COLUMBIA, S.C. — Chamique Holdsclaw took the time Thursday night to offer Shekinna Stricklen some advice.
They visited following Tennessee's 71-56 women's basketball victory over South Carolina, and Stricklen appreciated the input from the UT legend, who just happens to be her role model.
The Lady Vols, in turn, were grateful for the time Stricklen logged on their behalf against the Gamecocks. The junior forward amassed 18 points and a game-high 16 rebounds, playing a Holdsclaw-like role before a crowd of 3,647 at the Colonial Life Arena.
'That's huge for us,'' UT coach Pat Summitt said of Stricklen's 38-minute effort. 'That's not a typical outing game in and game out. I really challenged her to get on the boards.'
While 24 turnovers and a scrappy effort by the undersized Gamecocks threatened to cut them down, the Lady Vols' stood tall — at least tall enough.
Center Kelley Cain had a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds and also had six blocks as No. 5 Tennessee (18-2, 6-0 SEC) parlayed a 51-31 rebounding advantage into 24 second-chance points. Freshman Meighan Simmons added 16 points, all in the second half.
'If we don't get the rebounds we did, South Carolina could've won this game,' Stricklen said.
Led by Ieasia Walker's game-high 24 points, South Carolina (10-9, 2-4) did enough to glimpse an upset. The Gamecocks converted UT's turnovers into 25 points and had a 17-4 edge in fast-break points. Their dribble drives helped produce 36 points from close range.
Despite trailing by double figures on two separate occasions earlier in the second half, they rallied to 57-52 inside the final five minutes.
'We had a hard time slowing them down and keeping them out of the paint,'' Summitt said.
Stricklen led UT's 14-4 finishing kick with six points, including a huge rebound basket after a missed free throw by Cain with 2:56 left.
'You can't really get nervous,'' Stricklen said. 'If you get nervous when someone goes on their run, you're not going to do well. We just pulled everyone together.'
Walker, meanwhile, didn't have enough scoring help. La'Keisha Sutton was the only other Gamecock in double figures with 11 points. Other than Walker's 10-for-23 shooting, South Carolina shot 28 percent from the floor.
'We just didn't hit shots when we needed to hit shots, that's what it came down to,'' South Carolina coach Dawn Staley said. 'We got shots at the basket. We got shots outside. We just didn't knock them down.'
The Lady Vols fell behind by 13 points at the outset of their last visit here and seemed intent on created a similar scenario. South Carolina, playing without reserve guards Marah Strickland (sprained foot) and Samone Kennedy (personal reasons), bolted to a quick 12-4 lead.
Unlike last season, UT mustered a faster response, taking the lead 15-12 on a Taber Spani trey with 9:22 left in the first half.
The turnovers were piling up, though, at an alarming rate, reaching 13 by the break. The final total was the second highest of the season.
'I thought (South Carolina) really did a good job but I thought we had loose handles quite a bit,'' Summitt said. 'Maybe we were trying to do too much.'
Although they were sloppy ball handlers, the Lady Vols were accurate shooters, going 48.2 percent from the floor (27-and-56). After an 0-for-2 start, Simmons was 5-for-9 from the floor in the second half and hit all five of her free-throw attempts.
'In a situation like that I think I thrive,'' she said. 'It makes me want to go hard and pick the level of my game up.'
Tennessee is back on the road Sunday, playing at Auburn.
Dan Fleser covers Lady Vols basketball. He may be reached at 865-342-6288. Follow him on Twitter and on his Basket Case blog.
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Comments » 60
wigmeister writes:
So sloppy!
huntined#565710 writes:
Tough game but it was a win...
SoddyVol writes:
Granted that SC guards are quick and intelligent but that is no excuse for Simons getting her pocket picked and team having so many turnovers. Do LVols use their head? I guess I just keep expecting more improvement than they can mentally give. For much of the game SC made LVols look like a middle of the conference team. It’s amazing how the coaches can keep their sanity. They can do so much better. That’s what makes it maddening.
orangecountyvols writes:
Vols,
What can we say? The winning team ( U T ) has 24 turnovers.................the losers ( S C ) 11 turnovers. Classic example of the score is the main thing for sure !
Pat just said USC got 36 in the paint..........with no size, to boot.
pomp_and_circumstance writes:
LVols are baffling. First five minutes they looked like they had no idea why they were on the court. What exactly do the LV's practice between games? They don't seem to know the concept of passing the ball instead of dribbling 30 seconds into a trap. There doesn't seem to be any offensive plan. A set up for a back door cut to the basket is so rare I can't remember seeing one. The blue print for opponents (all shorter) is swarm defense, and it is too possible that one will again bounce the Ladies in the first round of the big dance.
TennVol01 writes:
Congrats on the win Ladies. A win is a win. But, it appears that the team has decided to play to the level of their competition. The men did this, but could not recover in a game. You can recover. Not once did I worry that you would lose tonight.
Red_68 writes:
Sloppy! they can do better than this, they are better at every position.. it just seems like they have their times when they play horrible, then its times when they just blow other teams out.. Baugh just looks so bored on the bench! bless her heart
rogatl2002#222395 writes:
standing around on offense has become more of a tennessee trademark than defense and rebounding. kelly cain is not running the floor or working hard enough in the post. no one on the team knows how to make a crisp two handed pass. there is SO much talent on this team. where is the coaching?
orangecountyvols writes:
Vols,
So often they looked like me out there and you know how bad I am out there. What was more alarming was in the first half in particular, we just had our pockets picked, passes bounced on the floor that were intercepted, and while I watched it, we lobbed passes into the middle where we had a great size advantage, and they were picked off when we fumbled them. USC had far to many runout baskets. Pat was reportedly not feeling well and we wonder if the girls weren't feeling their best as well. Dawn Staley had her girls fired up and they had about 10,000 people disguised as empty seats so we managed to pull it out anyway.
This was a game that was necessary to leave the t.v. and listen to Mickey...
On to the next game friends !
UTVOLSRROCKN writes:
Well, Pat wasn't happy with them after the Vandy game, and she's not going to be happy after this game. Terrible first half. Way too many TO's.
So, on a positive note, Strick had a hell of a game!!! When they finally got their grove on, they were unstoppable.
Lets just be happy that we won! Auburn, you're next. Go Lady Vols!!
UTVOLSRROCKN writes:
Right on brother, right on!!!....You remember that song, "Ball of Confusion?"
volfan73120#211815 writes:
24 turnovers would get most teams beat. All it did was hold the score down to a 15 point win. Way to go Lady Vols.
dead_vol_foul (Inactive) writes:
where is mike from uconn?? he usually gives me a pretty good game assessment once he is done with his digs.
xvolx writes:
Final four team? I doubt it and I don't think they care. Their just going thru the motions against inferior teams. They'll probably get to the sweet 16 and be content with that. Never thought Simmons would start looking like a frosh., but she is and does. Bj doesn't play like a senior, Williams has an attitude problem, Manning has completely lost confidence and Strickland, Johnson, and Cain can't shoot a layup. Defense stinks. This team has a lot of problems.
kazoo writes:
The Vols under PS have never been a good passing team. Their player movement and ball movement is too slow, and there is a tendency to stand around.
kazoo writes:
So true. I don't now why it is, but PS does not seem to know how to teach an offense that features quick player movement and quick, sharp passing. Her teams have been standing around on offensive for year. It's not, if their first option is covered or breaks down, they don't now what to do.
maxvolfan#217855 writes:
Room to grow....
Strick I saw u pass up two players wide open on two separate plays in the first half. And we missed about 8 gimmes at the basket. Good move to put Glory on walker. Maybe a little earlier next time . We cant have a hot shooter torch us in March. Im thinking of three, Griner,Perdersen,Moore.
mad_poly_uct writes:
Looking for Samarie Walker?.....sorry Mike, couldn't resist :)
flatrock writes:
Fact 1- I am a Pat fan; Fact 2- I am not related to nor have ever met Kamiko Williams; Fact 3- Kamiko has more PG skills than any other 2 Vol PGs combined; Fact 4- Pat's benching of Kamiko tonight after her one and only turnover was a classless act; Fact 5- At
the time, the Lady Vols were plus 15 when
Kamiko was in the game (and minus 7 when any other LV was attempting to play PG). Pat's pride
- and apparently Kamiko's casualness (which the books will tell you is usually a cover-up for a lack of confidence)--are keeping this team from improving...Bottom line: Pat
has driven Kamiko's confidence into the ground
and she is playing stiff and scared. The coach's
one-and-done attitude with Kamiko, contrasted
with her loose handling of Simmons, is a team-killer. Could it be that, if Pat would
give Kamiko the same freedom that she pours on
Simmons, that this team would finally loosen up
and play 94-feet-of-give-them-hell basketball
instead of the robot-style ball that, sadly,
reminds me of Bobby Knight's mediocre close to
his career.
dead_vol_foul (Inactive) writes:
what is going on with Samarie??
dead_vol_foul (Inactive) writes:
keep it real. I'm sure they care.
I keep telling you guys: they are NOT that good. That means when we win big, it's really because of the effort.
Have you stopped and thought of WHY we exited early the last 2 seasons?? It's because the talent we have is just average talent.
I tend to think we have the pieces to sneak a championship out if we get a break of two....bu it wont't be pretty, and it won't be because we play some terrific offensive game. It will be with defense and boards.
You think Pat does not see that???
PINK_CHAMPAGNE writes:
She decided to leave Uconn!
PINK_CHAMPAGNE writes:
I don't know what was going on with the team tonight. I did'nt even recognize that team that played tonight. Too many turnovers, not enough passes, hardly any post touches, few if any screens set. The offense had no structure. I thought the lady vols panicked when South Carolina pounced on them in the beginning of the game. Angie seemed intimidated and resorted back to trying to dribble her way out of trouble, which only got her into more trouble. I never thought I would see the day that Simmons would get the ball taken from her so many times. Dawn did a good scout on the Tennessee players. Simmons is way too casual with the ball. She needs to turn her body away from the defender to protect the ball better than she did tonight. Maybe they had an off night,but like Pat, I wasn't pleased with this effort from the team.
Tennessee needs to start playing like a top five team regardless of the team on the floor. This effort tonight was not top five worthy. Good thing they won, but it was just a bit too sloppy, too many turnovers. Can't get caught slipping against a good team.
PINK_CHAMPAGNE writes:
Good advice from Holdsclaw to Stricklen. Stricklen needs to be as aggressive as she can during the games. I look at Stricklen as the leader of the team. She has the skills to do just what Holdsclaw told her to do.
richvol writes:
Pat cannot teach offense AND the girls are not capable of passing the ball to one another or making a layup...that's what a casual observer would say after watching tonight's performance. If you had never seen the LV's play and knew nothing about the players that's what I would come away with.
Angie Borklund is the worst offender in this case because she is a senior. Why does she telegraph passes? She looks like a first semester freshman at times. She is also blown by at least five times every game.
This team needs to do nothing but shoot layups and practice passing. I would not let them take one shot further away than two feet until they learn some discipline...if it took a week.
nola_vol writes:
Good points, Pink_Champ. Simmons has gotten used to being defended like a speedy wide receiver getting a cushion from the cornerback. When given that space, NOT facing the defender with the ball makes sense, keeping all her options open without negating her own speed advantage.
But when Dawn put her (quick in their own right) defenders into press coverage, she showed the rest of our schedule that Simmons' aggressive stance is also a ball exposed.
I'm thinking we can expect more 1-2-2 zones now, with the 1 pressing Simmons like a box-and-1. We'll have to see what Simmons has when her crossover is taken away. But Bjorklund & Spani should have some big nights against that kind of D.
xvolx writes:
I'll take the pen is mightier for 100.00.
SummittsCourt writes:
WOW! We beat teams by 40 and people come on here and say the Lady Vols are final four caliber - we struggle a couple of games and still beat teams by double digits and now all of a sudden everyone is hitting their panic button. WOW!
tonyvick#213307 writes:
You are so correct. These fans need to watch the teams that are ranked ahead of the lady vols and see the really close games they play. But their fans say "it was a good win". Tennessee can never just have a "good win" with the fan we have. South Carolina can be a very tenacious team but not one time did I feel our team was in jeopardy. Go lady vols...yall good.
Jephry writes:
Lady Vols...keep learning, keep getting better - and keep winning. Dawn Staley is one of the most brilliant minds in the game. She scouted the LVs to perfection, and we still came away with a 15 point win. Way to go!
It's so hard to believe that these 18-22 year old girls would panic or get flustered. I'm ... older than that ... and I NEVER panic.../sarcasm off, btw.
Glad to see the girls could regain composure and get the win. Go Lady Vols!!
8ball writes:
agree agree agree true true true...
dead_vol_foul (Inactive) writes:
you lost me...I can usually keep up with tangential thinking, but you flat lost me...
I get the jeopardy, I get the 'pen and sword', I just don't get it here.
dead_vol_foul (Inactive) writes:
rich, I think Pat can teach offense....but she recruits players who can play D.
Throw out HS or AAU numbers, the are BS. Look at the offensive skills. Who has them??
Kelley: yes
Angie: yes (mainly jumpshooting)
Simmons: yes
Alicia: no
Lyssi: sorta
Strick: yes
Williamns: no
Glory: hell no!!!
Baugh: who knows??
Bass: who knows??
Smallbone: who knows???
See what we have?? compound this with Pat's mentality: if you are not tough as nails with your offensive confidence, you will lose it. I think this happens to a lot of LV's.
But, yeah, Pat can teach offense, but her focus is on D and rebounding, and the one or tow girls tough enough to take shots on O will be enough. It's been her formula forever.
It has won us some championships, but it has bitten us cruelly against UConn with some heartbreaking losses.
volboy81 writes:
That was one of the worst games the Lady Vols have played in years and we still won by 15! Good going girls, but we have to step it up and play like we did vs. Alabama, Mississippi & Florida or someone is going to get us!
GO LADY VOLS! Beat Auburn!!
dead_vol_foul (Inactive) writes:
Interesting...yes, she has a large frame...
I've seen her in person, played with my kid a time or two at camps. Very athletic and aggressive.
Sounds (sadly) like she's having trouble not being 'the' girl.
She might regret this move forever. However, as far as UConn goes, players of her type aren't that hard to find.
Looks pretty bad for her, though, leaving a team in mid-season.
maxvolfan#217855 writes:
I think its something deeper. Two all americans back to back? Something aint right up there.
patsvolsrgr8 writes:
Alright; if we are all Lady Vols fans then why are we knocking Pat and the girls? Just because they struggled in the first half and didn't look like their usual self that constitutes for all the negativism you're giving them. How true of fans are you? I'll agreee the first half was ugly but how many other teams struggle too; more than just us. I do agreee with Flatrock and what he had to say about Pat/Kamiko situation. I didn't agree with Pat benching her because of the TO she had; she has a lot to offer this team and didn't deserve to sit and watch the rest of the game. I also think A-Town should be playing more; keep Cain's legs fresh. I also thought Stricklen needed a break in the first half just like Simmons got; neither were playing well; but sure came out in the second half. They will definitely work things out today and tomorrow to be ready for Auburn. Keep it going ladies.
martinvol34 writes:
I totally agree with your comment and my thoughts are this: These are young ladies that are still playing into their new roles and adjusting to a true superstar in the making. It's hard to run and play hard, post hard and watch a shot get jacked up from 25 feet. They are tall like the men and face it, shorter, faster guard heavy teams will create some havoc, but they still managed to win. Why we don't put Glory Johnson on whoever the best scorer is for the other team from the minute they get hot is baffling. That's the answer right there. If the rest of this team gets mean like Glory, Simmons and Manning, that will be gravy to a team that struggles but is peaking. Wait and watch. I agree with Coach Summit that they will be special by March. Think about it, they still are working Vicki and Lyssi into shape. I think that Avant is a player also. I'm excited.
richvol writes:
I agree that Pat teaches defense and rebounding and emphasizes it to death. That's all the more reason to have a coach on staff that can teach offense really well. UT has not been a good offensive team since Marciniak and Jolly. Candace was a one man show while the rest of the team struggled to score at times.
We looked ridiculous at times last night and it's not the first time. We couldn't even pass the ball to one another. Cain doesn't work for the ball and Angie is a liability on both ends of the floor when she is not scoring.
I think Pat needs to get off of Kamiko's back if she is going to let Meghan go wild. I understand Kamiko seemingly has an attitude at times but at least be fair...she has a tremendous upside.
These girls have been together for awhile now...I would love to see some offensive precision.
mad_poly_uct writes:
Can't say I'm all that surprised, but I figured she'd finish her Frosh. year though. Writing was on the wall when she didn't make trip to No. Car. Classes started Tues. She claims she just couldn't make the commitment to what is expected & required to play at this level, both on & off the court. Claims she's really only playing because "her parents want her to". I wish her nothing but the best.
BBhoops writes:
Pat isn't given Kamiko a hard time because of turnovers. The girl can only play a short period of time because of fatigue. There is so much talk about if the team will make it to the Final Four. I think we all know the answer. (N0) Various reasons: 1. Still struggling to beat unranked teams on the road, seeded as number 2, if they don't climb the poll in March, more and likely I don't see them playing the 1st and 2nd round in Knoxville. Possibly will be shipped somewhere else to play. That's another strike. 3. After 3 years experience with the same players, CPS/Coaching Staff can't find the right combination for the starting lineup. 4.Kelly, Baugh, and Brewer are not healthy. Simmons and Johnson have gone wild. Kamiko is so confused. She doesn't know if she is going or coming. Manning is itchy for a starting position. She can't be still on the bench. Bass and Smallbone might as well be enjoying a cruise on a free scholarship. How can a team with all these issues make it to the FF -4? No way possible.
SoddyVol writes:
Maybe Stricklen is the only one who ate the right thing at California Dreaming Restaurant the night before the game. Or maybe they don't appreciate the great opportunities they have.
ps11824 writes:
Holdsclaw-esque IS NOT a term that would fit Stricklen. Actually, the term would not fit many ball players in the womens' game. Candace Parker, Tuarassi, Moore, maybe Alana Beard, a tiny bit. The thing that made Mique so great was the ability to create for herself and take the game over when needed. She ruled the boards and had the most beautiful fade away. I was simply addicted to Chamiqua Holdsclaw's game. At that time, no female basketball player was even in her league.
This morning I'm watching a re-broadcast of last night's game. For the first 5 minutes, the Lady Vols are wandering around in a blinding snow storm just as I was as the game was being played.
I would say Dawn Staley and Nicki McCrea did an awesome job with their scouting report and game plan. BJ set the terrible tone for the Lady Vols as she coughed up the rock the first time she touched it. KC threw it away on the 2nd possession, then bounced it off her teammate's head with a lazy outlet after a rebound. On the next possession Simmons lost the handle on a dribble drive, KC went over and smacked a gamehen wide open under the bucket after the shot was already up, then committed a lane violation on the free toss. Then BJ lost the handle again on a lazy hanoff on the baseline.
The Lady Vols brought their matador defense tonight. They simply COULD NOT stop the ball. BJ was sleep walking all game long. GJ could not finish under the basket.
The good news is. Taber Spani has long ball skills. And sometimes we win when we play awful.
Now, here's my unsolicited advice to whom it may concern: It is not expedient to save Baugh for later.
maxvolfan#217855 writes:
Good game ladies. I would like to see the team play a 7 player rotation and see whos in it to win it. Too much subing for this team and no one can get hot. Strick played the whole game and had 18pts ,Simmons got hot. We dont need every player to look for a shot everytime they touch the ball. Get it too the hot hand and distribute. If your shot is there take it . Less dribble more crisp passing will lead to a open shot.
freestyle writes:
BBhoops, You are so COMICAL. Have you thought about applying for a coaching job at Tenn. if Pat decides to retire?
ps11824 writes:
xvolx kazoo, does my post read as negatively as yours? I do have doubts about this team. I wish they would get serious and realize how poorly they allow themselves to play, and have the integrity to never let it happen again.
ps11824 writes:
I would hate to be in the neighborhood, no, make that zip code area when Gj starts slinging those elbows. Those are lethal weapons. I wish her shots could be as threatening to our opponent.
She has the potential of being an all-star, but her skill-set needs to be honed. She's a player comparable to Deanna Nolen, an Andy Landers pupil and a WNBA Detroit Shock great; faster than lightening, able to leap to tall buildings. But Glory needs someone to teach her to use her weapons skillfully.
Glory Johnson has another year to wear The Orange & White. I would so love to see that young lady evolve to her full potential before she goes.
martic#220796 writes:
I so agree with you. It seems Pat cuts her no slack and as much as I like Simmons she has a lot more freedom than Williams has ever had. Must be something we aren't seeing. I just hope we don't have another Marciniak situation!
maxvolfan#217855 writes:
Big picture. The ladies must not let up or lose another game if they want that #1 seed.
Baylor-maybe one more loss to TxAM
Uconn-short bench and foul trouble....maybe 2 more losses
Duke- undefeated barring a hiccup.
Stan- #1 seed
TxAM- 4 losses if Bay gets them twice
Tenn-3 losses . GA gets us.......wait heck no we get the #1 sweeping the SEC and tourney!! GBO
ps11824 writes:
flatrock, Kamiko has an attitude problem. Pat takes 'teaching opportunities' to help these young women be all they can be. Williams needs to lose the attitude, and there's no blaming coach for a lack of confidence. If she hasn't the self-confidence, it's her own will that makes it so, and it will be her own will that can turn things around for her own good.
It's so easy to blame someone else for our problems. I don't think Kamiko is blaming; I think you are assuming. Perhaps Kamiko could best serve herself and her team by NOT balking against her coach, and should look her in the eye and say "yes, coach, I'll do better." That will help her more than anything right now. That is how Pat coaches every player on the team, no matter who they are, where they rank, who their parents are, or how much money they contribute to the university. That's fact.
Perhaps you and martic could stop making excuses for Kamiko and see the real picture. If she listens to Pat, Kamiko will prove herself one way or the other before she leaves UT, but she will be a better person for doing so.
They all have so much room to improve. They demonstrate that game after game. I sure hope Pat doesn't let up on them. That would be a bad sign. She hasn't done it in 37 years.
Remember this, Pat is always there to tell them how special they are, and she lets them know when they are doing a good job. That too, is fact.
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