The Pride of the LadyVols on the LINE vs Baylor

Hello ladyvolnation! Well the two exhibition game are over and done with..defeating Carson Newman by 90, and then defeating Delta State by 33. We all watched how potent our offense can be, when Angie Bjorklund is hitting shots. She was 9-14 for 21pts, and the freshman phenom, Taber Spani…oooh the girl has a shot that is just beautiful, but what I love most is her “nose” for the ball. She has managed to grab 19 rebounds in her first two games as a Lady Vol, with 14 of those being offensive boards. With those two hitting on the perimeter, it opened up the inside game, and we watched Kelly Cain and Glory Johnson go to work against Carson Newman. However against Delta St. Glory was hampered by foul trouble, and at times what looked like fatigue. Without Vicki Baugh on the floor, Glory has to be a presence, no excuse me, Glory must be the ENFORCER. Don’t forget, she was ranked #2 in the country when she came in last season. She is very capable of wreaking havoc on the boards, and scoring in the post.

That brings me to the reason I spoke of “pride” of our LadyVols…last year this team manage to “fail” at almost everything possible. Yeah it was extremely hard for me to type that sentence, but unfortunately it’s true. Last season, teams really believed they could come into the Summit and beat them..and that happened way too much then, but this can be an embarrassment on a whole other level. The last dunks to come in womens basketball all belong to LadyVols, except for the one dunk Sylvia Fowles got in her last season at LSU. Michelle Snow, and Candace Parker have both dunked in games on other opponents floor, most notable Parker in Connecticut. No opponent has dunked on a LadyVol team…EVER! We know Brittney Griner is “itching” to be the first to ever do that…but Kelly Cain has a different thought towards that…NOT IN OUR HOUSE! Kelly is playing great, but most importantly, she looks healthy. She stands at 6’6 and with Griner at 6’8, that battle in the post is going to be something. No matter what, and at ALL cost..there will not be a dunk by Brittney Griner at the expense of the “Big Orange” cause even if we win the game…sportscenter will show that dunk over and over. So memo to all of our post players…you have 5 fouls, use them.

The lineup that worked well together: Cain,Stricklen,Bjorklund,Spani, and Manning. Johnson seemed to flourish coming off the bench. Yet, no matter what 5 players start on Sunday, we should have our way with Baylor. Hopefully our ladys will strap that Orange on…and seek REDEMPTION. As far Cain and Griner…Cain when asked about the game Sunday said; “I’m ready for EVERY GAME”…I’m ready! Brittney get your weight up…your height is superior, but you don’t weigh enough.

 

LadyVolNation Introducing UT LadyVol: Shekinna Stricklen (Passion)

LadyVolNation stand up! Now introducing #40 Shekinna Stricklen aka “The Alexis Hornbuckle Clone” aka “double S-Strictly Sickly” yes I got game! Nation we got another “gem” right here. When last season first started, I just kept praying for Shekinna to be able to adjust to the role that Pat wanted her to play…or should I say roles. I must admit, the first few games I was nervous when she had to run the point, because she looked so much more at ease when she did not have to be the lead guard. Like when Pat had her and Brianna in the game, I could see her relax more and just play her game. But my how things change. As the season wore on, Shekinna continued to blow my mind game after game. She became comfortable with the offense and she was making it “rain” with that jumper.

When the LadyVols played Stanford, we got to see Shekinna display an array of skills on the court. She finished the game with 25pts/7rbs/4ast/1blk…I wondered who would take it upon themselves to become the PASSIONATE leader on the court, and she has definitely assumed this role, wholeheartedly. That is not to say that there are not others on the team who do the same, but when I watch Shekinna play, she wears her basketball heart on her sleeve. I love that about her, and in that way she reminds me of Alexis Hornbuckle. She is a great rebounding guard as well, but another thing she does well is “stop and pop”. Shekinna drives the ball down the lane, and puts on the brakes, and takes that 12 footer in the paint…nothing but net! Just a thing of beauty. She shoots the 3 ball at about 40% clip…and right before she lets go of the ball I yell, “Double S baby…Strictly Sickly”, cause the heads of the defense begins to shake!lol

Now let me define Passion-any powerful or compelling emotion or feeling, as love or hate. When Shekinna Stricklen chose Tennessee, right then I believed she embodied all that it means to don the orange. So for every obstacle she came against (having to play point guard, become a leader to this great group of women) etc..she took it on, knowing and believing that she is playing for the best, with the best, and she can’t give anything less. So every time you see her scream out, or hit the deck going after a loose ball, show love to her teammates, or is taking instruction on the sideline from Pat…though her voice is soft, she will unleash the PASSION!

 

LadyVolNation Introducing UT LadyVol: Brianna Bass

Hello LadyVol fans. I wanted to take the opportunity to help all the fans, even myself, get to know the players a little bit better. I’m currently trying to reach out to each player, whether by myspace, facebook, or any other social media, just to get some type of “inside” scoop on their personalities and why they love basketball so much. Better yet why they wanted to play for the best college team on earth. (hey i’m biased)lol.
Well I would like to start by saying I could not find Brianna ANYWHERE. So this introduction will simply be based off of what I have researched and what is written on the utladyvol.com site. I can say that Brianna reminds us of Shannon Bobbitt in more than just height, but her fiery attitude on the court also reminds us of the former 2 time champion. Brianna has great speed and quickness with the basketball, but last year showed a lack of consistent focus it took to run Pat Summit’s offense.
Her highest scoring game was against Duke, where she scored 14pts/2rbs/2ast. Her career avg as a freshman was 4pts/2rbs/2ast a game.
I believe that Pat was hoping that Brianna would come in and take over where Shannon left off, but leading this talented group of women on the floor seem to be a little bit overwhelming for the “tiny” guard, which lead to Stricklen being made the lead guard. But it’s one thing I noticed, that anytime Pat would have Brianna and Shekinna in the game together, Shekinna was a lot more affective offensively.
I am anxiously awaiting to see where Brianna will fit in as this team becomes filled with even more talent. Incoming freshman Taber Spani, who played point for the USA under 19 squad this summer (won gold),will definitely be competing for the starting point guard position. So I am rooting for Brianna to be ready to lead this team. I know that Brianna had a “small” problem with the assistant coaches last season, causing her to be benched for a game. Yet don’t let that make u think any less of Bass, because she definitely has what it takes to play on this level.
So now Brianna show the LadyVolNation what you got.
UPDATE: AUG. 20, 2009 (VIA UTLADYVOLS.COM Sophomore Briana Bass, who Coach Summitt indicated would be the starting point guard if the season began today, added “I thought as a team, we came out and made great strides today. We really showed off the hard work we put in over the summer in the gym and in our strength and conditioning. We each continue to improve our game and hopefully that will take us to our goal of winning a national championship.” This is what I wanted to hear…way to step your game up Brianna, let’s do this!

 

Stricklen Suffered from Sublaxation of the Patella, no ligament damage!

Summitt on Stricklen’s status for Duke: We’re planning on her being there

By Dan Fleser (Contact)
Originally published 05:45 p.m., February 13, 2009
Updated 05:45 p.m., February 13, 2009

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related linksMore Women’s Basketball

* More pain, but Lady Vols drop Alabama, 80-61
* Stricklen diagnosed with subluxation of patella
* Backcourt’s struggles a reflection on Lady Vols

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Jenny Moshak was clinical. Pat Summitt sounded confident.

No matter the source, a sense of optimism prevailed Friday regarding Tennessee women’s basketball guard Shekinna Stricklen’s recovery from a right knee injury.

Summitt, the Lady Vols coach, went so far as to say Stricklen is part of UT’s plans for Monday night’s game against Duke at Thompson-Boling Arena.

“We’re planning on her being there,’’ Summitt said. “She looks good.”

The 6-foot-2 freshman remaining on crutches Friday after suffering a subluxation of her right patella during Thursday night’s 80-61 SEC victory over Alabama.

Moshak, the Lady Vols’ associate athletics director for sports medicine, didn’t budge from listing Stricklen’s status as day to day.

“She’s rehabbing well and progressing nicely,” Moshak said.

Summitt counts time and Moshak as Stricklen’s best allies in her recovery.

“We have some days; I have a lot of faith in Jenny Moshak,’’ Summitt said. “If (Stricklen’s) not ready, she’s not ready (Monday), but I’m optimistic.”

Asking For Support: Tennessee sophomore guard Angie Bjorklund has written a letter appealing to Lady Vols fans in general and UT students in particular to attend Monday’s game, which is a fund-raiser for breast cancer research.

“This is a cause that is near and dear to the hearts of everyone involved with women’s basketball,’’ Bjorklund wrote. “We all know someone who has gone through the battle with cancer. With the recent loss of coach Kay Yow at North Carolina State, the event is even more important this year.”

All-American Honors: Lady Vols signee Taber Spani of Lee’s Summit, Mo., is one of 20 players who’s been selected for the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association’s High School All-America game, which will take place April 4 in St. Louis. The game is held in conjunction with the Women’s Final Four.