Tennessee could run out of post-it notes chronicling the timely reminders for Monday night's game against Vanderbilt.
Communicate. Be efficient. Stick to the plan. Beware of the 3-point shot ...
They all are worthy watchwords for the women's basketball game at Memorial Gymnasium (TV: ESPN2, 9 p.m.). So is the following thought: Remember last year.
Vanderbilt ended a 16-game losing streak against UT in Knoxville last year. The Commodores rubbed it in with a 74-58 victory and by walking on a Tennessee doormat as part of their preparations.
"You know it might come (up),'' guard Angie Bjorklund said.
Count on it, said UT coach Pat Summitt.
"Oh, we'll remind them,'' she said. "We'll remind them."
Tennessee's presence in Nashville on Sunday had more to do with present circumstances. The fifth-ranked Lady Vols (20-2, 8-1 SEC) practiced at Memorial, reacquainting themselves with its unique configuration. The team benches are along the baseline instead of the sideline.
"They're going to have their backs to me a lot of the time,'' Summitt said of her players. "So they're going to have to take ownership of the communication."
Freshman Kamiko Williams will be learning her way around the place, much like she's doing as a starting point guard. Her debut as a starter against Arkansas Thursday night (3 points, 2 assists, 2 turnovers and 17 playing minutes) was hardly rousing.
Summitt reaffirmed her confidence in Williams but also cautioned her: "You're not going to run it the whole game. If you get tired, you pull yourself out. Just come over and say 'Coach, I need a break.' Then, I'll get you back in the game."
Whoever's in charge, minimizing mistakes will be vital against Vanderbilt (17-6, 6-4). In last season's visit, the Commodores' 23-8 edge in points off turnovers helped fuel their victory. UT overcame a comparable disadvantage (23-6) to win the rematch in Knoxville, 75-66.
"No matter who it is,'' said Bjorklund, referring to the point guard position, "as long as they're buying into coach's system, as long as everyone is buying into the system, it shouldn't really be a problem."
The Lady Vols flipped the turnover script in the first meeting this season, helping force 27 by Vanderbilt and building a 28-9 edge in the corresponding points as part of a 64-57 victory on Jan. 17.
The Commodores played the first game without starting point guard Jence Rhoads, who was out with a hand injury. Junior Merideth Marsh, who had played sparingly at the position since her freshman year, filled in and played 40 minutes, committing nine turnovers.
Rhoads, who's second in the league in assists at 5.5 per game, is back. The Commodores' 3-point threat, meanwhile, remains constant. They riddled UT's defense with 10 treys in the first game. Marsh had five.
Arkansas had similar success from long range against UT on Thursday, hitting nine 3-pointers.
"Any time you play Vandy, you better be able to guard the three-ball," Summitt said. "And when we don't guard it, we get beat. When we do guard it, we have a chance to come home with a win. Let's just hope we guard it."
Notebook: Freshman Taber Spani and sophomore Alicia Manning both took part in Sunday's light workout, increasing the likelihood of their availability tonight.
Spani, who is battling a case of turf toe, missed the past two games. Manning took a blow to the head against Arkansas.
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Comments » 15
PINK_CHAMPAGNE writes:
Guard that three point line! The players seem to know what they have to do. Pat has prepared them by addressing all the issues of concern. Defend the three, and limit turnovers, and the lady vols will be victorious. Lets go lady vols!
LdyVolFaninKS writes:
"Unique configuration." That's an interesting way of describing their gym. IMO, all the gyms in the NCAA should have the same basic layout. There is no way a coach can be near as effective when the team they are coaching has their back to the coach and is 45-90 feet away! I think this Lady Vol team can handle it, if we can protect the 3 ball and keep it locked down on the inside at the same time. GBO!!
jdcdjc writes:
I just hope Pat finds the right combination to put on the floor before tournament time starts.
I hope she sticks with Williams at the point so the rest of the team can get used to how she runs the team. Angie is going to have to start scoreing like she is capable of doing. This should be a better team than it is.
huntined#565710 writes:
Hope the LADIE'S can win and set the stage for the men as they will be there Tue. Vandy's men coach just whistles in his plays when they are at the other end. Maybe Pat and Bruce need to learn how to whistle. It is hard on visiting teams to play there as Vandy is use to that set up. Players just have to outplay them on the floor.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
It's not an easy fix. Memorial Gym was designed to serve as an auditorium as well as a gym. I think it still does so from time to time today. Many of the sideline seats are actually below the level of the court. Having both benches on the same sideline, as they are most places, would block the view of several rows of spectators. It's a big part of Vandy's home-court advantage, but what are you going to do?
johnlg00#206211 writes:
One way to look at it is that, right now, opponents don't know what line-up(s) to prepare for. I'm as big a fan of continuity and cohesion as anybody, but as long as the players know their roles in all the various combinations, that versatility is an advantage for the LVs. They can go "quick" or they can go "big". They can run and press or they can zone and pound. Again, as long as they don't confuse themselves, they will be all right.
gbigman writes:
One thing you can expect from Vandy against the Lady Vols; they will come in this game ready to fight. Every time I expect the Lady Vols to beat Vandy by 20 pts they can only manage a slim victory.
I expect a little home cooking for the Vandy girls too and the refs to blind eye when the Vandy start throwing elbows and pushing beyond respectability.
The lady vols should win by 15 points but they will probably lose by 7 points.
volboy81 writes:
stomping on a UT doormat is SO typical of Vandy and their poor sportsmanship. Lets drill them like we usually do!!
GO LADY VOLS!!!!!!!
dwa7#337691 writes:
predict...........so sorry.........
Commode Doors 73
Lady Vols 65
98reax writes:
gbigman writes:
One thing you can expect from Vandy against the Lady Vols; they will come in this game ready to fight. Every time I expect the Lady Vols to beat Vandy by 20 pts they can only manage a slim victory.]]
I will take a slim victory. I'll gladly take a victory of any kind. Vandy plays hard. Vandy is well-coached. They have great shooters and a lousy court. Expect a battle. I would expect Coach's blood pressure to be in the orange zone by half time.
kazoo writes:
Vandy's arena is the worst in the country--a joke. The university should build a real athletic arena or fix that place. Trying to coach your team from the "end zone," as it were, as absurd.
YankeeVol writes:
Good point - you're a glass half full kind of person, I can tell.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Pretty much, but maybe I'm just lazy. It takes fewer muscles to smile than to frown, you know(;-P)! Besides, being gloomy all the time upsets your stomach and puts lines on your face and pouches under your eyes.
BigOrangeVol writes:
My 5 keys:
1. Somebody knock out about four of Marshs' teeth as payback for all the cheap shots she took our girls the last game - and got away with it. The Lady Vols cannot be Vandy's punk.
2. DO NOT let VU be the "physical" team in this game; that's ridiculous!
3. BOX OUT!!! To have been out-rebounded by those skanks is embarrassing.
4. Yes, defend the trey. Letting them shoot 53% while we hit 25% is unconscionable.
5. Make Free Throws! 57% won't cut it when they hit 73%.
I swear that last game felt like a loss rather than a 7-point win to me. As much as I hate to admit it, this game may be a six-point win at best but I would much rather humiliate those 'door-nobs by 40 at the minimum.
Personally, I'd enjoy a whipping akin to the 69-point thrashing we gave them in '76 or the 61-point beat-down they got in '98. I hate those pretentious snots at least as much or more than Coach Cafego!!!
huntined#565710 writes:
They had their 3's but VOLS beat them again..
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