John Adams: Georgia players could decide UT-Louisville matchup

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Jeff Walz doesn’t downplay the challenge of defending Tennessee guard Diamond DeShields in Monday night’s second-round NCAA women’s basketball tournament game at the KFC Yum! Center.

“I’m hoping she thinks the game is at 9:30,” the Louisville coach said.

“She’s so explosive. She’s got an unbelievable pull-up jump shot, is extremely quick and pushes the ball in transition as well as anyone I’ve seen on film.”

And in a program famous for famous players, DeShields fits right in, according to UT coach Holly Warlick. She expanded on that when asked how DeShields ranks with other UT greats like like Bridgette Gordon, Chamique Holdsclaw, Tamika Catchings and Candace Parker.

“We put her in that class,” Warlick said. “She can do things that Catchings did. She can do things that Holsclaw did. She can learn from them as well. I think she can rebound more.

“God has blessed her with a lot of talent.”

While Louisville will try to hold DeShields in check, Warlick has concerns of her own trying to devise a defense for Louisville’s Asia Durr, a high-scoring sophomore guard who is averaging 19.1 points per game and has made 40.3 percent of her 3-point shots.

“I’ve watched Asia since she was a young kid,” Warlick said. “She’s just a complete package. She’s going to be a difficult defend for us.”

►Related: Lady Vols need shipshape effort in showdown with Louisville

DeShields and Durr likely will have a huge say-so in which team advances to the Sweet 16 of the Oklahoma City Regional.

They’re also a testament to the outstanding basketball talent in the Atlanta area. DeShields, a redshirt junior, played at Norcross High School. Durr, a sophomore, starred at St. Pius X Catholic in Douglasville.

“You kind of know what you’re getting into when you sign up to play basketball in Georgia,” DeShields said. “There’s a lot of talent.”

►Related: Lady Vols, Louisville rely on pressure defense

Despite their Atlanta-area basketball roots, Durr and DeShields have never played against each other.

“We had a chance in travel ball,” Durr said. “But it never happened.”

Durr chose Louisville over Maryland, Duke, Baylor, Notre Dame and Tennessee. DeShields first signed with North Carolina, where she starred as a freshman before transferring to UT.

Like DeShields, Durr had an immediate impact at the college level. As good as she was as a freshman, she has been even better this season.

In Saturday's first-round game against Chattanooga, she made 10 of 16 shots, 5 of 9 3-pointers and scored 27 points in 32 minutes.

“Asia has been playing with a lot of confidence the last month and a half,” Walz said. “She has really been efficient."

DeShields, who is averaging 17.5 points, also was efficient in Tennessee’s first-round victory against Dayton. She had five assists, five rebounds, two steals and scored 24 points on 8-for-14 shooting from the field and 8-for-10 accuracy at the free-throw line.

She might have to be just as productive if Tennessee hopes to overcome Durr and Louisville on their home 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.