NASHVILLE - Tennessee wanted to cross up Georgia with its defensive strategy Saturday afternoon.
First, the Lady Vols had to make sure they weren't confused for a semifinal game at the SEC women's basketball tournament. The coaches raised some eyebrows at the morning shooting practice when they asked the players to line up in a man-to-man alignment.
"Really?'' said guard Kamiko Williams, describing her reaction. "OK. Never mind about the zone."
UT had something else in mind besides solely relying on a defense that was instrumental in a 33-point rout in the regular-season meeting with the Lady Bulldogs.
"If you played 40 minutes of zone the first time, they're probably going to have worked on it,'' associate head coach Holly Warlick said.
Despite the short notice, the Lady Vols made the new plan work almost as well as the old one. They held Georgia without a basket for the first 10-plus minutes in an 82-58 victory.
Led by freshman point guard Meighan Simmons' 18 points, Tennessee (30-2) eventually gained enough scoring traction to lead by as many as 27 points before a crowd of 10,207 at Bridgestone Arena. Glory Johnson scored 14 points and grabbed nine rebounds. Angie Bjorklund scored 10.
Jasmine Hassell scored a game-high 20 points, 16 in the second half, for Georgia (21-10).
UT will face Kentucky today (TV: ESPN2, 5:30 p.m.) in a rematch of last season's championship game. The Wildcats beat Vanderbilt 69-56 in the other semifinal.
Although they occasionally lined up a zone, the Lady Vols spent the majority of the first half playing man-to-man. The Lady Bulldogs still looked perplexed, missing their first 13 shots before Khaalidah Miller hit a 3-pointer from the top of the key with 9 minutes, 55 seconds left before halftime.
"I think this was one of our best games talking on defense,'' UT center Alyssia Brewer said. "The first couple minutes of the game you could tell they were confused and didn't know what to do. We just were talking the entire time."
The Lady Bulldogs were struggling in the same manner as a 77-44 loss in Knoxville on Feb. 21.
"I think we weren't very comfortable in the offense," Georgia forward Porsha Phillips said. "We didn't settle down."
The Lady Bulldogs were fortunate that Tennessee wasn't very comfortable in its offense either. After a solid start, the Lady Vols' shooting percentage dipped to 30.4 percent as they went 7:04 between baskets by Taber Spani and Bjorklund.
"It's nice to see that even when we don't make shots, our defense keeps us up in games,'' Spani said.
Georgia was lurking within 35-22 at halftime and mustered 36 points in the second half. But Tennessee found its second scoring wind and countered with 47 points, shooting 56.3 percent (18 for 32) in the final 20 minutes.
"We have our moments where our defense is blase,'' Williams said. "But for some reason we always have a good offensive game. Even if our shots aren't falling for a moment, it (eventually) starts clicking."
Brewer volunteered a reason why.
"Teams talk about they have weapons,'' she said. "I think our weapon is having so many players that you can put on the floor and get something out of."
Such a luxury allowed Bjorklund to second guess the missed 3-pointer that ended her streak of consecutive treys at nine.
"Right when it left my hand,'' she said, "I'm like: 'I probably shouldn't have' …"
Since Tennessee emptied its bench and only Simmons played more than 26 minutes, forward Alicia Manning took the strategy initiative for today.
"I think our team is so prepared with our conditioning and how deep our bench is,'' she said. "A lot of other teams are only playing seven or eight players.
"I think that's going to pay off (today). I'd love to get out and run them in the ground early."
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 » 48
SummittsCourt writes:
Great team win. The Lady Vols are playing well and are looking final four worthy. Go Lady Vols.
Ga_Dave writes:
Georgia Dave always loves it when VOLS beat UGA. Go girls, get the game Sunday and it's on to NC. GBO and GLV!!!!!!!
xvolx writes:
They'll go as far as Simmons takes them. She is definately the fuse that ignites this team.
govols1234567 writes:
These women are playing on fire. I wish we could add a few to our mens team...
dwa7#337691 writes:
early predict:
Lady Vols 72
Commodoors-ettes 63
RLL59 writes:
Unless Angie's foot was bothering her, there's no logic for having her on the bench until trhe middle of the half.
Unless Coach Summitt is simply determined to continue the failing experiment with Meighan at the point into the later rounds of the NCAA tournament, there is no logic for Kamiko to sit on the bench until 6 minutes left in the half and then come in at the 3 position, especially after her very strong performance for 26 minutes at the point against Florida.
Unless someone thinks we can win the NC by having our point guard, whoever it might be, take the most shots, there is no logic that would have Shekinna touch the ball so infrequently as she did in the first half.
Better game by the players than by the coaches. Good to see Glory and Shekinna getting all those minutes. But the lack of consistent time together on the court by any group of 5-7 players will be the Lady Vols achilles heel against the other top teams in the country. The best chance for the Lady Vols to overcome that weakness at this late stage is for UConn and Baylor to lose starters due to injury or foul trouble. At least there's a better chance of that happening than winning the lottery.
On another topic, it is really amazing to see the comaraderie among the Lady Vol players. No jealousy evident there at all. That's a credit to them and to the coaching staff because there are so many good players vying for playing time. It's also clear that the players personally like, respect and appreciate the coaches.
VOLDoll writes:
Link?
bowman58#262482 writes:
Mike, you seem to know everything, so why don't you tell us exactly why there is a burr under Pat Summitt's saddle. You know exactly why she's ticked-off. We all know the answer........do you?
abnerPeabody writes:
If your Coach,as well as yourself would act the part,maybe there would be nothing to bash anyone about.Geno is the paste that comes from the bowls of an animal.You are in the same class.
CCLC writes:
"the paste that comes from the bowls of an animal."
good grief!
abnerPeabody writes:
That is right cclc.They are both a big pile of it.
peerlessvolfan writes:
Can we borrow Angie Bjorklund for the men's team tomorrow for some of her 3 pointers?
cheetara writes:
Especially when Simmons plays like she did today! Under control! She had a good game!
huntined#565710 writes:
Got to beat both KY. teams tomorrow!!!
VolunteerLifer writes:
Thanks for sharing, Mike. Now, try to get some rest.
proud2btnvol (Inactive) writes:
You sound bitter to me. Ignorant and bitter.
mountainbrook writes:
U Conn cheated. Get over it.
BIGEJ writes:
As KNS staff member, you really need to stop trying to "hook" people with really OLD news....try to be original....I forgot, you work for KNS...
punkin writes:
Why don't you tell Pat to her face. She would kick your arse.
tovolny writes:
Mike, take two hand grenades and call me in the morning. You will be over your missery, and we will be too.
The stuff to which you are referring is old news. Look at the new stuff. Check with Uconn's compliance people about the questions concerning recruiting trannys. Its raises great merriment. Not true, but hilarious.
abnermc writes:
I detect a little jealousy there Mike.
ddayvolsfan#238252 writes:
Why don't you just stay off of the Vols site. We do not want to hear the BS that comes from you and the rest of the cheaters in the U-CONvict program. I think that Geno has ruined the game and that Pat has done more for the women's game than anyone in the history of the NCAA. So stick that in your petty jealous pipe and shove it!!!!
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
I'll have my Cocker Spaniel mark your words; that's about how much they're worth.
ps11824 writes:
How generous, Mr Fleser, a five-sentence article on Lady Vols advancing to SEC Tournament Finals. Are you busy?
Mike, you need to stop posting here. You are ugly, mean, nasty and unappreciated here. Go spew off in Connecticut, where it blends in with the environment. We have restrictions here in TN. You are toxic. Go away.
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
Except the ladies will be playing the lady Wildcats.
orangecountyvols writes:
DDayvols and other Vol fans,
You said it. This Mike troll is drawn to our site uncontrollably isn't he? Someone tell me this.....
does U Conn even have a site for women's basketball? Apparently not. We know this.........even so, we are disinterested in reading anything about the little guy who can't coach men's basketball.
Beg Mike. We love hearing you whine.........the pathetic troll that you are. Find your way back to where you hang out, and peck away on your keyboard, then you can regain your bandwagon position.........
Vols can't stay out of your pathetic head, can they?
maxvolfan#217855 writes:
Yeah I cant wait to see how that Pudgy rosy cheek Dolsons baby is going to guard Glory if we were to ever meet. She will foul out in the first half trying to guard Glory. Or even Cain for that matter. IMO I dont think UConn even makes it to the final four. We shall see. But no one is playing as great of basketball as our ladies right now. GLV!!!
dead_vol_foul (Inactive) writes:
Mike, in the midwest there is some good women's basketball and good fan support.
It is starting to pick up...states like Illinois need to keep their talent (Candace Parker, for example) at home.
You've hit a key, maybe inadvertently:
the womens' game almost needs Pat, Geno, and Tara to step aside so that more teams can grab talent.
dead_vol_foul (Inactive) writes:
xvol...
you are falling into that old trap:
Simmons is ALLOWED to do her thing because everyone else is doing their job.
To win, every player has to do their assignment.
I see it all the time in HS ball where I live: the press and fans go off about how 'great ' some player is, and completely ignore the fact he/she has 4 other kids out there passing the ball, playing D...
xvolx writes:
You're wasteing your time posting about the NY Times here. Who's going to believe what a commie, left wing , socialist, biasied and going out of business newspaper has to say about anything. We're Tennessee. We'll ask Pat when we want to know the truth about recruiting at UConn.
xvolx writes:
I don't remember saying anything about Simmons playing five other ladies by herself. I believe her five assist, four rebounds and one steal puts to rest anything but that she is team player and a leader. Summitt knows that and that is why she played more minutes than anyone. You keep the trap. I'll take the cheese.
flatrock writes:
Good win. Georgia played scared- and LV
depth buried them early.
-M. Simmons played much better after a dismal
game Friday.
-Two questions: how come S.Stricklen, the SEC's MVP, only gets 8 shots and 26 minutes?
How come K. Williams, whose calm leadership
at PG was crucial in SEC play, barely saw action at PG and instead took S. Stricklen's minutes at wing?
-S. Stricklen and K. Williams combined for 37
minutes- yet M. Simmons had 34 minutes in a game
that was never in doubt.
Two-game Plus/Minus totals:
-G. Johnson: plus 55 in 58 minutes;
-S. Stricklen: plus 42 in 60 minutes;
-M. Simmons: plus 27 in 50 minutes;
-A. Bjorklund: plus 22 in 32 minutes;
-K. Williams: plus 22 in 37 minutes;
-A. Brewer: plus 20 in 28 minutes;
-T. Spani: plus 19 in 40 minutes;
-A. Manning: plus 16 in 31 minutes;
-K. Cain: plus 15 in 22 minutes;
-V. Baugh: plus 12 in 15 minutes;
-L. Avant: plus 10 in 11 minutes.
UTVOLSRROCKN writes:
WTG Lady Vols! This team is really playing well together! Let's beat KY tomorrow and hope the men do too! Flatrock, I don't know the answers to your questions. All I know is we keep winning!GLV!
SoddyVol writes:
in response to Mike_In_Connecticut:
Would you lie? NY Times just copied some OLD quotes from the past. Pat said NOTHING NEW about Geno or UConn when the reporter from the NY Times talked to her. This reporter, like most Times reporters, is not above writing misleading reports. That reporter tried his best to dig up any dirt he could possibly find. He dug up old quotes from 2008 and seems to have called as many of her friends as he could and perhaps didn't even quote them correctly. At one time I, like you now do, read the Times. (I read this one article after your post). However, I quit them when some of their reporters were found guilty of Plagiarism and other things.
Vol72 writes:
Great game Lady Vols! I just hope you all are ready for Kentucky's pressure. If you consistently make them pay for pressing, they will back out of it. If UT force Kentucky into playing a half-court game they should win. I watched the Alabama High School 6A State Championship between Bob Jones and Hoover. Let me say I see why CPS offered Jasmine Jones #23 on Bob Jones. Hoover played a Box and 1 to contain her. She is 6'1", but plays like she is 6'6". This girl snatched 14 rebounds out of the air killing Hoover's chance of any second chance point. She sprints the floor with the guards and can leap and block shots. Even though she only scored 9 points because of the Box and 1. She had key steals and even blocked shots. One time I saw her out pressuring the guards of Hoover and bringing the ball up the court. In the semi-final game Jasmine Jones scored 21 points for Bob Jones. She also led her team with 12 rebounds, was 7-of-10 at the foul line and had a game-high four steals. She is a player. She does need to add some weight, but she is cat quick and have some pretty post moves. By just looking at her physically you make think she is just an average player, but watch her play and you will be shocked because she battles and is tough.
ps11824 writes:
"I think that's going to pay off (today). I'd love to get out and run them in the ground early." — A Train quote ]]]
I'd like to see that too. Please do, and while you are doing that, please score off every possession. That would make me very happy.
Is there any way we could exclude the pest from this site? I realize we have to be "the pickers" and ignore the crapusdelingus, but I'm thinking how lovely the garden would be without the snakes.
My goodness, it's time to win an SEC Championship here. Snakes, crawl up in Vandy's or Andy's bus, please, and leave us. It's just UT & the Kats today.
pammyvol1000 writes:
Go Lady Vols!! Beat Ky. But beware, they will bring it today so we need an A game from everyone.
SummittsCourt writes:
First off, lay off the stupid pills because you are starting to OD on them.
Second, geno the cheater is slimy and does cheat in recruiting and there is proof of that.
Third, get used to the word "Vacate" because it will be a part of the UConn legacy in both men's and women's games.
Forth,dude, sometimes it's good to leave your grandma's basement to get some fresh air and perspective on things.
And lastly, the coaches you mentioned are not excactly choir boys when it comes to basketball so they are a good group to compare your cheater coach with.
Fall_Creek_Vols writes:
What an impressive win. Why, even UConn fans are beginning to notice!
Game ball: Meighan Simmons. The assists she dished off to her teammates were gorgeous. This will add a new dimension to her game and will make her even more dangerous. I don't think it's coincidental that she also scored 18.
This was another complete effort by the entire team. It's the blueprint for success for the rest of the season.
Go Lady Vols!
Fall_Creek_Vols writes:
Keep drinking the Kool-Aid, Mike. It'll all be over soon enough.
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
The NYT isn't completely useless.... has great crossword puzzles.
12Hours writes:
OK, Mike, I just read the NY Times story. I've always been pretty good with reading comprehension so I'm confused.
I didn't read anything that could be viewed as "putting her foot in her mouth", "starting more trouble", or "being bitter and jealous".
If that's what you took from the story, then I would suggest a remedial reading comp class for you.
Have a good day.
Fall_Creek_Vols writes:
What flavor IS that Kool-Aid, Mike?
Have you always been this gullible?
Fall_Creek_Vols writes:
...meanwhile, back to the team.
Game Ball Honorable Mention/Sportsmanship Award: Alicia Manning. Loved the way she dished to Brianna and Sydney in the closing moments. I wish Syd had hit hers.
When you have a team this deep AND they are unselfish, great things can happen.
volsgirl writes:
Hey Ladies get them Wilcat....then Championship next....Go GOB!!!!!
madrigal writes:
Mike_in_Connecticut is a troll. Y'all ought to quit answering him.
This is going to be an interesting game, as the UT-UK games all have been in recent years. It's nice that UK is finally taking the women's game seriously. These games are almost like UT vs. UT about 10 years ago, and UK is catching up.
ladyvolsfan789 writes:
It's exciting to see the lady vols playing so well. Cain came in and played really well especially on defense. She missed a couple close ones, but that's probably a result of being sidelined for so long. She's a big part in preventing other teams guards from killing us off the dribble drive and she should be hitting those shots when the NCAA tournament rolls around and she has had a bit more time in practice. Alicia Manning has really stepped up her play these last couple games.
Something interesting I noticed was that one of the ESPN announcers said that Simmons brings energy to the team while posters here have said that Williams brings a calming effect. So we should have Simmons play point when the team needs the boost to stay motivated and energetic, but have Williams play point when the team is playing out of control and we need to calm down.
ps11824 writes:
I think this the least coverage the Lady Vols have EVER had during their run in the Southeastern Conference Tournament. It's a sad, sad, story, the KNS fellers that pretend to cover the Lady Vols. It seems 'stink' sells more papers. Strife, sanctions, violations mean more to the hometown media than a perfect run up to the conference tournament championship. Well, I 'spose they have their headers prewritten for tonight's game, and they're all chillin' back crackin' wise against the men for losing to the tomKatz earlier today.
Anyway, let's not have any sleepwalking tonight, Lady Vols. GJ, you have my permission to get yourself that MVP trophy tonight. Get this one won and go celebrate tonight, rest tomorrow, then get busy and get serious about cleaning up those ugly turnovers. Get up a few hundred free throws a day, and work on avoiding those missed chippies too.
I love you, Lady Vols, no matter what. Stay tough. Play fair and with heart. Shine it up and bring it home.
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