When Pat Summitt criticizes her team's defense or its competitiveness that's understandable.
When the Tennessee women's basketball coach starts grumbling about her players' iPods, as she did this week, a translation is in order. Senior forward Alex Fuller is willing and able to oblige.
"She's trying to get a point across,'' Fuller said of her coach.
And that point would be?
"That basically it's fish or fry,'' Fuller said. "Worrying about our iPods and cell phones and I don't know what else she said ... We need to work on our game more. We need to worry about how we're going to win, instead of the social aspects of being here."
Glad that's been cleared up. The "fish or fry" comment indicates that the 15th-ranked Lady Vols (18-6) are running out of time for improvement. After Monday's game against fourth-ranked Duke (20-3) at Thompson-Boling Arena (TV: ESPN2, 7:30 p.m.) there are just four games left in the regular season.
Summitt's diatribe about her players' accoutrements indicates that she's fishing for motivational material. At least she'll always have the same bottom line.
"I think they understand that our disappointment is that we know they're better than they're playing and we're expecting more from them,'' Summitt said. "It's not something to beat players down, but to challenge players and show them the good things that they've got. That's very, very important."
Lady Vols assistant coach Dean Lockwood said that the coaches are trying to get Tennessee's youthful players to dig deeper as a means of closing the experience gap.
"When you look at juniors and seniors, people who have been through the college basketball battles, versus people who are new to it, that often is what separates them, that little bit of extra,'' he said. "You reach in and find it somewhere."
The message has added relevance given UT's ongoing injury issues. Cait McMahan and Vicki Baugh already are sidelined for the rest of the season with knee problems. During the first half of Thursday's game against Alabama, guard Shekinna Stricklen suffered a subluxation of her right patella. She is, at best, questionable for Monday's game.
When Summitt asked that the starters be deployed for a drill in Friday's practice, freshman guard Alicia Manning whispered to Lockwood: "Is that the first half starters or the second half starters?''
"You know what we feel like at times, like a CBA team,'' said Lockwood, referring to the roster changes associated with a minor league professional team. "... We haven't had a lot of continuity. We have to be flexible. We have to be adaptable."
The same holds true for how Summitt gets her points across. Since the start of the SEC season, she's been especially creative. She had the players do the laundry after a 74-58 loss at Vanderbilt on Jan. 11. Before an 82-68 loss at Auburn on Jan. 25, she instituted a mentor program that paired veteran players with freshmen. She had the players prepare the scouting report before what turned out to be her 1,000th career victory - 73-43 over Georgia on Feb. 5.
The reviews of these undertakings are mixed. For example, the laundry detail lasted only a few days.
"I really don't know to tell you the truth,'' Fuller said. "Angie (Bjorklund) and Alicia liked it."
After the Georgia game, Fuller suggested - albeit in a humorous manner - that the players should stay involved with the scouting reports. The thought apparently was taken seriously. Fuller said that the players will assist with preparations for Duke.
The mentor program might have been the best idea of all.
"It helps keep everyone accountable,'' said Fuller, who was paired with freshman forward Glory Johnson.
Fuller then offered an illuminating take on the process.
"I guess even now for freshmen,'' she said, "they still don't realize listening is a little bit more golden than talking."
For any Lady Vol who cares to listen, Summitt usually has something to say. No matter how usual, the meaning doesn't change.
"We expect so much of them,'' Lockwood said, "and we believe in them so much."
Dan Fleser covers Tennessee Lady Vols basketball. He may be reached at 865-342-6277,
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Comments » 20
ggriggs939#223122 writes:
They apparently haven't learned that they never learn anything when they are talking.
pms151 writes:
It is always a relief to read about Pat's team and know you want have to worry about having a cerebral aneurysm reading the insane comments you see on the men's side.
thurs2000#245193 writes:
Good article KNS, Give this writer the Sports Editors job'
pms151 writes:
NO SNITCKY!!
jlm35 writes:
To pms151: NO SNITCKY?
pms151 writes:
Yep. NO SNITCKY. KNS has rules, don't ya know?
pms151 writes:
Posted this to the wrong thread. Sorry.
burpee_von_rotweiler_IV writes:
Pat is dealing with Generation Y. When she figures out how to deal with them (and she will), please let the rest of us know.
xvolx writes:
there are six teams in acc better than lady vols and duke is one of them. Summitt has serious problems with this team. They better hope ESPN bracket forecast holds up. We would play Va. to get in sweet 16.
volnut1 writes:
If they do not learn to listen while they have cell phones and ipods, leave them away from practice and games and maybe that will do it. Good luck Pat.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Thank goodness there is no coasting in HCPS.
CTOWNICON writes:
I have faith in this team. I think they are going to pull it together when the time comes. I already see a lot of improvement. Defense has improved but needs a little more work. Good luck Lady Vols and coaching staff and medical staff. To the other fans, lets hang in there and think positive.
Rockytop98 writes:
They need to learn to be a TEAM! Not individuals! TEAM all the way, the only way for them to survive! GO LADY VOLS!!
LadyVolFanForever writes:
As Coach Lockwood said, "we expect so much of them and believe in them". They won't beat this team down, but they will motivate them to play to their potential.
The team (in Angies' letter regarding Mondays' game) thrives off their fans. Let's try to be positive and support these young ladies. I have all the faith in the world in Coach Summitt and her staff. I never expected this to be a Final Four year but I do think we are laying the framework for being there the next few years. We will get better and we have the best motivator and coaching staff in college basketball. Eat, sleep and breathe the program Lady Vols, the rewards will be fantastic !
Go Lady Vols !
tenn32rebel writes:
Folks, the biggest improvement to the Baby Lady Vols has been the return of an almost healthy Kelley Cain. Her presence in the paint is a huge positive factor for us.
Cain led the team in assists in the AL game, a double-double in the Fl game, & had 6 blocks and almost a double-double in the GA game. The inside game we have needed all year is finally in place and working.
The Duke game is quite winnable; we just need to put the parts together for a full game. It can be done!!!
Personally, I think there will be a lot of surprised Duke fans after the game tomorrow night! Focus on the game and take to heart the information that Pat gives you. It will work!!!
GO BABY LADY VOLS---OUR FUTURE CHAMPIONS!!!
CTOWNICON writes:
I also think this game can be won by the lady vols. If they play hard defense and switch on that perimeter to limit Duke three point game they can win. They are all gonna have to look to score. Inside and outside scoring is what the lady vols gone need. Cant wait to see the game. Stepping away from lady vols for a moment if there are any interloping gator fans on here reading the posts what is going on with Florida. I told you haters Florida was not that great of a team. They beat the lady vols and immediately got moved into the top ten. Then they turn around and drop two games back to back. LSU spanked the pants off of Florida by 19 points. Away from home and against a quality opponent Florida is not good. LSU not even ranked. At least all the lady vols losses have been against ranked teams. In defense of my lady vols i had to point that out. Lets go lady vols and get this win on Monday. Good luck.
mississippi writes:
SPEAKING Of a A** Whopping i believe you deserve one the next time you berate any Lady Vols FAN OR PLAYER OR COACH
cdtnladyvols931#663910 writes:
Oh, Uconn always braggs about how good they are...I heard the same bragging on them last season...they were going to win another tourney...but it didn't happen did it? They really make me sick...I just change the channel, and all those no calls they didn't get today...they can down or do anything and nothing is called.Lets wait until tournry time...after the teams play then we will know who can play UCONN...they are like some of the other teams they are over-rated big time. We hear UCONN UCONN or Oklahoma every year..that's the team that has those girls that stand under the goal and feed it the basket ball... and never play any place other than under the basket...you know I think I could do that. They are a no.two. Good luck ladies come tourney time. LADY VOLS DOESN'T HAVE A STAR...GO LADY VOLS COME MONDAY NIGHT, YOU CAN DO IT. PLAY TOUGH.
jamesarobertson#633301 writes:
No offense and no defense from UT point guard is sure way to lose a game. It doesn't take a rocket scientiest or a basketball expert to see that a change at PG is long overdue. Glory Johnson and most of the four starters should be playing 30-40 minutes so they will be more comfortable playing with each other. Johnson should take more time on her free throws!
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Agreed; Kelley really seems to be hitting her stride. She needs to be HUGE tonight. Chante Black will be a big challenge. If Kelley holds her own and Shekinna really is ready to go all out, the LVs win.
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