Tennessee Lady Vols consider what other SEC teams think of them

Dan Fleser
Knoxville

Dean Lockwood often wonders what other women’s basketball teams are thinking about Tennessee.

 “I put myself in an opponent’s chair when I watch our game,” the Lady Vols assistant coach said, “and say, ‘OK, what are they saying? What are they planning?' ” 

Tennessee guard Jaime Nared (31), center, leads her team in prayer after Tennessee's 82-75 win against Texas at Thompson-Boling Arena on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017.

Lockwood might have a better idea now that No. 7 Tennessee (12-0) is beginning SEC play, facing Kentucky (8-6) Sunday at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Ky. (TV: SEC Network, noon). There are few secrets among conference foes. Coach Holly Warlick’s preview on Friday fit all seasons.

“To me, it’s brutal,” she said, “and that’s in a positive way.”

After putting eight teams in the NCAA tournament field last season, the brutality hasn’t abated. Six teams are ranked 29th or higher in the NCAA’s RPI rankings on Saturday. RealTimeRPI.com ranks the conference second to the Atlantic Coast Conference in overall RPI.

FOLLOW THE MADNESS: NCAA tournament brackets, scores, schedules, teams and more.

The Lady Vols, whose RPI is 15th in both rankings, have improved their profile despite utilizing five first-year players. But league play should be more difficult than UT’s non-conference schedule to date. RealTime currently ranks Tennessee’s strength of schedule at 83rd.

Lockwood believes most SEC teams will be inclined to play to their strengths, rather than adapt for an opponent. That said, both he and Warlick anticipate some general guidelines for facing Tennessee.

Stop Jaime Nared

The senior forward, who scored a season-high 28 points against Stanford last Thursday, leads UT in scoring at 17.9 points per game.

More:UT Lady Vols, Jaime Nared hang on to win over Texas

Teams might fold deterring her into a basic strategy of sagging-man defense or zone. Her shooting has been streaky, as evidenced by her 41.4 percent accuracy (31 percent on 3-pointers). Lockwood is bracing for something more exotic, however.

“I firmly believe before the year is over, somebody is going to box-and-one (defend) her,” he said. “Or maybe try to, once she gives up (the ball), to completely face-guard her and not let her get the ball back.

“Jaime’s poise and composure and her basketball IQ has to kick in at the point.”

How’s UT's defense?

The Lady Vols have been more diverse defensively. Lockwood said they opened in a zone against Stanford and favored that alignment throughout.

But can they be more traditional in guarding one on one?

More:Tennessee Lady Vols end losing streak at Stanford with 83-71 victory

“I do think they’re going to test us in terms of our ability to keep people in front of us and keep them out of the paint,” Lockwood said. “That’s a big plank in the foundation of your defense. You can talk of help and rotation all you want but if you’re continually opening the gates and letting people get into the paint, you’re going to have problems.”

Hit the boards

Tennessee’s per-game average of 49.9 rebounds ranks third nationally and their plus-12.2 margin ranks ninth, indicating a major upgrade in this key attribute.

Tennessee center Mercedes Russell (21) and Texas forward Olamide Aborowa (14) fight for the rebound during Tennessee's home basketball game against Texas at Thompson-Boling Arena on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017.

Being outrebounded 48-35 by Stanford last Thursday suggested otherwise.

“I thought we were doing a good job and then Stanford outrebounded us,” Warlick said. “It should not have happened, but Stanford went harder to the boards than we did.”

Let’s get physical

Tennessee is averaging 28.3 free throw attempts per game. Only UT’s greatest team – the undefeated 1997-98 national championship squad ­– has averaged more attempts per game for a season (28.5).

More:Lady Vols hope success, trends travel with them to first true road games

But what if UT’s aggressive offensive approach isn’t rewarded as much during conference play?

“A lot of things are not going to get called as far as the officiating,” Warlick said. “It’s just a physical, bumping, hard-hitting style conference. You have to understand that. You can’t expect a call. … You have to go out there and play and keep your focus.”

Stay after UT

The Lady Vols have been impressive in both seizing and maintaining leads. They’ve trailed beyond the first quarter just twice so far (versus Wichita State and Marquette).

Tennessee’s Evina Westbrook is defended by Alabama State’s Courtney Lee at Thompson-Boling Arena on Sunday, December 3, 2017.

Such consistency hasn’t precluded a few wobbly finishes, however. UT squandered an eight-point lead down the stretch in regulation against Marquette. An eight-point advantage with 2 minutes, 22 seconds left against Texas shrank to one. Stanford whittled a 17-point deficit to six in the fourth quarter.

More:Evina Westbrook seizing scoring opportunity

Conference play will test what has emerged as one of UT’s best qualities.

“This team is really good at not getting down on themselves or doubting,” Warlick said. “They just keep battling. They get up and they just keep fighting. That is a great sign.”