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40 minutes of energy

Lady Vols keep going and going, 92-61

By Dan Fleser (Contact)
Originally published 05:21 p.m., March 7, 2008
Updated 06:15 p.m., March 7, 2008

NASHVILLE - A reminder about last season's SEC women's basketball tournament got Tennessee going in this year's event.

And going and going and going.

Manhattan native Shannon Bobbitt set a New York-minute pace and the second-seeded Lady Vols followed their point guard to a 92-61 victory over seventh-seeded Florida on Friday afternoon before a crowd of 9,928 at the Sommet Center.

UT will play in the semifinals at 9 EST tonight (TV: FSN) against No. 21 Vanderbilt (23-7), a 49-44 winner over Auburn.

Candace Parker, who ran the court like a wide receiver running fly patterns, led three double-figure scorers with 26 points for Tennessee (28-2). The Lady Vols scored 30 fast-break points and 24 off turnovers while shooting 55.4 percent from the floor (36-for-55).

Senior center Nicky Anosike convened the history lesson beforehand. She reminded her teammates how an uninspired 81-63 victory over South Carolina to start last season's tournament foreshadowed a 63-54 loss to LSU the following evening.

"We played horrible,'' she said. "It set the tone for the rest of the tournament."

Tennessee was determined for this season's tone to begin with a fast tempo. The Lady Vols practiced that way during the week. They stressed their preferred pace beforehand and re-emphasized it at halftime, after 17 fast-break points were instrumental in building a 48-33 halftime lead.

Bobbitt described her intentions as if they were a general's command: "Just attack.''

Some of her dribble charges went into the foul lane or all the way to the rim, as evidenced by her 22 points. She hit seven-of-eight free throws. If she wasn't shooting, she was serving up one of her six assists.

Four of Bobbitt's assists went to Parker, who was mimicking a receiver in the locker room afterward and complimenting her favorite quarterback.

"She puts it where I like them,'' Parker said.

Bobbitt's generosity was contagious. Five other players contributed at least two assists to UT's total of 21. Forward Angie Bjorklund led with seven.

"I think we decided to play with a lot of energy and we played a 40-minute game, didn't we?'' Parker asked.

UT coach Pat Summitt responded by saying, "We did."

"It's on the record,'' Parker said.

"Write that down, please,'' added guard Alexis Hornbuckle, who scored 16 points.

The go-go Lady Vols might have gotten ahead of themselves on that thought. Florida (18-13) didn't start really choking on Big Orange exhaust fumes until about midway through the second half.

The Gators lost their best post player, forward Marshae Dotson, to an unspecified injury after six playing minutes in the first half. Still, they persisted with 20 offensive rebounds and eight 3-pointers.

Gators guard Sha Brooks, who's from Jackson, Tenn., again played like an All-American against the state school. After scoring a season-high 27 points in the regular-season meeting, she followed up by hitting three of Florida's treys and scoring a team-high 20 points.

"They basically got whatever three they wanted,'' Anosike said. "It didn't affect us in this game. When we get down to playing the great teams, it could be the difference between a win or loss."

That worry was for another day. As for this day, the Lady Vols were more inclined to bask in the offensive accomplishments generated by no speed limits.

"That, to us, is like spinach,'' UT assistant coach Dean Lockwood said. "It feeds us. It gives us energy. When the game is played like that, the game kind of flows."

Hornbuckle got caught up Friday's flow in a manner that matched her best offensive game since scoring 16 points against Mississippi State on Feb. 7. To her, it seemed longer than that.

"I needed that,'' said Hornbuckle, who shot 7 for 10 from the floor and swished two treys. "I feel like I hadn't shot well since January. That's what it feels like.

"That last three, I stood there like, 'Thank you.' A relief. Now let's hope I can continue."

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.

       28 Comments

Posted by hmhawk on March 7, 2008 at 5:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Thank you Lady Vols.You will always be #1 in our hearts come hell or high water.

Posted by 98reax on March 7, 2008 at 6 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Today's game against Florida was a win but it was painfully sloppy. They broke all my rules for the game in the first six minutes. 1. Don't act like you've done something when you do something. 2. Secure the rebound. 3. Wake up, Anosiki. 4. Finish the easy shots. 5. Parker, stop showing out. (the 'time out' taunting is not cute.) 6. Stupid turnovers. So they shot 60% and were up by 20-30 points, they still looked like amateurs. If they were playing a good team, they'd be loading the bus and heading east by now. They turned the ball over at least once every minute to begin and end the 2nd half. Bjorkland could not inbound the ball to start the 2nd half. CP3 missed an easy layup, Hornbuckle missed an easy layup, CP3 missed another open jumper, Niki missed a FT. Hornbuckle fouled. Smallbone was ineffective. Baugh was just plain sloppy. Niki missed every FT she attempted, I think. That's the play by play for the first 3 minutes of the 2nd half but you would not know it by listening to Antonelli and that other guy. They were continuously babbling about "Lady Vols playing with a chip on their shoulder because they didn't get the accolades they thought they deserved." If they mentioned it once, they mentioned it a thousand times. They were almost as nauseating as the Nashville weather forecasters going way overboard with this snow thing. I'm so frustrated with this team, I need to go out and chase raccoons in the snow to relieve the tension.

Posted by thegoat0248 on March 7, 2008 at 6:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

One down two to go!! Great win by the Lady Vols!!

Posted by hmhawk on March 7, 2008 at 6:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

98reax:nobody forced you to watch and no one will miss ya when you're gone.GO LADY VOLS!!!!!!

Posted by utang1602 on March 7, 2008 at 6:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You broke all the rules for spelling in your post. Nicky Anosike, not Niki Anosiki. She's been here four years and was instrumental in securing a title last year...you might learn how to spell her name.

Posted by 98reax on March 7, 2008 at 7:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Gosh! Ouch. You would think I cursed or something. I love them too. I think I have an opinion just as you do. I just would like for them to clean up their sloppy play, alright? Am I being graded for spelling? Didn't know that was important in here. Did you not know exactly who I was talking about? You know they need to play better to advance. If you can't see that. You already have your head in the snow or somewhere. Come on, save your bashing for the posters who hate the Lady Vols. I've been a fan probably longer than you folks have been alive. Fans don't have to applaud bad play nor bad habits.

Posted by jh43 on March 7, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

To you coaches out there who did not vote Candace Parker MVP, no wonder you cannot figure out why Pat Summitt gets the best players - you don't know a great player when you see one right in your face.
Way to go Candace and Lady Vols. I felt very good about the way you played with fire in your belly today. Keep it up!

Posted by mad_poly_uct on March 7, 2008 at 7:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hey, what's with all the comments about snow? You guys got snow down there? Awww man, it just keeps raining & raining up here. I want snow!....LV8TIMES....hope all is well with "rockstar"....good luck in semi's....

Posted by volfan73120 on March 7, 2008 at 9:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

98reax: You can have your opinion, I just disagree with it, and I am older than you are.

Posted by tnlady on March 7, 2008 at 9:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Didn't get to see the game, had to work but I did see the interview with Bobbit. Classy way to get around the talk of individual awards. As usual the press trying to stir things up. GO LADY VOLS!!!!!

Posted by bmaples on March 7, 2008 at 9:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

First of all -- 98 is right about some of it. Win or no, there are still things to focus on for the next game. And how did Florida get all those offensive rebounds, and hit those threes?

That said -- still a good win, and a hopeful sign for times to come. Bobbitt sounds like she's been listening to old Johnny Majors tapes. :--)

Posted by 98reax on March 7, 2008 at 9:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Down go the Dawgs. Cats meet the Tigers. This SEC Tournament is just a zoo. Poor Andy.

Posted by zjcvols on March 7, 2008 at 10:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I am sorry 98 that Candace couldn't every hit shot, just scoring 26 points isn't enough. You also forgot how great Bobbitt played, 22 points. BTW, I thought it was funny that CP3 made the TO sign, it shows that cockiness about her that she need's to show. Show the world your Candace Parker. Show your out for revenge b/c you got robbed (btw, she is always pretty no matter what) and I'm sure other people would agree. She's the best player in the world and do whatever she wants. Bjorklund didn't play well, but Auguste did and Hornbuckle penetrated real well. The rebounding wasn't good, but they haven't played 5-6 days, but they need to step it up on the boards. If you are going to mention the negatives, also mentions the many positives, b/c they won by 25, not by 5.

Posted by faithfulvol on March 7, 2008 at 11:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

GO LADY VOLS.....play like this all the way for another National Championship. Playing like this will take you all the way!!!!

Posted by 98reax on March 7, 2008 at 11:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You are right zjcvols, it is important to mention the positives. Thank you for doing that. If I logged in here and read all negative comments, I probably wouldn't come back. And I also wish Candace could hit every shot. Nobody hits every shot, except maybe, Kobe. It's ok to point out some flaws. That's what makes this site so interesting. volfan73120, you know my age? If you do, maybe I won't show up in here again 'cause you know too much. By the way, who's going to win the championship? And will I be getting a raise soon?

Posted by RJ_Vol on March 7, 2008 at 11:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Einstein is right... It should be DAVY CROCKETT!!! What an insulting shock journalist! Don't let up on Adams until he apologizes for his continuing slanderous remarks or until he has to take a job working for his hero, Dan Rather.

Posted by 98reax on March 8, 2008 at 12:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Vandy had to work hard to get this win. It's all good. Maybe they'll be spent tomorrow night.

Posted by RJ_Vol on March 8, 2008 at 12:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Sorry for the 11:57 comment. Obviously it's off topic. I accidentally posted it on the wrong board. I copied and have posted it to the correct board now.

Posted by 98reax on March 8, 2008 at 1:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)

"They basically got whatever three they wanted,'' Anosike said. "It didn't affect us in this game. When we get down to playing the great teams, it could be the difference between a win or loss."

That's what I'm saying, they got away with a lot of sloppy turnovers and missed shots tonight. It won't win the big games. Vandy could have bad games back to back. I hope so. We'll need to score another 90+ points game to win.

Posted by dash727 on March 8, 2008 at 7:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)

98reaux, you are an idiot. No one cares about your pee wee league rules about bb. I am sure the Naismith College Coach of the Century along with the most wins in NCAA history knows a few things about coaching and real team rules. Bye the way the Lady Vols won by 31 you moron.

Posted by ladyvolsrock on March 8, 2008 at 8:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The lady vols did not of course play perfectly. Perhaps, because they are human beings. For about 2 minutes they did play a bit sloppy. But they straightened up. At that time they were around 20 points ahead. There is nothing wrong with an attitude. When Candace did the time out for Florida she had already scored 15-17 points. She was excited. She's a kid. She is allowed. But it wasn't just a Parker show. It was the Parker, Bobbit, Anosike, Hornbuckle, Auguste, and yes even Bjorkland with just 3 points but some good defensive stops and 8 assists. Bring 'em on!

Posted by garyfmtn on March 8, 2008 at 9:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Thirty eight minutes of full energy for the Lady Vols is much MUCH better than 40 minutes for anyone else......I would take this team any day of the week over ANY team in the country....GO LADY VOLS!!!!

Posted by zjcvols on March 8, 2008 at 10:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)

98 Your right the vols aren't perfect, all of them have flaws. But I was just saying one little layup, which was a little difficult, wasn't that important. I also think the sloppiness could be b/c they haven't played since Sunday, while UF played Thursday. UF is also a very good three point shooting team. I believe they beat Vandy by 15. Candace goes for 30 and 10 tonight. I think Hornbuckle will go for 15. 83-68.

Posted by ATLVOLFAN on March 8, 2008 at 10:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Good win ladies. If we continue to play like this we will win another chamoinship. Way to play Bobbitt,Parker, and Hornbuckle. I love the attitude this team played with it should their emotions for the game. Go Vols !!!!!

Posted by 98reax on March 8, 2008 at 10:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Thank you, dash727, for those kind words. Maybe you did not notice that was Anosike's quote. I simply agreed with her. Don't forget, I AM A TENNESSEE FAN. All of us do not have to be Rah-rah-fans especially in this forum. If you know the coach so well and if it is in your mind set to listen to her, you will hear her make those same remarks about her team. Just because I choose to wish them improvement along the way is no reason to think I am a moron. You have a right to post as you see fit. I too, choose the Lady Vols over any other team in the country, obviously I have for as long as I've been a college basketball fan. I'm also a Titans fan but I can see there's room for improvement and that is not an idiotic observation. It's all good.

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