Daedra Charles-Furlow knows the cold reality of an eviction notice.
The Tennessee assistant coach was a member of the 1989-90 Lady Vols squad - the only other UT team before this season to be booted from its locker room. After the initial shock wore off, the message from UT coach Pat Summitt was clear to the then-junior center:
"Take nothing for granted."
"It was two months before we got back in there,'' Charles-Furlow said. "Until you guys earn it back, you're not going back in there."
As if to reinforce the measure, Charles-Furlow recalled that the team wasn't allowed to get comfortable after settling in a visitors' locker room.
"We had posters in there, a boombox,'' she said. "The next day we went in and it was all gone. It was like 'No, this is to teach you lesson.' "
Another move was ordered in advance of today's 3 p.m. women's basketball game against Mississippi State (19-7, 6-5 SEC) at Thompson-Boling Arena. Like before, the players are required to supply their own practice clothes and launder their gear. Unlike before, the forced migration is taking place much later in the season.
"This is happening when there's three games left in the (regular) season,'' senior forward Alex Fuller said, "when teams are playing like tournament teams right now. ... Most teams right now are consistent, they're jelling and we're not. We're inconsistent."
The take-nothing-for-granted reminders extend from the locker room to the court. No. 13 Tennessee (18-8, 7-4) has its first two-game losing streak in three seasons and already has suffered its most SEC losses in 12 seasons. One more conference loss will set a new program standard.
Thursday's 66-56 loss at Kentucky was UT's first against an unranked opponent since a 95-93 loss to Florida in the final regular-season game of 2005-06.
Mississippi State, which has never beaten Tennessee, has had a week to prepare for this game. Like Kentucky, the Lady Bulldogs had an earlier glimpse this season of UT's vulnerability, losing a close call to the Lady Vols in Starkville, Miss., 63-56, on Jan. 15.
"If we're losing but we're playing hard and the effort is there that is something totally different,'' Charles-Furlow said. "But when the effort is not there and we're not playing hard, that's when people get upset. That's what makes us upset. We know you have it (in you). Why aren't you doing it?"
Will changing locker rooms help to inspire a change in effort? The question literally hangs over Tennessee's crumbling season.
"I think half of them understand it and the other half don't really understand it," Charles-Furlow said. "It's like 'OK, we're out of the locker room.' That type of thing."
Lest there be any concerns about fatigue from a third game in seven days, the Lady Vols cut back on their court time after Thursday's loss. The majority of their Mississippi State preparations were spent either watching game video or having another in a series of what have been described as "Come to Jesus" meetings. The latest was Friday afternoon, during which every player had her say.
Along with being a former UT player, Charles-Furlow is closer in age to the current players than any of the other coaches. The proximity hasn't been helpful in deciphering their performance.
"With this group, I really don't know what makes them tick,'' she said. "I'm still trying to figure it out myself.
"Playing at this level and playing at this intensity, it's taken them a whole year to really understand that."
That said, there's a prevailing sense among the coaches that the relative youthfulness of this squad no longer should be an excuse for its struggles.
At least one player thinks likewise. Fuller typically has been blunt in the meetings. The gist of her thinking is summed up by her saying, "stop making excuses."
"In my opinion I think we use the 'young' term a little bit too loosely,'' Fuller said. "I think that's something that some people have thrived on. You have to work to be at Tennessee. It's not just a label. It's not a sticker that you just put on your chest. It's there and it's going to be there for good.
"Once you go to Tennessee you're always going to be a part of Tennessee, and it's something you have to work for day in and day out."
In this case, it's definitely a work in progress.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Tennessee defeats Georgia 3-2 in…
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Comments » 35
dwolfcreek#397971 writes:
it can't hurt nothing . why is amber gray still wearing a uniform , she looks like she's enjoying losing .
huntined#565710 writes:
Don't know if it will help or not. They just need to get in the gym. shoot foul shots and learn to play as a team.. may be too late for that for this season but they all were rated real high when they came to TENN losing all we lost last year hurts.. I don't think we will go far in the SEC tourney or ncaa. Heck man we won the last two nc's now with all these new players no way we go back there this year.. We have had a great team almost every year, but I think most of us don't appreciate that.. We will be back on top SOON.. We beat some great teams last year to make it to the final game and beat another great team in final.. Just relax and watch some of these young ladies GROW-UP at TENN. LIKE I said WE WILL BE BACK ON TOP..
MrBamSeydu writes:
This has been a terrible year for UT athletics. Football goes 5-7, mens basketball team might not even make the NCAA tourney, and the womens' team is the worst it's been in 20 years probably.
utang1602#204610 writes:
Who are you to question why any Lady Vol athlete is "still wearing a uniform"? Do you know Amber Gray? Can you name five facts about her?
It's one thing to make observatory comments about a factual aspect of an athlete's on-court performance. It's an entirely different one to direct comments like this one at any individual athlete.
Within your line of thinking: why are you still posting , you look like you enjoy poor punctuation grammar and a lack of capital letters .
huntined#565710 writes:
I'am with you MRBAM ,but looking at the bright side for next year all we can do is improve!!
PureOrange writes:
I wish the moving them out of the locker room would help, but I have hung on as long as I could. I have to face the fact these girls simply to not care what anyone says, they are determined not to give what it takes to be a Lady Vol. I had such high hopes as the season began. I really felt we would surprise people simply because we had so much talent, but was I fooled. If there is talent in these girls, they have been great at keeping it hidden.
Even if they don't have the talent they were supposed to have, I would love to see some 40 minute effort.
bmaples writes:
Ah me, MfC is just waiting to post yet another salt-in-wound post. I tried to show you some respect earlier, MfC, but you would have none of it. I think your screen name should be changed to Vulture_From_Connecticut.
On to the topic at hand: when the coach, the assistant coaches, and the players themselves are calling out other players and noting that they just don't get it, then I think we can safely assume that they don't get it. And youth isn't the reason; attitude based on a vision of what is required is what's missing.
Here are two quotes that these ladies might consider:
"Amateurs practice until they can get it right. Professionals practice until they can't get it wrong." (Unknown, talking about musicians -- but it still applies)
"I want each player to be MORE upset than I am when we lose." (Rick Pitino, talking about a Cards team of a few years ago)
Finally, same comment I made in Adams's column -- a paraphrase of something my boss says about managing people:
"Either you change the players, or you change the players."
Bruce in Louisville
brucemaples.com
CTOWNICON writes:
I would lose respect for anybody that recruited the way Geno does. His tactics on how he gets players is, well lets just say it is not done the proper way. Maya is from Atlanta where I am from, and if I did not respect her family and her I would tell it on the mountain. But she is a good player and she is only one player and she made her choice to go to Uconn. Congratualations and good luck to her. So please leave how to recruit out of it, Geno is the last person to teach that, and that staff of his because they knew about it and went along with it.
budd#207344 writes:
As far as I am concerned they should not be able to wear the uniform. Make them play in no name shorts and shirts.
BigOrangeVol writes:
Move 'em to the basement of Stokley, turn out the lights and lock the doors.
Anybody remember Zeppelin in '75 at Stokley?
AllLadyVol writes:
I just love the fact that Connecticut fans read this site.
It is very frustrating to be a Lady Vol fan these days. I've never seen a Tennessee team play with less passion and focus. I'm sure their confidence as a team has taken a beating this season as well.
The talent is there. My theory is that one day, maybe four years from now, maybe next week, the Lady Vols will finally get so sick and tired of losing that they decide to do something about it. I don't think a turnaround will come one second before they make their minds up that they've had enough.
I also think that this summer a few players will decide that it'd be less demanding and more fun to play elsewhere.
BigOrangeVol writes:
Better yet, let Dae-Dae slap 'em around until they "get it"!
CTOWNICON writes:
I respect Maya and her family. Dont really care much about Geno. You can try to tear Pat down as much as you want Miss Thing, but it aint gonna work. She has accomplished to much. She even has her own show. As much as you stay in her business im sure you have seen it, it is called the Pat Summitt Show. If not check it out and see what a class act is supposed to look and act like. When i was a child, i spoke and acted like one, when i became an adult i started to speak and act like one. When will you transform into the woman you are supposed to be.
AllLadyVol writes:
And I also believe Tennessee fans should not degrade themselves by stooping to the level of personal attacks on other teams and their fans. It's childish and accomplishes nothing.
Whether we win or lose, do it with class.
reg_mza#219136 writes:
Getting back on course with the topic at hand...no this ploy will not help much. If half "understand it" and the other half "don't really understand it," then it's too late for that other half to get caught up and be in full speed mode physically and mentally now. By the time they do, the season will be over with and we'll be watching all of our adversaries, including the ones we beat in the regular season, in the NCAA tournament.
Sadly, unless all "understand it" now, like tomorrow and going into all future games, this will be the infamous class of freshman that prevented Tennessee from going to the Sweet 16 for the first time.
They'll "understand it" then for next year.
xvolx writes:
Half get it and half don't. What a stupid remark. I haven't seen a forty minute effort on both ends of the court from any of them. Fuller's always knocking the youth as an excuse. What's her excuse. A fifth year senior, 6-3 that is avg. 4 rebounds a game. Never in position to rebound. They just don't care. Tenn. is going to spend 1.5 million dollars to educate these girls and are getting a dimes worth of return. They not only don't have any pride in Tenn. They have no pride in themselves. Where is the Holtzclaw, Catchings, Lawson, Parker, played with a dislocated shoulder, Jolly, played with a swollen ankle. This is not Summitt's fault. You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink.
dwolfcreek#397971 writes:
within you line of thinking ,you must be a defender of gum balls .
ladivolfan writes:
On the Amber posts, in all honesty, you cannot argue that the factual aspect of her on-court performance is that it doesn't exist. If Amber were worthy of minutes, Pat would be playing her and not just when her family is present. Amber may benefit the Lady Vols in coming years if she returns. I'm not so sure she will be a Lady Vol next year and I'm not sure how I feel about that. It would be sad for her as a player, but wouldn't really be a loss to the team and fans. Some players are happy being Lady Vols and some are not. Amber (and all other NCAA players) should play where she can get minutes and be the happiest.
cdtnladyvols931#663910 writes:
If anybody is a joke and a big wimp it is all of you at Connecticut or anywhere on the planet at connecticut. You all are so jealous of Pat Summitt thats why you talk about her like that so why don't you just blow your bugle some other direction. Uconn was supposed to win the championship last year,too and look what they did EAT TO MUCH STANFORD AND CHOKED!!
tedb#664810 writes:
What short memories! Two national championships in the past two years and the winningest coach of all times. Things aren't great right now, but I will take a lady of class over a jerk like Geno. I hope the coaches, team and parents of the girls aren't reading these blogs. These are teenagers for the most part. I am discouraged too, but ease up. Our Lady Vols deserve more respect that I have seen here.
reg_mza#219136 writes:
To "get it" and to execute on the court are two totally different things. That sings a lot about their talent level both offensively and defensively.
The ones that get it just may not be able to perform at their best without help or without all 5 on the court. It's obvious NONE of them can really create offensively for themselves (meaning taking a person one on one without the need for anyone else). All the post players need to be fed by the guards and the guards cannot create their own shots with or without screens regularly. And on defense, they are a young bunch that did not have to work this hard defensively less than a year ago when they were in high school. The ones that are vets (Fuller, Bjorklund, Baugh) are not infallible and can make an occasional mistake.
I will say Bjorklund is a disappointment on the offensive end but to her credit, she's not getting any set plays run where she cuts off multiple screens and is allowed to shoot. ALL of what she is doing is either one on one or one on two and she's lost. On defense, she's completely overrated. She hustles but fouls way too much which indicates she's overextended, not moving her feet, and out of place and reaching. Fuller plays as hard as she can for arguably the 5th best talent out of the 5 freshman she came in with (Parker, Hornbuckle, Anosike, Wiley-Gatewood, and her). Baugh has the stuff offensively and some times defensively (as evidence in her being foul prone) but doesn't have the health to back it up yet.
If think if they had Cait, things would be set up better offensively at least and run more efficiently but they don't and this is what we have.
Cain is the only one I can see that is getting it on both ends. She is a true gem that is only going to get better if her knees hold up.
So no, it's not a stupid remark and one stated by one that is right there looking at all of these girls dead in the face to see for herself.
lindatotenn writes:
What you really mean is - how to cheat-- ANYONE can win cheating just look at uconn. The most cheating team around. But when you cheat it really donesn't mean much. ANYONE CAN CHEAT.Uconn will lose soon and I think I will have a bit "o" party LOL
sfrye#268517 writes:
Greatest coach? Aureimma? Of course he is. I see Pat Summit wanting to get a piece of another team's player all the time. What a great example he is for self control. I just wish his players had not held him back. He would have shown the entire world how really tough he is. And what a loser we all know him to be, all at the same time. We will read of Geno in a road rage incident within the next 3 weeks when his team chokes again short of the Final Four. Let's get real here people. Pat Summit has more class in her little finger than GA has in his entire, jealous body. Truth be told, he probably listens to "Rocky Top" while he is driving to work in his car each morning. The Pat Summit version too, that she sang on the court for Bruce that got so much ESPN time. Heck,he may even apply his make-up while wearing a Tennessee cheerleaders outfit during his quiet times. He and all the other UCONN inbreds just wish those people who know the game, would speak of him as well as they have Pat Summit. Even his ever-loving ESPN ran story after story on Pat's 1000th win and that just has to kill him. Now you go to a little dog-on- dog UCONN porn website and leave the rest of us to our LADY Vols. Bye now. Shoo. Go away. You don't want us to have Pat go all raccoon on you now.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Well, you are certainly in the conversation about the most obnoxious fans in history! You show yourself every day to be just an angry, bitter little man who does your favorite team no credit. You are entitled to your own silly opinions, as are we all, but you are not entitled to our respect for them since you show us not an ounce of it.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
You could be right about some players leaving. I'm sure CPS would rather have a few less bodies on the roster than for the rest of them to have to carry a lot of dead weight. ALL of them need to do a little soul-searching about what is really important to them.
coach75 writes:
sorry we don't have espn tours to bring in recruits. uconn=cheaters. i would rather lose than to resort to cheating to win and try to keep up.
coach75 writes:
mike_from_cheatercut, you go anywhere around the country except foor the vice den you call connecticut and ask them what team defines womens college basketball and 90% of the people will tell you the university of tennessee lady vols and coach pat summitt. i am sure bobby knight doesn't think geno is as good as pat, because he knows a great coach compared to a coach who wins when he has illegally recruited enought talent to do so. als taurasi couldn't rank in the top 5 talent wise of past lady vols. uconn sucks and geno well you know what he does. he _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.
sfrye#268517 writes:
You're still here? Is that the best you can come up with? That you know our state produces whiskey? Check the trophy case puppy. We produce a heck of a lot more than whiskey. Our coach has built the women's game. Look on the bottom of your beloved teams championship trophies and it will read Permissionfor use granted by Coach Summit and the University of Tennessee. As for the inbred comment, I live in the north. The south has nothing on the people up here. There are plenty in this neck of the woods whose eyes are too close together. The difference up here is they have a different name that they use for them. They call them......Huskies !
CTOWNICON writes:
When you looking at his show i bet you be licking your chops sitting there lusting over him. He the greatest something in your eyes and it aint coach.
CTOWNICON writes:
Mike knows that Geno has no class. I mean to want to fight a college teenage girl, and he had to be restrained. A full grown man trying to fight a girl but he got class. Mike is out of touch with reality and so is Geno. Dont leave Mike out of this conversation because he eats and breathes Pat Summitt. Im sure he puts on some of those Pat Summitt suits he claims he doesnt like. He probably borrows her makeup tips to. He really wants to be Pat or a lady vol.
sfrye#268517 writes:
Mike has spent too much time sliding down his own family's pole, er, I mean tree. Not a lot of branches on that tree either. Good luck to your team Mike. I know Geno will love being compared to Pat..... again. Everyone knows it is never going to be the other way around. For her, there is no equal. Easy on the foundation Geno. It highlights your crow's feet...........
huntined#565710 writes:
Hey Guys leave Mike alone.. I hear he was the BAG MAN for MOORE and her MOM when they left ESPN..Come on Mike just how much was in that BAG????
BigRMan writes:
As far as the team members getting the boot from the locker room, I think it should be a perfect incentive. I've only seen the inside of that locker room from live TV shots, and documentary feature segments. Heck, that locker room is better than most apartments or condos in most major cities in the country-The homeless would kill to sleep and wash in there-Now as far as Geno is concerned-Some of his off the cuff remarks as an analyst for ESPN on the WNBA games in the late 90's were actually rather humorous- Maybe he should give up coaching and get a permanent Stand up comedy gig at Foxwoods Casino in Connecticut
BigRMan writes:
There probably is a good deal of truth in the comments you make about UCON 's recruiting tactics by Auriema for women's basketball only. However, D. Tarausi was and is an exceptional basketball talent, allbeit carried with the wrong type of swagger. She has earned a WNBA title, Olympic Gold and multiple NCAA titles.
feathersax writes:
Not surprised lil' Mikey would come on here. Your team should win it all this year, so keep your nose up Geno's rectal regions & off this site. We don't have nor want ESPN as our recruiting coordinators. 8 National titles says a lot, pal.
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