Magic number for Lady Vols duo is 25

KNOXVILLE — Twenty-five.

That point combination is what Pat Summitt expects every outing for the rest of the season from Shanna Zolman and Sidney Spencer.

Summitt said that Zolman, a junior, hasn't been creating good shots for herself, and Spencer, a sophomore, just hasn't been taking them when she gets them.

So Summitt laid down the ultimatum to Zolman and Spencer, who are close friends off the court.

In the first game that Summitt had that number set — a 70-59 win over Louisiana Tech on Wednesday — they combined for 24.

It was close, but neither one is happy yet.

''It's us as part of this team, as two starters, as two key players for this team, knowing what we need to give to this team in order to be successful,'' Zolman said.

Their second opportunity comes today at 12:30 p.m., when the ninth-ranked Lady Vols (6-2) play host to Texas Christian (7-3) and one of the nation's best all-around players in Sandora Irvin.

''We've had meetings,'' Spencer said. ''I know what (Summitt) wants. That would be a waste of her coaching if she continues to have to talk about it.''

Zolman shot 43.7 percent from the floor last season and 42.6 percent from 3-point range. This year, she has dropped to 33.3 and 34.3.

''We talked about her being one of the easiest players on our team to defend,'' Summitt said. ''We try to shut down a lot of players, but very few players that really play well without the ball can be shut down.''

Zolman has taken some advice from assistant coach Nikki Caldwell and has been looking to play more like Richard Hamilton of the Detroit Pistons, who is known for being great without the ball in his hands.

''He's constantly moving, reading screens, moving on his own, backdoor cuts,'' Zolman said.

Spencer's 3-point percentage (50.0) leads the team, and her field goal shooting is second on the team (51.0).

But Spencer hasn't always taken the shots when they've been there.

''When she does, it usually goes in,'' Zolman said.

Summitt hopes a couple of big names might encourage Spencer to be more aggressive.

The Lady Vols will add freshman point guard Sa'de Wiley-Gatewood to the bench rotation today. She has been out with tendinitis since the preseason.

Tennessee is also still hoping to get Candace Parker on the court this season. Parker, the nation's most decorated high school player in 2004, had knee surgery this fall.

''I told (Spencer), 'When we get some people healthy, you're not going to move forward,' '' Summitt said.

'' 'You're either going to stand still or somebody's going to go ahead of you.' ''

The Lady Vols have been impressed with what Wiley-Gatewood has done in the little practice time that she has had.

In addition to recovering from the injury, she has also been in Summitt's doghouse.

She went home to Pomona, Calif., last week without notifying the coaching staff, but Summitt said she has been pleased with the freshman's attitude since she returned. The players agree.

''Her eyesight, her vision on the floor is unbelievable,'' Zolman said.

''Sometimes it's funny because she nails people in the head with a ball. They're just not ready for her passes yet.''