Tennessee’s memory might have been too good for its own good Thursday night.
The Lady Vols began an SEC women’s basketball game against Florida as if they had total recall of their 43-point blowout of the Gators last month.
They’ll have a different recollection of the rematch, a lethargic 61-39 victory before a crowd of 11,741 at Thompson-Boling Arena.
“I don’t know if we came out and respected this team early and that disappointed me,’’ said UT coach Pat Summitt, revisiting the theme for Tennessee’s last home game two weeks ago, when the Lady Vols struggled until halftime against Mississippi State.
Led by Shekinna Stricklen’s 17 points and 16 from Glory Johnson, No. 4 Tennessee (23-2, 11-0 SEC) sprung to life long enough to expand a shaky nine-point halftime lead into a 39-18 advantage less than four minutes into the second half.
The scoring flurry was an exception to the night’s trend. The Lady Vols squandered seven points of that lead before mustering a decent finish.
UT’s 38.5 percent field-goal accuracy (20-for-52) was its worst since the season-low 25 percent against Baylor on Dec. 14. The team that has been outrebounding conference opponents by a whopping margin of 16.6 per game had a paltry two-rebound advantage (42-40) against the Gators.
Add 17 turnovers to the mix and the performance was a far cry from the 83-40 victory in Gainesville, Fla., on Jan. 13.
“We came into the game not being focused,’’ Stricklen said. “We have to be focused. We have to play every team like they’re the best team.”
At least the Gators benefited from the first meeting, judging by their defensive effort and overall scrappiness.
“We felt like we probably played our worst game of the year (in the first meeting) and you just can’t do that against possibly the best competition we faced all year long,’’ Florida coach Amanda Butler said. “I thought Tennessee played an exceptional game when they were at our place. . . . Were we motivated by that? Absolutely.”
Florida (14-12, 4-8) upgraded everything but its scoring. The Gators’ 39 points were a season low by a Tennessee opponent, topping the 40 of the first game. Their leading scorer, Jaterra Bonds, was the only player to reach double figures with 10 points.
The Gators shot below 30 percent from the field in both halves, finishing at a chilly 25 percent (15-for-60).
The Lady Vols’ shooting wasn’t much better in the first half. Their accuracy dropped below 30 percent for an extended period, thereby blowing the cover for nine turnovers.
Guards Taber Spani, Meighan Simmons and Kamiko Williams started cold and never warmed up, finishing a collective 3-for-21.
“Our guard play was not good,’’ Summitt said.
That said, effort, or lack thereof, caused even more consternation and explained why Johnson played only seven minutes before halftime.
“I could sprint up and down the court faster than she did on the first three possessions,’’ Summitt said. “I won’t accept that. Kelley Cain was even worse than Glory, and she was not able to get out of it.”
Johnson got in gear after halftime, scoring all of her points.
“My teammates were talking to me and telling me to play my game,’’ Johnson said.
Given UT’s struggles, several of Johnson’s teammates got a chance to play their game as the Lady Vols searched for effective lineup combinations.
Reserve forward Vicki Baugh grabbed a team-high seven rebounds and dished out three assists. She started the second half and playing an effective part in the fast start after halftime.
Likewise, freshman reserve guard Lauren Avant, who has missed the last three games because of illness, scored a season-high seven points and recorded two steals.
Dan Fleser covers Lady Vols basketball. He may be reached at 865-342-6288. Follow him at http://twitter.com/fleserKNS and http://blogs.knoxnews.com/fleser
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Comments » 61
huntined#565710 writes:
Play like that a VANDY and they get beat. Cain is no better now then when she was a freshman as she still can't score right under the basket with no one near her. Angie will be needed at VANDY and Baugh is getting better with every game. I know a win is a win but number 4 team needs to look better then they did in this game.
orangecountyvols writes:
Vols,
I was hoping someone would be on here first so I could see what you thought.
IMO this one was like "do we really have to play this game? We went to their place and blew them away by 40 or so. After the U K first half, it seemed we'd be ready to go tonight.
I love every one of these girls.........but I have to be honest. Some might need to sit until they get back in the swing of things ( Simmons, Cain, and Spani in particular. ) Right away, we had turnovers again, many unforced. We may have seen glimpses of our new center down the stretch.
Maybe it was just a game hard to get excited about.
I was glad to see Avant on the floor. They really need to get focused before Sunday. What do you guys think?
xvolx writes:
Very disappointing. Avant was a bright spot.
huntined#565710 writes:
You may be right about hard to get excited about but when you are ranked #4 you got to have the attitude that you are going to stomp that team and go do it!! They shot the ball really bad tonight and the low score shows it. Like I said a win is a win but not much has changed since last games.
manoffewwords writes:
Not one of the best performances by the LV"s; however, I thought we won by 22.
tonyvick#213307 writes:
Can we just forget about this game?
AHOUSE writes:
They are playing much like the boys are playing---wild and out of control. As coach wooden said " play fast but don't hurry ". The players are not all of the problem. The way to beat the press----get the ball to the big guy in the middle of the court and the guards race by for the return pass. you got to set a pick and spread the floor.
Once in a while the men get it right. You have to have a center around the bucket that has the moves, can handle the ball , and shoot-----that would be Harris. For the girls that would be Stricklen.
Stop the dribble, dribble, dribble out front and get the offense moving .I wish the coaches could see the game when they watch it Enough said for now!
huntined#565710 writes:
AHOUSE,I have always thought that one coach should watch the game on T.V. and not on the bench...That way they can see the things all of us see and make some suggestions at half time and let the coach know what all is taking place on the court...
dead_vol_foul (Inactive) writes:
Just gives Pat more ammo to use in practice.
To be really honest, I'd like to see us have close games so we get mentally tough.
voloffaith writes:
Glad ewe know the real way to coach the ladies....They have how many assistant coaches? Each one is watching for certain things as they take in whole game. They can see dribble etc without help of tv. Nice thought ,but this brain trust is just fine. The need is players playing within themselves(Simmons not out of control)as the coaches prepare them for opponents. Energy was missing early as Coach mentioned on her call in show. Vandy awaits and is drooling for this game with our outside game diminished without Angie's threat for them to prepare for. I guess that's why they play them.
PINK_CHAMPAGNE writes:
Some good points made! That first half and some of the second half was just dry. Too many scoring droughts at times of four straight minutes. Manning plays good defense but she is a liability on offense. She rarely looks to score. Unless she is wide open under the basket she doesn't attempt to score. She is a good passer though, but she needs to develop a jump shot if she is going to get playing time. I don't know what is going on with Cain other than some injuries, but there is no way she should be missing wide open layups and little chippy baskets around the rim. Kelly needs to practice catching the ball under the basket and just turning and shooting until she does not miss another layup. She needs to quit trying to put it on the floor. Everytime she does that, it either is stripped, or they call her for the travel. Some here may think Debbie Antoinelli is picking on Cain, but I don't think so. She is right in her assessment on Cain's play in the post. Kelly does not work for position enough. Glory is a perfect example of working in the post. I would like to see that from Kelly if she is on the floor.
How special was Vicki tonight? I really enjoyed watching her play. She seems to be getting better every game. She played really well tonight. Such energy on rebounds, and passes and played good defense. She is making the most of her playing time. You have to appreciate that. I can't wait until she can get more playing time. I was happy to see her start the second half instead of Cain. Avant is very aggressive and I like her drive and score to the basket. Glory,Vicki, and Stricklen had good games. Those three played with good energy!
kazoo writes:
Even when they are sloppy, which is most of the time, the Vols have more than enough talent and depth to beat nearly every opponent. But poor passing and turnovers and patchy shooting will not cut it against the top title contenders. This team is chock full of high-school All Americas and yet has only player who is dependably good--Stricklen. Everybody else is very inconsistent, very up and down--and PS is playing so many players that there is not much chemistry. Not a way to win a national tile. Nice to see Baugh's PT increase--but I fear the coaches have been too cautious with her. This team needs Baugh as she is a big with athleticism--she puts up big rebounding (and even tonight assist) numbers in limited time, and she's capable of scoring points if she develops stamina and gets even more playing time. It's crucial that that happens.
SummittsCourt writes:
Some people just can't be happy.
huntined#565710 writes:
They need to wake up the coach that is watching how they pass the ball!!!
UTVOLSRROCKN writes:
That was good Pink! Believe it or not, Cain has been instructed to put the ball UP and IN. However, for some reason, she IS NOT doing that. I think her knees are gone, she is out of shape, and her desire is gone, IMHO.
I think and hope we will be seeing more and more of Baugh this season. She is hungry and it shows. Yes, Glory, Vicki, and Strick came to play, but where was everyone else??
I really do think, that all the problems will be worked out by tourney time. I hope that everyone has noticed how Pat is trying to find the right line-up with the right people.
GO LADY VOLS.....BEAT VANDY....KOKO....GLV!
Pullingguard writes:
Just not sure this team is good enough to warrent all the praise they have received and to be ranked #4.. They play like a group of individuals out to prove themselves rather than as as team concept..Out of control, at times little movement w/o ball... If they expect to reach their goals there has to be some change, and Pat's stares certainly will not get it done.
DroopyDrawers writes:
I agree with you Simmons and Cain. They have bad games every game. Simmons needs to be told she is not the whole team. Even though Spani's shot was not falling (1 for 8), she hustles on D, good BB IQ and rebounds. She got mugged on three of her shots tonight.
AHOUSE writes:
Now huntined that was funny!
When you keep doing the save things wrong,you get the save results. It does not matter how many coaches are on the bench. It's like shooting foul shots if you don't have the correct technique and nobody teaches you, then you are in trouble. I cannot understand how a player gets a scholarship playing college ball and cannot dribble, pass, and shoot.
SoddyVol writes:
Tonight Avant showed some of why she was recruited. There never seemed to be any question Lady Vols would win. That may have been the cause of sluggish play at times. I believe they are a solid #4, maybe better.
flatrock writes:
Game balls- Stricklen, Johnson;
Good glimpses: Baugh, Avant (in mop-up duty);
Steady: Manning, Williams, Simmons;
Get your head up: Cain.;
Hurry back: Bjorklund;
Step Into Your Shot: Spani (quit leaning).
Lady Vols were not mentally sharp and Florida's
zone took advantage of that. Assist-to-turnover
ratio not good for Simmons or Williams, but
it won't be good until the Bigs start making some one-footers. Glad to see Baugh so active.
If she and Brewer can give Pat 15 solid minutes and 10 extra fouls
each- and Borklund returns with her stroke-
the Lady Vols will have balance offensively. Trapping defense at start
of 2nd half was impressive. Still a work in progress! Put it all together
in Nashville!
dead_vol_foul (Inactive) writes:
Going to be no in-between, I think.
There certainly seem to be some egos involved, but sometimes, I think it's more, well, lack of basketball smarts.
That has been something to plague our 'athletic' teams at times, and is why UConn kicks our butts more than I care to see.
flatrock writes:
Years ago, I had the privilege of attending a clinic given by UCLA's J. Wooden. He passed along
a ton of memorable tips but 2 items stood out:
1). He said that his teams rarely experienced
prolonged shooting slumps and he credited
a habit that he developed early in his
career. He usually had one practice a week
that he required every field goal attempt
to be a bank shot. Said it required his
players to work for a better shot; caused
them to focus more on a target; and,
surprisingly, created better offensive
rebound opportunities because the non-
shooters could better "read" the
rebound.
2). Taught free throwers to keep feet
square to basket; inhale and exhale
slowly; and say to themselves "down
hill-down-the-middle" before releasing
the shot.
Must have worked.
dwolfcreek#397971 writes:
Kelly Cain don't want to play , why does Pat put up with her lazy BUTT.
dwolfcreek#397971 writes:
Other players may mess up , BUT they are trying and hustling .
Razorback_Born_Lady_Vol_Fan_at_Heart writes:
Wanted to share a quick letter from a wonderful lady here in Arkansas. What the Lady Vols did for her was amazing!!!!
http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/feb...
jgl#233810 writes:
re: "The need is players playing within themselves" ... and the problem is players playing beneath themselves. Sadly, that's the hallmark of this group to this point.
Jephry writes:
I'm tired of complaining about lazy passes and low energy. So...
Vicki Baugh and Lauren Avant were bright spots tonight. Stricklen brought it - again. Glory did well in the second half. I liked Manning's energy on defense.
By the way, did I mention how great Vicki looked?
Way to go Lady Vols, now take it to Vandy and blow them out of their own gym by 50! =)
arkyvol writes:
if stricklen doesn't make all-american, there's no justice.
orangecountyvols writes:
Razorback born Lady/Vol
Thank you for sharing that with us. This is the really good part of sports, and our Lady Vols in particular.
Thanks !
ps11824 writes:
There's always the chance of losing fan interest if many fans feel the way I do. They are just painful to watch. painful.
We will get a huge dose of gold&black arrogance soon, and I probably won't be able to stomach that either.
I'm going to agree with Mickey D, more often than not, this bunch has no heart. With nonchalant play like we witnessed last night, certainly no Lady Vols pride.
Cain could not move her feet. Once when the ball came in to her she simply swatted it away with her left hand. She could have easily caught the ball with both hands to avoid a turnover. A couple of her shot attempts she didn't even extend her arms and the ball hit the bottom of the rim. SHE COULD ALMOST DROP THE BALL IN with little effort.
It's not my nature to be mad at our players, but I kinda am today, especially Cain and Simmons. More Cain since she is a veteran + some.
I'm glad we got the W, but it was more than ugly. It was poor.
Why the heck was Pat showing the nation her playbook?????
maxvolfan#217855 writes:
Totally agree with you if she plays like this the rest of the year WNBA ready. Wait shes only a junior lol
maxvolfan#217855 writes:
Our defense will again prove too much for Vandy and even on a bad shoot night theres enough talent on this team to pull it out. Everyone has a off game . We had three players that was cold but still had three players Strick,Johnson, Baugh that were ballin plus we had scorers come in deep down the bench to produce.
This is my dream lineup
Avant/ Williams evenly
Angie/Spani/Simmons
Johnson/Manning
Strick
Baugh/Brewer/Cain
johnlg00 writes:
Good summary. I was most impressed by Baugh, Avant, Stricklen, and Johnson in the second half. Most of the others, and the effort and execution overall, not so much. As a long-time LV and SEC loyalist, I'm afraid the conference competition, or lack of it, has given these gals a false sense of security even while playing badly. This team has a LOOOONG way to go to be worthy of a Final Four, let alone a championship.
richvol writes:
I can come to no other conclusion...Kelly Cain is lazy and does as little as possible most nights. She also laughs it off every time she screws up. I can't recall anytime this season that she did not seem more concerned about her nails or hair than hustling her rear off. It's a shame to waste that much ability with a lack of effort.
Glory Johnson is a basketball god. What a transformation she has made from past years. The effort she puts out night after night is astonishing. Strick is really lifting this team and Vicky Baugh is coming along. She needs to be getting the minutes now to have her ready for the tourney.
I just don't get our lack of skill in passing the ball.
johnlg00 writes:
Good post. I agree completely about using the backboard. It is clearly a lost art among today's players. It defies reason that a player powers the ball up in traffic with all his or her might, yet tries to shot a delicate one- or two-footer to go straight into the basket. It nearly always just rolls across the rim and drops into the hands of the defensive rebounder because he/she usually already has inside position. Putting the ball up on the board makes the shooter put it up stronger. Look how many driving lay-ups and power lay-ups come up short. Remember the old golf adage about putting: never up, never in. A missed bank shot often bounces higher, giving the offensive rebounders more time to fight for position. If you put it up high to begin with, then it might still go in even if your arm is hit or grabbed. Why players don't get this or why coaches don't seem to teach it anymore is beyond me. I was pleasantly surprised that two of Lauren Avant's buckets came on short banked jumpers from directly in front of the basket. I would like to think she did that deliberately, but probably not.
richvol writes:
Not valuing possessions will kill this team at tourney time...
You can actually see the turnover coming when these girls attempt to pass the ball to one another. It's as plain as day to us fans as it is to the defender yet they go ahead and throw it anyway.
ps11824 writes:
It's not a lack of skill; it's a lack of will...
That's what I'm seeing. I would imagine many sleepless nights for Pat Summitt. She knows the talent is there. She thinks, I'm sure, she has tried every means and measure to bring out the best in each and every one of those athletes. She's gone the gamut on the psychological as well as the mother hen approach. We know the physical workouts are on target, yet her team plays when THEY WANT TO. They pout and piddle around like scolded ducklings at times. Pat is the one who is working her self to death and getting half-hearted effort from her team oftentimes. I have a great deal of empathy for her right now.
johnlg00 writes:
What a great story! How could anyone doubt the incomparable class Pat has instilled in the LV program?
ROCKYTOPBRAD writes:
Pat has lost this team!!!mickey d should take over
patsvolsrgr8 writes:
I have to agreee with a lot of these posts here today. I love thes lady vols; but they someone needs to wake a few of them up and give them a reality check.....Cain/Simmons. I realize Simmons is a freshman; but no excuse for her sloppy play. Cain just looked like she didn't care if she was out there or not. I thought since Baugh started 2nd half that would have sparked her; nope. Light it up Kelly like you've shown us you can. I think Kamiko does well despite what she's thrown into; afraid to do something and Pat will pull her right away. I know she needs to be a big girl and suck it up; but lighten up on her. I liked what I saw from Avant and Baugh; that's exciting. Now if we could only get Angie back. Vandy is going to be a tough match up especially if we don't show up right away to play. Wake up girls and show us why you are #4.
patsvolsrgr8 writes:
Really??? Have you lost your mind?!?! Pat hasn't lost these girls. If she had they wouldn't have the record they do and find the will to win each game.
johnlg00 writes:
Interesting you should use the word "painful" to describe last night's offensive performance. I will never forget Stacey Dales--and what ever happened to her, BTW; she was one of the most attractive and knowledgeable young commentators in all of sports there for awhile--saying before a Lady Vol NCAA game that their offense was "just painful to watch sometimes." And she was an outspoken admirer of CPS and the LV program!
I have been defending Kelley Cain all season, but I am starting to lose hope that she will ever be the force she was at times last year. Don't know if it is physical or mental--probably both--but she just isn't getting it done now and doesn't seem to care to. That one absolutely wide-open lay-up she missed was beyond pitiful.
Pat's playbook is no secret. Most of that stuff is Basketball 101. The key is execution and properly exercising the options. On every one of those plays, for every defensive reaction, there is an option that should work. They just don't execute them properly.
flatrock writes:
Pat has always taught an inside-out offense. So far, this team has displayed very weak inside presence (dropped passes, missed one-footers,
poor post positioning,etc.). Net result: the
defense doesn't respect our paint play, so they
creep out into the passing lanes and the LV
offense gets very stagnant. Cain, Baugh and
Brewer are hobbled and ineffective; Johnson
is active (to say the least), but she has the
shooting touch of a one-armed brick-layer.
How about trying Stricklen in the low post?
Huge match-up problems for defense, plus
she would draw fouls and would feast on the foul line ("down-hill-down-the-middle").
Strick probably not thrilled with the idea,
but the offense must go through her and Pat
would get her inside-out offense back. Plus,
with lineup of PG-Williams; 2G-Simmons;
3G-Spani/Bjorklund; 4P-Johnson; 5P-Stricklen,
Lady Vols could do some serious trapping on
defense and score from there. Note: Vandy
would have serious problems with this
line-up!
dead_vol_foul (Inactive) writes:
Totally NOT buying any of this.
Been watching the same group for 3 years. Pretty much consistent in how they do what they do.
Keep the focus, folks: what you want to see is the turnovers decrease, the fouls INCREASE (more physical play, tighter D) and more shots challenged.
I keep reading all this sportswriter drivel about our 'talent' being so superior. Bullcr@p. Deeper?? Maybe. We have one player, Strick, who is truly offensively gifted. Everyone else is hit or miss.
We have limited basketball IQ, and we have posts with health problems. We have Glory, who is an average player, and then we have a bunch of one-dimensional types.
The point?? Pat's job is to get these guys to make their plays that they CAN make, and to be in the right spot at the right time to make those plays.
I will say this to the point of being sick of it: to win the championship, we will need to win ugly. We do not have the talent to win otherwise. But, win we can. I believe we have the depth, and the pieces to get it done.
For once, just once, I'm going to say to cut Pat some slack, cut the girls some slack, and just watch how they respond to adverse conditions. Yes, I wish the conference did not suck. Yes, I wish Pat scheduled same ball-banging midwest teams who would make her team work.
But, I thought UK was good for us. I'm hoping Vandy will be, too, I hope they have a lead late on us. Where we have f-ing FAILED the last two seasons is the pressure of tight games....
I'll finish my article now: value the tight games we might get, even if it's because we played like cr#p. We need the mental challenge more than the stats.
NCLADYVOLFAN writes:
All I can say: I miss the ATTITUDE!
tennboy78 writes:
I like the potential of this team, and I want to see them play Together more consistently -- more assists, and "dishes" for better shots. I believe in the abilities that are there, but they need to value each possession more. That will take the "painful to watch" out of the picture.
ps11824 writes:
tennboy78 writes:
I like the potential of this team, and I want to see them play Together more consistently -- more assists, and "dishes" for better shots. I believe in the abilities that are there, but they need to value each possession more. That will take the "painful to watch" out of the picture.]]]]
Yes, way. Some stranger has taken over dead—vol's keyboard today : })
I'm watching the re-broadcast now on sports south. Is there some strategy for showing our plays to the world. Pat mentioned something to the effect that "this makes it hard for teams to scout." Someone explain that thinking to me?
For once I would love to hear someone like Bobby Knight do the commentary for an LV game. Someone who just tells it like it is, what is happening on the court, not everywhere else in the country. Someone who calls the game as it is being played, keeps their opinions to themself. I would like that.
dead—vol, where ever you are, just watch this upcoming Vandy game if you enjoy tight games. Keep the Malox handy.
They say it is a 'sell-out' but that's beside the point. They say it's a first-time sell-out. That's not true either. I was there during the early mid 90s. Vandy over sold and folks were turned away. I actually bought my ticket on the street for 35$, I believe. It was a front row seat down in that hole smack in the middle of gold & black and grungy old Mr Commodore, or whatever. Of course, the predominate color was ORANGE. I chose to wear gold that day just to freak out the folks I was with. It worked. We won.
tonyvick#213307 writes:
Glory just an average player? You have been drinking again.
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
bottom line....still perfect in the SEC
maxvolfan#217855 writes:
Johnson is the best Athlete we had since CP. IMO the best rebounder in the league if not in the country stats show top 15 but look at quality competion. Heres what needs to be worked on . A short jumper , free throws , overall fluid shot and she will be an all-american. A couple Candace Parker camps and she will be fine.
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