JOHN ADAMS

John Adams: Lady Vols' lackluster win underscores value of Diamond DeShields

John Adams
USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee

In a best-case scenario for Tennessee, no one from the NCAA tournament selection committee was watching Sunday afternoon.

Tennessee's Diamond DeShields supports her teammates from the bench during the second half of the game against Arkansas on Sunday, Feb. 19, 2017, at Thompson-Boling Arena. Tennessee beat Arkansas, 59-46.

Never mind that the Lady Vols defeated Arkansas 59-46 at Thompson-Boling Arena. They did nothing to bolster their seeding for the NCAA tournament.

They did manage to end a two-game losing streak with a fourth-quarter surge against the Razorbacks (13-14, 2-12), who lost their eighth consecutive game and occasionally reminded you why they’re the worst team in the SEC.

Jaime Nared, 3-pointers lead Lady Vols past Arkansas

However, Arkansas frequently looked every bit as formidable as Tennessee (17-10, 8-6).

“I thought we were going to win the game at halftime,” Arkansas coach Jimmy Dykes said. “Our whole team did.

“I thought we were playing harder than they were. I thought our energy was good. I thought we should have been up eight or 10 points.”

Instead, they led 23-22. The narrow margin was no mystery. Although the Razorbacks often were able to get to the basket, they couldn’t close the deal.

“I think one of the formulas is to drive on them,” Dykes said. “We had some success, just not enough. … We missed three or four layups.”

Failed layups weren’t the only examples of a terribly flawed game. Tennessee made just 36.8 percent of its field-goal attempts, and Arkansas was even worse at 33.3.

Rebounding sometimes was as unimpressive as the shooting.

Early in the third quarter, a missed free throw by UT's Mercedes Russell bounced off the floor before an Arkansas player claimed it. In the fourth quarter, Arkansas guard Malica Monk rebounded a Tennessee miss while in a crouch. And she’s 5-foot-5.

UT coach Holly Warlick praised her team’s fourth-quarter burst of energy. But that begged the question: Where was the energy in the first three quarters? It’s as though this team constantly has to be reminded to play hard.

Tennessee’s performance at least underscored the value of Diamond DeShields, who hasn’t played since the first quarter of Thursday’s Alabama loss. She was taken off the floor on a stretcher after her head struck an Alabama player.

Not only does DeShields have the ability to create offense. She can force tempo with her athleticism and aggressiveness at both ends of the floor.

Warlick’s postgame assessment suggested DeShields will return soon.

“I don't think it's something that she will be out a long time,” Warlick said. “It’s precaution.”

Tennessee won’t play again until Thursday when it closes out its home schedule against Florida. The Lady Vols beat Florida 84-75 in Gainesville in late January, thanks largely to 27 points from DeShields.

Warlick said playing without DeShields has “given me an appreciation for Diamond. It also gives me a different appreciation for our team. Players had to step up.”

Credit guard Alexa Middleton with the biggest steps. In the past two games, she has made 12 of 27 shots and scored 31 points, including 17 against the Razorbacks.

DeShields at least contributed from the bench Sunday.

“She was very positive and into every play,” Warlick said. “I think that helped our players.”

But she helps much more when she’s on the court.

John Adams is a senior columnist. He may be reached at 865-342-6284 or john.adams@knoxnews.com. Follow him on Twitter: @JohnAdamsKNS.

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