heck my daughter could play for Pat. I think they'd get along just fine. Sad thing, I just don't think she will be up to that standard of player, but she is a tough one on the court.
I think a lot Pat, becasue she NEVER makes an excuse for losing. She also does NOT back away from congratulating her opponent, and she admits her misakes.
I liked Phil, too, but as I've ranted before, he didn't adjust. You know I've posted on here before about Pat adjusting as well. This will be her year...
98, remember my warning: if Pat runs the girls into the ground, she hasn't learned from Angie's year. If she lightns up as the season goes on, she HAS learned.
amcguire01 writes:
Coach Summitt overpaid... are you kidding? There are folks out there who make just as much money as she does, and do absolutely NOTHING to mentor and prepare young people for life. Pat uses basketball as a metaphor, while teaching these young ladies... You can't put a price tag on that.
CTOWNICON writes:
WHY WOULD OBAMA GO HE HAS EVERYTHING, HE IS PRESIDENT AND YOU CANT TAKE IT. YOU SHOULD HAVE SAID BUSH OR MCCAIN, PREFERABLY BUSH, AN NOT TO WASTE TO MUCH TIME ON YOU LETS GO AN GET A WIN SUNDAY LADY VOLS AGAINST STANFORD. I WILL BE WATCHING. I BELIEVE YOU CAN BEAT THIS TEAM IF YOU PLAY HARD DEFENSE. THE SCORING WILL EVENTUALLY COME JUST PLAY HARD DEFENSE. IVE NOTICED THAT THE STANFORD TEAM REALLY CANT HANDLE TOUGH DEFENSE, SO ONE GAME AT TIME LADIES LETS GO AN KEEP YOUR HEADS UP.
Share your thoughts
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.