The leadership lines of communication rarely change at Tennessee.
The pertinent women's basketball information is passed from the veterans to the youngsters. The flow has been characterized as tribal in nature and has been reinforced by years of Lady Vols' success.
Who better to explain and encourage than the veterans. They've been through the tense games. They've survived the tough practices. They can translate coach Pat Summitt's demands.
The biggest variable lies in the tone of the discourse. In this case, a new season likely brings a gentler approach.
"I think this year we have to go at it with another mindset,'' said forward Alex Fuller, the lone senior on the 12-player roster. "I think because we have such a young freshman class coming in we have to be more patient."
Fuller said that she and the other upperclassmen shouldn't be "blunt."
That wasn't so much her word as it was mine. Still, she understood the reference to the past two seasons and the stewardship of UT's departed big three of Candace Parker, Nicky Anosike and Alexis Hornbuckle. As youngsters, they were nurtured in a leadership void. Anosike wanted to have a stronger voice as early as her freshman season. When the trio assumed the responsibility, their approach emphasized assertiveness over diplomacy.
Hard to argue with the results, especially after the national championship in 2007.
"Last year, sometimes it could be on the fly and it was left to your own interpretation as to whether it was constructive criticism or a little verbal shot,'' assistant coach Dean Lockwood said. "Sometimes the new kids had to sort that out themselves."
Center Kelley Cain was one of the new kids. Despite sitting out her first season because of knee surgery, she was hearing and interpreting the veterans' message. The word "blunt" wasn't lost on her either.
"I can see where they were coming from,'' she said. "They're used to winning. They just came off a championship and you could tell they were hungry for another one.
"It's not our style. Even though we're hungry for a championship ... it's just different this year."
It's a world of difference, not only with six true freshmen but just two veterans, Fuller and Angie Bjorklund, who started a game last season. Bjorklund, a sophomore, isn't exactly battle-hardened, having lost her starting spot down the stretch last season.
Two other returnees - Cait McMahan and Vicki Baugh - are on the sidelines rehabbing as the players shift into team-workout formation.
Twice a week, 10 players convene on the court and only three of them - Fuller, Bjorklund and Sydney Smallbone - played in a game last season.
The team workouts have offered a glimpse of the team's potential. Lockwood estimates that "four or five" of the freshmen could be logging 15 playing minutes or more this season.
If the rookies are going to be that busy then the upperclassmen, no matter their experience level, better assist with direction.
To date, there's been useful groundwork laid. Weekends have been used to socialize and get better acquainted. The roster configuration has allowed for each freshman to be paired with a returning player in a "buddy system."
"We are able to call them when we need them,'' freshman Amber Gray said.
Fuller said preseason conditioning has reinforced a collective responsibility..
"They see that the little things count and they are part of the team so they have to keep themselves accountable,'' she said. "Say if a freshman misses a sprint, that just let's them know that we need each and every person on the team."
Another positive development has been Cain's presence. After a redshirt season, she technically qualifies as the seventh freshman. In the on-court workouts, though, she sounds more like a veteran. After Wednesday's workout, Summitt said that she was thrilled with Cain and specifically mentioned the 6-foot-6 center's attitude.
Any assistance is worthwhile. Otherwise most of these leadership duties will fall to Fuller.
Her nurturing instincts are documented. She once ironed former teammate Dominique Redding's shirt and jeans before the team went out to dinner. She willingly served as the team make-up consultant, even though she was teased about her fashion-conscious ways.
Fuller's sense of timing and conviction last season was impeccable. After a 78-62 loss to LSU last February, she was the one who dropped a note in Summitt's lap, saying the poor effort wouldn't happen again.
Now comes this season and Fuller's biggest challenge: finding the right tone.
"When there does come a time in practice,'' she said, "you have to bring (the freshmen) aside more so and talk to them one on one."
Dan Fleser covers Lady Vols basketball. He can be reached at fleserd@knoxnews.com.
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Comments » 19
ncvol writes:
I think the Lady Vols will be just fine... Go Lady Vols !
jorido writes:
How many years have we watched and heard about the growing and developing in November and December, the assessment in early January on the teams potential and the expectation that those who are contributing in March are expected to be upperclassmen? Again we have heard the requirement, not always met, to play 40 minutes. I feel comfortable in predicting that the team will play 40 minutes, because if the coaching staff doesn't get the necessary effort from a young player, she will be replaced. And for sure the players will understand that as they develop and compete.
WeLoveTennesseeVols writes:
They're gonna' be good as heck.
tenn32rebel writes:
These young Lady Vols understand self-discipline possibly better than many previous players. Glory won numerous track events at Webb throughout her prep career. Self-discipline and conditioning must go hand-in-hand for success in track. Glory holds numerous track time records.
Stricklen and Brewer played on the U18 USA gold medal team. Stricklen started and Brewer was one of the first off the bench. In this international competition, the players have to take responsibility for their individual conditioning, eating and sleeping habits, etc.
Bass has rehabbed her knee from an early year injury. That proved she will do the dirty work necessary to play and improve. Remember, she didn't have Jenny around then. When she reported to school and took Jenny's phyical, she passed with flying colors.
Gray has overachieved for her position and size throughout HS. That demonstrated a determination about playing and winning which speaks volumes about her attitude. As a 6'1" power forward, she showed the grit and leadership necessary to be a winner.
Manning plays both the 2 & 3 slots with fierce intensity. Even though she is the same height as Gray, physicality will not be her strong point. At the recent open practice, Manning was photographed standing beside Pat on the sidelines. It was almost a toss-up which gaze was more intense!
These ladies have demonstrated their individual leadership on their HS teams in various ways. Now, the tough part is to meld their leadership talents with their actions and their teammates. Since they already possess these qualities, Pat just has to blend them together, not establish these traits.
Like all relationships, Pat will have her ups and downs with these young ladies. However, they should adapt and personalize her system faster than some previous LV teams.
It will be an interesting season with many high points and a few low ones. The last third of the season, we will own our opponents. The SEC tourney will be a fine warmup for the next step. NCAA tournament games will be more engaging than previous years. Youth and talent have a way of achieving in spite of inexperience!
Go Lady Vols! We Believe!! #9 in '09 will be Fine!!!
utvol008 writes:
Nice to read Kelley Cain is doing great in the team practices. Really looking forward to seeing her play this season!
xvolx writes:
we dont need a gentler, we have a donk.(summitt)
andefromtn#212139 writes:
I am looking forward to the coming season. I have couple of more week I can wear my championship basecap then it goes on the shelf. I took this one to the cap shop (Lids?) in West Town Mall and had "Pieces of 8 found in Tampa" sewn on it around the back arch. I have a cap for every Lady Vols championship and I truly believe this group can prove "Everything's fine in O9".
johnlg00 writes:
Great post, tenn32rebel! I am really looking forward to watching this team develop. Unless they all hit the fabled "freshman wall" at the same time, I think by tournament time they will be tougher than a two-dollar steak!
ladivolfan writes:
Hey tenn32rebel. We need YOU to write ALL of the lady vol articles here. Well done!
tenn32rebel writes:
ladivolfan, thank you for the strong support! Lady Vol basketball has been a passionate outlet for me since the early '90s. Having played and/or coached basketball for most of my life, it is easy to love our Lady Vols. My daughter and I attend as many games as our schedules will allow. Even though she is twenty-five now, we still enjoy the LV games as if she were ten! Go Lady Vols!!!
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
We are looking at a tough, possibly 10-loss season. We do NOT have a chamique or candace. We do NOT have a proven point guard. We do NOT have proven shooters. We do have only 3 veterans, all of whom really are support players at best.
I think it is only fair to the team to lower your expectations for this season. I'd be perfectly happy if, by season's end, they've establishied a personality and are playing hard and smart.
HS ball and AAU ball are NOTHING like college ball. NOTHING. We will hvae true fresmen going up against players who are more athletic, more experienced, and STRONGER by virtue of being in a college program for several years.
I've been an LV fan ever since Pat played at UT. This is one of the toughest assignments of Pat's career. How will the young playes react when things go wrong?? Can someone fill the clutch player void?? Can we handle the pg duties adequately??
Some of you will tinnk I'm being negative, that is fine, I am. However, not in the way you think. I can enjoy a season watching young players develop, and knowing we don't have a strong shot at an NC. It is all in how you approach it. If I see Vicki come back as a strong player, and Kelley develp into a force, and one or two freshmen really sell out...then it is a great season!!!
ps11824 writes:
Hey we won it in '98 with 4 super frosh. Who's to say we can't do it again? Right, there's no Holdsclaw, unless there's one lurking incognito as a freshman or sophomore. Stranger things have happened.
AllLadyVol writes:
We've survived a ten-loss season before, 1997 to be exact (and we won the NC that year)
Even if we don't have the spectacular seasons Lady Vol fans are used to, we can still support our team and enjoy the season. I think we'll all be pleasantly surprised.
ps11824 writes:
I predict we will never see Lady Vol fans turn on our team and coach the way fans have turned viciously against the football program. That's an optimistic prediction. The season of '97 was tough. Fans were nervous, players went from crying brokenhearted to fighting frustrated, but they kept the faith and low and behold, national champions prevailed. Wasn't that the season Abby Conklin jumped in Pat's face and lived to regret it? Did not Abby turn into a decent team leader after that? This season will be interesting sans anointed super star. We're like a box of chocolates.
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
99reaux;
never say never, I guess. I do indeed remember during thr taurasi years (at Uconn) that some fans where b*tiching and moaning that Pat was 'past her prime'. Remember, too, that for a while we had a time made much like this one, really for the years between Tamika Catchings and Candace Parker.
Pat could, in theory, coach another 15-20 years. She could set a VERY high bar in NC's and wins and games coached. I'd love to see it, though I'm thinking 20 more years FOR ME is stretching it. Anyway, just spouting off at the mouth here:
the key for Pat to keep being successful will be the occasional new blood in the coahing staff. I had almost wished that Holly would've moved on this year. Nothing against Holly at all, she stands up to Pat when needed. I think Dean does as well. But, in your ref to football, Phil is a good example of getting 'stale' in your program. For too many years he had Cutcliffe, than Cut left, and things went south; Cut came back, the vols recovered a bit. cut left, and the vols started all over with clawson, but not with the right talent.
A bit of a ramble, but I think you see my point (if there is one).
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
Looking at the length of my posts....maybe I should take up column writing. Problem is, I'm not really all that bright. I just wish the words could go from by brain to the screen without me typing!
MillisaAnn writes:
They can do it!!! Go Lady Vols!!!
BigOrangeVol writes:
mp, Pat didn't play at UTK, she played and graduated from UT-Martin. She did play on the U.S. Women's World Championship team and the 1975 Pan American Games team as well as the 1976 U.S. Olympic Team while coaching the Lady Vols.
98 we’ll get to see Abby on Nov. 15th. Haave is the head coach at USF and hired Abby back in ’06 as her top assistant. The Lady Dons don't have a player over 6'-1". Pat and Abby sure had a love/hate relationship! I doubt that ANY player has ever made Pat as nuts as Abby did.
threehundredbowler writes:
go lady vols
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