The trend is unmistakable.
Through nine games, every opponent has shot below 40 percent from the field against No. 3 Tennessee (9-0), which is allowing a shade under 56 points per game on average.
The challenge is undeniable.
No. 2 Stanford (8-0) has four players averaging in double figures, shoots 48.7 percent from the floor and averages 84.6 points per game.
Is the Lady Vols' defensive revival for real? A women's basketball date with the Cardinal on Saturday (TV: SportSouth, 2:30 p.m.) in Stanford, Calif., will provide real answers.
The Cardinal has more firepower than any foe UT has faced this season and their marksmen are experienced. Most are battle tested by consecutive trips to the Women's Final Four.
"They do have power,'' UT coach Pat Summitt said Thursday. "They have athleticism. They have quickness and I haven't seen many flaws at all. They're one of the best teams in the country, if not the best."
At least Tennessee is familiar with its challenge. The teams play on an annual basis.
The Lady Vols also are acquainted with the Cardinal's triangle offense. UT has used it to some degree for more than a decade.
"They run triangle really, really well,'' Summitt said. "Fortunately, we run some triangle too and hopefully that will help us not be as off guard when they make their backdoor cuts. They read so well.
"I'm not going to give away our game plan, but I don't know that we're going to be able to match up with them man-to-man the whole game or zone the whole game."
To date, Tennessee has based its defense on diversity. Last Sunday, its zone was instrumental in holding Rutgers without a point for an eight-minute stretch of the second half in a 68-54 victory. On Wednesday, the Lady Vols pressed more than they have the entire season at the outset in a 86-56 victory against Louisville, which helped create seven turnovers in the first four minutes.
But Louisville wasn't Stanford, not by a long shot or any shot for that matter.
"I like the guard play, the toughness and the speed that they play with,'' Summitt said of the Cardinal, "and still execute very, very well."
Travel Plans: The Lady Vols traveled to the West Coast on Thursday and will hold a midday practice today at Maples Pavilion.
Tough Schedule: Stanford is in the midst of a three-game stretch that began with a 71-55 victory over No. 7 Duke on Tuesday night. After Tennessee, the Cardinal plays at No. 1 Connecticut on Wednesday.
Tennessee 69, South Carolina 57 men's…
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Comments » 15
CTOWNICON writes:
The lady vols will be fine! Just look at the offense and adjust the defense as the game goes. This is going to be a battle, one that I will enjoy!
utfan00 writes:
I'm sure this will be a good game, but the LV are not going to win this game. Cain, Brewer, Bjorkland, or Spani won't be able to keep up with these girls.They are entirely too SLOW.
tonyvick#213307 writes:
We've already played teams a lot faster than Stanford, i.e. Texas, Baylor, and Rutgers. So keeping up won't be a problem. Stanford executes very well and shoots accurately, if our defense can throw that off we win.
martic#220796 writes:
Win or lose, this the game where the Lady vols find out where they're at as a team compared to last year. Stanfors will execute much better than any team we've faced to date so the ladys better bring it.
jr2miles writes:
I think the Lady Vols have to establish their inside game and stay out of foul trouble. Stanford is a great team. UT will have to shut the shooter down and rebound the basketball. If UT do all that I think they should win.
russ writes:
When do the LV's play UCONN?
LdyVolFaninKS writes:
In the final four.
LdyVolFaninKS writes:
Prediction: UT 82, Standford 78
Stanford 88, Uconn 81
UT is back on top again...GBO!!
camvols writes:
Did we not beat this team last year with these entirely too SLOW girls?
BigRMan writes:
I'd like the UCONN-Stanford score to come to fruition, I just think it's a bit too ambitious at this point. I think no one team is far enough developed to defeat the Lady Huskies now. By March, I'm hoping as far as the UT LVS are involved that will be a different story!
CTOWNICON writes:
The game still has to be played! I don't know who will win but I am pulling for the lady vols and as a utfan you should to! And Stanford isn't all that fast and we match up really well with them. The only advantage Stanford has is that they are playing at home. Think positive!
The_Truth_and_nothing_but_the_Truth writes:
Not unless you play Ball State first.
The_Truth_and_nothing_but_the_Truth writes:
It's my understanding the fans of this site are taking up a collection and will use it to find someone that will do a "Tonya Harding" on the knees of the starting five of UCONN. Psssss, you will still lose by 30.
CTOWNICON writes:
Those horses already got bad knees! Just because Uconn is beating cupcakes by 30 does'nt mean they can beat everybody by that much. Just wait until they face some real competition. Back to the knees, you probably couldn't hurt those androids knees if you hit them with a 2 by 4 plank, those horses full of steroids. After while all they will good for is bush meat!
johnlg00#206211 writes:
I like your suggestion about the defense. Glory may not be quick enough to guard most good ball-handlers one-on-one, but with her long arms she could be really disruptive at the point of a press. I would also like to see the LVs use a 1-2-2 or 1-3-1 zone with Glory at the head of the circle. Again, her length would force the ball out pretty high on ball reversals and she would have a hand in the face of anyone shooting from around the top of the circle. It would also get her out front fast on the break.
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