Tennessee couldn’t make up for lost scoring time Monday night.
The Lady Vols’ side of the scoreboard got stuck on 28 points for eight minutes, 15 seconds of a women’s basketball showdown against Duke. There was no mistaking this for an electrical glitch. It was an offensive malfunction, one that proved to be insurmountable in Tennessee’s 62-54 loss before a crowd of 16,990 at Thompson-Boling Arena.
“I don’t think our basketball team gets it,’’ UT coach Pat Summitt said.
She was exasperated by Duke’s 49-36 rebounding advantage and the Blue Devils’ overall edge in hustle and determination.
Eventually she got around to chronicling the Lady Vols’ 32.1 percent field-goal shooting (18-for-56) as well as the struggles of their top three scorers — Shekinna Stricklen, Angie Bjorklund and Glory Johnson — who shot a combined 4-for-29 and collectively scored 15 points.
All three took their shots at limiting that second-half drought to a mere dry spell but they misfired.
After Alex Fuller’s jumper pulled the Lady Vols even at 28 with 16:57 left, they missed their next nine field-goal attempts. Add four missed free throws (all by Alyssia Brewer), three turnovers and a block and the meltdown was complete.
“A lot of that was guard play,’’ Summitt said. “It was a combination of Angie, Shekinna and Glory not making shots. If you don’t make shots, you better make stops.”
That wasn’t happening either as No. 7 Duke (21-3) charged to a 44-28 lead, building enough of an edge to withstand a final UT comeback.
Led by Briana Bass’ season-high 14 points, the No. 13 Lady Vols (18-7) rallied to 58-54 with 48.7 seconds left. Seconds later, they were a missed rebound away from a chance to draw closer before the Blue Devils finally prevailed.
Guard Jasmine Thomas scored a game-high 19 points for Duke. Center Chante Black added 18. With the victory, Duke joined Texas and Louisiana Tech as the only teams to win three consecutive games in Knoxville.
“It speaks for excellence,’’ Duke coach Joanne P. McCallie said. “We certainly know how excellent Tennessee has been over the years.”
Summitt was left lamenting not starting Bass because of concerns that the 5-foot-2 freshman point guard would be exploited on defense.
“Looking back at how we opened up, it might’ve been a mistake on my part,’’ she said.
Defense wasn’t UT’s biggest worry, not when it opened with six turnovers inside the first six minutes.
Turnovers didn’t turn out to be the biggest problem either. Duke was matching UT’s sloppiness and surpassed it in the end, 22-17.
Finding scorers was the crucial issue as Tennessee’s field-goal percentage hovered around 20 percent against Duke’s sticky defense.
Bass and fellow freshman Brewer arrived off the bench in the first half like the cavalry, combining for 12 points and helping UT overcome a 20-10 deficit.
A Bass trey pulled UT even at 23-all before Duke scored the final five points of the first half.
Center Kelley Cain played a similar role in the second half, scoring eight of her 10 points. She was on the bench for most the drought, however, before finally ending it with a layup with 8:42 remaining.
“I don’t think we got the shots we wanted at all,’’ said Bjorklund, who was 2-for-13. “We should have taken the ball inside more, work the ball more. The ball got stuck in our hands too much and we need to move the ball more to get better shots.”
Bjorklund credited Duke for a lot of UT’s problems and she probably wasn’t alone in saying that this season. The Blue Devils have held 18 of their 24 opponents to 58 points or less.
That adds up to a lot of missed shots — Tennessee’s included.
Dan Proctor draws Tennessee Football…
Oregon sends Lady Vols home from…
Cordarrelle Patterson drafted by the…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 96
budd#207344 writes:
These girls just don't care.
dwa7#337691 writes:
2nd.......terrible discipline....no rebounds when it matters and can not hit a shot. AWFUL GAME>>>>>>>>>Vol Nation is really concerned.....
PureOrange writes:
No effort, no desire, no heart, and no sweet sixteen for the first time ever.
All this talent, but they are simply not willing to give everything they have. I have never been more disappointed in a team because this one has the ability, but they do not care to lose.
The old excuse of being young is worn out. We play against young players in every game who give more than our girls give.
Pat deserves much more than this.
huntined#565710 writes:
Had a chance to win the game even if it was not expected of them..Some rebounds and some good shooting would have won tonight..But Duke is a good team also.
xvolx writes:
glory johnson is the worse basketball player I've ever seen at this level. bjorkland and strickland can only play well against lesser talent. Manning nor bjorkland have footspeed to play good defense. Brewer is a bull in a chinashop and Pat doesn't know what to do. Her words not mine. we could lose our next five games. They're just not good players.
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
tell you what, you tell it their face. you are a freaking idiot who has never stepped foot on a court.
volball7222 writes:
There were a bunch of missed fouls...until the end when it was over...how can they call a hand check on one end and nothing on a mugging on the other. It has been that way all year...I have read PS's lips several times and she says it's about time or what does it take to get a foul. She has the class not to bring it up on the tube but you better believe she is steamed. Fuller got killed all night in the lane and the guards got hacked all night with slaps. I still believe this team will be tough come tournament time simply because the have had to deal with injuries, and a very tough schedule. PS will have them ready.
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
to be fair to you...they have the pieces to make a solid team. they don't have the college ball smarts yet, pure and simple.
These girls should be a matchup nightmare for the other team. instead, turnovers, missed shots, defensive breakdowns...none of this is a surprise.
I stand by it still: 10 losses, weak showing in the NCAA's. we just don't have the backrout to do much better. No excuses, just a fact.
These girls can play as hard as they want, but until they KNOW what to do WITHOUT thinking about it, they are going to struggle against good backcourts. And, no, it isn't all abour experience. there are freshmen who know the game very well. Ours just don't.
xvolx writes:
can't they take the truth in a sports bar? learn a language.
coach75 writes:
you need to find another team to root for, maybe the cheaters in connect the dots. geno would love to have you. we have on e senior who played very little last year and lost mcmahan and baugh for the season. johnson has not played well as of late, but without her we would have many more losses.
xvolx writes:
you may be right about the ten loses. I see them with eleven, a six seed and winning one game in ncaa. they could lose twelve because I'm not including sec tourn.
xvolx writes:
bones never lie is a lie.
huntined#565710 writes:
Mike in most of our games this year most of the time we have had 4 freshman and a soph.on the floor..now I don't remember playing a team that had the same or close to that playing against them. We do keep up with your recruits and last 2-3 years you have done very well..We call them BABY LADY VOLS now but we know they will grow up with coach Summitt. Will take another year or maybe even two but she will have them there. This is just the YOUNGEST TEAM we have ever had in history at TENN.
MrBamSeydu writes:
Bjorklund was way over-rated coming out of HS (I think she was like the #2 player??? wow) she's way too slow. the only time she hits is when she's wide open. They need a 2nd PG and a tall SKINNY athletic rebounder. Cain is too clumsy and lazy.
MillisaAnn writes:
I totally agree and Lady Vols you all have to go to step up and compete. You can do it, work harder.
MrBamSeydu writes:
ps Witch_Doctor is a joke too
sayhitomaggie writes:
Too many missed opportunites in this game. The had a chance to possible push it into overtime with the way they were closing in with a minute and half left but no.
But with all of those missed free throws in such a crucial game, I'm sure I know exactly what Pat will have those girls doing for the next few days...
queens2183#661836 writes:
Mike, I have looked at UConn's roster and have to respectfully disagree with you on the youth of UConn in comparison to the youth of TN. UConn has 3 seniors (best one by far is Renee), 5 juniors (Kalana Green and Tina Charles are great players and I don't think McLaren is a slouch either), 3 sophs which include Maya, and 3 freshmen (Doty, Hays, and Buck are all good). That's far more experience than a TN team with 1 senior, 0 juniors, now 3 sophs b/c of Cait's injury, and 7 freshmen. I do agree that UConn is a force and probably will take it all this year but I don't agree that many teams in the country are facing the youth invasion that TN is facing. Having said that, I respect your opinion.
Some of the so-called TN fans that can't handle losing and resort to blasting the team whenever they don't play well need to really get a grip. Youth doesn't grow up overnight nor is it always going to play consistent. Some of you have become far too spoiled by the past 2 NC teams and have forgotten that those teams had to grow up also before they were ready to take on the world. You place the burden of a veteran team on a young team and expect everything to go accordingly then when it doesn't, you blast the very kids you're suppose to support and say how much they suck. At least Mike is willing to support his team, win or lose. Angie, Glory, and Kinna to name a few aren't bad players nor were they overrrated. They simply didn't have good games tonight As someone who actually played the game, I can tell you that it's a whole new world at this level and it takes time for 18 and 19 year old kids to truly "get it" and play like they're capable of playing on a game in, game out basis. The team lost tonight b/c they didn't shoot well and didn't rebound well. They did get outhustled and still must learn to fight through that. Can they get it together? I believe they can and most likely will but realize that they're still figuring it out and still are learning what it takes to play for TN and SUPPORT them instead of putting them down.
Honestly, with some of the fans who post on their boards, they don't need enemies.
ZR writes:
I have never heard this before. Pat Summit is taking it out on her players. She just threw "under the bus" to the next level.
Ever wonder why all of a sudden Tobacco road is good at women's basketball? It is because they did not care until a couple years ago. They tried to win and all, but they did not try to plan, coach and prosecute a winning program.
Once they started they started dominating teams like Tennessee. This is Pat Summit's version of Fulmer's 2001 season. Will Hambone the great hire the next Pat Summit or will Summit be coaching from a retirement home?
DroopyDrawers writes:
Calm Down! I like Witch_Doctor. He tells it as he see it. Bones never lie
DroopyDrawers writes:
ZR,
Pat Summitt will be coaching as long as she has the desire and she is fired up now.
I hate to tell you this but Hambone does not have dog in the hunt. The Ladies AD is Joan Cronan.
halloffamebowler writes:
This is a very young team.However,they have played together all year and it dosen't seem they have improved very much since the season opener.Some games they play great then next game they look like they are completely lost.As deep as they are into the season,the youth excuse should no longer be an excuse.Let me say this.The injuries this year has been unreal.Seems every time they turn around there is another player going down with a knee injury.There have been
2 starters that have ended their season with knee injuries and two more that are playing with lots of pain and caution because of knee injuries.Where would the mighty invensible Huskies be if they were limited like this team is? I believe CPS has done an amazeing job under the circumstances.As some one said earlier,10 losses and maybe 1 and done in the big dance is a real possibility.Do not write these girls off until the last dance.They could very well surprise someone.No, I do not mean they will win their 3rd N.C.this year, but next year , if they stay healthy,they may very well be playing the Huskies for all the marbles.
ps11824 writes:
LV fans, I love my Defending Champs but they seem anxious to relinquish the title. Tonight's game was all too obvious that this group just is not willing to dig deep enough. Most likely the missing piece is senior leadership. Not to say Alex is not trying to be a leader. She too is frustrated. I sure hope things can turn around quickly, but wow, they are really scattered.
CTOWNICON writes:
Not a good game tonight for the lady vols. Duke wasnt all that great either they just got more baskets to fall than the lady vols. I have to agree with Pat in that maybe she made a mistake with her starting lineup. Manning and Stricklen are not point guards. They can not handle defensive pressure. Anytime pressure comes their way they turn the ball over. Bass played a good game tonight. She seems to be the only one ready tonight. First half no post contribution or if any it was very little. The post players need to work for position instead of running down the court and just standing there. Kelly waited until the last five minutes of the game to start working for position. Why not play that way in the beginning. The same with Angie. Play hard in the beginning not just at the end when you down by 14 points. Where is the sense of urgency in the beginning of the game. Why do you ladies freeze against ranked teams. Manning and Stricklen should never start the game as guards that combo is not gone work. Bass should be starting guard along with Stricklen. Stricklen plays better that way. She is not comfortable with being the guard as she stated in an article before and if a player is not comfortable at a position they are not going to do good at it. Glory you gone have to get better in the post. Your shots in there are weak, and that makes it easy for you to get your shot put back in your face. Glory needs to go back to playing how she was playing at the beginning of the season. She needs to play her game. Ok ladies put this game behind you and go out and get the next few that remain.
Orangeblood13 writes:
guess its time to fire Summitt to, lookin for the rest of the idiots to start posting that lol
They are young, will be great next year
BigRMan writes:
It seems that Bjorkland lacks consistency. This team has a lack of poise that causes it to get rattled and does not respond well to pressure and adversity- Only time will tell if there is enough talent to mature and develop the ability to cope and perform under duress- Someone referred to the possibility of no sweet 16 for the first time ever. That is a distinct possibility. Cain should show more dominance in the paint.
dwolfcreek#397971 writes:
I THINK ITS FINE TO CHEW OUT A PLAYER , BUT NOT WITH A MIKE ON , IN OF A NATIONAL AUDIENCE . SHOVE IT IN BRUCE PEARLS MOUTH .
dwolfcreek#397971 writes:
THE GIRLS ARE GOOD PLAYERS GOING BAD , BECAUSE THEIR CONFIDENCE IS BEING TAKEN AWAY . A COACH BELITTLING YOU WIH A MIKE ON IN FRONT OF A NATIONAL AUDIENCE . BOY THATS COACHING . HUM
adimatteo#261830 writes:
Sorry, but cant complain.
We all thought this class would struggle, given the youth, and that was assuming they were all healthy, all playing, etc.
I just hope the girls hang in there,and hope our coaches dont lose any drive.
Our program is and has always been special, may not be the dynasty it was (which is another story and good for the game) , but we are way above the norm, and will continue to be so, both in winning, and class, and for selfish reasons, just hope we continue and Coach Summitt stays around for many more years.
Im sure no one is more frustrated than coaches and the kids who work harder than most of us can appreciate.
Go lady Vols, you are special, this is a unique program, and will always be, dont anyone lose sight of the fact that we just won "TWO", back to back championships, we seem to forget the significance of that at times.
rockytopron writes:
I know that a lot of people want read this, but I'll say it anyway...again.
To the fans: Be more patient! You have been spoiled with the likes of Candace, Chamique & Tamika. But you forget that during that 9 year span where UT didn't win a championship that Pat guided them to the final four several times. Why? She always had experienced players while the newer players sat on the bench and learned. She does not have that luxury this year. Especially with the injuries to Vicki Baugh and Cait McMahan. With those two healthy we are a much different and much better team.
With next year's class coming in coupled with the experience this team is getting this year we will be a title contender for the next several years. Trust me! Bank on it!
Consider this year a "pre-season" to next year. This team will win out, finish 22-7 (as I said they would) and compete for the SEC tourney title.
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
mike, good post...
Uconn has a balanced team. each year they are bringing in 3 or 4 new players. Most teams do. Your freshmean are able to blend in with the rest, in the framework of experienced players.
Here is the key: you can play 4 freshmen if you have an experienced point guard. You can play four freshmen if you have upperclassmen backing them up. You can play four freshmen if they are backetball smart.
What UT has is some VERY ATHLETIC freshmen who have NEVER had to LEARN THE GAME.
Here's some heresy for you: uless Pat has several basketball-smart players coming in, next year is looking rough as well... we'll be a team full of sophomores and freshmen with a few juniors, and they will all be shell-shocked and wandering.
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
There are some deeper issues here. The team does NOT seem to be learning.
Thes girls all have talent, they all play hard. They just do NOT KNOW what to do. to Pat's point, it is time they 'buy in' to being basketball players at this level; they can't dominate with individual ability like they could in AAU or HS ball.
No one is giving up on them, but the frustration, from coaches to fans, is real AND warranted. it comes down to 'shut-up, listen, and learn'.
johnlg00 writes:
I have to agree with you. That 8-minute span--seemed more like 15 to me--was the worst-played stretch of ball I have ever seen from a Lady Vol team. Duke seemed a step quicker, a notch hungrier, and even a foot taller than anybody we had most of the night. I don't know how many blocks Duke was credited with, but it seemed to me that nearly shot the LVs took in the lane had a Duke hand on top of the ball. Duke was quicker to nearly every loose ball or 50-50 rebound. Angie looked like a deer in the headlights all night; she was not quick enough to make any space for herself and there weren't two solid screens for her that I saw in the whole game. Shekinna was no doubt thrown off somewhat by her foul trouble, but she didn't get much done when she was in. I could go on and on, but I would just get more depressed. This team will be LUCKY to make the Sweet Sixteen. They just don't seem to have the will to compete.
BIGEJ writes:
These players have flashes of understanding the game, playing the game but then just quit; there is no other way to put it; they quit; they got it in their head the jersey is enough to stop other teams; maybe it did in HS but not now; these players need to get the quit out and play 40 minutes of BB.....GO VOLS
dbgray writes:
Tennessee Fans: Cool it! You may be surprised how far your baby vols go in the big dance, and secondly, next year they will be at the top level again. Even the best programs have to take a breather every few years. Besides, most programs don't schedule the hardest competition in Div I.
johnlg00 writes:
I have thought you were too pessimistic most of the season, but I have now reluctantly come around to your view. Nearly all of them have shown flashes of potential and good play, but NONE of them have combined skill with heart for more than a few minutes at a time all year. I know most of us, including me, thought that they would overcome their inexperience by learning how to compete, if nothing else, over the course of the season, but, even this late in the year, when the other team puts on the pressure, this team wilts like lettuce in the sun. I'm sure they will be better next year, but right now that is all the consolation I can find. I hope they prove me wrong.
johnlg00 writes:
Not only did the LVs miss their own free throws, they couldn't get the rebound when Duke missed THEIRS. I noticed twice in the late going, we didn't have a rebounder in the spot closest to the shooter's left side and, wouldn't you know, the rebound went directly to that spot both times and Duke ran it down both times. I will never understand why we didn't have four defensive rebounders on those late free throws when we just HAD TO HAVE every possible possession.
johnlg00 writes:
Good words of encouragement. I think the thing that most of us were disappointed about was getting out-hustled. Of course there are lots of reasons for poor execution, but it is just unprecedented for a CPS team to be out-worked as much as this one has. Also, you give Mike too much credit. At least until very recently, nearly all of his posts have been along the lines of "Nyah, nyah, nyah, UConn is great, LVs suck." MAYBE he is starting to grow up a little, so I guess there is hope for anybody.
ps11824 writes:
The LVs were in a position to win the game in the waning minutes. But still, they were not fighting for the rebound needed to pull even. Angie was working to get her shot off, but I did not see an LV in position to grab the board and put it back. That's where we are missing a Hornbuckle, an Anosike. Those are the things that close out games. Glory & Kelly were flat footed in those closing seconds. That is when those glaring missed layups, bricked freebies and gimme jumpers came back to haunt us.
I'm not giving up on them. There's still time. To you who are calling out Pat. Think about it. Is she not the best coach in the country? She knows what she's doing. dwolfcreek, if their confidence is shaken, they did it by not playing as a team. They have been treated with kid gloves long enough. If they can't handle Pat's coaching style by now, they never will.
Pat is quick to give credit where credit is due. She is just as quick to call them out. Why shouldn't she? They seem to be suffering from a 'severe chemical spill.' If they can't find a way to get it together this season, they may find themselves in boot camp for the entire off-season, somewhere in Outer Mongullie where there's no 'here me now' service, no pods nor indoor potty.
Whatever the case with these misfires, one thing is for sure; Pat will be back until she gets it right, because she cannot stand to lose.
Pullingguard writes:
Think you covered it very well. Worse Lady Vol team that I can remember, and from talent standpoint dont think they will ever be at the expected level of winning championships.. Recruit well Pat and turn some of the players loose.
dexmcfarlin#566208 writes:
THE PROBLEM WAS NOT YOUTH BUT COACHING- RUNNING AN ISOLATION EVERYTIME DOWN IN THE SECOND HALF WITH ZERO BALL MOVEMENT AROUND THE HORN IS A RECIPE FOR DISASTER. AS IS HAVING SOMEONE RUNNING A SMALLER, FASTER LINEUP AND WE DIDN'T HAVE A BENCH TO INSERT OUR OWN SPEED. EVEN A LEGEND LIKE CPS CAN MAKE MISTAKES ONCE IN A DECADE...
halloffamebowler writes:
Free throws were crucial,however this game was not necessary lost at the free throw line.Tennessee shot 56%,14 of 25 while Duke connected on 15 of 29 for 51.8%.I believe the difference was the hustle and rebounds.Duke had 5 more field goals than Tennessee and out rebounded us 49 to 36 even though we were the taller team.For the most part,rebounds are a result of hustle,though height dosen' hurt.When you are out hustled,most of the time you lose.It also hurts when you lose two starters for the season and have a couple others playing with knee injuries that have not healed completely.Believe me , I know about Knee injuries.My bowling career ended pre maturely because of Knee injuries.Stick with these girls and good things will happen.Good things will come to those who are patient and determined.
dwolfcreek#397971 writes:
pat has brought this on herself . mike at timeout and in dressing room at half .belittling girls in front of national audience .stole their confidence .
BigRMan writes:
I thought T-Boz, Chilli, and the late Left Eye (TLC) were CrazySexyCool
topgun writes:
Easy, mparker. Usually, I am very supportative of your observations and vast contributions to insights about the Lady Vols BB program--and enjoy reading them. But, here, you have reacted emotionally rather than realistically to this post. I don't agree with your comments to good ole Budd#..., but certainly would never stoop to call you an "idiot', much less a "freaking idiot" for a mundane comment like, "these girls just don't care."
Actually, Coach Summitt has said about the same thing, or much worse, several times. I'll bet Pat tells it to them to their face. Something like, "these girls are more concerned about their meal ticket," and something about Ipods on the bus--rather than concentrating on the game(s) they just lost, or about to play, etc.
Cheers, with regards,
topgun
dwolfcreek#397971 writes:
you must be a idiot , i guess your coach chewed you out on national tv. what was you playing marables .
topgun writes:
Amen!!
BigRMan writes:
I'd be very surprised if ALL the present team members made it through 4 years at UT. I just think some will leave, or fall by the wayside
queens2183#661836 writes:
I don't think anyone should look at this team and project what they can and will do any further than on a game by game basis. I wouldn't even say that they played the worst game I've ever seen. If we were being honest, a vet TN team that let LSU come back from 19 down and win by 16 b/c they quit last year is a bigger disappointment and worse performance. While I agree, mparker, that there are deeper issues going on, I can honestly say that many of them have more to do with focus than anything else and that focus can be tied into this being a young team. They know what to do and how they should play but they lose focus and in turn don't have the mental toughness yet to fight through that and overcome it. The team's focus problem is leading to its execution problems. This is evident in the recent up and down stretch that they've gone through. The same team that honed in for 40 & 45 minutes against GA and Stanford respectively is the same team that didn't hone in until the 2nd half against RU; the same team that has been outrebounding opponents most of the year is the same team that didn't hit the boards against Duke. It's frustrating to watch and even more frustrating as a player when you can't seem to get out of your own way and are trying to figure out why. With young teams, the biggest challenge is keeping them honed in and focused for stretches where things may go good or bad. As far as buying into the system, that takes time too. Players can hear buy in, buy in, buy in until coaches are blue in the face but until it CLICKS with THEM, it's empty rhetoric. Last year's players took forever to buy into the system and this team is having the same trouble with completely buying in and trusting not only coaches but each other. That's what happens with a young team that is new to not only the college game but to being one great player in a pool of great players and having to learn how to assimilate your game into that of the team. For those that think it's recruiting, you can have the 10 best players in the country but until they learn how their game fits into the team and how to play TOGETHER, they won't be able to overcome the challenges and obstacles that collegiate ball brings. As this young group plays more together and grows into a team, these problems can begin to diminish and will get better. It's called growing pains for a reason. I don't think that this team is a lost cause but I do think that they have to get much stronger mentally to be able to overcome some of the mistakes they are making. They can do this and it could click today or may not click until the off season; it's roll of the dice with young teams.
queens2183#661836 writes:
PS... For those that think these kids don't care, take a look at the pic of Lyssi, Glory, and Kinna looking frustrated and upset about losing. These kids do care about whether they win or lose but they're also still trying to figure out how to get through struggles they probably never have had before and how to do it on the collegiate level. Anything that doesn't kill them will only make them stronger. They know they're better than this and know that they can play better; it's just a matter of them putting it together and DOING IT. PATIENCE is a virtue and many still need to learn that.
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