A matchup with top-ranked Duke may be only two days away, but Tennessee women’s basketball coach Pat Summitt wants the Lady Vols’ focus on another team – Vanderbilt.
The Commodores (14-2, 2-1 SEC) head into Thompson-Boling Arena tonight fresh off an upset victory over 22nd-ranked Auburn Sunday. Vanderbilt trailed by as many as 14 points in the game, but rallied with a 16-1 second-half run to come away with the victory.
Summitt expects the same effort from the ‘Dores when they take the court against her second-ranked Lady Vols (14-1, 4-0) at 7.
“I look forward to playing a Vandy team that has a strong perimeter game that will challenge us,” she said. “They have strong post play as well and (Jenni) Benningfield will challenge us inside with her versatility.”
Benningfield, who came into the season as Vanderbilt’s leading returning scorer, has been sidetracked over the past few weeks with a stress fracture in her right foot. In the three games preceding Sunday’s victory, she averaged 5.5 minutes-per-game.
Against Auburn, Benningfield tested the injury for 17 minutes and left Summitt with the impression that she’ll be ready to play.
“I thought she stepped up in the Auburn game and seemed to be able to move and be aggressive,” Summitt said. “She is a competitor. I am sure she hasn’t been at 100 percent, but I would expect her to be ready to play against us.
“We have great respect for what she brings to their team. She provides them with leadership and a go-to player.”
With Benningfield providing Vandy a strong inside presence, Summitt said her post players are up to the challenge defensively.
“This is the best post game we have had in the last three years,” the 30th-year coach said. “I say that because Ashley Robinson has really stepped up her intensity at both ends of the floor.
“Shyra (Ely) is committed on defense, and Tye’sha Fluker is giving us some quality play off the bench, as is Courtney McDaniel of late. It is a strong inside game.”
Vanderbilt’s post game is subsidized with strong guard play. Though injuries haven’t let Commodore coach Melanie Balcomb settle into a stable starting lineup, her guards have shown flashes of brilliance.
Junior guard Abi Ramsey hit for 20 points in Sunday’s victory, including Vanderbilt’s first 14 points. Senior small forward Hillary Hager also played a significant role in that contest with 18 points, 14 in the second half.
Regardless of which players step on the court for the Commodores, Robinson said the Lady Vols are prepared for the challenge.
“I think games like these are a great challenge for us,” she said. “They are preparing us for the SEC Tournament. Playing against a team like Vanderbilt is good for us as a team to see how we respond.”
Reaching a new Summitt: Tonight’s contest will mark Summitt’s 1000th game as a collegiate head coach. In her 30th year as the Lady Vols’ coach, Summitt has compiled an 835-164 record.
To her, though, it is just another game.
“Everyone is always counting all these numbers,” Summitt said. “A thousand games seems almost impossible, but it can happen when you are having fun and enjoying what you do. Coaching and teaching every day is still my passion.”
