WOMENS BASKETBALL

Three things to look for when Lady Vols face Troy

Dan Fleser
dan.fleser@knoxnews.com
Tennessee's Jaime Nared (31) celebrates her team's win against Stanford at Thompson-Boling Arena on Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016. Tennessee defeated Stanford 59-51.

Tennessee's Jaime Nared logged a full 40-minute women's basketball shift on Sunday.

Yet the Lady Vols forward described the grueling work that went into a 59-51 victory over No. 10 Stanford as "refreshing."

The Lady Vols' play was a big relief for a team that already had stumbled to four losses. Hence the feeling of being invigorated, rather than depleted.

"This was a much-needed win for us, for our confidence, for our program, for the tradition, for everything," guard Jordan Reynolds said.

Tennessee (6-4) will strive for a worthy encore against Troy (6-3) at 7 p.m. on Wednesday at Thompson-Boling Arena.  Here's three things to watch for in the final game before UT's Christmas break. The game is available online on SEC Network+ and the WatchESPN app.

1. Playing for each other works wonders

The Lady Vols trailed by 11 points less than five minutes into Sunday's game. They were outrebounded (39-38) and finished with the second fewest field goals (22) in a game this season. But they had each other, more so than in any other game this season. The sum of their mutual support counted the most.

"I think one thing we did (Sunday) that we haven't done consistently is when someone missed a shot (we said), 'OK get the next one,' " Nared said. "Or if we got beat on defense (we said), 'Are you going to get a stop?' Just challenging each other every play to play as hard as you can.

"Just played hard for each other. Played hard for our coaches."

2. Can they close ranks?

While leaving the arena on Sunday, guard Diamond DeShields said she played with a partially torn ligament in her right thumb. She suffered the injury last Wednesday against Appalachian State. The redshirt junior guard said she likely won't play against Troy or UNC Wilmington on Nov 29.

Holly Warlick doesn't talk about Diamond DeShields' thumb injury

Tennessee doesn't have much slack in its roster, particularly in the backcourt. Therefore, Reynolds needs to maintain the aggressiveness that went into Sunday's 14-point performance. A video session with UT coach Holly Warlick helped Reynolds bounce back.

"She wants to go through the whole year without a turnover, not a missed shot," Warlick said.  "I watched tape with her from her freshman, sophomore, and junior years. And I just told Jordan, `Do what you do.' ... She just saw it. She didn't just have to listen to me or believe me. It was in living color on my computer screen."

There isn't as much video available of Meme Jackson. But the sophomore guard needs to produce more than the combined six points, two rebounds and two steals she had against Appalachian State and Stanford. She had eight points and five rebounds against Texas on Dec. 11.

3. Get ready for a workout

While three Lady Vols played 40 minutes on Sunday, Troy utilized eight players for at least 15 minutes the same day in an 81-77 loss to Alabama-Birmingham.

The Trojans average nearly 87 points per game and have a plus-nine rebounding margin. They average nearly 20 turnovers per game but their opponents average 21.4.

The statistics suggest a long, hectic night. The Lady Vols better not mind the work involved.

"We like to think we're in good shape," Nared said. "I think being in good shape is all mental."