The number of Tennessee starting lineups for this women's basketball season is about to reach an even dozen.
Sophomore Sydney Smallbone will replace freshman Glory Johnson and start for the fourth time. The 5-foot-10 guard will join Alex Fuller, Kelley Cain, Angie Bjorklund and Shekinna Stricklen for the opening tip of Sunday's SEC game against Vanderbilt at Thompson-Boling Arena.
"She's the one player that understands how to compete and what it takes to play here,'' UT coach Pat Summitt said of Smallbone. "She's not the most athletic (player) but she has a huge heart and she loves this program and loves this team.
"I have her on a short leash. I'm not saying how long she's going to play, but I'm looking for competitors. Those right now are the best five.
Competitiveness, or lack thereof, was Friday's theme after the Lady Vols fell behind by 18 points in the first half against LSU Thursday night. They recouped the deficit after halftime, only to lose 63-61.
At 8-5 in the SEC, Tennessee (19-9) is in fifth place and has set a program record for most losses in a conference regular season.
"I guess the thing that bothers me the most for this team ... they just are not full of competitiveness," Summitt said. "... Today in our team meeting, they admitted it. They know. We've got players that we know are not going to fight hard all the time come game time."
The latest lineup change amounts to a shot across Johnson's bow. The 6-foot-3 forward, a former star at Webb School, played 14 minutes against LSU and had more turnovers (four) than points (three).
SEC Scenarios: Tennessee is locked into the No. 5 seed for next week's SEC tournament and a first-round game against No. 12 Alabama at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Alltel Arena in North Little Rock, Ark.
UT hasn't played a first-round game since 1997.
The only other seeds that are set are Kentucky at No. 10 and South Carolina at No. 11. Every other seeding is dependent upon the outcome of Sunday's final regular-season games.
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Comments » 48
VAvolfanRON writes:
I have faith in you ladies!!!....this is the time to shine!!!.......
VAvolfanRON writes:
Pat, have them scrimmage for 20 minutes before each game.....lol......
Young ladies will succeed. (please dont call them baby vols) they will respond to be young....we need them to mature!!!
pammyvol1000 writes:
Good move.. Johnson acts like she would rather be home watching TV than playing basketball. I know that sounds mean but she has not shown up lately. Cain has really shown her ability to post up and shoot the ball. I hope her knee holds up through March..
Go Lady Vols!!
VAvolfanRON writes:
and before the no class, semi Vol fans come on here and says 'who cares?......I do...You should be proud of our Lady Vols....
bustervols writes:
If only Nikki was still here.
VAvolfanRON writes:
Pammy,
It's almost like Johnson is having 'boy' trouble!!!....lol...
naw, i know she's trying.....but, not up to UT standards
VAvolfanRON writes:
Nikki, Holly, Chamique, Tamika, Candace, Michelle, Kara, etc...etc...lol
richvol writes:
Johnson is very gifted athletically but doesn't concentrate enough...she also plays out of control. That's why she misses so many layups and turns the ball over all the time.
I LOVE what Pat said about Smallbone. I wish Pearl would do the same thing with some of his guys that don't care enough to play hard.
VAvolfanRON writes:
Rich...im not one to criticise....but...but....nevermind, they are playing there best.....
tnmantravel#531151 writes:
OKEMO say
this team only have 6 game left, then season over
who are top 5 high school players in america
do lady vols have chance of landing 2, 3 of them?
OKEMO wonder how some of current team
ever got recruited to lady vol team
lady vols must only select from top 10 players
uconn will only go after top 10 players
lady vol fans do not chastise OKEMO
only 6 game left will happen
coach pat know this
OKEMO know this
OKEMO has spoken
VAvolfanRON writes:
tnmantravel....
Id give it up....it's not working....sorry....It was ok with Witch doctor and caveman.....and that's getting old......i'd try something else
CTOWNICON writes:
Hopefully Sydney will show up and have a big game. I will leave it at that.
BIGEJ writes:
She is a very attractive young woman...the daughter of parents that belong to the NRA.....Witch doctor could lose a bone or two if not careful; Smith& Wessen tell no lie....
BIGEJ writes:
Understand; shake those bones to see it will change the winds of wins and losses for the Vols....Go All Vols
cgbtn writes:
Glory is competitive, tries hard, and is the best athlete on the team. She simply cannot shoot a basketball.
yabadabadoo1026 writes:
right on Ron----the wannabe gets an F- for originality and looks like a dope as a result
VOLorado writes:
Smallbone ever lie?
mmynatt writes:
To those who say the Lady Vols are playing their best--- did you not read the article? Pat said they are not giving their all -- the players themselves admitted it.....
This team will go out in the NCAA earlier than any Lady Vols team in probably forever. I am a huge fan of theirs; have been for years. It tears me up that Geno is probably going to win the next 3 championships. But reality is what it is -- Pat simply can not get through to these girls.
Gosh this sucks... I hope I am wrong and the rest of the season turns around into a repeat of the 1997 run. But this team simply does not have the heart or the competitiveness. The one who did (Cait) is out permanently.
xvolx writes:
smallbone may have heart and I believe she does, but she can't play defense. no footspeed. johnson is were she belongs on the bench. Manning nor bjorkland have footspeed to play defense. bass is too short and gets beat off the dribble. strickland can play any position but point. she doesn't like it there and will not give a good effort at that position. fuller could be a good player if she was more physical,but she just isn't. Cain can't jump. maybe it is her knees. Brewer is too slow and lazy, no jump shot or touch. Bjorkland is a pure shooter, but shouldn't be dribbling around around looking for a shot. By the time she gets open, she is too tired to shoot. These girls don't work well together, because they don't work. The two that have heart, desire and skills to play are sitting on the bench injured. Gray is out of shape, but has a good shot release. I would look at her in the future as a shooting guard. To Summitt, I would say. goodluck. luck you will be a needing.
xvolx writes:
I'll agree with competitive and tries hard, but she needs to go on a basketball diet. She eats one every time she shoots.
xvolx writes:
not getting old. Is old. thankyou.
littleorange writes:
Glory will be fine in time. Still trying to play high school ball in the big leagues.....Must work hard on her post moves and shooting, which I believe she will....Go Lady Vols.
LadyVolFanForever writes:
xvolx, for the last 3 weeks your posts have been more and more negative. I hope you have finally hit the bottom. If you have given up on this team, so be it.
Some of us won't give up on the Lady Vols. I am sure the coaching staff is well aware of the problems of this team, much more aware than any of us fans and armchair coaches. No coach has 5 "perfect" players, not even Coach Summitt. They will find a mix of players that will and can compete. The young ladies will work hard over the summer to correct their problems and get better. We will have a few new kids coming in to find their way into the mix. Wearing the Lady Vol uniform is a priviledge and playing time must be earned. Pride must be shown.
The Lady Vol basketball world is not ending, it is just going through a rebuilding stage. Don't give up on our team and show a little support. They know they have big problems, but we fans cannot fix them. Support, don't dissect.
GO LADY VOLS !
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Win.
marinevol writes:
Smallbone has more hustle than anyone else on the team. Her skills should continue to improve with more playing time. Good move.
BigOrangeBrain writes:
BigOrangeBrain say : If I remember correctly, once upon a time CPS preferred to limit freshmen class to 3 at a time. There was a reason and it sure is apparent. Need to work to get future roster more balanced. Brain told me to say this. Brain hardly ever lies.
jr2miles writes:
Listen to coach ladies. The season is not over yet, just play hard and bring your heart and effort and the game will come to you. The only thing these freshman cant do is defend the ball. This team need to have the mindset of last year team and that is when they are not scoring the other team will not score either. As a fan I still believe in this team and its important for them to believe in themselves so let dig deep and play lady vol basketball.Go Vols!!!!!!!
98reax writes:
So many critics. So little substance. What if the team has been logging in. Too bad they're reading more nonsense and doubt than support and appreciation. I wonder if the posters would be so bold to say these things to the student athletes and the coaching staff. I don't hear them calling in to the post game show. The cowards.
The '08/'09 Lady Vols COULD BE a win away from another 20-win regular season. That's something many, many teams have never achieved. We COULD BE three wins away from winning another conference tournament title; another feat the majority of D1 teams have yet to accomplish. We have had our share. If we should exit on day one, so be it. The world will go on. Chances are we fill NCAA brackets as lower seeding than we are accustomed to. Big woop, or big challenge? You know our coach loves a challenge.
Pat is not asking for a bail-out here. She's awake nights planning and preparing to win with what she has. She works as we gripe. Her moving Smallbone into the starting lineup is like me moving my 401K into an IRA; I could lose either way, but at least I did something.
Unlike you naysayers and 'negatites' (not sure it's a word, but it fits) many posters are looking for the bright side and digging deep to find supportive comments, just in case. BigObrain, please review the facts regarding recruitment. Pat did not look into her future and see these injuries, early departures and disappointments in her recruiting agenda. She set out to get the best prospects she could bring to the program. She possibly had another of the 'best in the country' when another program's poacher swooped in with questionable tactics.
If I've stated it once, well, here we go again. IMAGINE, if you can: Candace Parker, a healthy and whole Vicki Baugh, Cait McMahan in all her vigor and vitality, a completely conditioned Kelly Cain, and a choice of Bj without all the pressure of carrying the whole team or Sydney for short minutes off the bench. Pick and choose when to insert Stricklen, Glory, Manning, Brewer, Gray, and Bass as freshmen who have been coached up to be competent roll-players. You see these kids have not had the privilege of learning from upper-classmen. They have HAD TO BE the upper-classmen. That's a lot of pressure on a rookie.
To you folks who continue to question why Pat allowed this to happen, I say next time you look into the future and know these things with assuredness, give the coach a clue, please.
marinevol, you are right about Smallbone. At this point in the season it may not come down to who is best. It's the ones who WANT TO BE BEST.
LVFF, the xvolx poster is typical of those who refuse to be supportive. They are at their pinnacle when we win but are not willing to work hard when we lose. It's difficult to be supportive sans humility. xvolx has been mercilessly critical of Glory since day one. I looked hard at xvolx' comment to fine one positive comment. At least it was an across-the-board critique.
xvolx writes:
you should understand the difference between negative and constructive criticism
littleorange writes:
Mike why do persist in bringing this UCONN garbage to a Tennessee web site. Really shows your immaturity,
starved for attention?????
98reax writes:
We understand it; but we are not reading it in your comments. For instance, what does 'too short' have to do with speed off the dribble? "Stricklen will not give good effort at the point position" is not criticism, it is your opinion. Stricklen my take wings and fly as far as you know. Tell me you too are a witch doctor. You may know what you will/can do, you do not/can not know what anyone else will do. "Too slow, too lazy, can't jump, can't play" are the comments you use to describe these athletes. My fellow-poster, if those are not negative comments, today is not Saturday.
LVFF, I believe xvolx has a ways to go before hitting bottom. xvolx is still digging.
98reax writes:
99 days ago your own golden words, xvolx:
[ positives take care of themselves. It's the negatives one must keep an eye on, or they will remain negatives. ]
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Well said. Freshmen think too much on the court and they can't decide in real time what it is that they need to be doing in any given situation, so when they DO decide, they rush to get it done because they didn't anticipate correctly what they SHOULD do. Does that make sense? It sounded good in my head(;-P)!
98reax writes:
[ The Huskies (27-0) have been a unanimous No. 1 for the 15 weeks of the regular-season coaches' poll. UConn received 30 first-place votes in the preseason poll; the other No. 1 vote went to Tennessee. ]
I copied the above clip from ESPN. It made me laugh, but then I thought maybe someone other than Muldar & Scully actually knows "'the truth is out there."
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Brittany is a major babe, all right! I am torn between her and CP3 for the most beautiful LV ever. Skills-wise, it's Candace, hands down, but Brittany had a mighty nice shot some nights. Wonder what she is doing now?
johnlg00#206211 writes:
PS: I could fully understand votes for Lisa Harrison in that particular poll!
As for the team and the season, we pretty much knew going in that it would be like this. Even so, without the injuries to Vicky and Cait, we would have had at least a little more experience on the court and, at least as important, the freshmen would not have had to fill such big roles for so much of the season. Someone was talking the other night about the effect of injuries to two starters on an NBA team. His main point was that it is not so much that your 6th and 7th men have to become starters as it is that your 8th and 9th players often have to step up to play major minutes, and there is usually a REASON why they were the 8th and 9th players in the first place. It can easily be argued, and I will do so, that the development of some of the freshmen was harmed by the necessity to force them into roles and minutes they weren't ready for. It is also a reason why some of them may have hit the fabled "freshman wall". Remember Angie late last season? Well, this year we had several of them hit the wall, and while Angie was largely a roll-player last year, some of the freshmen THIS year HAD to make major contributions if the team was to be successful.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
That should be "Angie was largely a ROLE-player"! It always annoys me when I see someone else use the term "roll-player" and here I did it myself! I will TRY not to be critical of such errors of others in the future!
98reax writes:
"there is an idiot in every group," and xvolx is an expert on that subject, too
pammyvol1000 writes:
VaRon: your right! She is not up to UT standards. I really thought she would be the "Freshman to take Candace's place.. Maybe they will have a turn around in the tournament.
Go Lady Vols!!
LdyVolFaninKS writes:
I'm excited to see Smallbone start. My family and I nick-named her "Boner" last year for all the bone-head moves she made last year. This year, she reminds me a little of Sidney Spencer. She can shoot the long ball just like Syd #1 and at least is intense on defense. No, she's not the most athletic player on our basketball team, but she brings heart to every game and in my opinion is a better leader than BJ with her heart, intensity and competitiveness.
I am disappointed in Glory, I guess because I kept reading all the hype about her at the beginning of the season but could never see what all the hype was all about. She is tough and will be a factor in a year or two. I'm going to chalk her late season woes up to youth. I think if she would have had a year to sit and watch great veteran players the way Candace did, she could have benefited greatly.
Do we have any scholarships left? I think the best move CPS could make right now would be to get an outstanding juco player to come in next year and run the point. Strick would be much more effective as a 2, 3 or even a 4 than she is at the point!
Don't give up on our Lady Vols. Be positive ladies. You are surrounded by greatness in your coaches. Listen to them and learn...it will all work out in the end.
98reax writes:
Syd's biography from Scout.com
Very good form shoot, off picks and dribble. Quick release, hastened by aggressive mindset. Though shooting is her forte, she can handle the ball well enough and see enough plays to handle the point. Won't be the most athletic player on the floor, but will compete and scrap, at both ends of the floor. Posture is a little to uprignt when handling the ball which may get her into trouble at the next level.
Why not give her a shot? Everyone else has had one. The kid has sat by patiently waiting for this. Stick 'em, Sydney! Make Pat wish she had started you sooner.
ladivolfan writes:
We'll see.
CTOWNICON writes:
I agree. I think Pat should bring in a juco point guard as well and move Stricklen. The point went weak when Cait got injured, no offense to the freshman points because they are trying but we need experience at that point guard position and a juco player would be a great addition.
CTOWNICON writes:
Tiffany dont do no more than any other freshman player. All she can do is shoot the three ball. She is a role player, nothing more. She and Doty just have the luxury of playing with experienced players. The true test of their skill would be to put them on a all freshman team and turn them loose on a college level. Then you would see how special they are. The lady vol freshman team has done a good job this year against teams that have pretty much their whole roster back, so they are not overated they are on track to becoming a good team. Oh, and one more thing, Uconn will not win the championship game this year. I dont care who agrees or diagrees, but it aint gonna happen. They will make a good run but no championship this year, mark them words.
98reax writes:
There's a geno board you dingdongs could play on. Check it out.
xvolx writes:
I never called myself an expert, so I guess that makes you the idiot in every group.
CTOWNICON writes:
Again you know nothing about Lady Vol basketball Miss Thing. Like I said Uconn will not win the championship this year, dont mark them words, choke on them. You can keep kissing Geno azz. I dont want your disease lips anywhere near me. I see Geno has taught you a lot of tricks since you can sang an kiss azz at the same time. I dont care what Tiffany and Caroline will become, but I know what they are not now. Those two are just role players on an experienced team. Like I said take them away from the experience around them and see how good they are. You would be disappointed.
mississippi writes:
i totally agree
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