Nicky Anosike’s family didn’t arrive in time for Tennessee’s senior night ceremony Thursday night.
While that was a disappointment for the 6-foot-4 center, it wasn’t exactly a surprise.
“I have no clue when they got here,’’ Anosike said. “But they’re always late. I kind of expected it.
The Anosike cheering section missed a touching tribute to their favorite Lady Vol as well as her rousing start. Anosike snagged four rebounds in barely more than a minute and set the tone for the Lady Vols’ 88-61 SEC women’s basketball victory over Florida in the final regular-season home game at Thompson-Boling Arena.
UT coach Pat Summitt wondered whether Anosike’s situation worked to the Lady Vols’ advantage.
“I think she was mad because her family was late, Summitt said. “It looked like that.”
Anosike, who scored 15 points and grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds, ignited a team effort that featured five double-figure scorers. Candace Parker and reserve Alex Fuller led No. 3 Tennessee (26-2, 12-1 SEC) with 18 points apiece. Angie Bjorklund scored 14 and Vicki Baugh added 11.
Sha Brooks scored a career-high 27 points for Florida (16-12, 5-8) but no other Gator scored more than nine.
“This was a special night here at Tennessee and this is a special place,’’ Florida coach Amanda Butler said.
Butler, a native of Mt. Juliet, Tenn., added, “I’m from Tennessee and I can appreciate the loyalty and the energy and the passion with which people support this program. This is a fantastic group of seniors that deserved all those folks to be in the stands.”
The seniors helped UT record a season-high 27 assists. Alexis Hornbuckle had eight and point guard Shannon Bobbitt recorded seven. However, it was the other season high — 57 rebounds — that drew Parker’s praise.
“I think the most important thing about this game was the rebounding,’’ she said. “We pounded the glass.”
If so, nobody’s effort was more important than Anosike’s, whose family finally joined her on the court for a makeshift moment together during a timeout in the second half.
If Anosike was mad at anyone beforehand, it was herself. The final home game inspired her to review the season and rebuke her contributions to date. She considered herself to be a late arrival as well.
“I guess I kind of had a meeting with myself,’’ she said. “I feel like I’ve been letting this team down in terms of my leadership. It’s not too late to step up. I’m going to try to do everything I can to lead this team to a championship.”
Her self-assessment mirrored an underlying theme to the evening. Afterward, the seniors thanked the crowd of 16,523 on hand. Parker, a redshirt junior who is forgoing an extra season of eligibility, told the fans, “This has been the best four years of my life.” But there were no final good-byes.
“It has been a great time,’’ said Hornbuckle, who also had 10 rebounds. “It has been a great journey and it is not over yet.”
Along with the senior review, there was an encouraging preview of the future, particularly from Fuller. The redshirt junior forward, who was splintered from this senior class after undergoing multiple knee surgeries her freshman year, shot 7 for 12 from the floor and grabbed five rebounds.
“Alex is a player who could’ve been out there tonight,’’ Summitt said. “She chose to stay. I told our (coaching) staff during the course of the game, ‘Aren’t we glad Alex is going to stay.’”
Freshman Bjorklund, meanwhile, hit four of UT’s nine 3-pointers. It was her most treys since tying the school single-game record of seven against Arkansas on Jan. 24.
“We’re going to need to make some shots,’’ Summitt said. “Just feeling like we can count on some people to stretch the defense.”
UT couldn’t count on Hornbuckle, Bobbitt or fellow senior Alberta Auguste, who shot a combined 4 for 21 from the floor. Their off night will result in a senior day of shooting today in preparation for Sunday’s regular-season finale at Georgia.
“We’re going to be in the gym (today); we’re going to get a lot of shots in,’’ Summitt said. “Lex said tonight ‘I couldn’t buy one, Coach’ … At this time, I’m not going to put a lot of emphasis on it. I want them just to stay confident and the best place to get your confidence is in the gym.”
Tennessee 69, South Carolina 57 men's…
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Comments » 32
vol4good#206163 writes:
Now thats the way to end the home schedule!! Smokin Florida in anything is always a reason to party!! Way to go Lady Vols!
volfan#207874 writes:
Way to go Lady Hoopsters! Let's run the table for another banner to hang high in the rafters in TBA!
gohawks1 writes:
What vol4good said.
vol_in_lsu_land writes:
Rabidvolfan.
I am beginning to realize that you are NOT a real Vol fan but a poser. Bragging about a UConn player and calling Pat Summit a "SORE LOSER"? WTF dude? Do you have ANYTHING positive to say about Volunteer athletics or coaches?
utahvolsfan56 writes:
rabidvolfan I have watched Mya Moore play many games throughout this season. Wow is right, and don't forget she is only a freshman! She has been named the Big East player of the week for 9 weeks. This breaks Rebecca Lobo's record. The sportscasters throughout the LSU/UCONN game was stating she will be the player of the decade. Hold on to your seat wait until next year when she is joined by Elena DelleDonne #1 high school player of the year. I wish the Lady Vols could play with this intensity and drive every game.
LadyVolFanForever writes:
Way to please us one last time at home Lady Vols. Thank you seniors for coming to UT and hanging a banner !!! Hope all of you will pull together for the postseason and give it your best effort.
Best of luck to all of you in your futures and you will always be Lady Vols !!!
hcjournals#206623 writes:
Thanks Ladies. You make us proud to be Volunteers. You will get back to backs. You deserve it!
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Well done ladies. Sound advice -02 champs.
adimatteo#261830 writes:
great job girls, you deserve it all, you are the ones who worked for it.
lnbadger320 writes:
Rabidvolfan. i guess the name fits, rabies can really affect the brain and when you don't have much to work it just makes it worse.
lnbadger320 writes:
i will says this about anosike, she drove me crazy watching her play offensez. i don't know how one person could miss as many layups as she did in her career. i know her defense was outstanding, but her offense just killed me.
mnvol writes:
What, you can't compliment an athlete simply because she plays for a team other than UT? The mentality that dictates that "real" fans have to insult the opposition or totally ingnore their accomplishments is the mentality of losers, the immature, high school drop-outs, or a combination of all three.
mnvol writes:
lnbadger320. Thank you for confirming my statement.
HotlantaVol writes:
Forget about UConn. This is Tennessee's year if they are able to put the season behind them and start over with this victory. Undefeated from this point on!! Hang #8 in the rafters, ladies!!
Couchdummy writes:
Lets win it all again! Go Lady Vols!
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Well said, Nicky. Now show us that leadership by bringing us another championship as a lovely parting gift! You have represented yourself and UT like a champion. Thanks a LOT; best of everything to you in the rest of your life!
BTW, Maya Moore IS great, and losing her to--ugh!--Geno and the UConns WAS a bitter blow. But we have some good talent coming back, some great talent coming in, and the same GREAT coach to lead them, so we should be right back in the thick of things next year, just as always! GO LADY VOLS!
jcvol writes:
What can you say about Nicky except that she has been a wonderful contribution to Lady Vols basketball. I hope that she has a wonderful future and will always know that I enjoyed watching her play for the Lady Vols. Thank you Nicky.
VolJunkie writes:
Coach Summitt and team have always been a class act, last night was no different.
I don't remember a time when I have been this excited about BOTH UT basketball programs ... I expect to see the women and the men play in the Final Four!
GO VOLS!
98reax writes:
Maya Moore would have been better suited as a Lady Vol. She would have had the mentoring skills of a coach who speaks in more than 4-letter words. I feel quite certain the lady will have a stellar career in basketball whether she learns from Geno or Paris Hilton. However, we know with a certainty she will not have been coached by the best coach in college basketball. She most likely will be fine but she will have missed some valuable life skills by choosing him over Pat. I've seen Pat look women in the eye and tell them exactly what they've done wrong and what they need to do to get better. I have NEVER seen her get in a woman's face and spew vulgarities. I've seen her question an official eye to eye. I've NEVER seen her run out on the court and speak profanities. If there are parents in here, do you believe you have your daughter's best interest at heart if you allow her to be mentored by such a coach? It's like the TV commercial: Would you consider a coach like this, when you could have this for the same price?
vol_in_lsu_land writes:
What BossVol said.
It goes without saying that an athlete from another team can be recognized, admired, and appreciated for their talent. For instance, I have to confess that I think Tim Tebow is the best athlete in college football and a kid with some chatacter.
But no TRUE VOL fan could EVER, EVER with any level of sanity criticize PAT SUMMIT. We can criticize Phil Fulmer till the cows come home, and some criticism is warranted. But CRITICIZE THE MOST SUCCESSFUL COACH IN D1A COLLEGE ATHLETICS? Refer to her as a "sore loser"???? Pat Summit is bordering on sainthood and she may very well get it if the pope is a Vol fan!
And in the same breath to say, without blinking, that a major rival team's player is BETTER THAN OUR STAR PLAYER, and post that in a public forum where OUR STAR PLAYER MAY READ IT...In other words, it isn't enough to just recognize Moore as a great player, but to DISS OUR OWN in the proccess?
Bottom line...RabidVolFan is either not really a Vol fan, or a CLASSLESS JERK, and in either case has really shown his colors with this thread, if they weren't already on display with Fulmer threads.
LVVOLJJ writes:
Rabidvolfan is a non entity in my view. He is obviously not a Vol and doesn't deserve the time of day. His only reason for being here in his new ID is to stir the pot. Hopefully, we will recoginize him early in his next disguise and ignore him. And... his partners.
Congrads Lady Vols... Lets go be a NC again! And, we got a shot at two National Championships! Volunteer BB is great fun!
rockytopron writes:
This class of seniors will be missed for many years to come. At least 4 of the 5 will be playing in the WNBA, so its nice to know they will be a big part of American Basketball.
Go out in style with another championship!
anosikefan writes:
I hate that Nicky's family wasn't there and my heart goes out to her and her family that they missed that special moment. She played a great game and she and Hornbuckle have been the sparkplugs for this team the past 4 years with their defense, intensity, and leadership! Shannon and Bird were also key to last year's championship and Candace puts the icing on the cake! We have the same team...a more experience team!
Ever heard of the secret...the power of positive thinking? This group of young women can do whatever they put their minds to. We have to believe in them and support them. They will be greatly missed and I for one hope they can pull off another one before they leave and go out with a much deserved BANG!
Love em Lady Vols! Thanks for everything you have done the past 4 years! You all have been such a pleasure to watch and have made us, the fans, feel like we are a part of you...like family! To Nicky-my favorite Lady Vol of ALL TIME who I was fortunate enough to meet (1st in line) after the Rutgers game, I love you and good luck with the rest of the season and your BRIGHT future! Go girls let's get one more!
ATLVOLFAN writes:
Congrats to all the senior! I wish all of yall the best in life. I have enjoyed watching this team play over the last four years. This team mad me Have a room totally for the Vols in my house and it was worth all the money I spent. Lets continue to play Lady Vols basketball and everything else will fall in place. GO VOLS!!!!!!!
brucealmightyfan writes:
Hey rabidvolfan (geno in disguise). Yes its too bad that Pat couldn't get Maya Moore's mom a job at UT to seal the deal. Uconn certainly had no problem pulling that one off. No wonder Pat dropped Uconn. Geno is a nauseatingly, self centered, ego maniac who will do absolutely anything to get an advantage. It's getting really old too watching him storm the court and having his blond assistant pull him back. He's all about Geno and feeding his gigantic ego.
VolJunkie writes:
Nice post 98reax (11:58a)! Good reminder that at the end of the day there are some life skills that stay with you long after the playing days are over. I would let any of my children play for Pat Summitt in any sport she is involved in ... of course that assumes a certain skill level on their part which may or may not be evident! ;)
ladyvolsrock writes:
I have always loved Nikki. Even when she was a freshman and wasn't always sure what to do. I loved the fact that she didn't back down from anyone. I am sad to see the senior class go, but it is the way things are. They are a class act and have been a credit to UT and the entire state. GO LADY VOLS. Here is one vol fan who will support you even without another banner. That being said I totally expect you to get another one. Have a great life. Be happy.
pendav#661488 writes:
Hey brucealmightyfan
Geno may be many things but he is still married to his wife & his children don't come from a broken home. Geno never got Maya's mom a job at Uconn. Pat is no angel!!!
janchattn#610676 writes:
I don't get to see many games in person but I got to go to Senior Night and it was so fun!! I am really proud of this senior class, probably because I started watching the Lady Vols about the time they all came on board. I will miss each one of them A LOT!!! By the way, anosikefan, Nicky's family's plane was late but they got there in time for a special presentation and a well-deserved standing ovation for Nicky. Congratulations to all the seniors and the whole team. Go Lady Vols!
coach75 writes:
i think that rabidvolfan may be someone from the paper trying to get us stirred up to stay longer. i love ut and will stay longer anyway without this nazi propoganda.
dopedawg writes:
Great job ladies!! Best to you and your futures. Still some ball to play yet, so, focus, get what you want--another NCAA title!!!
Anosike55Fan writes:
I Love you Nicky, hopefully you can play in NY for the WNBA's NY Liberty.;)
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