Pat Summitt struck a nerve when she questioned Tennessee's "heart and commitment" this week.
The coach's criticism of her women's basketball team stung Alicia Manning.
"I actually took that to the heart,'' the Lady Vols freshman wing player said. "That really upsets me."
What really hurt was Manning couldn't argue with the critique. Judging by how she and her teammates have practiced since Sunday's 82-68 meltdown at Auburn, the response is shared.
"There are times, possessions where we look like we don't have heart,'' said Manning, who will start tonight. "Deep down we do. We just have to apply it to our effort."
Their next opportunity comes against SEC rival Ole Miss (13-7, 2-3 SEC) on Thursday at Thompson-Boling Arena (TV: ESPNU, 7 p.m.). Summitt set a harsher, more demanding tone Monday and the only lingering question is whether this should've happened sooner for No. 13 Tennessee (15-4, 4-2).
"I thought about that after our loss at Vanderbilt," Summitt said, referring to a 74-58 setback in Nashville on Jan. 11. "I think that I was trying to be patient and recognizing the fact that we are so young and not break anybody's spirit. But that philosophy, I just threw that out the window. That didn't work.
"I'm going to challenge this group because I know that they have a lot more to give than what they've been giving. Across the board for most everyone, there's more to give. Accountability has got to be in place now so I probably should have done this after that Vanderbilt loss."
Present circumstances aren't solely the result of UT's freshman-dominated roster. Freshmen Glory Johnson and Shekinna Stricklen are two of UT's best competitors. Auburn guard Whitney Boddie referred to the 6-foot-3 Johnson as "a beast on the post" and said that the 6-2 Stricklen is "like a linebacker."
"I don't want to say future," said Boddie in reference to the two UT rookies. "They have a lot of potential right now."
Furthermore, Summitt has been especially critical this week of one of Tennessee's most experienced players - sophomore guard Angie Bjorklund. Summitt called her out on Monday, after Bjorklund shot 1 for 7 from the floor against Auburn and scored 3 points. Summitt continued to question Bjorklund's play Wednesday at a basketball luncheon at Calhoun's.
"It's a team thing,'' UT senior forward Alex Fuller said. "Nobody's perfect."
Fuller didn't question the timing of this week's sea change but rather affirmed its necessity. She said that it's been well-received by her younger teammates.
"I think they completely understand it," she said. "They've never seen (Summitt) like that. I really think that it kind of made them realize and see that's how things need to be all the time."
The players actually got a glimpse of this during preseason workouts and at other junctures during the season. Manning wondered whether UT's injuries have been a mitigating factor. Sophomore forward Vicki Baugh continues to be sidelined with a sprained left knee.
"I expected it like this from the beginning,'' Manning said. "I know what kind of potential we have as a team. Pat is trying everything she can to get it out of us."
If she conducts more workouts like Monday's, that's fine with Manning.
"Honestly I felt better,'' she said. "I felt like we got a lot accomplished."
In her mind, there's no question about it.
"Overall, we're going to get it, I think,'' Manning said, "and I think we're going to end up surprising a lot of people."
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Comments » 15
utfanatic813 writes:
first
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
I'll leave this one to the marines; if I understand right, the marines are the best in the world at breaking you down and getting you to fit their needs.
To some extent, isn't this what a college coach has to do?? these are all kids who've been stars, and now they need to be players. It seems to me that to learn this requires some effort on the coaches part to mold them. Probably not that hard when you have a lot of veterans, but VERY hard when everyone is young.
I defer to the experts.
floridavolsfan writes:
Boys ignore CBP!
MrBamSeydu writes:
I wonder if Pat has a scholarship for Scotty Hopson? That girl might give Pat some decent minutes off the bench.
dwa7#337691 writes:
prediction
UT 77
Ole Missy 70
in a close one
BigOrangeVol writes:
Yes Mr. Parker that is exactly what all branches of the military endeavor do to with their raw recruits in basic. Break 'em down and build 'em back up. Mom, Dad, your girl and home are all things of the past as soon as you raise your hand and take the Oath. And if you forget that on rare occasions then they will gently and politely remind you as often as they deem necessary for your health, welfare and general benefit.
With all due respect to our fabulous Jarhead MFR brethren in the 1st; 2nd; 3rd; 4th and 5th...Pendleton; Lejeune; Brunswick; Benning; Oahu; Norfolk; Parris; North Island and RTD at San Diego are all holidays at the beach compared to 45 weeks of INDOC, BUD/S and SQT.
An hour at the O-course on The Strand would help these ladies; if ladies were capable and allowed. For that matter, it would be incredibly beneficial for every American citizen just to take a shot at a weekend of training on Coronado. Wow; the sunrise over the sand and surf in a beautiful surrounding with a lovely view from the Quarterdeck...what could possibly be more enjoyable? :-)
BigOrangeVol writes:
I was thinking more along the lines of a 67-65 win if they play like they have been.
If Pat has actually gotten their attention then this may get ugly for the Rebeletts...80-60.
mmynatt writes:
I have heard some of what the girls said in this article before. One thing is for sure: I don't put any stock in what Fuller said, for she is just not backing up any of her words. Maybe she just isn't good enough. But without Cain and Baugh we do not scare anyone -- there have been waaaayyyyyyyyyyy too many easy layups given up to opponents, particularly starting with the Vanderbilt game. Auburn DID make them look like a high school team. If Pat can not get through to them now this really is going to be the worst Lady Vols tournament team ever. There are a whole lot more really good women's teams now than in that year they won the National Championship after losing 10 games in the regular season. They have won 15 and lost 4 this year, but that record is misleading. It is not a typical Lady Vols' effort. I am especially disappointed in Borklund's play this year. Maybe her injuries are worst than anyone is letting on -- if that is the case I apologize to her and Pat. But the whole effort (except for Stricklan's) is just not there. Else why do they start every game off so poorly???????
Hate to say this but UConn would have a field day with this team. I hope I am proven wrong about all that I have written about then in this post, but.... I just would like to see them play with more passion. Auburn wanted that game a lot more than our Lady Vols, and they got it.
xvolx writes:
uconn has a field day with everyone, including #2 and #3. they do have a weakness though and can be beaten.
LadyVolFanForever writes:
mmynatt, I hate to say it but UCONN would have a field day with ANY team this year. But I agree, the Lady Vols need more passion. They have the talent but seem to lack the drive. I knew we would lose some games this year and can take that as long as we give the effort and heart.
Since Coach is on Angie so hard, she must not be having trouble with that bulging disc again. Bjork is a natural shooter and has one of the sweetest shots we have ever been blessed with. I trust she will get out of whatever funk she is in and go back to swishing the shots we need so badly. The Lady Vols need her.
Some of us have seen the great potential in Manning at times this year. Maybe this will light a fire under her and since she will get to start at her natural position, now is the time to show all what she can and will do.
I believe they will respond tonight and we will get a win !
Go Lady Vols !
BigRMan writes:
Coach Summitt will have to reach deep into the bag of motivational tricks of the trade to get the most out of this group. Unfortunately, without a healthy Baugh, and Cain, the team cannot replicate the twin tower effect of Anosike and Parker from last year. Not that that talent level would be duplicated, but at least the appearance of intimidation may cause teams to think twice before entering the paint. Until or unless those 2 can get well, the LV team will be playing much more small ball, perimeter oriented, getting what can be gotten inside from Johnson, where possible.
98reax writes:
I may have said this before, but I think Manning has some "KJolly-like" potential. When Pat cultivates that, we will be blessed by a capable floor general. When that maturation process comes to fruition, much of our problem will be fixed. Kellie was Pat Summitt on the court. Is it possible I'm seeing glimpses of that PG in Manning?
Coach is calling out BJ just as she did an awful lot last season. How long will she put up with Angie's inconsistency? BJ could find herself a permanent bench-buddy really soon, maybe Smallbone. So we have 4 sophomores sitting. Gosh! That rots.
ncvol writes:
People on here are fans of the Tennessee Lady Vols....Please don't try to degrade our team. Although, it is true -UConn is playing very well, we don't appreciate your comments concerning our team...We are in survival mode this year and we will be back to the top of the totem pole...
I think Pat and Geno are both excellent coaches and I wish you the best ...Please refrain from all the negative comments....We don't want them and don't need them.....Go Lady Vols!
We are trying to encourage our players and lift them up..
xvolx writes:
too bad your mouth is not attached to your brain. Uchoked with same players last year.
CTOWNICON writes:
UCONN THOUGHT THEY WOULD MAKE IT TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME LAST YEAR BUT THEY DIDNT. AND BY THE WAY THEY HAVE THEIR WHOLE TEAM BACK THEY SHOULD BE DESTROYING TEAMS AS WOULD ANY OTHER TEAM WITH ALL THEIR STARTERS AGAINST FRESHMAN TEAMS. THE LEVEL OF HATE AN JEALOUSY YOU HAVE FOR LADY VOLS IS OBVIOUS. MORE JEALOUS THAN ANYTHING. UCONN SHOULD HAVE TRIED TO BEAT US LAST YEAR, OH I FORGOT THEY WERENT GOOD ENOUGH TO MAKE IT TO CHAMPIONSHIP GAME. YOU SHOULD REFER TO THAT MATCH UP INSTEAD OF OUR YOUNG LADIES THIS YEAR. WHO KNOWS RUTGERS MAY GET YOU THEY ARE A STREAKY TEAM AN YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU GET WHEN YOU PLAY THEM.
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