ROSEMONT, Ill. — Tennessee associate head coach Holly Warlick is a former point guard and she deserved an assist for Meighan Simmons' performance against UT Martin.
The junior scored 20 points off the bench in a 72-49 victory in the first round of the NCAA women's basketball tournament. She helped No. 2 seed Tennessee advance to today's game against No. 7 DePaul (TV: ESPN2, 9:30 p.m.)
"Before I was put in, Holly grabbed me and said, 'I want you to play inspired defense, your offense will come to you,' '' Simmons said.
Simmons said that such advice helps her overall play, particularly coming from Warlick.
"I know she expects a lot from me, as well as the other coaches, but I think she's the main one who pushes the issue of me playing really good defense," Simmons said.
One good scoring game often has led to another for Simmons. She also had 20 points against Vanderbilt in early February. She followed that up with a season-high 25 points against Kentucky. Simmons had seven consecutive games scoring in double figures in late December and early January. On two other occasions, she had three consecutive games in double figures.
No Seconds: UT's Shekinna Stricklen didn't continue her torrid second-half scoring against the UT Martin. But she was more pleased with her defense.
"My offense wasn't working, but I feel like I really did good on my defense," said Stricklen, who didn't score in the second half and finished with just seven points. "We had other players come in and step up (offensively).
"That's something I'm not worried about."
In three SEC tournament games, Stricklen had 48 of her 50 points in the second half.
More Defense: In the last four games, opponents have made only 34.9 percent of their field-goal attempts against the Lady Vols.
UT Martin made just 28.8 percent of its field-goal tries Saturday.
Freshman Cierra Burdick had one of her worst offensive games against UT Martin, shooting 0 for 3 from the floor. Yet she thought her defensive effort in guarding the Skyhawks' smaller, quicker guards was her best of the season.
"I just didn't want to be a total liability to my team,'' Burdick said.
Conflicted Feelings: DePaul coach Doug Bruno was asked about Tennessee coach Pat Summitt at Sunday's press conference and sounded as if he hasn't come to grips with her being diagnosed with early onset dementia, Alzheimer's type.
"Ever since Coach Summitt's diagnosis, I don't know if I'm in denial," he said. "I kind of refuse to accept it. This is just a great coach to me. She has been in the game forever.
"And I just believe she will be in the game forever."
Home Feeling: Although Allstate Arena isn't DePaul's home arena, the Blue Demons had a decent turnout for Saturday's game, drawing a crowd of 4,161. Despite tonight's late tipoff, they are hoping that not playing on St. Patrick's Day will help even more.
"Our crowd always does a great job of supporting us," Deanna Ortiz said. "Now, with St. Patrick's Day behind us, I think we will get even more support."
Sharper Shooting: UT freshman point guard Ariel Massengale hasn't shot much lately, but her accuracy is improving nonetheless.
In her last six games, Massengale has made 10 of 18 field-goal attempts. In the previous four games, she was 2-for-15 from the field.
Notebook: Bruno coached UT's Vicki Baugh in USA Basketball. ... Michael Fahey, the Lady Vols video coordinator, is from Chicago and dates former DePaul player Sam Quigley.
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 12
butch31 writes:
I wish people would become more *EDUCATED* with dementia. All it is IS mood swings! U have to take a step backwards. SLOW DOWN or life will pass u by. Coach Summit is fine. If she was NOT fine she would NOT be there. 59 is NOT old either. I think she has a good 5 years left in her. So we will get that no#9 believe that. Meighan has really impressed me defensively this year. Meighan has really grown up, and will be a great UT Lady Vol! Believe that.
flatrock writes:
M. Simmons has the quickness and athleticism to be a shut-down defensive PG (please do not EVER ask her to be the offensive PG again!)- so far, she has chosen not to be...Hope she continues to mature and understand how important it is to be able to cause the other team's PG to pick up the dribble or start the offense far, far from the basket...I firmly believe that Lady Vols' best line-up is to have M. Simmons play wing on offense, then guard the other team's PG; and to have K. Williams run the offense, and to guard the other team's 2 guard.
SneakyPete writes:
I'm not trying to downplay dementia, but:
"The junior scored 20 points off the bench?"
Meighan Simmons a Junior?
cdtnladyvols931#663910 writes:
Meighan Simmons is a Sophmore!!!!!!!
RoadTrip writes:
You either; (1) know absolutely nothing about the disease, or (2) are joking and looking to mix it up with someone. I hope it is (2). Because if it is (1) you have serious issues and may have the disease yourself. I invite you to visit the local chapter of the Alzheimer's Association nearest you for an education. Better yet, volunteer at a local nursing home or assisted living facility in the memory care unit to experience personally the folly of your statements.
topgun writes:
Wow, please for your own sake--go see a real doctor immediately!!! Your brain is seriously malfunctioning!!
Mood swings?? loss of short and long term memory and other associated sypthoms are--mood swings?? Sooner or later, not knowing who you are and not recognizing your family and having to rely upon the assistance of others in a "home" is a--mood swing??
This post has to be a bad attempt at a cruel joke and should not be taken seriously by anyone.
Bubba_Knows writes:
This team just does not look very good to me. I hope I'm wrong, but I'll be shocked to see it get to the Final 4 this year. Either way, I'll pull for them all the way.
SneakyPete writes:
I know that she's a soph and you know she's a soph, but does the reporter have access to the same info (in my Fred G... S-a-n-f-o-r-d (period) voice)?
butch31 writes:
LOL...I was diagnosed it in November 2007! What question CAN I ANSWER for you?
butch31 writes:
Your typing to me, I was diagnosed in November 2007. What questions can I answer for u? What stage am I in? LOL! It never cases to amaze me the IGNORANCE level on these boards. Obviously dementia has STAGES, for both age groups and species. Lets use intelligence before attacking. Trust me COACH SUMMIT is all good, if NOT she would NOT be coaching.
Why be negative and condescending when responding? R U ANGRY? Did I ANGER U? Don't ever question someone U KNOW NOTHING ABOUT! Its a great rule of thumb to SURVIVE by! Take your IGNORANCE and keep it. I'll be praying for you!
topgun writes:
It's late in the post and this article has generated very few comments--so, I don't know if you or anyone else will read this. But it is meant for you as a more personal response to your comments.
I'll responpond to yourpost in a serious manner. I'm glad that your experience with dementia is simply a few mood swings. And I hope your mind stays sharp until you reach about 120 years old. But, just because "you" only have mood swings is not to be generally applied to the human population who suffer from this disease. And, (from newspaper reports)when Pat sits down with Tyler and discusses her sympthoms--forgetting where things are, losing things,etc.---that's not a "Mood swing"--that is loss of memory.
If Pat is only having a few mood swings, how is it that Holly Warlick is doing all of the coaching, post game interviews,etc., and Pat sits there with very little reaction to the game?? Truth is, Pat had mega mood swings back in the National championship years..the glare, the look, the stomp the emphatic advice to the refs, etc., etc. Then maybe a big smile, a pump for a good play, and lots of excitement in the huddle during timeouts, etc. That was some real mood swings. Nothing like that going on now.
You have your personal experience, but I have my experience too. I have some very close family members who suffered from this disease. One who derterioated into a mindless shell of a body who did not know who she was and did not know her own sons and daughters when they would visit her. She had little or no reaction to her environment or to the people around her, etc., etc. She NEVER had a mood swing.
Bottom line, though, I'm glad you have done so well for so long and wish you the very best. I just hope that Pat can have many quality years to enjoy her life.
butch31 writes:
There is only 3 stages...Coach Summit is obviously in stage 1, she would NOT be working if she was in any other stage.
I appreciate your concern, and condolences. I have M.S., Epilepsy, and Spondylitis as well LOL. I am former division 1 basketball player. I stay in shape, eat healthy, and stay in TOUCH with reality.
Dementia is NOT as bad as when u 1st get diagnosed with it. U change your lifestyle. I'm glad I run a lot, it helps.
A lot of people who give up, usually advance to the 2nd & 3rd stage. Also known as the mid stage, and the late stage!
I was really nervous after getting the dye injected, and do the MRI of the brain, My doctor was awesome, we JOKED a lot about it.
I have moments when I can't recall things, I don't get alarmed or angry, I let go, and let GOD! Coach Summit is doing very well, I'm glad she designated coaching to the other coaches. If she stops coaching, that's when I would be nervous.
Most athletes will be affected differently, we are pretty much expect things to be done our way, when they don't the mood swings kick in.
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