Game Info: 5:00 pm EST Wed Dec 29, 2004
Tennessee freshman phenom Candace Parker may finally see her first action.
The eighth-ranked Lady Vols could have their star recruit on the court when they visit No. 24 Rutgers on Wednesday.
Parker underwent a pair of surgeries to repair loose cartilage in her left knee in the offseason. The 6-foot-3 freshman missed the first six weeks of her 2003-04 season in high school while recovering from surgery that July.
Tennessee team orthopedist Dr. William T. Youmans cleared Parker to begin practicing on Sunday after she underwent an MRI on Dec. 20. Coach Pat Summitt has not indicated when Parker will play.
``I have no idea. I'm just excited,'' Summitt said.
Parker is a McDonald's All-American who won a high school dunk contest, defeating five men in the process, including New Orleans Hornets rookie J.R. Smith. She averaged 24.3 points and 11.5 rebounds in her senior season.
Tennessee (8-2) is coming off one of its most exciting wins of the season -- a 70-67 victory over No. 5 Stanford last Tuesday. Shanna Zolman drained a running 3-pointer from 25 feet out at the buzzer.
``I saw there were four seconds left and I was at halfcourt, so I took a couple of dribbles and let it fly,'' Zolman said. ``I think coach said it was the most open shot I had all night.''
It was just Zolman's second basket of the game. Shyra Ely scored 16 points and Tye'sha Fluker added 13 for Tennessee.
The Lady Vols improved to 2-2 against ranked teams. Tennessee is beginning a stretch of three straight games on the road that includes trips to Old Dominion and No. 11 Connecticut.
``After Christmas, we've got Rutgers, Old Dominion, and Connecticut in that order,'' Summitt said. ``It's a big challenge. I'm not as concerned about how we do in November, December and January. I'm more concerned about how we do in March.''
While Parker may return for Tennessee, Rutgers (6-2) is getting its star player back. Cappie Pondexter, the team's leading scorer from last season, is expected to see her first action Wednesday.
``The impact of having Cappie on the floor with us cannot be overestimated,'' Rutgers coach C. Vivian Stringer said. ``Her presence is an air of confidence she'll bring.''
Pondexter, a third-team All-American last season, has not been with the team for personal reasons. She practiced for just the second time on Tuesday and Stringer said she will use her off the bench.
Rutgers has not seen action since a 66-51 win over Clemson on Dec. 18. Chelsea Newton scored 17 points to lead the Scarlet Knights, who forced 24 turnovers.
The Knights are starting a stretch in which they will also play No. 4 Texas and top-ranked LSU.
Tennessee is 10-2 against Rutgers, including five straight wins in the series. The Lady Vols are making their first trip to Rutgers since an 87-77 loss on Jan. 17, 1994 -- the Scarlet Knights' last win in the series.
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