Shekinna Stricklen is feeling better, which is good news for her and Tennessee's backcourt.
The Lady Vols' freshman guard, who missed Thursday's women's basketball game at Old Dominion with a stomach virus, practiced Friday and will play against Stanford at 7 p.m. Sunday at Thompson-Boling Arena.
Lady Vols Kelley Cain and Alyssia Brewer, who both averted knee injuries during Thursday's game, also practiced.
UT point guard Cait McMahan, who's resting her sore right knee, will miss Sunday's game.
Stricklen will provide help at point guard and on defense. Freshman point guard Briana Bass played 37 minutes against Old Dominion.
Of the two knee injury scares, Brewer's was the scariest. The freshman forward was sandwiched by an ODU player and teammate Glory Johnson. Lifting her right foot off the ground as she tumbled to the court likely saved Brewer from significant damage.
"Watching the tape, Lyssi Brewer dodged a huge, huge bullet,'' UT coach Pat Summitt said.
Old Dominion guard Jazzmin Walters banged into Cain's knee, irritating the underside of her right kneecap in much the same fashion as a practice collision earlier this month.
For the redshirt freshman center, who underwent reconstructive surgery on her kneecap last year, the ongoing saga is a mental challenge as well as a physical one.
"I think an understanding of what it is really helps,'' said Jenny Moshak, the Lady Vols associate athletic director for sports medicine. "She knows she's not going to hurt it more. Then it's just a matter of fighting through the pain.
"She's still strong. She's very, very strong. That's very, very key.''
Summitt said that she can relate to Cain's situation.
"She'll get tougher; she'll get tougher,'' Summitt said. "With the schedule we have, she's going to have to stand up and fight or surrender. She's not going to surrender. She's going to fight.
"I understand, having had an ACL (surgery). I really can relate to the fear you feel when you get back on the court for the first weeks."
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Comments » 11
GR82BAVOL writes:
1st...glad she's back.
98reax writes:
I'm really pulling for Kelley. She's a tough young lady and she's dedicated to being a Lady Vol which means she will do whatever she needs to do to help her team. She will come back strong.
tenn32rebel writes:
Jenny, would a padded knee brace/support be of any real value in protecting her knee? It seems like she could use some padding on the support she wears. Just a thought.
Ladies, get well by listening to Jenny and doing everything exactly as she tells you. Beat STANFORD!!!
GO BABY LADY VOLS---OUR FUTURE CHAMPIONS!!!
dwa7#337691 writes:
prediction:
UT 78 (no Chick-Fillet sandwich)
San. 72
in OT no less!!!!!
PureOrange writes:
As Cain went down, and then Brewer, I almost got sick at my stomach. I only hope we get all these injuries out of our system soon.
It is good to have Stricklin back. I also hope to see some real aggressive defense on Sunday. Our defense against Stanford in the championship game was key, just as it will be on Sunday.
Go Lady Vols!
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Gonna need all hands on board, healthy, and ready to get after it to beat Stanford! There can't be a program anywhere that wants to beat us more than them. Except for last year's championship game, I think our last five or so wins against them have been by a total of ten points or so. Before the stat geeks get me, that was just my off-handed guess--I know nearly all the recent games have been close.
amcguire01 writes:
I know CPS has 8 National Titles and I'm no one to question her program, but I'm concerned about this kids. Three concussions, numerous knee and back injuries. Basketball is a contact sport,but they're not even halfway through the season. They get crushed in games, but the coaches crush these girls in practice too. I hope they are at least having fun.
98reax writes:
I hope they are watching that nc game in slow motion. Especially Baugh. She was a demon in that game until she went down with injury. If the Baby Vols just bring that kind of spirit and hustle on Sunday evening, it will be awesome to see. At least they have no 'Ice' to defend this year. Of course we have no 'Ace' either, or do we? Perhaps one will evolve. If Bj can keep that hot hand, if Glory can stay out of trouble, and if Stricklin can knock down what she's capable of scoring. My goodness, that's a lot of 'ifs'...
ncvol writes:
Our ladies will play tough and work through all the injuries.
Go Vols!
AMcguire01:
Don't think that Pat is the cause of the injuries. She will sit them in a minute if Jenny Mosak gives her the word. Pat always looks out for her L. Vols.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
No doubt this team has a lot of "ifs" at this time. Even worse, the "iffy" players can vary from game to game. That is what you get with freshmen. The LV's will be fine by mid-season. Just as well they see what the national-level competition is like before the NCAA's. Any lumps they take now will be returned over the next few years if not later this year.
mississippi writes:
Thank goodness they are ok .Let's roll over stanford
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