Holly Warlick made the call and made a strong case for it.
In preparing for Monday night's SEC women's basketball, game against Georgia, Tennessee's associate head coach lobbied hard for playing a zone defense.
"Holly really felt that, in the end, that would be our best defense,'' UT coach Pat Summitt said.
The Lady Vols played as if they felt just as strongly. They implemented the strategy in ruthless fashion, setting the tone for a 77-44 victory before a "Live Pink Bleed Orange" crowd of 14,267 at Thompson-Boling Arena.
Georgia coach Andy Landers glumly conceded afterward that the zone was the only defensive call necessary in achieving the rout.
"The way we were attacking it, it wouldn't have surprised me if they never got out of it,'' he said.
No. 4 Tennessee (26-2, 14-0 SEC) put together one of its most complete efforts of the season in clinching its second consecutive SEC regular season championship and the 16th in program history.
While the defense was limiting No. 22 Georgia (20-7, 10-4) to 25.8 percent shooting (16 for 62), UT was hitting at a 50 percent clip (31 for 62). The Lady Vols recorded 23 assists while committing only 12 turnovers. They outrebounded Georgia, 49-33.
Meighan Simmons led Tennessee with 14 points. Shekinna Stricklen and Taber Spani scored 11 apiece. Stricklen also had six assists and six rebounds.
UT forward Glory Johnson grabbed a game-high nine rebounds. Still, her nine points topped her storyline as they pushed her past the 1,000 career point mark. She's at 1,002 and counting.
"I didn't expect it,'' she said. "I want to thank my teammates. I'm a post player clearly, so if I wasn't getting the ball from guards and other post players, I wouldn't be able to do it."
UT senior guard Angie Bjorklund made her first appearance in seven games when she checked in with 13:38 left in the first half. By that point, her teammates had shot out to 15-7 lead.
The Lady Bulldogs, meanwhile, were shooting their way out of the game. Thirteen of their first 18 field goals attempts were 3-pointers, and they made just two.
That was just one more than Bjorklund, who scored her first basket since Jan. 23 at Auburn when she swished a trey in transition, giving UT a 34-16 lead.
"I think our two-three (zone alignment) was extremely effective,'' Johnson said.
"Our communication level, our energy level, high hands and quick feet kind of got to them and made them run down their shot clock and throw up shots that they weren't expecting. Having them shoot outside shots and missing, I think that worked to our advantage."
In particular, Landers said UT's high hands were bothersome.
"Their length allows them to spread out in that zone and create problems,'' he said. "They can cover a lot of areas with their length, and they did that."
The 5-foot-9 James had an even better appreciation for Georgia's predicament.
"They're pretty big out on the wings as well as down low," she said. "We had a hard time trying to make the passes that we are typically capable of making because of their length. Because of that, we couldn't execute the way we typically would and we also took some bad shots."
Landers said that the Lady Bulldogs were running their offense to the wrong people and on the wrong side of the floor.
And the 3-pointer was definitely the wrong shot, as evidenced by their 23.5 percent accuracy (8 for 34) from long range.
Since the game was one-sided, no Lady Vol played more than Stricklen's 29 minutes.
And center Kelley Cain didn't play at all, resting her sore right hip.
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/
Old school: Archived photos of UT…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 51
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
Big orange Beatdown! GLV's!!!!!!
VolunteerLifer writes:
congrats to players and coaches. Watching Baugh go coast to coast with a rebound was something to see.
Just one complaint: It's really hard to watch a game in pink and orange. Too much of that combo makes one want to change the channel.
UTVOLSRROCKN writes:
Hell yeah! WTG Lady Vols! Great game by ALL! GLV!
Cookeville-vol writes:
I'll watch the lady vols in any color when they play like that!!
SummittsCourt writes:
Great team win. Even better, Vickie Baugh is getting better and better!
OrangeinCarolina2 writes:
Congrats Lady Vols! GO VOLS!
ncvol17 writes:
Coach Summitt = Kudos
ontheopenroad writes:
That's the kind of game I've been waiting to see. If they continue to play like that, the sky's the limit.
orangecountyvols writes:
Vol lifer,
Absolutely. We now have a 6:04 point guard in Vicki. Just kidding, but it was beautiful, the coast to coast layup plus one other great move in the lane early on.
I can't fault a lot in this effort..........they came out serious about playing the game, forced UGA to resort to 3's, and we scrapped all night, playing everyone but Cain.
There were the missed free throws and some turnovers when we bounce passed some that were picked off.
Did not hurt though. Spani, Simmons, and Stricklen
my "triple S" girls were in top form. Heck, they all did well. Truth be told, Lady Vol basketball is a rite of spring, and even though we hope the men win, this is the one that is usually dependable.
It's almost scary how much depth the team has and if they continue to stay healthy and play with this sort of effort...........who knows?
Georgia played hard but were a bit out manned tonight.
Great win for a great cause as evidenced by the pink clad fans.
xvolx writes:
Totally dominateing performance against a very athletic team. No helter skeltor. Good defense, patient offence. Ran when they got the chance. Great rebounding effort to be in a zone defense. Don't think Johnson is a athletic as Baugh, but Johnson seems to have matured some as a player. I still wouldn't get to close to her elbows. I said after the Vandy game that I wouldn't want to play this team if they come together. I believe I'll still go with that. I can't find anything wrong with this performance. We should be #2, #1 right now.
pomp_and_circumstance writes:
This is the second time all year they played two halves. They give me high hopes. Baugh, on what amounts to artificial knees, ran the court like Simmons for a lay up. Amazing. Passing instead of incessant dribbling. Few turn overs! Forty minute hustle. I want Manning on my side in any contest! Did it take this long for Pat to teach them what they did tonight? Ga. is not really a patsy, though the LV made them look so tonight.
ps11824 writes:
VolunteerLifer writes:
congrats to players and coaches. Watching Baugh go coast to coast with a rebound was something to see.]]]]
That was a beautiful sight. To see VB fighting, scraping, boarding and scoring was awesome; my vote for POG. She looked fresh and energetic. A sight for sore eyes was her game tonight.
I loved seeing the forlorn look on Andy Landers. Hey do you guys remember the Andy look-alike who used to entertain the fans during timeouts and halftime? Whatever happened to him? Was that really Matthew Mitchell?
Speaking of energy, I love the way the Lady Vols came out ready to play tonight. I actually watched every minute of the game for the first time in forever. Brewer did a good job too. It was great to Bj get her long ball tonight. The fans loved it. She's back!
CONGRATULATIONS on winning our 16th SEC Championship!!!
shorttail writes:
SWEET //////
Razor784 writes:
Now they're starting to look like a national championship team
TennVol01 writes:
Peaking at the right time of the season.
OldVols68 writes:
This is definitely the way Pat wants it!!!! The best game the ladies have played all year by far. For whatever reason this team plays better defense in a zone; glad Pat recognizes that instead of trying to make them play what used to be her patent man-to-man.
blewissmith writes:
Baugh is the key to winning a national championship!
xvolx writes:
I have to disagree. There are 10 keys and one lock. No stars on this team. They have to play together. None of the ten can afford to take a game off.
PINK_CHAMPAGNE writes:
Really pleased with tonights performance. How special is Vicki? It's exciting to see glimpses of the old Vicki. The more she plays, the better she gets. She makes the team that much better with her scoring and rebounding abilities in the post, and passing. Vicki is the key to the puzzle in my opinion. If she continues playing like this, Tennessee is going to have a great tournament run. Really proud of Vicki!
Brewer is getting it together as well. All of the ladies played really well. They had 23 assists and only 12 turnovers for the whole game. That is good ball!
Meighan is playing really well lately. She is playing under control and has limited her mistakes. Proud of her too!
PINK_CHAMPAGNE writes:
That's true X! It takes a full team effort to win any title. But you have to admit that the team plays better with Vicki. She adds another dimension. A scorer,a passer, a rebounder, shot blocker, and some energy from the post with some size! I think she is key, but not the only key! Manning is also key! Look at how well she has been playing as of late!
PINK_CHAMPAGNE writes:
Depending on the team they play. Some teams like Depaul, you cannot play them in a Zone. They have too many three point specialists on their team. You would have to play them in a man to man,switch on the perimeter to stop those three's from falling. Teams like Georgia who does not have the best three point shooters, at every position, you can get away with zone. But I agree, Tennessee plays one of the best zone defenses I have seen.
Volinflan writes:
Total dominance! While the guards did good, as usual, it was about total dominance inside tonight. The Lady Vols have played some good games earlier this year (and some not so good) but they played great tonight. Having, not just one, but TWO, very good MOBILE post players changes the possibilities immensely.
Tonight we could look out and see a really big lineup of Baugh, Brewer, Strick, Spani and a dependable scary guard running the show. Before I could go to the fridge and back it would be a really fast lineup of, of course, Strick, Manning, Johnson, Simmons and a dependable scary guard running the show. It must be giving the opposing coaches totally bad dreams. Even Mulkey. She must have had fun beating up on Kelly when she was by herself. It just aint gonna be like that next time. Between, Kelly, Vicki and Allysia they're gonna "grind er down" to a stump. Mulkey'll probably lose twenty pounds jumping up and down hot dogging in front of the cameras.
Do you think Coach Pat would wear an Orange lame' pant suit for the game?
flatrock writes:
Best overall game for LVs. How did Georgia ever beat Kentucky?
-GAME BALL- Vicki Baugh...20 pluses (points,
rebounds, assists, blocks, steals) in 16 minutes;
-THE TICKET-S. Stricklen...24 pluses in 29
minutes...should be first team AA;
-NICE GAME-M. Simmons...20 pluses in 26 minutes
...will be an outstanding wing some day;
-RELIABLE-K. Williams...14 pluses in 14 minutes
...would be Georgia's best player;
-ENERGIZER BUNNY-G. Johnson...20 pluses in 20
minutes...hang on, something exciting is gonna happen every time she touches the ball;
-FOCUS IS BACK-T. Spani...17 pluses in 24 minutes...confidence makes her a zone-buster;
-WHEN SHE GETS HER LEGS-LOOK OUT!-A. Brewer...
12 pluses in 25 minutes...more mobile every day;
-WELCOME BACK-A. Bjorklund...8 pluses in 11
minutes...I predict a big SEC tourney!
-STABILIZER BUNNY-A. Manning...15 pluses in
19 minutes...she is the glue!
For the first time, I am believing that
LVs are capable of playing at a Final Four
level.
tturley#297658 writes:
That was a Final Four team out there tonight. Was particularly impressed with the passing on offense when Brewer was at the high post. This team is jelling at the right time, let's keep our fingers crossed on injuries.
rangercoa writes:
PROBABLY THE BEST TEAM EFFORT OF THE YEAR. HOWEVER, IN A CLOSE GAME, MISSED FREE THROWS WILL LOSE IT. NO EXCUSE FOR NOT SHOOTING 80 PERCENT.
richvol writes:
Simmons played an outstanding game. She was in control and hitting her shots.
Vicky Baugh played great and was durable. She has terrific skills. With her we can make a deep run in the tourney.
Brewer looked good and is getting her footing. She has scoring ability. I really liked it when Brewer and Baugh were both in the game at the same time...it makes it tough on the opponent in the paint.
I still want to see Kamiko get more minutes at point.
Manning adds so much to this team...she does everything.
A great team win with a very good zone defense.
Fall_Creek_Vols writes:
My game ball goes to Vicki, too. I say again, we have all been inspired by your hard work and dedication.
Jenny Moshak, this Bud's for you. I'm sure Vicki would say she couldn't have done it without you.
XvolX, you're at the center of the 10-ring. Bullseye. It DOES take everyone on the team to be THIS dangerous. The depth is the key. When we play like that, no one can stop us.
No one.
Is there room for another banner in Thompson-Boling?
jdcdjc writes:
I love it when they play together like they did against Ga. I saw only one downside and that being, I hope an NCAA tourney game or title game does not come down to "free throw shooting". In all the years I have watched the LV's I do not remember one that is as bad from the foul line.
ps11824 writes:
So many mention free throw shooting. I agree. We have to get better with those, We need to be shooting in the 90 percentile. Not only is poor FT shooting a missed opportunity, it's a momentum buster, and teams will hack away if need be. Some teams have enough depth to do that. I love the game tonight. I had fun watching. That has not happened many times this season.
I liked Manning's contribution tonight. Spani had good minutes too. For some reason I'm thinking big productive minutes by Brewer and Baugh can be the imposing factor for this team. The way they played last night for short spurts made the team look cohesive. A few of those sets ran like a well-oil machine. That's what we've been waiting to see, plays where we didn't have to cover our eyes..
We took a lot of plays away from the officials too. It's amazing how an good team can eliminate the need for whistles. Good solid D, good spacing and efficient crisp, offensive sets; that's the ticket.
Our men have lost some games that most likely could have been narrowly won with made free throws
kazoo writes:
I agree completely: She brings a degree of athleticism to the team and to the inside game that this team really needs. We are faster, more dynamic with her, much slower without.
RLL59 writes:
Probably can't expect 90% range on free throws, but agree that the Lady Vols need to do better because it'll be decisive in a close game. Appears to be lack of concentration rather than poor technique in most cases.
The zone takes the refs out of the game by reducing the fouls called when the Lady Vols overplay quicker opponents. I was glad to read the GA comments that the Lady Vols having their hands up had an impact on their ability to pass and shoot. That seems to have become a lost art in basketball these days.
Meighan brought the ball up the court with her head up rather than down. While I believe she's a better 2 guard than point, she saw the court much better and her passes showed it.
Strongly agree with other posters that Vickie and Alyssia are the keys.
Good game by the Lady Vols; Excellent coaching strategy and game decisions. Now to show that the players and coaches can do it again...and again.
Jephry writes:
Nice effort from our LVs. No...GREAT effort. I still want to see better FT shooting, but I think that will come. The zone was stellar, as was Vicki...has anyone else noticed how much she has changed since she arrived at UT as a lanky kid? That girl is imposing now!
WTG LVs. Now, go take care of Ole Miss and LSU in similar, devastating fashion!
johnlg00 writes:
I too thought the LV zone looked good last night. The best things about it were that the gals all moved TOGETHER in it, rebounded and ran effectively out of it, and were even able to apply ball pressure from it. I know how much CPS prizes tough man-to-man defense and the aggressive attitudes it instills, but the zone fits this group of players better and it allows the players facing the ball to close out harder without worrying as much about a quicker player driving past them. There are still a few tweaks they could make, such as improving the spacing behind the on-ball defender to make passes and drives into the zone even harder, but on the whole it looks like no less than one more tough preparation chore for any team that faces them the rest of the way.
maxvolfan#217855 writes:
This team is starting to gel at the right time. And I believe in Pats philospy in Def and rebounding. We have a complete team. I was just thinking though what if the starters played 30 mins a piece. Im thinking Simmons scores about 25,Strick 15, Johnson 20,Baugh 15, Brewer about 12. Thats about 87 pts with just the starters not including Angie whos a scorer or Williams whos a scorer. Im saying this team is great and should compete with anyone here on out. Defence wins championships . GLV
johnlg00 writes:
IMHO, a team that plays the zone properly has no more to fear from outside shooters than does a man-to-man. The key is for the ENTIRE zone to shift as the ball is passed, so the on-ball defender can close out hard without worrying about someone driving past her. The LVs have quick wing players with long arms who can get out to pressure outside shooters without having to come out too hard and out of control. If you look at a team like the Syracuse men, who play the zone almost exclusively, you will see that they can generate as much pressure on the ball and on outside shooters as any man-to-man while still lessening their vulnerability to drives and post-ups. If the LVs play their zone with aggressive man-to-man principles, it could mean the vital edge they need for a deep post-season run.
SoddyVol writes:
I usually just skip over comments in all CAPS. I still haven't read what you typed but just see all caps and am suggesting you not do that.
johnlg00 writes:
Good post! Among other things, I especially like your point about the active hands, and agree that it doesn't seem to be emphasized as much as it should be. Jimmy Dykes, ESPN commentator on many SEC men's games, always points out when a team is using "high, hot hands". When the hands are up and moving, the passers just can't see the interior players and passing lanes as well. The defenders have many more chances for deflections. Driving lanes are just not as visible. Rebounders are more ready for sharp bounces. There is just no aspect of defense or the general sense of "being in the game" that isn't helped by keeping those arms up and waving!
johnlg00 writes:
I too noticed how much more muscular Vicki seems these days. It seems that when her knee injuries were keeping her from running as much as she might have wished, she was taking the opportunity to bulk up in the upper body. She still looks trim and fit but MUCH stronger.
KiwiLuvsUT writes:
Is the National Championship near? I hope so but they will have to beat some good teams to get there. But who cares cuz the Ladys are GREAT! Good Luck! see ya at da tourny in nashville!
GBO!
murrayvol writes:
In the not too distant past the SEC season was good prep for the NCAA Tourney.
Not so much anymore.
kazoo writes:
PS is a fanatic about defense, and good for her, but basketball is ultimately about shooting, shooting percentage, putting the ball in the basket. When you shoot well, you play well and win--often easily. The Vols shot 50 percent last night--and had what for them was an unheard of 23 assists vs. 12 turnovers. Usually, we have low assist to turnover ratio. Shoot 50 percent, beat anybody; shoot 35 percent and struggle. Why did Baylor knock UT out of the tourney last year--because the shooting was B-A-D. UT, always obsessed with defense and rebounding, is normally not very efficient on offense--sloppy, mediocre shooting. When we play well on offense, games are gravy. That needs to happen more.
ps11824 writes:
murrayvol writes:
In the not too distant past the
SEC season was good prep
for the NCAA Tourney.
Not so much anymore. ]]]
Still pretty good prep. We must win and advance which is good practice in itself as far as discipline. A little discipline goes a long way in post season. You get those bags packed, you don't want to be sent home quickly. Most of these kids know how it feel to be without a partner during the festivities of the NCAA's 'big dance.' That's no fun. It's down-right humiliating.
johnlg00 writes:
Everybody likes to see good offense, and that has not, year in and year out, been a typical trait of LV basketball. However, the game isn't about shooting and those other things you mentioned, it's about scoring more points than the other team on a given night. That can just as easily be accomplished by keeping the other team from shooting well as it can by shooting well yourself. Besides, a team can shoot well but still turn the ball over, thus limiting how many shots it gets. Couple a turnover deficit with giving up too many offensive rebounds, and you allow the opponent to get more shot opportunities. Hard as it may be to watch sometimes, CPS has the record to show that her approach works more often than not. Happily, this LV team seems to have the ability to play well on both defense AND offense. They just have to keep doing what they have been doing lately and we will all have a happy post-season.
PeeEllthree writes:
I don't read lady vols information as often, but I wonder. I read on here earlier in the year about the game passing Pat up. That the players were tuned out. That she and this young pg haven't been on the same page. That the O is too old school. Some even saying it's time. It's good to know the LV's share some of the same DA fans. Congrats on the SEC!
pammyvol1000 writes:
I loved loved loved seeing Vickie playing again. I pray she stays healthy this year and next. We will need her.
Congrats to the Lady Vols!!
SoddyVol writes:
I like to imagine all these players staying 100% healthy from now until they graduate. If they do, they might not lose another game, at least until these juniors graduate. Think Big! At least two more NC. With the right mental attitude, they have everything else needed to get it done.
ps11824 writes:
TheIronSheik writes:
I don't read lady vols information as often,
but I wonder. I read on here earlier in the
year about the game passing Pat up.
That the players were tuned out.
That she and this young pg haven't
been on the same page. That the O
is too old school. Some even saying
it's time. It's good to know the LV's
share some of the same DA fans.
Congrats on the SEC! ]]]]]]
iron sheet, I don't know you from Adam, and I don't know these so-called fans who pontificate Pat's demise. Forgive me if I misread your comment, but it sounds like you poking a stick at a rattle snake. That's very dangerous and stupid. What is a DA fan? delicately admirable? That would be me : ) Maybe you nor they know squat about Pat. Check this out:
On the post game show after coaching her team to their 16th undefeated SEC season; and winning this one outright, some guy named 'rusty pillow' (truthfully, I did not catch his name} called in to the radio show. "A question to the duchess" he asked, "I'd like to know why you can't get the team to play the way they played today, in every game, a complete game?" Pat, the duchess, answered the caller succinctly. "If you think you can come in here and turn this team around, come on , and I'll be happy to sit over here and watch," she answered without hesitation.
tehe-tehe
johnlg00 writes:
I think you did misread TheIronSheik's post. He wasn't saying those things himself, he was quoting from some other posts he had read on here, and you know there have been plenty of those! You have responded indignantly to many of them yourself. He was saying that there seem to be almost as many ignorant posters on here as are often found on men's team threads.
ps11824 writes:
what is a DA fan?
johnlg00 writes:
Surely you are joking, but since you mentioned it twice, maybe you aren't. In this context, it means "dumb a&&". You seem to have lived a sheltered life, for which I salute you in these dissolute times(;-P)!
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