Lady Dogs face formidable Vols
January 12, 2006 by JAMIE CWALINSKI
Filed under Sports
The most legendary coach in women’s basketball, a raucous arena jam-packed with devoted fans and a dunking freshman do not intimidate the Lady Bulldogs.
“It’s great to play in Knoxville, with all the fans against you,” sophomore forward Tasha Humphrey said. “We’re really excited.”
Nonetheless, the aforementioned combination will provide the team with its toughest challenge of the season thus far.
No. 17 Georgia and top-ranked Tennessee, two of the benchmark women’s basketball programs in the nation, battle tonight in Knoxville, extending a rivalry built on respect.
“Both schools have been at the forefront for the game, helping push women’s basketball out there,” senior guard Alexis Kendrick said. “It’s a huge rivalry.”
As if the Lady Vols needed more to build on their mystique, they have started the season 15-0 and are fresh off a win this past weekend over perennial March-foe Connecticut.
|
Furthermore, the Lady Vols have not lost an SEC game in Thompson-Boling Arena in their last 61 contests.
For Georgia head coach Andy Landers, it has been a task to not let his team get caught up in the aura of playing Tennessee.
“It has served us well not to make a big deal out of it,” he said. “If we don’t allow them many runs, it can quiet the arena.”
With reigning SEC Player of the Week Humphrey and senior guard Sherill Baker among the nation’s top 50 in scoring, the Lady Bulldogs possess a capable pair of silencers.
However, the difference in depth on either side could provide a problem for the visitors.
The Lady Vols could rotate ten players in the first half, one more than Georgia’s entire roster.
“It’s a big thing to battle against,” sophomore forward Megan Darrah said. “Having fresh legs in a game like this is huge, but I think physically we’ll be all right.”
Tonight’s contest also will be the first time Georgia will have to deal with freshman phenom Candace Parker.
The 6-foot-3 forward, coming off a knee injury that sidelined her last season, has been regarded as the next Lady Vols superstar, partially because of her rare dunking ability.
“She’s very, very good, no question,” Landers said. “For her height, she’s got skills at all three positions.”
Landers himself may be involved in the most intriguing matchup of the night, coaching opposite Pat Summitt.
Summitt and Landers are two of the five women’s coaches to reach 700 wins in a career, with Summitt currently three away from 900.
