DES MOINES, Iowa — Don't ignore the importance of the dunk when Tennessee plays Baylor in the Elite Eight of the NCAA women's basketball tournament tonight at Wells Fargo Arena.
A Brittney Griner dunk can be worth more than two points to the Lady Bears. In fact, it seems to energize their entire team.
"I was real excited (when Griner dunked against Georgia Tech on Saturday)," point guard Odyssey Sims said. "I had a towel in my hand on the sideline, and I kept jumping and swirling the towel around.
"It's something that automatically gets us fired up."
UT assistant coach Dean Lockwood knows about that. He said that Candace Parker dunks once had the same effect on the Lady Vols.
"The players were always encouraging her to dunk the ball," Lockwood said. "Because it got them going."
Historical Match-up: No one could promote tonight's game better than Georgia Tech coach MaChelle Joseph.
"I think it's going to be historical for a lot of reasons," said Joseph, whose team lost to Baylor 83-68 in the Sweet 16 on Saturday. "And I think its' a tremendous opportunity for people to come out here and be a part of it.
"I think if you talk about someone that's a pioneer, someone that's changed women's basketball forever, the first name that comes to my mind is Pat Summitt. You talk about a player that has changed the game forever and has made a difference, you talk about Brittney Griner.
"I don't think we're ever going to see another female basketball player with the capabilities that Brittney Griner has. It's unfortunate that one of them has to lose, because both of those teams and programs are so important to women's basketball."
No-Stare Coaching: UT associate head coach Holly Warlick would never downplay the influence UT head coach Pat Summitt has had on her. But her coaching repertoire doesn't include Summitt's famous stare.
"I know what she has given me as far as opportunities, and she has instilled a lot of things in me," Warlick said. "I am not Pat Summitt and I am not going to stare a kid down. That is not me, but I have the principles of what this team is based on and I am going to relate that to these kids."
Williams Factor: Baylor forward Destiny Williams didn't have much of a presence against UT in November with two points and six rebounds in 30 minutes. But she has had a prominent role for the Lady Bears for much of the season, especially down the stretch.
In the last seven games, she has averaged 12.3 points while making 78.8 percent of her field goal attempts. She leads Baylor in rebounding with 9.3 per game.
"Playing with Brittney makes basketball a lot easier," Williams said. "I think we have improved knowing each other offensively and defensively.
"We know how to switch now. We communicate more."
Brittney Griner Dunk vs Ga. Tech
Upset Winner: Baylor coach Kim Mulkey wasn't the happiest of winners after her victory over Georgia Tech.
"I've got plenty to be upset about," she said afterwards.
She was referring, in part, to the game's final minutes during which her reserves lost more than half of a 31-point lead. But she wasn't just disappointed with the play of her second-line players. She also was critical of Georgia Tech coach Joseph's failure to remove her starters late in the game.
"That was an embarrassment to women's basketball," Mulkey said.
Dressing Up: Mulkey draws considerable attention for her flashy game-day wardrobes. Baylor's Brooklyn Pope says the team never knows what's coming.
"We don't get a sneak peak at the closet," Pope said. "I thought she looked nice (Saturday)."
She also looked taller. Mulkey wore a white shirt, red pants and red, platform sandals.
"She's small, but those heels really helped," Pope said.
Mulkey will have a hard time topping the outfit she wore last season when UT played Baylor in Waco.
"My favorite was last year when she wore an all-white suit against Tennessee," Pope said. "It was a pretty nice suit."
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Comments » 36
civilianvol_formerly_marinevol writes:
They should not compare Candace Parker's dunks to Griner's. Griner is 6'8". There would have to be something wrong with a 6'8" man or woman who couldn't dunk.
SummittsCourt writes:
Especially since s/he is on testosterone. Ever here he/r do an interview. Deep voice.
orangecountyvols writes:
Mulkey complaining about the team she beat keeping starters in at the end????? Maybe the margin of her victory wan't enough as a result? Too bad she doesn't have the class most other coaches possess.
RockyToptoNeyland writes:
there's two things brittany griner and anthony davis have in common: they are both ugly, they are both men.
NGage writes:
Brittney Griner is a guy....why hasn't this been brought up, or at least questioned -- by someone? No chest, face looks like a guy, hint of and Adam's apple, and voice like a guy.
Caspian writes:
Mulkey needs to quit complaining about GA Tech not pulling their starters. It makes her look petty. Maybe GT was still trying to win the game. I've got an idea. How about Mulkey coaching her team and let the other coaches make the decisions for their teams.
FanInNevada writes:
And this is one of the potentials for a future Lady Vol coach that has been thrown around by many posters. I still say when the time comes - some time in the distant future - give Holly a chance if she wants it. She's learned from the BEST, obviously has passion and loyalty to Tennessee, knows "the Tennessee way", can speak in public without making stupid remarks, has class, is ethical, and certainly has experienced winning. She may not demonstrate to us the passion we see in say, Mulkey, Caldwell, Mitchell or even Geno, but we don't have to see it as long as the players do. I'm not near ready for the Summitt era to end, but realize that the maximum we might have left is 2 years - according to Pat's earlier statements.
Caspian writes:
I just don't get the gut feeling that Warlick is the right fit for Pat's replacement. I'm a big fan of Pat. I took tennis from her my senior year when she was starting her 2nd year as coach. But I have a hard time seeing her coaching beyond this year. My intuition tells me this is it. I'd be excited about Nicki Caldwell with Kellie (Jolly) Harper as her #2. Muffet McGraw would be an interesting scenario if Dave Hart decides to go outside the Tennessee "family".
SoddyVol writes:
It's kind of like Ala trying to replace "Bear". I'm like their fans were about him. When the time comes, I really want a former Vol for the job. They tried a few that failed but I still hope Tenn. stays in the family.
One_in_West_Knox writes:
Wasn't there a game against Connecticut a few years ago that Griner mentioned that she wanted out of the game?? Connecticut just took it to Baylor, and it didn't seem to faze them about Griner's height or ability to score (or gender, for that matter). I just heard on the Sports Animal that it may be better for the Lady Vols to let Griner have her (or his) way and focus more on dealing with Baylor's other star players to get to the Final Four.
OldVols68 writes:
Nikki has already gone on record saying she is not a candidate, that "they need to look within the current staff"; I tend to agree with those who think if Holly wants a shot at it give her that shot. Otherwise go after Kelly Harper.... At any rate keep it within the Vol family.
mspiggy37 writes:
What is wrong with Mickie DeMoss being the head coach? She broght KY from a "nothing team to a contender" team. She is lots sharper than Holly who can't even speak a complete sentence on TV. Watch Holly's antics on the sidelines...like a chicken with its head cut off.
Go Lady Vols and beat the 6'8" high school boy!!! and shut the Baylor quirt coach up.
deuce209 writes:
Mulkey needs to look no farther than herself for who is an embarrassment to the game. In their game againest Texas A&M in Waco she left her starters in the game until the last 29 sec. Baylor had a 30 point lead with just a little over 2 minutes left in the game. Someone should ask her who is the real embarrassment to the game!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
dcap8424 writes:
I saw on ESPN she can reach 9'2". Let's assume you need 8" above the rim to dunk. So she has a verical of 18".... impressive? She should be backing down players in the post and throwing down one handers in the lane. She can only dunk on breakaways!? Sounds pretty unathletic. Also, she's a man baby.
orangecountyvols writes:
NGage,
As I mentioned on the separate article about Baylor, there is admittedly the fact that Brittney may well be a girl ............ now.
However, we may be all wrong about this individual, still there is a very strong possibility that originally Griner was not a girl. Certainly raises a few question marks.
Anyway, having someone 6:08 who does play more like a guy, is a big advantage. Not too many schools have the obvious advantage.
Again, just a thought here........if not for the
women's rule that you cannot be a one and done in collegiate basketball as the men enjoy, Griner and several other great women's athletes would be long gone to professional ranks.
At least they do get an education, and are not majoring in basketball 101, then $$$$$$$$$$ here we come.
underthehill writes:
I think the vast majority of Lady Vol fans would agree Warlick is not the best choice but may get the nod due to her current status..fans I talk with think it should be Kelly Harper or Caldwell..to go in any other direction would spell the end of Lady Vol basketball as we know it.. need Pat's continued involvement for recruiting as long as possible..
Volunteer-Varmint writes:
I agree. What kind of coach would it be if you're down by 31 and you take out your starters? Answer: An unemployed coach applying for water boy.
I hope and pray the Lady Vols bring their A game tonight and show Baylor what they can do.
Here's a question... If Baylor is down near the end, do you think they'll pull their starters out and rely on their second string to win the game?
Inputs welcome...
kazoo writes:
There is a runner from South Africa named Semenya who suddenly popped up and started running the 800 meter event several months ago--and I think rather quickly set a world record (ck). I know she recently won the world championship in the event. Semenya has a very muscular build, looks just like a man, and needless to say has been very controversial. Her gender has been questioned--and she has been gender tested by, I think, the international olympic committee to determine if she can participate in the Olympicis. The results have not yet been released. I don't think there's much question that "she" has male hormones, or high levels of testosterone, if not more. We'll find out. South Africans, wanting an Olympic champion, are indignant at the investigation.
I think Griner falls into this same category--but as far as I no very few if any questions have been raised. Is she a hermaphrodite or have male hormones or somesuch? I don't raise the issue to denigrate her--and I wouldn't raise it except that in a LOT of ways she has very male characteristics. I take it she passes the most basic eye test, so to speak--but when you take her various physical qualities into consideration, it does raise the question. And it has nothing to do with her height. There are a lot of tall women in the game--and they clearly are women. I would not say that of Griner.
volaholic45 writes:
If there will never be another player like Griner, I can't see how she changes the game forever. Once she's gone, so is her influence, no?
The best strategy may not be to obsess on Griner, but to shut down the supporting cast. Telling yourself you have to stop an unstoppable player could be setting up a failure, when maybe you could do better concentrating on cutting down their point total from other players.
I've heard of HCs getting called out for playing their starters down the stretch of a blowout, but I don't think I've ever heard the charge made by the winning coach.
The worst and saddest storyline tonight is the lady who made women's bball what it is has reached the end of the line, perhaps coaching her last game, and passes the baton to a new generation that will go farther than she. Thanks, CPS; and thanks, Tennessee Lady Vols. See ya! I'll hate that, but watch for the storyline tonight especially if the favorite runs away with it.
If a retirement is in the near future, Holly will be the hire. And she will have a short window to carry on up to past standards - a couple years. Then, if she hasn't been able to do it, someone more established from the Summit coaching tree will get a fresh start.
GONAVY (Inactive) writes:
Mickie DeMoss will not be offered the HC position.
GONAVY (Inactive) writes:
Well said...
abnermc writes:
Is it not a foul to hang onto the rim in Women's BB?
kazoo writes:
If Holly Warlick had taken over the program after our last national title, say, she might have been able to carry on the success of the program. But now? I don't think she'll be able to recruit well enough. UT has slipped in recent years--we haven't been to a final four in four years--and meanwhile other programs have emerged. With PS we've still gotten top recruits (and missed on a significant number, too)--chiefly because of Summitt. I doubt Warlick can do the same competing against uconn, maryland, lsu, stanford, etc. Will be tough. We will be a "name" program without a name coach. Keep in mind that next year's team will have its work cut out, with only one "big" and glory and stricklen gone. I have loads of respect for what Warlick has done for the program, I do, and I'm sure PS wants to reward her, but we'll see the program slip farther if she is named head coach.
As for the Baylor game, in two of our last three losses to that team we have shot horribly. Our game this year was very winnable--but we shot under 30 percent and strangely ran out of steam in the last 8 minutes. Griner didn't have a big offensive game until late--when we seemed to fall apart. Can't let that happen again. If we shoot 40 percent or better, we've got a pretty good shot tonight.
CoverOrange writes:
Speaking of petty, the references to Griner's gender is that.
CoverOrange writes:
Mens or womens, I think I've seen that called about twice in the past 3 decades. The theory that allowing it protects the players from having their feet taken out from under them doesn't wash most of the time, but they never call it.
JBVols1698 writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Caspian writes:
I think Caldwell is saying that now because that's the only thing that she *should* be saying. She's close friends with Holly. She just got to LSU. She has no indication that UT would even offer her the position. There's no way she could say anything remotely resembling "I might be interested in the TN job at some point." But that doesn't mean she wouldn't be interested at the right time and under the right circumstances.
knox_girl writes:
Kim Mulkey is trashy. Enough said about that.
Griner has the build to pose problems for opponents. But she doesn't seem to be very athletic. Good solid defense could shut her down. Also, refs really need to call over the back on her when she bulldozes people for a rebound.
To the comments above, what about Tyler Summit for coach in waiting? Doesn't he want to coach women's? And he has learned from the best. He could take over when Pat is ready to retire. He would have the program's best interest at heart and would uphold UTs and Pat's legacy.
Noogaorange writes:
You are joking aren't you. Tyler never coached a day in College. You want to turn one of the top programs in the nation over to him? Seriously?? I don't think so. GBO
Rich_Is_Re-born writes:
Let's not forget to mention the classless way Baylor's coach handled the situation when Grinder punched that girl who was 2 feet shorter than her. I think she broke her nose and sat for that game. Then she played the next game if I'm not mistaking.
Rich_Is_Re-born writes:
As for the next LV coach...I don't understand why everyone thinks we need a Tennessee person. When they don't win, you'll be the same ones wanting them fired. This is a premier if not the best girls program in the nation. Sorry, but I don't see a person from within "the family" who is qualified to take this job. I personally think you put the full court press on two people and if they don't come then you settle for a "family person". The two people you go after IMO are 1)Carolyn Peck..2)Gale Gestencorf (ex duke/Texas coach). Peck is from New Market Tennessee and won a national title at Purdue which isn't near the program Tenessee is. Gayle (how ever you spell her last name) had her girls at Duke playing. She gave Pat all she wanted at Duke. I know It didn't work for her at Texas, but stuff happens. All I know is the woman can flat out coach. She and Peck are both available and are two of the premier coaching talents in the country. That's not opinion, that's fact.
BIVOLAR_BEARE writes:
Totally agree, with "it's" natural advantages "it" should be as dominant as Wilt was in his day..Wilt was a man among boys and Griner is like a man among girls..Just sayin'
Rich_Is_Re-born writes:
Grinder is a dude, I'm 100% sure of that. I think their coach wants to be a man.
BIVOLAR_BEARE writes:
She's a man, baby..
Colliervol writes:
Rich, all I know is I was a little taken aback when I heard her interviewed. Her voice is deeper than mine and I can sing bass when the mood strikes. Let's just say I think she has an extra chromosome or two and leave it at that.
knox_girl writes:
Halfway serious. :) Obviously not if Pat retires after this season. But I would like to see how he would do coaching under her for a few years.
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