From Pat Summitt’s viewpoint, Tennessee played like the SEC regular-season champions Sunday night.
The observation by the Lady Vols’ coach was more critical than complimentary after a 75-63 SEC women’s basketball victory over Ole Miss.
Led by Shekinna Stricklen’s 23 points, No. 4 Tennessee (27-2, 15-1 SEC) survived a 34-point scoring blow by Rebels guard Bianca Thomas to set a season record for SEC victories before a crowd of 14,289 at Thompson-Boling Arena.
The regular-season finale might have been a preview for Tennessee’s opening game of the SEC tournament. The top-seeded Lady Vols will play the winner of a Thursday first-round game between South Carolina and Ole Miss at noon on Friday (TV: FSS) in Duluth, Ga.
“There wasn’t a sense of urgency in this game, as opposed to our LSU game or our Kentucky game,’’ said Summitt, referring to UT’s past two victories. “. . . We looked like we just won something and decided it’s just not a big deal. We won (the SEC). Now we’ll just wait and go to Duluth.’ ’’
If a rematch with the Rebels awaits, the Lady Vols will need a better plan for guarding Thomas, who set a season scoring high by a UT opponent, surpassing the 29 scored by Rutgers’ Brittany Ray on Dec. 13. The 5-foot-10 senior guard from Henderson, Tenn., had 28 points by the 16:15 mark of the second half before cooling off to a 1-for-9 shooting finish.
“Growing up I was a big Tennessee fan,’’ Thomas said. “I get really excited to come up to Thompson-Boling Arena because I wasn’t recruited here and it feels good to try to go out and beat Tennessee.”
It didn’t feel good to Lady Vol Alicia Manning, who was Tennessee’s primary defender on Thomas.
“She can drive to the basket; she can pull up and shoot threes,’’ Manning said. “You have to make her put it on the ground and have your team help you when she does that. You have to keep a hand in her face no matter what.”
Manning’s best plan was to do her own scoring. She had a career-high 15 points, including a layup with 11:41 left to give UT the lead for good, 52-50. The 6-1 forward also had 10 rebounds, recording her first career double-double.
“I’m very competitive,’’ Manning said. “I think that’s probably where it all starts. I guess having two older brothers picking on me had something to do with it.”
Producing like a post player covered for a dip in the post game’s usual output. Kelley Cain and Alyssia Brewer, who had combined for 58 points in the past two games, collaborated on 16 against the Rebels. Between the two, the most noteworthy achievement was Cain’s three blocks, which pushed her past former Lady Vol Candace Parker to the school single-season record with 101.
“There was a lot of double-teaming and we didn’t kick the ball out soon enough,’’ Brewer said. “We kind of lost our balance at times, but I think we made up for it in the second half.”
Forward Glory Johnson, who didn’t start after a less-than-serious approach to Thursday night’s warm-up session, never got off the bench after halftime, finishing with three points and two rebounds in 12 playing minutes.
“Didn’t do anything to help us early,’’ said Summitt, explaining her decision not to play Johnson in the second half. “We were trying to find someone that would get down and play great defense and also do a good job of attacking inside, not wanting to step away but wanting to get paint points.”
Along with her points, Stricklen also grabbed 10 rebounds.
“The posts tell us that they do all the hard work, they box people out and we are free to get rebounds, Stricklen said. “Getting rebounds is about hustle and that’s what we did.”
And now it’s on to Duluth, where the Lady Vols will try to improve their coach’s viewpoint.
“You have to take what she tells you seriously, but you also have to shake it off,’’ Brewer said. “You can’t worry about the past, and you have to focus on the present.”
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Comments » 62
huntined#565710 writes:
Good game and a great win. Wish we had recruited Thomas..She could have been part of 2 nc and we would have had her and maybe Parker would have stayed another year.
SummittsCourt writes:
12 point SEC win when Bjorkland and Cain did not have good games says alot about this team. Give Ole Miss credit as they out hustled the Lady Vols and played hard. But the last 8 minutes the Lady Vols out hustled them and wore them down.
Now on to the SEC Tourney, win & remain a #1 seed.
SummittsCourt writes:
Have to disagree with you huntined, She wasn't recruited for a reason. You can't judge her on just this one season when Ole Miss has no other offensive options.
Also, Candace wasn't staying no matter who was here.
SoddyVol writes:
Would like to have seen "Player of the Game" shared by Manning & Stricklen. However I agree on Manning if only one to be chosen. Sure hope their teammates are more ready to play in the Tournament.
SummittsCourt writes:
Oh yeah, in case you didn't notice this... Last year's team lost 5 SEC games, this year, all other SEC teams lost at least 5 games... interesting...
arkyvol writes:
anyone notice? stricklen had a hell of a game. either she accepts being an afterthought or secretly wishes she was somewhere she was appreciated.
PureOrange writes:
I have really been encouraged this year as I watch our Lady Vols improve as the year goes along.
Manning was one last year that I wondered if she was going to make it. Now I love the hustle and effort she is giving all the time. I could go down the list, but the fact is, Pat Summitt and staff have done an amazing job from last year with this group. It was frustrating to watch them last year, but this year is a joy.
PINK_CHAMPAGNE writes:
Congratulations on the win! Good job Stricklen and Manning. A few things: Cain needs to take her time and make these layups. She could have easily had 20 points tonight. Brewer I like the hook shot but don't let that be your main or only shot. Mix it up! Work on layups and free throws, the whole team! When it is one and done, mistakes must be minimal. Missed free throws, can't have! Missed layups, can't have! Defense was not as good as it was against Kentucky but it was enough for the win. I would like for someone other than Cain to take the ball out. I feel Cain should already be down the court posted and waiting on the pass. I think that it would save her more energy as to where she has to run the length of the court and then battle for position when she gets there. I think that is why sometimes she stands when she gets down the court, she needs a breath. Practice free throws and run layup drills. Post players get in Pratt and practice turn and shoot drills under the goal, please! Anyway, good job holding on for the win!
utfan00 writes:
Great win ladies. We need to improve on free throws and easy baskets under the goal in order to excel in the NCAA tournament.
tnaseevol writes:
Not bashing Pat, but how many times after a game have you seen Pat happy? Really, she is only happy when she wins the NC! And that doesn't last long. She's already thinking about the next year. Her facial expression is unhappy! Maybe that's what makes a great coach?
tonyvick#213307 writes:
It's good that Pat knows her team better than anyone else and she will have them ready for the SEC tourney. But keep in mind the LV's are not playing against air they are playing in the toughest most balanced conference in the country. Who's hunger to win dictates whether the LV's are playing hard are not. Sometimes they are playing as hard as the other team will allow. And yet in the end the LV's still win.
orangecountyvols writes:
Maybe it's the realization the girls have already won the SEC regular season, were going to be playing the last game at TBA prior to the tournament, ( where we have been undefeated all year ) and thus were not giving it 100% it seemed. Another thing, the comment Brewer made about "taking Pat's message seriously but you also have to shake it off", .............the wise thing is not to shake anything off Pat Summitt tells you ! Pat might come across as the Bobby Knight of basketball sometimes, and with some players it works, and others sometimes it's hard to get the message across. I always want to see them play hard and enjoy the game and not live in fear that they'll make a mistake.
PepperGrinder (Inactive) writes:
Frustrating game to watch. I cant wait to go to Duluth and watch the dominance continue.
richvol writes:
I counted six missed layups by Cain just in a few minute stretch in the second half. Then I got tired of counting them...I remember at least two or three from the first half as well. She and Glory need to slow down and not lose their poise when they have these point blank shots. If not we could lose tourney games as a result of these lapses of concentration.
Manning played great again and so did Strick.
PINK_CHAMPAGNE writes:
I think everyone knows that Pat knows her team better than anyone else, that is why she was not pleased with their effort tonight. She knows that they are capable of more than what they put on the floor tonight. And any true fan will recognize the same thing and not only focus on the good things but also the things they need to improve on. It does not make you less of a fan to point out some of the mistakes that they make through the game. Another thing I would like for Cain to do is to think about the silly fouls she makes and to think how it hurts the team to have her sitting on the bench. She is to valuable to the team and she will be needed and relied upon heavily. I don't know what is going on with Glory, but I sure hope she can get back to form and be the good player that she is.
ladivolfan writes:
I'm thinking the same thing, only adding that I'm getting a little tired of Pat's unhappiness, but I'd say you're right about that making her a great coach.
mmynatt12 writes:
Shows what Pat's expectations are -- we lose 5 it is a terrible year. Anyone else loses ONLY 5 it is a great year:)
xvolx writes:
I thought lady vols played hard on defense. Thomas was just a force to cover. Angie needs to take the ball to the hole sometimes. She's easy to guard when whe doesn't leave the perimeter. Williams still a disappointment. She takes plays off on offense and defense. Officiating wasn't that great either. If all fouls had been called under the basket, Miss. wouldn't have had any players left. Spani hasn't developed as fast as an all american should develope. Could be her toe injury. Johnson wants to be a star so badly that she takes herself out. Her problem is all between her ears. Strickland and Manning played great games on both ends. Post players didn't recognize double team soon enough. Maybe they can build on this win. Lady Vols need to understand that every team is going to bring their best against them and they can't afford a play off. Good luck in the tournament.
tonyvick#213307 writes:
Glory please don't disappear we need you! Do what Pat say and more then you will satisfy yourself first and then everyone else.
jdcdjc writes:
I just hope somewhere down the tourney road we come face to face with Stanford on a neutral court. I can handle a loss but the home cooking at Stanford really burns me. When our gals play like they should Stanford cannot stay on the court with them. One more thing, a lady Vol or one of Pearls guys, that cannot hit 70% of thier foul shots, don't get to the playing floor. Too many games are won or lost at the foul line. More so at tournament time.
RLL59 writes:
Last night, Cain and Strickland sat out the majority of the first half due to foul problems.
Cain gets into foul trouble when the guards overplay and allow their opponent to drive past them to the basket, and when the Lady Vol defense results in her guarding a much quicker opponent near the free throw line.
Strickland got an early charging foul, and then committed an unnecessary blocking foul when the slower Lady Vol defense was trying to press the fastest team in the league.
If the Lady Vols are to go far in the tournaments, the players have to play smarter to avoid foul trouble and the coaches have to employ tactics that protect players in foul trouble without losing them for large parts of the game.
huntined#565710 writes:
Any one that can score 34 points against TENN can play for them. I don't remember any of our players scoring 34 against ANYBODY this year. You may be right about Parker but she also saw what we lost that year.
98reax writes:
#4 nationally with a 24-2 record; 16-1 SEC is a stat line scores of D1 college basketball teams would love to have even once in their career. Last night was typical season ending SEC style play.
We have miles and miles to go, but this is the time of year when the focus becomes very narrow. We've griped about the up & down play and disagreed with the coaches all season. The whining was basically the same last year while we were losing a lot.
[[ Led by Shekinna Stricklen’s 23 points, No. 4 Tennessee (27-2, 15-1 SEC) survived a 34-point scoring blow by Rebels guard Bianca Thomas to set a season record for SEC victories before a crowd of 14,289 at Thompson-Boling Arena. ]]
Sounds like Strick had her hands full last evening while managing to score 23 points. I didn't see the game, but I'm giving her ann 'atta girl' for her effort.
SCarolina beat Vandy yesterday. I think they will take the Rebels in the first round which means the LVs will have to beat Dawn Staley's team a third time, no easy task.
Sounds like Manning did an outstanding job. She's blue-collar kid getting better all along.
I think Fleser is like a dog with and old shoe. He's chewing on this 'Pat's mad' non-sense and he has run it into the ground. Pat has been this same personality as long as I can remember. But Fleser can grab that old shoe any time he need to write his token article. There's some real meat he could research and come up with a decent column, if he would. Too bad we don't have a journalist who is sincerely interested in the team they cover.
98reax writes:
These sports animal guys make me want to barf. They spew out a bunch of sports games that happened over the weekend, including Dan Fleser admits he was pulling for the Canada Hockey team NOT the US team. After the long list of stuff, as an afterthought, almost under his breath, Dave Hooker concludes with: "...and the Lady Vols their final game...
How are you not mad about the lack of interest in the Lady Vols by these so-called sports animal dudes? Perhaps they feel less manly if they discuss women's bball..
BigRMan writes:
Candace wasn't staying even if Cynthia Cooper, Lisa Leslie, Deanna Nolan, or Seimone Agustus was here! (LOL)
volboy81 writes:
thank goodness for Stricklen & Manning last night. Cain and Brewer need to work all week on their turn around 5 foot jumpers! It says a lot for the Lady Vols when Cain, Bjorklund, Brewer and Johnson all have off days and we still beat a decent team by 12!
GO LADY VOLS!!!!! RULE IN DULUTH!
BigRMan writes:
I thought the gifts of flower bouquets to the Seniors of Ole Miss was very classy by Coach Summitt and the UT program. I can't think of a program that reflects such class and sportsmanship!
Jephry writes:
I was glad the girls came away with the win last night, despite the lackluster performances of our post players. Kelley looked lethargic all night. Strick and Manning were awesome, and Ole Miss was all over Angie...I'm surprised she got the shots off she did. At any rate, it's tourney time, and Pat will have the girls rarin' to go come Friday. Gonna be some awesome ball played in Duluth! Go Lady Vols!!!
johnlg00#206211 writes:
I think your last sentence is pretty much what Lyssi meant by her "shake it off" remark. Ideally, a player listens to a coach's correction, thinks about what she needs to do in response, then plays with attention to what she has been told but not to the detriment of her total game.
As outside onlookers, I'm sure we don't get a total sense of what Pat is telling these girls or what they really think about it. We all know that Pat is pretty intense, often disconcertingly so to some fans and players who haven't had a lot of experience with her, but I am pretty sure she isn't the complete ogre she is often portrayed as.
topgun writes:
WOW!! A real man huh?? Enjoy sitting on the couch, playing with your remote, and yelling for your he-man teams do you?? 98reax knows more about sports than 99% of posters, including you. NO one makes you watch the LVs. If you don't like the precision and skill of our LVs--please don't watch.
AND, I agree with others that say this "Pat's unhappy" theme from some sports? writers is a little tiring and quite boring by now. Some players did go into the idle mode and CPS did not like it. Manning and Strickland played great. Some of the other players watched a pretty good game. UTLVs win the SEC tourney!!
johnlg00#206211 writes:
I was only able to watch about the last 10 minutes of the game, but Kelley missed at least a couple of those while I was watching. One of them resulted in a run-out by Ole Miss and another resulted in an over-the-back foul by a Lady Vol trying to rebound the miss. Those layups are what a post player WORKS for and LIVES on; if they aren't made, the whole team suffers. It is just as important to "look" a layup all the way into the basket as it is on a three-pointer. It is just that kind of loss of concentration that drives a perfectionist like Pat to distraction, and I really can't say I blame her.
littlec195360#215853 writes:
I know we are all really good playing the role of monday morning quarterback and many times we have negative comments. However, there was a big positive in the game last evening. Our Lady Vol Manning played the game as it should be played. She hustled every play, every second, every rebound, the whole way. If every player on the team played with that determination full time nobody can beat this team. Maybe we will get to that point in time for the big dance. We will see.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Good post. Agree with all. I would be surprised if Spani's injury didn't impede her development this year. Turf-toe is an incredibly painful injury and no basketball player can avoid feeling it when making almost move on the court. I'll bet Taber hasn't had a full week of full-speed practice since she first hurt it. She still has a tremendous upside and helps the team a lot, but we haven't seen nearly all she is capable of.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
That is not quite as obvious as it might seem. A player like that is likely the very best offensive option a team has, so their whole system is geared to putting her in the best position to score, and no one complains--much--when she takes a lot of shots. Most good teams strive for balance, which means that the system is set up so more than one player has a good chance to score. A team that counts so heavily on one player, no matter how skilled, is sunk if she has a bad night. There are countless instances of that. There might be a half-dozen LV players who could put up similar numbers if they were the focal point of a team's offense, but their teams might not be as good.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
I must say that while I think Fleser is one of KNS's better writers, he has "mailed in" more articles than usual this year, too many of them on this same theme. In his defense, I suppose this IS the major storyline on the season, but it DOES tend to get a bit repetitive by this point. No doubt the team and coaches feel the same way.
98reax writes:
Consider this, Manning has had her first career double-double. She will be hungry, motivated to repeat that kind of performance. Stricklen has shown us her stat line can be magnificent. Cain can take over with Brewer getting better and better in concert with the giant 3-headed beast of a post when Glory decides to play up to par. Factor in BJ getting hot from 3 and short jumpers. That sounds like a complete starting line-up capable of winning the SEC Tournament. Would that not prompt the rest of top 25 to fear the LVs? I think even the top 3 would tremble to see this well-oiled, self disciplined machine take the court. It could happen.
huntined#565710 writes:
I was not talking about their team I was talking about the one player. And what a impact she would make for our team if we had recruited her.. She put 34 on us and if I remember correct we had 5 players on the floor that could not stop her. She didn't have much help with her team but she would have help at TENN.
98reax writes:
Thanks, BIGGEST. I'm just saying a team is a team. Women should never be compared with men in a team sport. That's Oranges to walnuts. Of course the nuts are way tougher to crack. You get a soft nut, throw it out. Yuck! But the women are far superior in their own sport and should be appreciated for their strength and dedication and unique style of athleticism. There's not a lot I like about hockey, but if I know the rules and appreciate the physicality of the game, I'm into it. It is not nearly as interesting to me as a great basketball game or football or Lady Vols Softball or Vols Baseball.
It should not be up to the sportswriter to decide what is newsworthy. Fleser should not dwell on the negative aspect of Lady Vols hoops. I've heard her interviews. She gives so many positive sound bites that are NOT derogatory to the coaching staff nor the individual athlete. Truth is, last season they were young and awful. This season they are still young and improving with a 27-2 record.
The majority of articles I read here and there coming from outside KNS are extremely complimentary toward the Tennessee LVs program. Why do our sports guys have to be so disinterested and negative? That's my question.
UTVOLSRROCKN writes:
This is for you and ladifan. Were you totally happy with the teams performance last night? Was I? I think not? Pat had EVERY reason not to be happy as the majority of them were "no-shows". And yes, I have seen her happy after plenty of games that they all played with effort and intensity! Last one was the KY game. Did you not see her all smiles after that game?
You are right in thats whats makes a great coach! She does not settle unless she knows that everyone on the team played hard and gave their all! Most other coaches are just happy go get a "W", but Pat is not if her team did not play the way they are capable of playing. That is why she is the most successful coach in the history of basketball.
UTVOLSRROCKN writes:
Good post! Just as in the mens game against KY, Chism did not have his usual great game (even though his body is beaten and torn), the other players stepped it up and took the burden off Chism. Same goes last night. It was definitely an off night for Cain, Brewer, Angie and Johnson, but Manning and Strick were awesome and came to the rescue! And, like you said, we still beat them by 12!
rockytopron writes:
Pat's happy when they win, she is estactic when they win a championship. She is a competitor that demands great competitors play to their level. She recruits players that have the potential to win championships. When they don't play that way, then she is unhappy.
98reax writes:
Besides, Bama was the only other SEC team that recruited Bianca Thomas. There was more to this story than previously written about her revenge for not being recruited to UT...
kazoo writes:
Three points:
1) Summitt IS always mad, so this isn't the writer chewing on an old shoe, it's Pat chewing on her team again.
2) RE Thomas's scoring: UT doesn't have a starter who can defend a good, quick guard. That's a problem.
3) Agree that Bjorklund should drive the ball to the hole. She's not really quick enough to do it well, but she should do it anyway--go strong--and at least try to draw a foul. She's got size and she could use it more closer to the basket...
UTVOLSRROCKN writes:
Great post! I think any team that will have to face the LV's in the SEC tourney and at the Big Dance will not only be trembling, they will probably poop their shorts! This is NOT last years team. I know for a fact that Pat will have them ready. I also know pretty much for a fact, that after last nights performance, the team will be hungrier than ever. Pat made them watch the game after the game. The ones that did not play well, realize that now and will do everything possible to correct that, not just for Pat, but for theirselves. They ALL will be ready to play because they want that #1 seed. With our deep experienced bench, we should be able to wear all of the other teams out, just as we did last night against Ole Miss!
LV......TCB.......KOKO.......GBO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
UTVOLSRROCKN writes:
Thank you rockytopron!
UTVOLSRROCKN writes:
Correct again 98reax!...and I would like to also add that Pat had her reasons for not recruiting Thomas.
vol98champ writes:
I really believe this team has as much talent as UConn, but the intensity and fight championship goes to the Huskies. If we play as hard as they play for 40 minutes it will be one heck of a game. If we play for 30 minutes they will kill us. Sure I'm assuming we play in the final 4. Hope at least I'm right on that.
UTVOLSRROCKN writes:
Kazoo....Summitt is NOT always mad. You don't know that. I do. She might appear to be mad as she continues to coach every member of team, even when they have the game in hand. She is trying to get the very best out of each and every player. She knows their potential and is desperately trying to get it out of each and every last one of them....again, that is why she is so successful. Look at her records. Pat knows what she is doing...why can you not accept that and be happy with the great year this very young team has had this year????
Again, I must post that Pat is one of the most kind, caring, individuals you could ever meet and yes, she has a great personality and can be funny as H#ll!!!!!
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Maybe you misunderstood my point. Just because she could score 34 ON Tennessee doesn't mean she would score 34 FOR Tennessee. True, we had five girls trying to stop her, but on her team she has four other girls trying to help her by setting screens, looking for her all the time, and expecting her to shoot it every time she can. Playing with a roster full of other good players, she likely wouldn't be in that position at Tennessee. I don't doubt she can play, but she would likely have a very different role on a team like Tennessee. Maybe she is a type of player who has to have the ball in her hands all the time to be successful. Pat doesn't like to play that way much.
ladyvolnc (Inactive) writes:
last night Pat said Kinna & MANNING only ones that had a good game....thought Glory played well in 1st half....others didnot play well but got to play in 2nd half....why was Glory the only one that didn't get her chance in 2nd half.....would loved to have see Glory guarding #45 for Miss....she is only one on team with the foot speed to keep up with her...just don't understand what she didn't get her chance to play like the others.....one of these days singling out a player to treat them different from others on team will cause us a loss that will really hurt....a loss last night would of cost this team a #1 seed....we need now to win SEC tournment
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