The SEC women's basketball schedule isn't allowing Tennessee to feel at home.
After Sunday's 68-56 victory over South Carolina at Thompson-Boling Arena, the Lady Vols are back on the road for their next two games, beginning Thursday at Arkansas.
"It's a challenge but I don't think that's all bad,'' UT coach Pat Summitt said. "I wish we were a 40-minute team, I'd feel a lot better."
Tennessee's next road trip also will include a visit to Auburn on Sunday. Cost-cutting measures mandated by the university will send the Lady Vols to Auburn after Thursday's game instead of returning to Knoxville. The team will come home from Auburn on Sunday by bus.
When the trip is finished, Tennessee will have played four of its first six conference games on the road.
Rankings: A week after falling to its lowest ranking in 23 years, Tennessee (14-3, 3-1 SEC) moved back into the top 10 of the Associated Press' Top 25 weekly poll, rising three spots to No. 10.
The Lady Vols are one of four SEC teams in the rankings. Auburn is No. 6, Florida is 15th and Vanderbilt is 17th.
Triple Threat: In advance of Thursday's game, Arkansas freshman guard Ceira Ricketts was named SEC freshman of the week after recording the first known triple-double in the 34-year history of the Arkansas women's program.
The 5-foot-9 Ricketts, who's from Louisville, Ky., had 14 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists in a 70-61 loss to Auburn on Sunday. The assists and rebounds amounted to season highs.
Ricketts, like UT's Shekinna Stricklen, has been named conference freshman of the week twice.
Injury Report: Stricklen was hit in the nose during Sunday's game and fell on her right shoulder but said afterward, "I'm still standing."
Kelley Cain and Vicki Baugh, who are recovering from knee injuries, participated in portions of Monday's practice.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Tennessee defeats Georgia 3-2 in…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 7
xvolx writes:
something wrong with poll that places ut over vandy after they thrashed us.
LadyVolFanForever writes:
Yes they whipped us BUT the polls look at the RPI and our strength of schedule is ranked 4th in the country as of yesterday. Vandy is not even in the top 20 on that note. Coach Summitt plays top non-conference teams each year and our RPI is always high.
We have several more top teams (conference and non-conference) to play this season. Hope we can start getting it all together and playing with some consistency or our flaws will be taken advantage of.
Go Lady Vols !
cgbtn writes:
I thought our Ladies' basketball team was turning a profit. I guess they are cutting costs to benefit the sports no one watches. Over the years, Pat's teams have done even better in the classroom than they have on the court. It is not fair for these young ladies to have to endure 4-day trips and exhausting bus rides after two road games. They are young, and they are students first. I guess Title X is not just unfair to men.
mississippi writes:
me too
bmaples writes:
Growin' up, gettin' tough ... all good for the Baby Vols! Let's hope they use these road games to get ready for March.
Go Lady Vols!!
tenn32rebel writes:
cgbtn, read a little closer in the story. This cut is university wide, not just the Lady Vols. It also affects the mens BB.
It has absolutely nothing to do with turning a profit.
GO BABY LADY VOLS---OUR FUTURE CHAMPIONS!!!
BigRMan writes:
The Southern part of the country is very scenic, and will give the team an extended period of closeness in which to further bond. Bus trips are fun! There are fold down trays and overhead lights that can illuminate for reading text book assignments.The travel time will be put to good use.
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