Tennessee's 11th different starting lineup of the women's basketball season made a good first impression Sunday.
After an 82-68 victory over Mississippi State, Alex Fuller, Glory Johnson, Kelley Cain, Angie Bjorklund and Shekinna Stricklen will report for the opening tipoff Thursday at LSU. But that's as far as it goes for now.
"We'll wait,'' UT coach Pat Summitt said. "One game doesn't get it."
Summitt likes the lineup's size, beginning with the 6-foot-2 Stricklen at point guard. It helps that Stricklen is more comfortable with the role.
"At first I did have problems and second thoughts,'' Stricklen said. "This is not my position. But I know I can probably play any position.
"I've learned a lot. Most of it is taking control of the ball, taking care of the ball. That's the most important part of playing point guard, really."
While Johnson lines up at forward, UT's most athletic player is being used as an extra perimeter defender. On Sunday, the 6-foot-3 freshman guarded Mississippi State's point guard.
"I thought that was a good matchup for her,'' Summitt said. "I've had that in my mind a lot. I was trying to play her more at the post but I think now she can play both."
Taking A Plunge: Losses to Duke and Kentucky last week dropped the Lady Vols five spots to No. 18 in the Associated Press' weekly Top 25 women's poll. It's UT's lowest ranking since Feb. 24, 1985.
"I'm just glad we're in the top 20,'' Summitt said.
Playing for A Bye: Tennessee and LSU play Thursday to see who doesn't play the following Thursday.
The teams are tied for fourth in the SEC standings and the winner earns one of the four first-round byes for the SEC tournament, which opens March 5 in North Little Rock, Ark.
There's basketball reasons for wanting a bye. Stricklen thought of an academic incentive, too.
"We'll get to stay here (an extra day) for school,'' she said. "We've missed a lot of class already."
Take A Bow: The Big Orange Tipoff Club will be honoring Summitt and the Lady Vols program in their fourth annual gala at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame.
Tickets are $40 for individuals, with a contribution being made to the WBCA/Kay Yow fund, or $350 for a table of 10. Dress is casual.
For more information contact Barry Smith at barryjsmith@comcast.net or 865-384-3412.
Notebook: Guard Angie Bjorklund matched her season high with seven rebounds Sunday. . . . Lady Vols Amber Gray and Sydney Smallbone have been doing extra cardiovascular conditioning. . . . Summitt conceded that some players probably aren't happy with their roles but she added, "Don't try to get my attention during a game. You can get it every day in practice and that's what you should be trying to do, do positive things in practice to show me and show our coaches, I'm ready. I'm ready to play."
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Comments » 12
volfan2002 writes:
I think we may have turned the corner everyone seems to be getting on the same page and adapting to their roles. This was probably the hardest part. We'll find out a lot at LSU they also have a lot of freshmen and we need to win that game to avoid the SEC tournament first round.
CTOWNICON writes:
I think they have gotten it together. Big test at LSU but with effort and determination they can do it.
movol53 writes:
We'll be able to see if there really is a change when Vandy comes to town after LSU. Our last trip to Nashville wasn't a good one. I'm looking for improved play from everyone.
Some of the girls may not be happy with the position they are playing but if they will learn to play together as a team they will be able to go far.
CTOWNICON writes:
That trip to Vandy wasnt a good one, Vandy is a hard place for any team to win, look at what they did to Florida. Im hoping for a different outcome this time around.
gnm53108 writes:
Vandy will be tough.
The ladies will be alright.Pat knows that the season is just one big practice to prepare for march.
They'll make some noise.
xvolx writes:
If we don't beat lsu and vandy, we are going to be playing a one seed to reach the sweet 16.
tnmantravel#531151 writes:
great OKEMO say
OKEMO have great faith in coach PAT and her lady vols
OKEMO has spoken
now pay homage to OKEMO
johnlg00#206211 writes:
One game doesn't make a trend, but they looked pretty good against MSU. I have sometimes wondered about the attention span of this team; every day they wake up, it's a new day and yesterday's lessons don't always seem to carry over for very long. Those are at least arguably lessons that come with maturity and habit. They now KNOW what to do, but FEELING what to do, and doing it immediately, effectively, and constantly comes slower.
BigRMan writes:
A consistent effort that sustains defensive intensity, as well as offensive execution resulting in a win versus a quality opponent will do wonders to solidify the good that was done in the last outing. Success breeds success, but these players have to experience it and go through the effort of working to make it happen for themselves. Listening to CPS, implementing her strategic game plan and working it to fruition SHOULD be reinforcement enough to get them to buy into the system. LET'S HOPE!
reachkim00 writes:
LSU is going to be a tough test for us, and they have one more freshman than us I think. BUT.. these ladies can win this game if they just take the don't quit attitude and great effort with them that they showed in the Miss St. game. I feel like, like some of you do, that hopefully they've turned the corner and the light has come on! I especially feel good about Shekinna stepping up and telling coach that she's gonna step up her game because she's well aware that she can do so much better to help this team. Having just one player to be vocal like that can really charge these ladies up for eveyone to step up their game as well. Amber has teamed up with Sydney to do more cardio just so she can get up and down the court faster, and we saw what a difference that made in the Miss St game for her. Shekinna is already a leader, and a good one to follow. Kelly is beast inside, and getting better with every game. These improvements will be infectious throughout the team, I've got a good feeling about it. GO LADY VOLS!! We fans love ya! Keep up the positive efforts.
reachkim00 writes:
They CAN and they WILL!! Go Lady Vols!!
98reax writes:
I like this call by Pat and staff to go with the same lineup as the last game. Thus far we've had little or no consistency in the starting 5. Most likely, this by design to find a semblance of chemistry from the jump. I am of the philosophy that the way you start the game can dictate the way you close out. We've had problems in many starts with quick fouls and turnovers. We get behind before we even get started and the pressure builds.
You say, "Duh, 98." Yes, some in-your-face defense would be good, too. Just win, Lady Vols, get this one.
I would run something for Glory right off the get-go. Get her a quick lay-up. Get her confidence up before she draws that first foul. Set Bj up for a trey until she puts one down, and instruct the others to get the rebound on her misses, put them back or pitch them right back at her. We have yet to do that. We can win on boards, assists and putbacks.
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