University of Tennessee Athletics
Coach Summitt's Weekly Teleconference Transcript
March 04, 2009 | Women's Basketball
March 4, 2009
On carrying the momentum from Sunday's 75-66 victory over Vanderbilt into the SEC Tournament:
"Obviously I was really happy for our team - to see them put together a pretty good 40-minute game against Vanderbilt, and with that said, I thought our guard play stepped up. I thought Kelley Cain was big and she's been a big force for us. With it being Senior Night- sometimes on Senior Night, seniors struggle a little - but Alex (Fuller) obviously played extremely well for us and has been a terrific leader, as well. Going into the SEC Tournament, obviously we're going down a little bit late just because we've missed so many classes with our travel schedule this year - those Thursday games especially. I want to go in today and go over some of the scouting for Alabama, and try to walk through some of that. Then we will catch a plane and head down (to Little Rock, Ark.) Right now is just a time when we really need to do more scouting than actual practice - just because if we're fortunate to survive and advance, we're going to need our legs and be sharp mentally, too."
Looking back on this past season, how much different has this season been because of the youth of the team and what is the key to getting everyone on the same page?
"Honestly, at times it's felt like a roller-coaster this season because we would have good games and then we'd have games where we'd fall behind and try to rally to the finish line. Some of those we did and others we didn't. Probably the most difficult part about it is it's a young team and (we're) trying to develop some consistent play throughout the 40-minute game. As a coaching staff, we had three games where we thought we really stepped up and played for 40 minutes for the most part, and certainly (last Sunday's) Vanderbilt game was one of those games where I thought we really did a great job. (The others are) Mississippi State at home and Georgia at home. The interesting thing is we've played so much better at home than we have on the road."
In recent memory has there been a senior with as much placed on her shoulders in terms of leadership and working with young players as has been placed on Alex Fuller this year?
"I think the thing that was unique for Alex's situation is being the lone senior and not having anyone to really step up and get that circle with her. She's stood alone for the most part in terms of leadership. The team has responded to Alex, but I don't recall being in that situation in my career of not having but the one senior and really the one voice that is heard day in and day out." (Other lone seniors: Susan Clower, 81-82; Lea Henry, 82-82; Pam Marr, 85-86; Tonya Edwards, 89-90; Daedra Charles, 90-91; Nikki Caldwell, 93-94; Laurie Milligan, 97-98)
Is it a little bit more comfortable going into the tournament knowing you played a complete game just a few days ago?
"I think so. I think, if anything, our young team needed that kind of win for their confidence. That's the thing about young teams. They are a little more fragile. I do think winning was a feel-good for them. And I even think some of the players who didn't play many minutes, because I shortened my bench, you could see they were so into it. And also I think some of them are more eager now to prove they can play with the type of intensity and aggressiveness that we need. Definitely it was a game that they were very proud of and our coaching staff was very proud for them because you hope at some point in time they really will stand up and play well together. They definitely did that against Vanderbilt. Vanderbilt is not a team that gives in by any means. We had to play 40 (minutes) to get that win."
How has Alex Fuller developed her senior year and what kind of intangible does she bring to the team?
"First of all - knowing that she was going to be the lone senior, I think she started in the summer talking to the players and encouraging them to get in to Pratt (Pavilion) and work on their game. The ones that went to summer school benefited from just being around Alex and playing some pick-up. What Alex has done, now, is she has stepped up and provided the leadership by example. She has also held team meetings to get players to be accountable. She had the idea of wanting to bring the team into the film room and have them watch tape of themselves without the coaches, and also we've had them do some of the scouting reports, and of course Alex was the point person on the scouting, as well. We do scouting reports on every player and what their strengths are, how we have to defend them and just making sure that they all are very familiar with the personnel - if you want to close out long on a three-point shooter or close out short on a penetrator. With her knowledge and having been in the program, obviously she played with a couple really great teams, there was a really strong carryover on her behalf to say 'we're going to have to do extra now because we are so young and take some ownership as a team, and not just let the coaches spoon feed (the freshmen) on some of the scouting stuff.' I think she's been about as stressed as the head coach. She's handled it probably a lot better than I have - just because there's no way to fast forward the learning process. It is what it is. You have to continue to teach and re-teach. Repetition is so important with young players. We haven't put in as much in terms of our offensive package. We've tried to simplify that and make our defense a real priority. For young players it's hard for them to sustain that focus and that intensity for 40 minutes. Sometimes we have to shorten our bench or give them fewer minutes and put them back in."
Has Alex Fuller become more vocal this season?
"Typically, for Alex, she is soft-spoken and quiet, but she has turned up her volume this year. She has been a lot more aggressive in her play and also in challenging others to step up and play. She hasn't held back at all. I've seen a different side of Alex in a good way - to go in and challenge her peers. They respond to her because they know how much she cares and they know how much she wants to win."
Lately, Kelley Cain has been shooting 70-percent from the field and playing 24 minutes a game. Did you imagine you'd get this kind of production from her at his point?
"First of all, no. I did not think that we would be able to get the minutes. She has committed to being our go-to player in the paint. She's gotten so much tougher because, while she's still having some pain, I think she's done a great job of continuing to strengthen her quad and work with (Associate A.D. for Sports Medicine) Jenny Moshak, and doing the work in the training room ahead of time. She's just matured so much as a player for us and I like when she's on the floor. Everybody understands to get her the ball. It's hard for people to guard her because she does position so well. She has great hands and a great shooting touch. You better think about (guarding her with) a player and a half. And if that happens hopefully we can get the inside-out game going. We've done that pretty well. She and Alex have played very well together in the high-low game. Kelley drew so much attention in the paint (the last two games) that we had a great inside-outside attack. I thought that, not only Angie (Bjorklund), but I thought Shekinna (Stricklen) benefitted, as well, with inside-out play."
Have you picked your starters for Thursday's game against Alabama yet?
"No I haven't, and I haven't talked to my staff about it yet, either. I would anticipate starting the same way we did last game (Fuller, Stricklen, Cain, Bjorklund and Sydney Smallbone)."
What are your thoughts on Shekinna Stricklen and Glory Johnson making the SEC All-Freshman team, and Stricklen and Angie Bjorklund earning Second Team All-SEC?
"I think, regardless of some of our struggles in some games, those were the players we counted on. With Shekinna and Glory being freshmen, people recognized they have been instrumental in a number of our wins. Of course, with Angie, she just overnight became a marked woman in our program - in terms of everyone keying on her and trying to take things away from her. She's had to work for every shot and every time she's on the floor. That is a compliment, but that also presents a bigger challenge. That's why I'm excited right now, because I think Kelley is playing much better, and I think that opens up options for Angie, Shekinna and Glory. Glory isn't as much of a target because people are trying to guard Kelley."
Do you think freshman struggle more during tournaments with the potential for back-to-back-to-back games?
"Quite honestly I think that's a concern. We don't know how they will respond. It's more an individual thing that just a blanket-team thing as far as 'Will the team cave in?' I think the real question is 'Which players are going to give in to fatigue?' Hopefully as we discuss it and as we open up our first game - we're thinking survive and advance. We may have to do the cold whirlpools. Jenny (Moshak's) been in this business a long time. If anyone knows how to get their leg's back, she knows how better than anyone I've ever worked with. That is a concern, but Jenny has already told them: 'We're going to get your legs back. You just have to do what I tell you to do.'"
Do you have any concerns about Morrilton, Ark., native Shekinna Stricklen playing in front of a home crowd?
"I think she'll be excited to have a lot of people from Arkansas come watch her play. Choosing to leave home and come to Tennessee, that to me, was never a question mark for her because we began recruiting her very early. I remember watching her as a ninth-grader and everyone said then that she had set her school and it was Tennessee. With that said, I know there's going to be a lot of people that come watch her. Hopefully she'll keep her focus on what she has to do on the court. She'll have plenty of time to visit with family and friends, but right now I think she knows what we're counting on her to do for us. She's playing a big role for us and she has all year, but it's even bigger now that we're heading into tournament play."
